OT - Honda/Acura transmission fluid EXCHANGE.

[DuckRyder]

Working on 1996 Acura RL.

I want to EXCHANGE the fluid. The factory procedure is to drain the pan and drive the car on a "short trip" and drain the pan again. The procedure is repeated 3 times to exchange the fluid.

My question is: What is the definition of "short trip"? End of the road and back? Town and back?

[Swegner99]

So your supposed to drain the dirty and refill with clean and then drive? If that's the case, probably up to operating temp of the trans and then come back and drain. Not sure on your car but the trans in my 99 F150 gets up to temp in about 10 minutes of driving.

[69rangerf100]

what fluid are you refering to?

[bindernut]

I'd say a short trip was 10-15 miles. Am thinking tho, a few too many miles would be better than a not enough.

[DuckRyder]

what fluid are you refering to?

Automatic Transmission Fluid

I'd say a short trip was 10-15 miles. Am thinking tho, a few too many miles would be better than a not enough.

I'm thinking the object is to get the new fluid in the TC and the old fluid in the pan without much mixing? To me this should be a scientific answer, but.

Anyway, the transmission has a capacity at overhaul of slightly over 7 quarts, the pan holds slightly under 3...so by my math when you drain the 3 there is 4 left (in the TC, Cooler, Lines).

Edit:

Found a service news article (It is an attachment), it appears it is a "scientific answer":

http://www.civicforums.com/forums/posts ... ost33.html

Well, here I go...

[bindernut]

Geez!! I'm trying to decide what's easier.... upgrading my truck to PS or changing tranny fluid in your car.... I think it's a toss up!

[DuckRyder]

Probably the PS swap:

Yeah, it was sort of a pain in the rear end, took me what 5 hours? I changed the oil, the strainer (which is supposed to be "non-serviceable") and did the "flush".

I guess it worked because the fluid is still blood red and looks brand new after an actual short drive. Shift quality is much improved and the slight shudder going into lock up is gone.

I followed the service article posted as an attachment to the above linked thread (short version: run car on lift through all gears multiple times with multiple fluid drain and refill). It is a little disconcerting to do since 2500RPM in lock up 4th is about 80MPH. 80 in your garage on jack stands (triple pairs of stand plus jacks even) has a bit of a pucker factor to it.

[NM5K]

I've been intending to do that on my Corolla.. Mine uses that WS "lifetime" ATF fluid,
but I think fluid and lifetime are two words that don't have any business being
together.. :/ I've passed 60k miles, so I think it's about time to do that.
I need to change my coolant again too..

[DuckRyder]

You might find this of interest:

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ub ... ost2478442

I used Honda ATF DW-1 it is a new fluid that superseded ATF Z1 and is said to be synthetic, I got it for about $7.00 QT at my local dealer, seems the ones that have used it in Honda Transmissions swear by it and the tin foil hat crowd thinks it is a conspiracy to destroy transmissions so Honda can sell new ones... in other words much like Toyota WS...



On the subject of the Acura, I forgot it has a separate differential, so I have to get 2 quarts of M1 75w-90LS (it takes 1.1 QTs).

[NM5K]

The WS is synthetic I think.. And pretty thin for gas mileage purposes ..
It's the viscosity I'm kind of worried about, after it's run for 60k miles. And the same thin lube runs to the trans-axle.
I'm just glad mine has a dipstick that I can refill it from. My plan was to dump the fluid into something besides my usual
oil pan, so I could measure it fairly accurately. Then refill with the same amount, drive it a bit to warm it up, and recheck
again. Maybe 2-3 more checks in the first few days after it's hot just to make sure the level is right.

[woods]

Can you not to do fluid flush on that like they have at transmission shops? Pumps your old out and exchanges it with new while it's running, shifting and such.

[DuckRyder]

Can you not to do fluid flush on that like they have at transmission shops? Pumps your old out and exchanges it with new while it's running, shifting and such.

I've never been much of a fan of those, but if you were asking me supposedly they will destroy a Honda Automatic, some guys do pull the return line at the radiator and do the 2 5 gallon buckets trick, but it is generally considered not a great idea with a Honda Auto. The link that I posted has the "factory" approved procedure.

[NM5K]

Don't really like the flushes.. Engines or trannies..
But also, the fluid is so expensive that I wouldn't want to waste any using it as a flush.
I'll just dump it at the pan drain and refill. Maybe twice if I want to get most of the old
fluid out. I think just one drain and refill alone would greatly improve the overall
quality of the fluid. But just once will not get all the old fluid out.
I haven't checked local dealer prices, but the usual for a gallon from Yota is about $41..
I can get it cheaper on fleabay, but by the time you add shipping, it's about the same price.
I think there is one auto parts chain that sells legit toyota fluids.. I'm trying to remember which it was..
They might have it a bit cheaper than the dealer.. Or maybe not..
I have the service manual for my car in PDF form.. I think it was like 3.8 quarts?? to drain and
refill.. Or something like that. I'll have to look at it again before I do it.