My 30,000 mile service - loads of pics and video
05-27-2010, 08:01 PM
#1
Soon I will have
Thread Starter
My 30,000 mile service - loads of pics and video
The dealership wanted $550 for a 30K service, I thought that was a little extreme, so I did some research and found out what was needed and did it myself for a total of $120. I got 90% of my supplies form OEMAcuraPartsTim and he was a real big help with getting everything I needed. This is not a DIY but more of the process I took over a couple of days to get everything done.o
What I used:
9 quarts Acura ATF
Mobil 1 fully syntec oil
Fram EX oil filter
1 12oz can of seafoam(not recommended or done by dealer)
Long funnel
7 quart drain pan
Acura in cabin air filter
I bought some new crush washers and a tranny fluid filter but realized that these were not really needed so I am saving them for a later date.
I started off by doing the seafoam and thanks to many threads and DIY's on here it was really a breeze to do. I did the sip, sip, slurp method and was really happy with the results. I wasn't expecting to get a huge amount of crud to come out as I only have 30k on the car and always use high test. I bought a 1 foot piece of clear tubing from Lowe's for .27 and the can of seafoam cost me 9 bucks at Autozone.
I put 4oz of the 12oz can into my 1/4 full gas tank and the rest got sipped up through the tube, I only stalled the car twice
I took my time letting the remaining 8oz get sucked into the engine, I would say it took me about ten minutes to get it all in...the following video is just a small sample of that.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smUja9-bGv0
After I was done feeding the seafoam to the car I let it all marinate for about 20 minutes. I then started her up and did some high speed runs on the highway and one or two on a low traffic quiet road.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlUTTvGb8gM
Boy that full ATLP setup sounds nice
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE_h8_J6jQk
With the seafoaming done it was time to tackle the in cabin air filter. At first I told myself that I was going to do the filter access port mod, but once I saw that it took me 10 minutes to get the glove box off and out and gain access to the filter; I didn't see the need to do any cutting.
Old vs. New...yuck
Part of the 30,000 mile service is an inspection of the brakes, well I changed them roughly 6,000 miles ago with some Rotoras so I knew everything was good on that end. Next I rotated the tires and figured that while I have them off the car it would be a good time to wax and detail both the Brembos but the wheels too. The wheels got washed then waxed on both the inside and out. I washed and waxed the Rays lug nuts as well
Dirty
Clean
Dirty
Waxed and sexy as hell
Next was the oil change, nothing to hard about this job.
Drain baby, drain...
Next it was time for the meat of this project, the 3x3 tranny fluid flush and change. I knocked this part out in about three hours, once you get the first drain done it is really a breeze after that. I first removed the under-hood fuse box and the bracket holding it in.
The I located the ATF fill bolt which was very clearly marked with an ATF.
I tried to get it off with my rachet and two extensions, but it was happening. So I used the top part of my floor jack to make a makeshift breaker bar and it worked like a charm.
I then went under the car and removed the plastic cover to gain access to the tranny.
Cover on
Cover off
A quick funny side story: while under the car I was looking at the tranny and found what I thought was the drain plug because it had the same red markings on it as the fill bolt had. I broke the nut loose got my pan ready and then...nothing cameout. I was a little baffled, come to find out it was the nut next to it...that was the proper one
I got that sweet little moment on video...enjoy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lQphhmKtSM
So this is the proper bolt
And here is what it should like
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGLiSZkA7Dg
So when I did realize that I had the right bolt I now found myself with another issue, the blot is round with a square opening. I wasn't sure what type of tool would get it off...I tried one of my extensions from my rachet set and it was perfect.
After each drain I measured how much came out with the ole empty gallon of milk trick.
Drain #1
Drain #2
Drain #3
After each drain I took the car out for 2 mile drive and had it "manual" mode cycling through the gears to get everything nice and lubed up.
On my last drain I cleaned up the drain bolt that is magnetic and had a lot crap built up on it.
Dirty
Clean
Last 3 quart fill
After all that I put the car back together and will report this: The car is shifting smoother and crisper, had a little more get up and go and my MPG has gone up just a touch. Thanks for reading!
What I used:
9 quarts Acura ATF
Mobil 1 fully syntec oil
Fram EX oil filter
1 12oz can of seafoam(not recommended or done by dealer)
Long funnel
7 quart drain pan
Acura in cabin air filter
I bought some new crush washers and a tranny fluid filter but realized that these were not really needed so I am saving them for a later date.
