You can scream at me if I'm missing something that was mentioned previously. I was doing a search about transmission fluid and kept running across Acura's with transmission problems at around 100K mi. Is there a problem with any year Acura transmissions? I had an 05 Tl,
auto, traded it in with 75K on it, no apparent problems. I now have an 08 TLS, auto with 45 K. Car runs great. I guess I will wait for the computer to inform me when to change the fluid, etc. Thanks, Bill from Boston

 

Mine died at 65K and was replaced at 110K just before dying a second time. I always performed the maintenance instructed by the maintenance minder system.

 

Mine just died at 69K in my 06, maintenance by the book.

 

The TL-S has a different auto transmission than the TL 3.2 due to the 3.5 engine, which is from the RL. The RL trans have been bulletproof, and I have yet to hear of any failures on the '07-08 TL-S.

Most cars will have a certain number of auto trans failures, but I do not get the impression that the 3G TL has a higher failure rate than other cars (the 2G TL is a different, and sadder, story).

 

The 3g was well on its way to having 2g-like failure rates. Its the same trans with the exception of the slightly improved '07 and up.

All of the people experiencing shudder that were cured in the big racing atf and pressure switch threads would have quickly become failures if not caught early on. With the knowledge of the two causes of trans failures, the rate has been reduced. The fixes is those two threads are also working on the 2g. Don't think the RL trans is immune to the fluid and pressure switch problems.

 

making me nervous. my '04 has 91K miles on it.

 

Mine just went up at 112k, damn Acura .

 

That's not exactly low mileage, I don't see how you can be mad at Acura. Still though, if people just ran the type F fluid and replaced the switches every few years there would be practically no failures.

 

hum, i just signed for an 07 tl w navi today ( deposit and BOS). 51k miles...can anyone say perfect timing for pressure sensors!! and ,maybe fluid too

 

I Purchased a 04 with 29k back in jan 09. A couple weeks later i had the infamous tranny shutter. Changed the fluid using honda atf. It went away but the issue came back around 60k. I ended up selling the car and now im currently driving a rsx. Im in the market for another 4dr car but I dont want to deal with the tranny issues in the tl. Im trying to avoid buying a tsx but im leaning toward it. Do you guys recommend getting 07? or possibly a 07-08 type S? I read somewhere that someone was having tranny issues with their type S. Im totally frustrated and cant decided what to get. Ive owned nothing but hondas and might look into IS 250/350.

 

All transmission troubles are easily solved with the right fluid and switches. Do a search, there's a ton of info out there.

 

I am (almost) ha! completely on board with making the switch to redline racing AFT after I run this new tranny about 1500 miles to get all of the break in debris out, but I still wonder why all of the hot shot engineers at Honda/Acura do not agree with us and make a change. I know they have a new Honda ATF but they are still filling these remanufactured units with the Z1? It seems only the new model trannys are getting the new ATF. If it solves the problem why do they not adopt it? selling fluid cannot be the reason.

As you can tell there is a part of me that still has some reservations about making the change. Thats just based upon the notion that the cars engineers should know more about it than us. I mean if its such an easy fix then why does the factory not adopt it? these tranny failures must be causing some unhappiness amongst the owners and low reliability ratings in the press.

 

Update! I just ordered a case of Redline Racing ATF from outdoor pros along with $5 off coupon so its like 10 bucks a quart delivered to your door. be about 8 bucks less for those of you not in Cali since there will be no tax.

I guess I talked myself out of any reservations. well not really but what the hell! if it fails they have no real way of telling that its not Z1, besides if they ask if there is z1 in there the correct answer is yes! (just not very much, but there is some) ha!

 

My 05 TL was slightly shuddering at around 60,000. I did the pressure switch replacement and started the three quart drain and refill (z1) with oil changes. The shudder is completely gone now at 80,000 miles and the transmission seems good.

Previously, my 2002 type s was on the third transmission at the same mileage. I think the 3 G transmission is much better. There were improvements in the 2G transmissions as they were replaced. I suspect the 3G transmissions had all the fixes to start with.

 

From some of the post I have been reading about transmission issues, I think if you are going to stick with Honda/Acura Z1 fluid it is best to change that every other oil change or 15,000 miles but with redline racing it looks like it can go further like 50k along with changing the pressure switches out every 3 years or so

 

Not really mad, it's just that I have a 96 RL with about 217k on it with no tranny issues. I knew Honda auto's aren't the most durable but expected to get at least another 25k or so outta her, oh well.

 

It really is that easy. Engineers have other goals than just reliability. Look around on this board. Never a single failure on type f but tons of failures on z1. Look at all that were on the brink of failure on z1 with the shudder and slip that type f cured. Look at the 128000 mile 400hp turbo Tl with the only trans mod being the fluid.

 

Frequent changes only solve one problem with Z1. The oxidation or breakdown of the fluid. The bigger problem is that it's loaded with friction modifiers that cause clutch slippage. The fluid can be changed every 10 miles and this will never change and excessive wear will always take place. I totally agree with your interval on the racing fluid and switches.

 

Damn, thats sad to see that 3g transmissions are starting to fail...did they really not fix the problem after all? That really sucks because if I get a used one with a good amount of miles, that car will have been driven with the wrong fluid the whole time causing premature wear on the tranny. Is the cure really just sensors and the right fluid? And at what mileage would it probably not be a good idea to purchase 3g TL? I just don't want to run into more tranny problems, like my first volvo that would really piss me off...haha

 

This is good to know about the 07-07 TL-S as I just purchased one just over a month ago. Does everyone recommend switching the F fluids and what exactly is the "switches" referred to?

