ATF Drain and Fill

[fsturbo15]

I am going to be doing my third drain and fill on my 2003 3.5 liter Acura RL with 125,000 miles using Amsoil Signature ATF (one more drain and fill was done using Acura ATF when I changed it for the first time in 2006).

I have been fairly consistent in performing drain and fills about every 2 years or 30,000.

Is there any advantage to dropping the AT pan versus simply using the drain plug like I have been doing? Dropping the pan would also require changing the gasket I assume.

Also, I cannot find anywhere in the parts catalog that this transmission has a replaceable filter. Is that unheard of or is it simply how some AT's are designed?

Thanks for any help.

 

[y_p_w]

At most any Honda designed automatic transmission might have some sort of internal screen designed to last the lifetime of the vehicle. If it exists, then you'll probably need to completely remove the transmission to replace this screen. Provided there are changes (recommendations can be over 100K miles) then it probably won't be a problem.

I'm not even sure there's any "pan" per se. They've always been designed with an integrated reservoir where you'd normally expect there to be a pan.

So why Amsoil and not Honda DW-1? As far as I know there is zero difference between the Acura labeled ATF and the Honda labeled stuff. Back when I was servicing my Integra, the Acura dealers only carried Honda labeled fluids.

 

[CharBaby]

I can't answer for all Honda/Acura models but, AFAIK, there is no transmission pan. Just a drain plug on the side of the transmission and an internal filter that is only replacible apon a transmission teardown.

Though, there may be an external filter that is present deep into the engine bay and hard to reach or, to even know that it's a filter at all as it looks so similar to many devises under the hood that we(owners) are unaware what these items are.

 

[pbm]

If it's like the Accord that I once owned there is a screen that only needs to be replaced upon rebuild.
I would just continue what you've been doing and not remove the pan...your Acura is better cared for than most.

 

[mclasser]

These Honda/Acura transmissions are different as the drain plug is in the transmission body itself. There isn't a pan/gasket you can drop and replace and the filter is internal somewhere. The most we can do with these transmissions is keep the fluid fresh and pray the clutch plates don't burn out (like they did on my Accord).

 

[yesthatsteve]

The RL has a different transmission than other V6 Honda products. I know that starting in 2002, the Odyssey had an external replaceable filter - just internal screens before that. The OP's best bet is to check an Acura-specific forum, such as acurazine, and see if the RL has a serviceable filter. If it doesn't, a magnetic inline filter (Magnefine, Hastings, etc.) is a wise move.

 

[ThirdeYe]

Just keep doing what you're doing -- do a drain/refill every 2 years or 30,000 miles. That's what the previous owner did with my Acura since new, and what I've done since I've owned it and my transmission still works perfectly. Previous owner used Honda Z-1, I've used Amsoil Universal ATF (and the next fill will be with the Signature stuff). In Hondas/Acuras with the more trouble-prone transmissions, cut the OCI to once a year instead.

 

[Finz]

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but doesn't Honda (and Acura I would guess) require the use of their own specific ATF?

Reading thru other forums, I've heard horror stories about Honda transmissions so, personally, I stuck with the Honda brand to be on the safe side. I can't recall the specifics as to why it was so important to use Honda ATF, but I do know it was enough to concern me

I would rather go Amsoil as I've heard great things about their products

No problems with any of the transmissions in the cars in my sig (thank God) but I just don't like being tied to only one choice/brand of fluid - especially at the dealer's price point

Thoughts?

 

[Tones]

Honda's fluid is nothing spectacular. If Amsoil states theirs is compatible, I would not hesitate to use it, esp in a Honda. I am currently using the Amsoil in a Honda Civic with no issues.

 

[Tosh]

The AT for the 01-03 TL and CL has a screw-on filter which is modestly hidden on top.