I started off by doing the seafoam and thanks to many threads and DIY's on here it was really a breeze to do. I did the sip, sip, slurp method and was really happy with the results. I wasn't expecting to get a huge amount of crud to come out as I only have 30k on the car and always use high test. I bought a 1 foot piece of clear tubing from Lowe's for .27 and the can of seafoam cost me 9 bucks at Autozone.
I put 4oz of the 12oz can into my 1/4 full gas tank and the rest got sipped up through the tube, I only stalled the car twice
I took my time letting the remaining 8oz get sucked into the engine, I would say it took me about ten minutes to get it all in...the following video is just a small sample of that.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smUja9-bGv0
After I was done feeding the seafoam to the car I let it all marinate for about 20 minutes. I then started her up and did some high speed runs on the highway and one or two on a low traffic quiet road.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlUTTvGb8gM
Boy that full ATLP setup sounds nice
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE_h8_J6jQk
With the seafoaming done it was time to tackle the in cabin air filter. At first I told myself that I was going to do the filter access port mod, but once I saw that it took me 10 minutes to get the glove box off and out and gain access to the filter; I didn't see the need to do any cutting.
Old vs. New...yuck
Part of the 30,000 mile service is an inspection of the brakes, well I changed them roughly 6,000 miles ago with some Rotoras so I knew everything was good on that end. Next I rotated the tires and figured that while I have them off the car it would be a good time to wax and detail both the Brembos but the wheels too. The wheels got washed then waxed on both the inside and out. I washed and waxed the Rays lug nuts as well
Dirty
Clean
Dirty
Waxed and sexy as hell
Next was the oil change, nothing to hard about this job.
Drain baby, drain...
Next it was time for the meat of this project, the 3x3 tranny fluid flush and change. I knocked this part out in about three hours, once you get the first drain done it is really a breeze after that. I first removed the under-hood fuse box and the bracket holding it in.
The I located the ATF fill bolt which was very clearly marked with an ATF.
I tried to get it off with my rachet and two extensions, but it was happening. So I used the top part of my floor jack to make a makeshift breaker bar and it worked like a charm.
I then went under the car and removed the plastic cover to gain access to the tranny.
Cover on
Cover off
A quick funny side story: while under the car I was looking at the tranny and found what I thought was the drain plug because it had the same red markings on it as the fill bolt had. I broke the nut loose got my pan ready and then...nothing cameout. I was a little baffled, come to find out it was the nut next to it...that was the proper one
I got that sweet little moment on video...enjoy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lQphhmKtSM
So this is the proper bolt
And here is what it should like
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGLiSZkA7Dg
So when I did realize that I had the right bolt I now found myself with another issue, the blot is round with a square opening. I wasn't sure what type of tool would get it off...I tried one of my extensions from my rachet set and it was perfect.
After each drain I measured how much came out with the ole empty gallon of milk trick.
Drain #1
Drain #2
Drain #3
After each drain I took the car out for 2 mile drive and had it "manual" mode cycling through the gears to get everything nice and lubed up.
On my last drain I cleaned up the drain bolt that is magnetic and had a lot crap built up on it.
Dirty
Clean
Last 3 quart fill
After all that I put the car back together and will report this: The car is shifting smoother and crisper, had a little more get up and go and my MPG has gone up just a touch. Thanks for reading!
Last edited by golfjwr; 05-27-2010 at 08:10 PM.
The following 3 users liked this post by golfjwr:
05-27-2010, 08:49 PM
#4
אני עומד עם ישראל
Nice write up. Thanks for sharing.
05-27-2010, 09:00 PM
#5
Intermediate
Join Date: Apr 2009
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I just hit 30K so i'm doing it next week. Well actually the only thing that i have to do is the 3x3 ATF but i got the Redline D4. i am not happy with the way the transmission shifts right now so after reading a lot of posts and info I think i done my homework and try the D4. hope i don't scrue up.
Execelent post, very nice pics......aaa....funny video too!!! HAHHAAHAH
Execelent post, very nice pics......aaa....funny video too!!! HAHHAAHAH
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05-27-2010, 09:20 PM
#8
05' AT SSM
I just ordered similar parts, 9 quarts atf, tranny filter etc.. Wow about this tranny drain plug i had no idea. Glad you made this thread.
Is there some kind of bit adapter to use on this? Not sure what to search for. I know its a 18 x 1.5mm bolt..
Well your thread is inspiring and looking forward to doing this myself also.
Is there some kind of bit adapter to use on this? Not sure what to search for. I know its a 18 x 1.5mm bolt..
