Transmission drain and fill for 2002 Acura TL sType

@LDJ, it says right on the bottle that Valvoline EP ATF is suitable for ATF Z-1 and DW-1 applications for Acura/Honda. Besides, the shift quality in those were not the best to begin with, even when new.
No doubt true, but speaking from many reports, from personal experience in five such vehicles, and extensive reading, I can safely say that this is one specific instance where there is only one correct choice.
 
No doubt true, but speaking from many reports, from personal experience in five such vehicles, and extensive reading, I can safely say that this is one specific instance where there is only one correct choice.
Tom if I'm understanding you correctly you're saying it's important to use to OEM transmission fluid made by Honda/Acura?
 
That Honda tag would not be loose like that, it would be on the item box or on a bag. It’s also not the right appearance and font. That part is “OEM” brand not Honda. There would be markings on the part as well.

Unless the eBay seller is a Honda dealership I never trust anything on that site. This is not a Honda part.
That's good to know, thank you!
 
I've switched both of my Honda's over to Maxlife+ LG Platinum and have been very happy with the combo.

To be fair, your owners manual says you can use Dex III but shift quality will degrade. Your car was built right in the time when Honda was switching to their own 'bespoke' fluids in order to soften up the shifts and give a more 'luxurious' feel to a transmission that by design could possibly be a bit harsh around the edges.
 
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I've switched both of my Honda's over to Maxlife+ LG Platinum and have been very happy with the combo.

To be fair, your owners manual says you can use Dex III but shift quality will degrade. Your car was built right in the time when Honda was switching to their own 'bespoke' fluids in order to soften up the shifts and give a more 'luxurious' feel to a transmission that by design could possibly be a bit harsh around the edges.
Thank you!
 
Arrggh I had a snag happen in my ordering. I successfully received the ATF by Honda, the red bottled fluid Lubegard ATV synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid suggested earlier, BUT the genuine Honda filter for the transmission got lost somewhere out there and wasn't delivered from Amazon. They were excellent at refunding me immediately. I'm running out of time now but really don't want to pay $112 for a filter at the dealership. Am I good buying the ATF filter at the local auto parts store like O'Reilly, Auto Zone or Advanced Auto parts?
 
Arrggh I had a snag happen in my ordering. I successfully received the ATF by Honda, the red bottled fluid Lubegard ATV synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid suggested earlier, BUT the genuine Honda filter for the transmission got lost somewhere out there and wasn't delivered from Amazon. They were excellent at refunding me immediately. I'm running out of time now but really don't want to pay $112 for a filter at the dealership. Am I good buying the ATF filter at the local auto parts store like O'Reilly, Auto Zone or Advanced Auto parts?
Use a fluid extractor through the dipstick. Don't bother with the filter, or the dealership.
 
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Valvoline states that their EP ATF is NOT compatible with your 2002 Acura TL. Just save yourself some headaches and spend a few extra dollars for OEM Honda DW-1. Many of us here on BITOG have documented poor shift quality in Hondas when using ATF that claim to be compatible (but not approved by Honda).

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Yet they say it is compatible with Z1 and DW1. Should be fine for him.
 
Does the brand matter for the filter at the auto parts store for 2002 Acura TL sType?
1. https://www.autozone.com/filters-an...utomatic-transmission-filter-tf558/442858_0_0

2. Would I need the actual kit or is the filter itself okay to purchase? https://www.oreillyauto.com/pcp?compares=PTQ-FK398,WIX-58129&resPos=0,2&partTypeId=03230
Wix shows their 58129 as just being the filter. That oreilly link doesn't work so I can't see what other parts they're listing with it.

I'd probably but the Wix part if it were me.

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Thank you!!! Yes, the part you posted is the one that's being sold at O'Reilly's. Autozone is offering one from Duralast for half the price. Is the Wix brand a higher quality brand?
 
Thank you!!! Yes, the part you posted is the one that's being sold at O'Reilly's. Autozone is offering one from Duralast for half the price. Is the Wix brand a higher quality brand?
It should be. These days though, who knows.
 
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