Need your help: Changing Auto Transmission Fluid
 

I am on a time budget and could not find any other thread as simple as mine. I just wanted to ask what type of transmission fluid do I need to purchase, how many quarts and what type of filter should I purchase. If there are any preferred brands that I should choose from please let me know.

My specs: 2003 Acura CL Type S, 5spd Auto.

I went to Pep boys and someone told me to get ATF-Z1 and Acura CL do no have filters. I wanted to verify this with someone who knows about Acura CL first.

Thanks!

get the honda auto trans fluid from your local acura/honda. dont use anything else. we have an internal filter and a small external filter. but ive only read that one person changed the external filter. its really small. to change the internal filter out u need to take apart the trans. just do the 3x3: drain old fluid, put in new fluid (about 3quarts), drive around so u can get into all gears and do this procedure 3 times.

when u drain it, u drain about 3 quarts, maybe a tinch more, so put in 3quarts of new fluid each time u drain the old fluid out. get 10quarts to make sure u dont run low.

Sweet! You are the man. I will wait until tomorrow to get the fluid from Acura sense everyone over Maryland is closed today. I haven't changed my transmission fluid sense I had the car, for about 2 years but I did notice that the level was low, maybe too low because I can barely see it but I can feel on the dip stick that fluid is there. It's not brown, a bit red but not very clear to the eye but it does smell like tranny fluid. The transmission shits fine in high rpm but far as low is a small thumb as if I was a newbie driving a stick.

When you changed your fluid, you only did the flush and not replaced the filter? I wonder when should the filter be replaced?

Thanks.

did u check the fluid like the owners manual says to do it?

i only changed the fluid in my tl-s. the filter is inside and no way to get it. and the external is like a secondary filter. it goes through the main one inside the trans then the one outside the trans.

Good idea, I will take a look at the owners manual.

Thanks,

There IS a external Filter I have one laying around, I never got to install it.
I posted about this B$ if you search u will find the part #.
I have it at home in the bag with the part # on it but will not be home for awile.

Sweet!!!! I just had my transmission service done today. The car runs great! It's like a brand new car. The transmission shifts perfect and the car rolllllls as if I was trying to speed.

I just had one question about the transmission recall. A friend of mine said if anything happens to my car until I reach 100,000.00 miles I can take it to Acura to be replaced. Is that true?


Nothing is wrong with my transmission now, it was just dirty. I never checked with the dealership if they changed the transmission fluid when I bought the car. I just seen the car on the lot and drove it home that night. I knew I should have checked over the car more but I was on a time budget, had to be on a date that night. Anyway, I love this car. I can't wait until I get my lower springs!!!

I wouldn't mind buying it but I don't really see myself getting the filter changed any time soon but thanks.

Did you do the tranny fluid swap at the dealer? If so, how much?

I did it a wayne acura an PAA in the past they charge $90-$120 to flush 3 quarts and add 3 new ones THEY DO NOT DO A 3 X 3 NOR DO THEY CHANGE THE FILTER (THEY DONT EVEN KNOW IT EXISTS) I argued with the parts manager and 2 techs for 10 min about a tranny filter they said it did not exsist untill I gave them the part # then they said (its not a filter its a strainer WTF) IDIOTS! If they where to do a 3 X 3 I would guess they would charge $300 - $400 and if you wanted the (Strainer changed w/that) IT would prob be $400 - $500! I have done alot of RESEARCH on out auto tranny and I am on my 3rd one and had the car over 9 years and im not in warrenty anymore so want to keep it running as long as possible.
IT is easier to change the tranny fluid then the OIL I think ANYONE can do it , The filter (strainer) on the other hand might take a little know how.
a Quart of tranny fluid (ONLY USE HONDA / ACURA Z1 ATF) is like $7-$9.
so go buy 3 quarts and flush 3 and refill 3 on your own unless you wanna do a 3 x 3 then buy 9 quarts and save yourself aa boatload of loot if u need help im in north JERSEY!

Im pretty sure this is the part # for the tranny filter (strainer)

25450-P7W-003


Attachment 86008

Here is some pics to help install it!!

http://www.acuraoemparts.com/delray/...s0k0_atm17.gif

It is #9 in this PIC!

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/c...val2_Final.jpg

Attachment 86009

Some of you guys with a older transmission have this oil jet I have a newer (suposidly fixed tranny so DO NOT have the oil jet just a NUT there (this is where u fill the transmission fluid. If u have a oil jet there I belive u have a older transmission (this was acura's band-aid to the problem)

Attachment 86010

Attachment 86011

Make sure that while removing the steel fluid line not to damage the o-ring. I replaced mine when I replaced my filter. Be sure to coat it with trans fluid before installing the line.

sweet DIY, this should be put in the DIY thread.

im gonna do this at my 105k when i change my tranny fluid.

btw, there are honda ATF-ZR1 compatable fluids that exist.

I didn't because they wanted to charge me 320. I guess it was my blue scrubs that I was wearing from work. I ended up buying 8 bottles and took it to this shop that this 2 Japanese guys own. I've always have taken my car there so I know the guys wouldn't screw me. They have even worked on my 1991 Acura Legend, 1995 Honda Civic etc. He only charged me $50 for the flush and showed me how dirty the fluid was and how to change it.

Sweet! Dude you got me thinking about getting mine done. But I only have 50kmiles so I am not sure when it should be done. But the DIY looks pretty simple.

Stoned and Brittonj, Thanks for the info and awesome DIY!

No problem..
I am glad to help EVERYBODY out because the favor was returned to me 10X!
This forum has saved me a sh()Tload of $$ and thought me alot about this car in the 8-9 years I have been a part of it and I am more then happy to share the info I learned on here. Some people get mad and tell others to search but alot changes monthly/yearly..daily.. Instead of people getting mad they should just answer the question if they know the answer or just do not post anything!:thumbsup:

this is awesome. thank you

hi!!
I had the same problem I change the filter but the oil was not atf z1 honda and two months after the filter is dead yet ...why?
thanks