yungone501

iTrader: (4)

First of all I must say before saying anything else that I consider myself a pretty good and experienced technician. Especially when it comes to servicing any of my vehicles...CORRECTLY.

Since owning my 03 TL-S (purchased 4 years ago with 95xxx miles) I've religiously changed all fluids and filters as well any other maintenance that is typically required and generally do so WAY before its needed. I'm a OCD person when it comes to caring for my cars. In conjunction with this, I've always used OEM products (fluids/parts/filters/etc...) except for engine oil when servicing my cars. There truly is no comparison from OEM to aftermarket most of the time. However, in my years, I've learned that if a company that specializes in one thing and one thing only and has been for a appreciative amount of time, there's a pretty good chance that perhaps there product just might be better than OEM. I normally judge this by research, reviews and of course experience with the product.

Long story short, I've recently did something that most guys around here hang other guys for doing...I used an aftermarket ATF fluid in a car I care so much about. I must admit, I was pretty nervous (and still am I guess) about using Amsoil and despite reading many awesome reviews about how great of a product it is, I feel that I have disregarded all that I've ever been taught in my career as a reputable automotive technician. It's laughable to say that if a customer asked me about my opinion on using a non-OEM fluid in a transmission, I'd most definitely denounce the idea and advise against its use.

THE EXPERIENCE
So it's been close to a week and I've been using Amsoil ATF in my TL that now has 131xxx miles on it. I've only done a drain and fill using a total of 3.1qts and I seen an immediate difference the second I pulled out on the road. Tighter, quicker shifts, improved fuel mileage (1-2mpg), no more funny hang ups when using the manual mode with spray at 150hp shot. It notably feels like a different car and it's funny how changing 1/3 of my A/T's fluid have me a result like that. Next Monday I'll be doing another drain and fill and will try to give more feedback while doing this transition so that others may benefit from this experience and hopefully not a mistake. So far so good.

I've noticed a faint smell of ATF usually when stopped after long or heavy driving. I've read one account from a TL user experiencing ATF coming back up the dipstick tube when running Amsoil but then was alleviated after switching back to OEM fluid so maybe I'm just being overly cautious here as I have seen no signs or evidence of fluid leakage or dripping. Thanks unknown random guy for the lingering worry you've brought upon me.

Keep you guys posted...

Karanx7

iTrader: (2)

Amsoil has been well tested by the community. I remember a post explaining all of the potential dangers of changing the friction modifiers too extensively, but regular Amsoil ATF should be fine. I think it was some racing type of Amsoil that you shouldn't use too much of.

Karanx7

iTrader: (2)

Many people have positive experiences using fully synthetic ATF fluids. Obviously, just stay away from Dexron and such.

ChucksCL-S

Amsoil is good but a lot of guys also switch to Redline type F and do two or three 3X3 trans oil changes. This worked wonders for me, feels like a whole new car practically. Funny how after 30K miles or more it still looks clean whereas the honda stuff would be all black from clutch wear.......

yungone501

iTrader: (4)

I'm most certainly definite that I smelled ATF after pulling up to the house lastnight.

Wait, I think I did...did I?

aznboi2424

iTrader: (10)

Lots of members use Amsoil ATF in their 2G CL/TL transmissions without problems. Of course your going to notice a difference with fresh ATF in your transmission, the real question is that because it's fresh ATF or Amsoil. Would you have felt the same difference changing the old ATF for fresh DW-1?

yungone501

iTrader: (4)

As I mentioned in my dirt post, I do all service way before their recommended intervals. I'm talking like 1000mile oil changes as well as ATF drain and fills. I have never used anything in my transmission except Acura DW1 fluid, period. So of course it's always bright red in color. In other words, the change felt was NOT from replacing old fluid with new. But that was an plausible point you made had it not been for that.

yungone501

iTrader: (4)

"first post" NOT "dirt post"!

Auto-fail on dumb-phone, sorry...