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My 2021 TLX A-Spec I recently bought has 39K miles on it and I have no record of the transmission oil being changed, so I decided to drain & fill it. This established a baseline for my fluid change. I don't use the MM for the timing of when fluids need to be changed.
Difficulty Rating: 3 out of 5 for doing it the first time (5 requires Acura to perform the work)
Time Required:
I'd recommend allotting 1.5 - 2 hours for the first time you do it. If I did it again, I could do it in 1 hour.
Tools Needed:
Electric screw driver
10mm socket wrench
3/8" socket wrench
14mm socket wrench
17mm socket wrench
Steps:
Drive the car around town, get the car's engine and transmission up to normal operating temperature
On a flat surface, get the car up on 4 wheels using either a lift, or two floor jacks in the center of the F & R of the car. Install 4 jack stands to secure the car.
From the top of the engine (be careful, it'll be hot), drape a towel over the exhaust manifold and locate the FILL plug (17mm) and crack it open using a 1/2" socket wrench with the 17mm socket (see picture). Nothing should come out.
From the top of the engine, locate the LEVEL plug (14mm) and make sure you can loosen it. Then re-tighten it.
Go under the car and take off the bottom engine/transmission metal protective pan using the screw driver and 10mm socket wrench
Locate the drain plug for the transmission (see picture). It's in line with the driver side wheel. With a drain pain underneath it, open the drain plug using the 3/8"socket wrench (it's a square opening)
Open the drain and let the fluid drain for at least 20-30 mins. WIPE OFF THE MAGNETIC material on this magnet. (See picture). Once it has stopped, you can close up the drain plug using a new crush washer.
Use a long tube that's connected to a funnel and place it deep into the fill hole (17mm hole).
I used 5.0 QTs to fill the transmission. Make sure you SHAKE EACH BOTTLE before you pour it into the funnel.
Close up the fill port with a new crush washer and tighten the 17mm nut (32 ft lbs)
With all bolts back in place, start the car, get it up to operating temperature following the FSM (factory service manual). The fan should kick on twice (see picture).
Notes:
The engine is going to be HOT, best to wear a long sleeve shirt and make sure the exhaust manifold is covered with a thick blanket/towel that is appropriate for heat
Wipe off the drain plug sediment that was caught by the magnet.
Make sure the engine is up to temperature AFTER putting in the new transmission fluid. This is achieved by starting the engine and having the radiator fan come on twice.
ATF-2.0 Fluid - SHAKE WELL Drain plug, looking towards the driver front wheel Wipe off any material with clean cloth Factory Service Manual - checking level
you sure you need one? IIRC, my plug had an integrated crush washer on it (couldn't come off). But will be good to capture this piece of information in this thread.
08-20-2024, 08:28 PM
