mc1114

New member here not new to Hondas but new to Acura. Purchased an 08 TL this week and loving it so far

My question is regarding ATF drain and fill. I know all about the procedure. Did this today to the TL and am baffled because the fluid seems to not have changed color at all. Never had this happen and this is my 3rd automatic Honda vehicle. Drained from the plug on the passenger side of the transmission. Filled from the tube thats right there in front in plain view when you open the hood. Fluid is still orange-y as opposed to the very obvious pink that comes out of a new bottle. Has anyone ever needed more than the 9 quarts to get it to change color?

mc1114

Current color of the ATF

flyromeo3

That looks quite normal pigment when mixing new and oil transmission fluid. Does it have a burnt smell?


Now when it comes to quantity. When I purchased my last batch of dw-1. The Honda mechanic informed me they received a bulletin that the drain and refill requires 3.5 quarts and not 3 of ATF. So I see no reason to not believe him and have been doing it. I've checked the dipstick and I'm just a hair under full.
The bulleting was for v6 Honda/Acura w/ 3.2 and 3.5L engines.

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

I've always had to use slightly more than 3.5 quarts per drain and fill.

mc1114

No burnt smell, but I find it odd that with 9 quarts in there already, the color seems to not have changed. Its not like it was black or brown even before I started. In my past vehicles, by the 2nd drain and fill I was already seeing a difference

Granted I did not drive the car in between, but I did leave it in Drive for about 10 minutes each time. This is how I have done it in the past and its always mixed nicely doing it this way

I did it the right way, and the splashing fluid on the floor after each drain was not pink, which tells me it had mixed. Should I assume it just needs more new fluid? I know the TL transmission is very different than the Accord transmission Im used to servicing

mc1114

Yes I will have to do the same. Using 3 quarts left me low on the stick

mc1114

Did one more drain and fill. Color started to look pink-ish but not completely yet. I wont worry about it anymore as Im sure with 12 quarts of new DW1 in there, its mostly (if not all) clean fluid. Also changed the 3 pressure switches

KJ TL-S

iTrader: (9)

Glad to hear people are using 3.5ish. I needed 3.25 to get into the range, next time will probably do 3.5. I was suprised when I did my first measurement after 3 and it was so low.