Going to do my first transmission fluid change this weekend (just the one drain and fill). What's the torque I should tighten the transmission plug to? Also, do you replace the transmission plug every change like you do with oil? My acura dealership sold me the extra part and said sometimes they change it if it's in bad condition but I'm not sure I'd be able to tell since it's my first time.

Let me know what you do!

Thanks!

 

At the dealership we usually replace the drain plug. But we always replace the sealing washer, if not the drain plug. Also remember to cleaning the magnet of any debris as well.

The drain plug torque with a new ceiling washer: 49 N-m (5.0 kgf-m, 36 lbs-ft)

 

NOTE: In order to refill the ATF for the proper quantity, refill the ATF as soon as possible after draining. 1.Remove the filler plug (A) with the sealing washer (B). 2.Remove the drain plug (C) with the sealing washer (D), and drain the ATF until the ATF starts to drip after pouring.


NOTE: Remove metal particles from the magnetic surface of the drain plug. 3.Reinstall the drain plug with a new sealing washer. 4.Refill the transmission with the recommended fluid into the filler plug hole (E) until the ATF overflows. Always use Acura ATF TYPE 2. NOTE: There are two types of transmission; Type A and Type B. Type B has the rib (F). Be careful of the transmission fluid capacity in reference to the following list. Using the wrong type ATF can affect shift quality. Transmission Fluid Capacity (Reference Capacity):Type A4.1 L (4.3 US qt) at change7.3 L (7.7 US qt) at overhaulType B3.9 L (4.1 US qt) at change7.1 L (7.5 US qt) at overhaulProper ATF level:The ATF is dripping from the filler plug hole with the transmission warmed up. 5.Temporarily install the filler plug with the sealing washer. 6.Lower the vehicle. 7.Start the engine. 8.While pressing the brake pedal firmly, shift in turn the transmission to P R N D S D N R P position/mode, and wait for at least 3 seconds in each position/mode. 9.Turn the engine off. 10.Raise the vehicle. 11.Remove the filler plug (A) with the sealing washer (B). 12.Make sure the ATF is dripped from the filler plug hole (C). If the ATF is pouring, wait until the ATF is slightly dripping from the filler plug hole. If no ATF is coming out of the filler plug hole, add the ATF into the filler plug hole until the ATF overflows, then wait until the ATF is slightly dripping from the filler plug hole. 13.Reinstall the filler plug with a new sealing washer.

 

Hi Sean,

Great directions! Thanks for posting these.

Can you please post (or IM me) the directions for the 2013 Acura RDX AWD trans refill?

 

sure, what's the VIN, please?

 

(parts 1 - 3.)

1-
ATF Replacement NOTE: Keep all foreign particles out of the transmission. When you drain the transmission fluid to remove components, drain the fluid without warming the engine for safety. 1. Engine - Warm Up 1.Start the engine. Hold the engine speed at 3,000 rpm without load (in P or N) until the radiator fan comes on, then let it idle. 2. Vehicle - Lift 1.Park the vehicle on the level ground. 2.Raise and support the vehicle. 3. Air Cleaner - Remove 1.Remove the air cleaner. 4. Intake Air Duct - Remove 1.Remove the intake air duct. 5. Air Intake Tube Assembly - Remove 1.Remove the air intake tube assembly. 6. ATF - Drain 1.Remove the ATF filler bolt (A) with the sealing washer (B). 2.Remove the drain plug (A). 3.Drain the ATF. 4.Reinstall the drain plug using a new sealing washer (B). 7. ATF - Refill 1.Refill the transmission with the recommended fluid into the filler hole (A). Always use Acura ATF DW-1. NOTE: Using a non-Acura ATF can affect shift quality. Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity AWD: 3.1 L (3.3 US qt) at change 8.0 L (8.5 US qt) at overhaul 2WD: 3.1 L (3.3 US qt) at change 7.0 L (7.4 US qt) at overhaul 2.Install the ATF filler bolt (B) using a new sealing washer (C). 3.Remove the ATF dipstick (A). 4.Make sure the ATF fluid level is between the upper mark (B) and the lower mark (C) on the ATF dipstick. 5.Insert the ATF dipstick back into the ATF dipstick tube. 8. Air Intake Tube Assembly - Install 1.Install the air intake tube assembly. 9. Intake Air Duct - Install 1.Install the intake air duct. 10. Air Cleaner - Install 1.Install the air cleaner. 11. HDS DLC - Connect 1.Connect the HDS to the data link connector (DLC) (A) located under the driver's side of the dashboard. 2.Press the engine start/stop button to select the ON mode. 3.Make sure the HDS communicates with the vehicle. If it does not communicate, go to the DLC circuit troubleshooting. 12. Maintenance Minder - Reset 1.After doing all procedures, select the individual maintenance item you wish to reset with the HDS.

2-

Transfer Assembly Fluid Replacement

1. Engine - Warm Up

1. Start the engine. Hold the engine speed at 3,000 rpm without load (in P or N) until the radiator fan comes on, then let it idle.


2. Vehicle - Lift

1. Raise and support the vehicle.


3. Transfer Assembly Fluid - Drain

1. Remove the drain plug (A).

2. Drain the transfer fluid.

3. Reinstall the drain plug using a new sealing washer (B).

4. Transfer Assembly Fluid - Refill

1. Remove the filler plug (A).
Transfer Assembly Fluid Capacity:
0.41 L (0.43 US qt) at fluid change
0.45 L (0.48 US qt) at overhaul


2. Refill the transfer assembly with the recommended fluid through the filler hole (B) until the fluid flows out. Use an Acura HGO-1.