 

1) Very interesting conversation with my transmission builder on the TL (click here)
2) A-110: DIY Guide to replacing 3rd & 4th gear pressure switch for 3G TL (2004-2006) (click here)
3) Racing ATF (click here)
4) Bad Transmission Findings-ALL OWNERS READ! URGENT (click here)

 

I started using regular Amsoil ATF (non-racing) @ 71k, and at 85k, the transmission into 3rd and 4th are definitely delayed.. it's still nice if you give it some gas, but at slow speeds, it feels like it switches gears much slower than it should...

I have the pressure switches on hand, hope that I will be okay till my next maintenance when I'll have time to do it.

Ihatecars, You think its abs required to buy the washers too? They're like $4 each for some reason in LA.

 

I did not change the washers on mine, no problem, just be sure all the surfaces & washers are very clean.

 

I have a 2007 Acura TL s type .59,800 miles. Owned it for 4 months and very disappointed. Major issue is with transmission
The transmission approaches its first shift point (from 1 to 2) at 1500-1750rpm, 2nd gear is engaged with a jerk and the car feels as if it lurched forward. Noticeable more when accelerating slowly, frequent shifting between 1st and 2nd gear becomes a When the car is decelerating and transmission downshifts from a higher gear into 2nd a similar event occurs, there is slight jerk.

I also noticed that regardless of outside temperature or whether transmission is warmed up, when picking up speed or at moderate highway speed, 3rd (and sometimes 4th) gear is engaged with a sensation of pull and shift is always noticeable, occasionally there is a jerk as if some kind of mechanical friction prevented normal operation. On occasion when accelerating between city blocks through gears 1,2 and 3 with approximately 40-45mph and then decelerating - transmission would downshift with a jerk. Given the age and mileage of the vehicle, I would expect the transmission to operate seamlessly
I have taken this car to the dealer 3 times.
1st time they flushed the transmission. (220.00)
2nd time they changed EGR vale (350.00) and cleaned out system think this had something to do with hesitation. The problem is still there. At this point my dealer says they can’t find anything wrong with car. It’s very frustrating

I will be out of warranty in 10,000 miles

 

And the explanation and cure to your problems have already been posted by Inaccurate in this thread.

 

You guys are scaring me with all these tranny problems. I have an 06 TL w/ 50k. Im sorry if this is a noob question , but are you supposed to frequently change the transmission fluids?

 

When does this end??? Everything you ever wanted to know is linked a few posts above!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Shame on me for not researching , sorry about that. I seen that "Inaccurate" posted everything.

 

Yeah, sorry for getting short. If you have any other questions I would be happy to answer them.

 

No hard feelings .

 

:ibmovetotransmissionthread:

Seems like we're having new threads daily in regards to this.

I think the more frustrating issue isn't necessarily the amount of tranny failures, but rather the fact that Acura (Honda, really) doesn't seem to provide a solution other than fluid changes with Z1 or new transmissions all together. Have they not learned from past mistakes? Until they can provide an official, affirmative fix (such as different fluid and pressure switch changes), Acura's 5AT is fairly unreliable to the average consumer who doesn't know better. I'm thankful for the information on here.

 

That's what blows my mind. The fix is just two small cheap items. Acura still won't budge. This has been going on for more than 10 years now. Crazy.

 

To make up for it, here's what you want to do. Don't worry about changing the fluid often. Change it out with a "type F" fluid and replace the 3rd and 4th gear switches every few years regardless of mileage. If you do these two things, you won't have to worry about the trans.

You can use any type f fluid. Most use "Redline Racing" or "Amsoil Super Shift". With these two mods it will shift better than new and wear will nearly cease. It's best to do it now and stop the wear before it starts showing symptoms of worn clutch packs.

 

i have a 07 tl-s. makes me feel a little better knowing that my transmission is slightly better than the base tl...but still i want to maintain it right for maximum life

 

my 06 tl has 153,000 miles and the trans has never been serviced what so ever. i'm not having any issues but after reading all this it sounds like i can prolong my trans life.
suggestions.... thank you in advance for any input.

-btw i have only owned it for 3,000 miles so its not me who has neglected this precious tl. haha when i got it at 150 the plugs,tbelt everything was original!

 

^Don't know that I'd have purchased the car knowing that, but glad you're getting the maintenance all in order. Change that fluid ASAP if it hasn't been done for 153,000 miles...your tranny is probably begging for it..

 

man.. lol'ed at this thread.. what a bunch of pansies.. (joking please dont ban me)


https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...1#post12600271

SO redline it is.. I just switched my moto oil from repsol full sym. to redline. I thought repsol did a great job over regular oil. Redline is better shifting and clutch engagement.

FYI most motorcycles are wet clutch. I would think it will do well with 5spd auto also.


https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...1#post12600271

 

Does yours share oil with the crankcase? The reason I ask is the moly in many of the Redline oils doesn't mix well with the wet clutches. I know the 40wt does not have moly since it's a popular grade for the bikes. I haven't looked in a while, maybe they have bike specific oils....

 

yes it does.. but redline makes motocycle specific oil. 10w40

 

While I'm with you on not hearing of any failures, I've heard that 2nd & 3rd are not all that strong, and are quite weakened by people who may use them to help brake in the autos.