prokolyo

Hi all,

I am not sure if this question has been asked, excuse me if so.

I have a 2008 TSX that recently turned 120,000 miles. As far as I knew the instructions were to replace transmission fluid for first time at 60K if driven in extreme conditions, and at 120K if in regular. Since I consider my conditions regular, I have not replaced it at 60K. I asked my local dealer for the service and they told me that they won't do it - they said that if the fluid has not been changed yet, now there is a great chance to cause damage to the transmission if they do it. Several other people (including another dealership) said that it is OK to change it.

What's your take on this, should I replace the transmission fluid or not?

Thanks in advance.

TexasHonda

Drain and replace fluid w/ Honda ATF DW1. Most folks seem to be changing at 3 yr/30K intervals.

good luck

Simba91102

Just to elaborate on this a bit, the reason behind changing the fluid so often is because when you drain the trans, only one third of the fluid comes out. There is a "3x3" method which involves draining, running, then draining again 3 times. That will pretty much renew the fluid completely. Doing it more often, and doing only a third at a time, is easier (and less wasteful), and it's become fairly popular I believe. With OE fluid that is at least 7 years old, with that many miles on it, I'd change it ASAP. It's up to you how much of it you want to change though.

prokolyo

Thanks, I read a bunch of threads about changing it and am fairly certain what to do. My concern is however, do you think there is any truth to the claim of the dealership that changing the fluid for first time at this point could damage the transmission.

Simba91102

This (don't change it because . . .), is in my opinion, a straw man arguement much like the "you shouldn't start using synthetic after X amount of miles because you'll screw up the . . . whatever". That said, opinions are like assholes; everyone has one. We can't (or won't) tell you what to do. You've collected some facts and some opinions, and now it's up to you to decide what to do (I'd change it, and if it would help you feel any better, maybe do a third at a time every 1K or 5K or 10K miles).

prokolyo

This is exactly how I felt before I logged in today and read your post - change it now, do a third two more times at 5-10K, and then keep up at every 30K.

And no, I won't hold you liable

Thanks again for the answers.

curls

You can in theory get all of it out (or over 90%) by getting creative - I did this on my wife's previous vehicle (automatic). As I have a 6MT TSX I'm not sure this is possible, but I would think most auto transmissions use the same basic principles: Fluid leaves transmission for transmission fluid cooler built into bottom of radiator, then returns (cooled) to the transmission.
What I did was use the two hoses that led to/from the rad and had the one leading OUT of the transmission, in a 1 gallon washer fluid jug. The one leading IN to the transmission was mated to an extension hose and a helper (my wife) poured in, via a funnel, the new fluid. Engine ON, transmission in park. Once the fluid starts coming out the OUT hose looking newer, we cycled the shifter through P-R-N-D-L and back, a few times, and then topped-up the fluid.
The car ran like new after this. It's like a flush, but not a power flush.


Note: My gut tells me your dealer/mechanic didn't want to possibly break a seal using their POWER flush machine. They're too lazy to do the 3x1/3 method and use a power flush to just change it all, but using force.

mrgold35

I do the 3X drain/fill at the dealership every 30,000 miles for all 3 of my vehicles. Not sure how 120,000 mile old 5AT oil can cause more damage compared to fresh oil? I also flush the power steering every 100,000 miles and flush the brakes every 3 years or brake job.

Simba91102

As I said, opinions are like . . .. Seems a bit like overkill for the tranny, but better too often than not often enough. The brake fluid change every 3 years is Honda's scheduled maintenance interval, and changing the PS fluid every so often is something that everyone should be doing (though there's no recommended change interval for it). The PS fluid change is too easy to not do it (all you need is a turkey baster and some PS fluid). Preventative maintenance is key to a long service life with these cars (any car I guess . . .).

mrgold35

I always get the feeling car manufactures consider 100,000-120,000 miles to be the max life expectancy for the average vehicle. Routine manit always got me to 200,000 miles for my previous Hondas. Not sure why a Acura tech would turn down the opportunity to make $$$.