3. Reinstall the filler plug using a new sealing washer (C).

3 -
Rear Differential Fluid Inspection and Replacement
1. Vehicle - Lift

1. Raise and support the vehicle.


2. Rear Differential Fluid - Check

1. Use solvent and a brush to wash any oil and dirt off the oil filler plug, and dry them with compressed air.

2. Remove the oil filler plug (A) and the sealing washer (B).

3. Check the condition of the rear differential fluid, if the fluid is dirty or burnt, replace it.

If the level is below the proper level, check for rear differential fluid leaks at the differential.
If a problem is found, fix it before filling the differential with fluid.


4. Make sure the rear differential fluid is at the proper level (C).


5. The fluid level must reach up to the bottom of the oil filler plug hole.

6. If necessary, add the rear differential fluid until it runs out, then reinstall the oil filler plug with a new sealing washer.


NOTE: Check that the AWD system indicator does not come on. If it does, check for AWD with intelligent control system DTC's.
1. Vehicle - Lift

1. Raise and support the vehicle.


2. Rear Differential Fluid - Replace

1. Remove the oil filler plug (A) and the sealing washer (B).



2. Remove the drain plug (A) and the sealing washer (B), then drain the rear differential fluid.



3. Remove the metal particles from the magnetic surface of the drain plug (A).

4. Install the drain plug with a new sealing washer (B).
Fluid Capacity:
1.2 L (1.3 US qt) at fluid change
1.5 L (1.6 US qt) at overhaul

Recommended fluid:
Acura All-Wheel Drive Fluid (DPSF)



5. Refill the rear differential with rear differential fluid to the proper level.
NOTE: If you disassemble the differential, check the rear differential fluid level again after the AWD with intelligent control system check is finished. Add fluid if necessary.







6. Install the oil filler plug (A) with a new sealing washer (B). ⁿ

3. Rear Differential Fluid After Replacement - Check

1. Apply the parking brake, and block all four wheels.

2. Start the engine, and let it idle more than 6 seconds, then turn the engine off. Repeat this step three more times.

3. Shift to D while pressing the brake pedal firmly. Press the accelerator pedal for 2 seconds, then let it idle. Repeat this step three more times.

4. Check that the AWD system indicator does not come on. If it does, check for AWD with intelligent control system DTC's.


4. HDS - Connect

1. Connect the HDS to the DLC (A) located under the driver's side of the dashboard.

2. Press the engine start/stop button to select the ON mode.

3. Make sure the HDS communicates with the vehicle and the AWD control unit. If it does not, go to the symptom troubleshooting for HDS does not communicate with AWD control unit
(See AWD System Symptom Troubleshooting - Abnormal noise (AWD)
and/or AWD System Symptom Troubleshooting - AWD system indicator does not come on (AWD)
and/or AWD System Symptom Troubleshooting - AWD system indicator does not go off, and no DTCs are stored (AWD)
and/or AWD System Symptom Troubleshooting - HDS does not communicate (AWD)
and/or AWD System Symptom Troubleshooting - Will not go into 4WD mode, Poor traction, Poor acceleration (at start), Poor climbing ability (AWD)
and/or AWD System Symptom Troubleshooting - AWD system is stuck in 4WD mode (AWD)).

5. Maintenance Minder - Reset

1. After doing all procedures, select the individual maintenance item you wish to reset with the HDS.

 

thank you for the great insight into the transmission fluid change. This may sound like a super dumb question but what is the filler plug used for? I thought it would be to fill the transmission but when I went down to take a look it looks hard to get a funnel in there. Should I fill through the dip stick? Is the filler plug to help drain any excess transmission fluid? Sorry for the basic question, trying to do more diy with the extra time on my hands

 

So the way that you fill the transmission up with going through the filler hole. Is you got to get a fluid transfer pump. The cheapest one to get is from harbor freight and what it looks like is a tube that's metal and one end it's got a nipple on 1 end. it's a nipple with a plastic long tube on it's see through and then on the other side it's got plunger what you do is you pull the plunger out with the clear tube connected to the nipple in the fluid that you want to put into the transmission and you pull the plunger out and it sucks the fluid into this tube and then you push it into the transmission through the filler hole and that's how you do that. It's kind of a pain in the ass and make sure that you're on a level service and or that the vehicle's level because that's just how you do it. So at the dealership, with the vehicle on the lift, that's how I did it and literally it's a real pain in the ass. And unfortunately no matter what you do it's going to be fucking messy.

How do you know it's full? Well you keep on pumping it into the transmission until it starts leaking out of the filler hole, literally. Now you don't have to torque that plug on; because if you torque that plug on now, you're not going to get it off later. you're going to strip it. it's going to piss you off. so just put it in there snug.

If you have any more questions just feel free to ask it's no big deal. I'm more then glad to sharing knowledge and/or any resources I have access too.

Because I know when tables were turned, life sucked when trying to work on your vehicle w/o it.

 

Thanks! hoping it's ok to post a link but I'm assuming this is what it looks like? https://www.harborfreight.com/multi-...+transfer+pump