n3ok318

iTrader: (1)

mine's 05 with 50k miles and my AT isn't as smooth as before (although it has no problems)

I think now is a good time to change my transmission fluid so I called up Acura and they quoted me $230 + tax. I thought it was a little too expensive so I called Honda and they said NOT to flush as it will seriously damage my transmission. I asked why and they said honda told them not to.

so my question is

1) should i flush or not?
2) i think $230 is a little too steep. If i do choose to flush, is a good rep local shop a good alternative?
3) i just bought axxim ultimate brake pads and honda quoted me $190 for resurfacing the rotor and replacing pads. is it normal?

Thanks!

Tsx6363

um.. why at the dealer... flush it at any place.. i just saw a place by me for like 30 bucks... (sign said "instead of 89.99"

Jeff_B

The prices on brakes is steep. I would find another shop or do it yourself (doing brakes on these cars is fairly easy). If you can bring the rotors to a shop like Pep Boys, they'll resurface them for around $10 each.

aaronng

You don't need to flush your transmission fluid. Just drain it out and then replace with new fluid. About 40% will come out. If you want it cleaner, run it for a few minutes driving around and then drain and replace fluid again.

For brakes, you don't need to resurface your rotor. Just get someone on this forum to help you replace them for a carton of beer.

jdepasqu2

I didnt realize that when you drain the tranny fluid that only 40% will come out??? is this only for the automatic???, its it different for a manual???? I was planning on doing this soon to my 6spd......., as I am just about at 50K.

n3ok318

iTrader: (1)

it's same for the manual. some people recommend me to drain it like 3 times and others recommend me to flush it. ahhh.. if i want to drain it many times to re-new fluids, then why not flush it in the first place? Won't draining it cost more this way then?

aaronng

No it's not the same with the manual. In the manual, the total capacity is 2.2 quarts, but when you do a change, 2.0 quarts come out. So it's almost a full change and you don't need to flush at all.

For the auto, it's 6.9 quarts total but when you change, only 3.0 quarts come out.

ATsxMan8305

I was never a big fan of flushes of ANY type - coolant, tranny, etc. It's a way for the dealer (or whomever, where ever) to make $ off you. If your engine is in good working order and you have followed the preventative maintenance schedule, then you should never need a flush. My

n3ok318

iTrader: (1)

i see, i learn new things everyday


my engine is great but tranny seem to jerk a bit. it's just like any other used car, but something tells me i need to baby my tranny starting now to keep it running for 150k more!

v62kaccord

you guys should change your AT fluid more often.... On my 6gen v6 accord I change it every 15k miles because I know the 6gen accords have a bad AT.... but now I have 130K on it and it's still on its original tranny while others have probably changed the tranny 2-3x...... I also have a tranny cooler, so i guess that's helping too

change fluid more often = you get more life out of the tranny

aaronng

^^ Agreed, change your AT fluid often. If you can afford it, do it yearly. If not, do it every 1.5 years.

n3ok318

iTrader: (1)

hm.. thanks for helping me out but i want more definate answer as i still can't decide whether to flush or drain.

v62kaccord

well if u flush at the honda/acura dealer, they run the oil down the tranny instead of blasting it with high pressure because it's harmful, especially if the tranny has never been flushed and it'll cost around $120 at my dealer....

BUT....... if you do it yourself, just drain and fill 3x and it is the same as a flush. Just drive the car a bit between drain/fill to run the fluids thru the tranny....

My car for example needs 3 quarts at $5 each quart, so I'll spend $15/fill and if I do it 3x I'll only spend $45 and it's the same thing as the flush.

So I guess the answer is go to the dealer and do the flush because they do it the safer way, unlike other places where they just blast the tranny with high pressure. If you want to save some $$$, then do it yourself

aaronng

^^ Instead of spending $45 at one go for a flush, just spend $15 to drain and refill your ATF once a year. You only need to drain if your ATF has gone to shit with a lot of particles in it from neglect.

n3ok318

iTrader: (1)

ok thanks! i guess i will just drain for now and do it again in timely manner

aaronng

It's cheap if you learn how to do it yourself. You just need a good jack, jackstands, a basic 3/8" drive socket set, drip tray, funnel and hose. If you plan to send your car to the mechanic's every year, it's going to be expensive.

jlukja

Do not flush the transmission. Drain and fill is sufficient. Take a look at what the February 2006 Acura ServiceNews Bulletin says (page 3).

aaronng

Yeah, using aftermarket flushes are a no-no. But using Honda/Acura ATF to "flush" by driving around for a short while and then draining again is fine.