Well your thread is inspiring and looking forward to doing this myself also.
05-27-2010, 09:44 PM
#10
Very nice write up OP. It was a fun read!
The OP used an extension piece, looked like 3/8. Also, like stated above, you can just use your ratchet.
I just ordered similar parts, 9 quarts atf, tranny filter etc.. Wow about this tranny drain plug i had no idea. Glad you made this thread.
Is there some kind of bit adapter to use on this? Not sure what to search for. I know its a 18 x 1.5mm bolt..
Well your thread is inspiring and looking forward to doing this myself also.
Is there some kind of bit adapter to use on this? Not sure what to search for. I know its a 18 x 1.5mm bolt..
Well your thread is inspiring and looking forward to doing this myself also.
05-27-2010, 10:21 PM
#11
Ah now I can finally flush my tranny fluid. Are you just draining the fluid, refilling with 3 quarts, draining again, refilling, etc; a total of 3 times? Then refilling one last time and that be that? Any driving between flushes. Ah nevermind! I should've kept reading haha
Ah nevermind! I should've kept reading haha
05-27-2010, 10:25 PM
#12
Team Owner
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05-28-2010, 07:19 AM
#14
Racer
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this is definatly on my list to do very soon! Thanks for the write up,it will be very helpful to me as well.
mine has 62k on it and am not sure when the last "tune up, etc" was done.
Are plug and wire changes easy on these cars?
mine has 62k on it and am not sure when the last "tune up, etc" was done.
Are plug and wire changes easy on these cars?
05-28-2010, 07:35 AM
#15
Thanks! This helps tremendously especially for a noob like me! I continue to read and learn so I can be as prepared as I can be.
I don't think there was anything done on my car for about 74k miles... So you can imagine how bad I need to do fluid drains, seafoam, filters, and spark plugs. I'm just waiting to move so I can finally have a garage!
I noticed that you did the ATF 3x3 with one side of the car raised. I guess you don't really have to raise the entire car for a full 3 qt drain which is awesome news to me.
Also, are the bright orange things under the jackstands towels? May I ask what the purpose of that is?
Thanks!
I don't think there was anything done on my car for about 74k miles... So you can imagine how bad I need to do fluid drains, seafoam, filters, and spark plugs. I'm just waiting to move so I can finally have a garage!
I noticed that you did the ATF 3x3 with one side of the car raised. I guess you don't really have to raise the entire car for a full 3 qt drain which is awesome news to me.
Also, are the bright orange things under the jackstands towels? May I ask what the purpose of that is?
Thanks!
05-28-2010, 10:13 AM
#19
Senior Moderator
awesome! What about the engine air filter? That is recommended every 30K!
05-28-2010, 12:18 PM
#22
Drifting
iTrader: (13)
If you just bought it CPO, all of this should have been done by the dealer prior to sale (except the 3X3--they would normally only drain and fill once). Check your paperwork to be sure.
05-28-2010, 06:37 PM
#28
Soon I will have
Thread Starter
Thanks for all the kind words guys! I really couldn't wait to get this information up and put all this hard work into a foramt where all could use it as a reference.
I cleaned it last year when I got my headlight done by JNC and I had the bumper off.
Jon, the garage is not as weet as your setup, but I have to say I do love having it to work in.
Jon, the garage is not as weet as your setup, but I have to say I do love having it to work in.
06-02-2010, 08:48 AM
#30
Race Director
Nice write-up, but where are all the FRAM haters?
06-02-2010, 10:24 AM
#32
Racer
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this may be a dumb question.....
Would Honda ATF be the same as the Acura? I dont have an Acura dealership near by and would save me a 2 hr trip. but if not, I will take the drive its a nice day.
Would Honda ATF be the same as the Acura? I dont have an Acura dealership near by and would save me a 2 hr trip. but if not, I will take the drive its a nice day.
06-02-2010, 06:35 PM
#34
Burning Brakes
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06-02-2010, 10:40 PM
#37
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I have a week off just burning some vaca time at end of the month. Going to spend 2 or 3 days doing the 3 x 3 ATF change, 3rd and 4th gear pressure switch, and also a full tune up. Tint the windows, add lip spoiler, and hopefully an Aspec kit.
I have the fever hahahahaha.....
I have the fever hahahahaha.....
06-03-2010, 10:43 AM
#39
Nice DIY. looks like you totally copied me in my ATF DIY thread. lol take a look... great minds think alike
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/c-026-diy-changing-atf-pics-745892/
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/c-026-diy-changing-atf-pics-745892/