2012 TL FWD trans fluid

Honda/Acura DW1.

This and only this. You can goof around with a lot of other fluids. Oil viscosity and brands, brake fluid (Dot 4, Dot 5.1 - NOT Dot 5 however), coolant (just make sure it's silicate free HOAT formula), etc. However, don't goof around with transmission fluid. Use only Honda or Acura DW1. It doesn't matter which, both are the same, just in different bottles. Don't put any additives or any other type of fluid in there.

I used Valvoline synthetic ATF in my Honda Pilot once and it worked fine. But when I swapped it out (as best I could with a 3x3 flush) with DW1 it made a considerable difference in the way the transmission acted - for the better that is. Lots of folks have messed with various additives such as Redline ATF in different ratios with Honda DW1 and in most cases, have come to the conclusion that sticking with 100% DW1 is the way to go.

Honda/ Acura ATF - DW 1

Wrong. DW1 is good stuff but there is nothing wrong with using ATF from a reputable company (Redline, Amsoil, Valvoline, etc) if it says it's compatible with DW1 on the bottle. It won't ruin your transmission.

And are you willing to pay if it does?

I agree. The Valvoline certainly didn't ruin my Honda Pilot transmission. It was in there for about 30K miles and worked fine. But I can most definitely tell a difference when I did a 3x3 with DW1. Shifts are smoother yet firm without the "squishiness" that it used to have. With Honda's glass transmissions, I don't take a chance.