Transmission fluid color for only 7800 miles

[bxsvx]

Hello everyone, great forum tons of info. I have a 2011 TL SH-AWD which I got new and noticed the transmission color isn't red as when I purchased it new. I am a "spirited" driver so I am pretty sure my transmission fluid color reflects that.

The current fill is DW-1(as stated in the owners manual), which is supposed to be better than Z-1. The current transmission fluid will be sent to Blackstone labs for analysis.

All the transmission fluid will be replaced with Dw-1 and installing a inline magnefine filter.

Here are the pics, lmk what you think. Thanks!

 

[LargeCarManX2]

As long as the fluid is not brownish, I would not be to concerned. You could UOA the fluid to make sure. Just keep up the service schedule. It's hard to see the fluid color on the towel, what does it look like on your finger?

 

[bxsvx]

very light brown, no burnt material smell.

 

[tig1]

Do the one drop test and compare your sample to the example on this site. Here is the link.

http://www.acustrip.com/specs/onedrop.html

 

[bxsvx]

Originally Posted By: tig1
Do the one drop test and compare your sample to the example on this site. Here is the link.

http://www.acustrip.com/specs/onedrop.html


Thanks, really nice site! I am around the "OK, Plan change" not surprised but only 7800 miles at the time?

 

[oiltard]

I recently drained & refilled my girflriend's 2010 TL's ATF with 25k miles. It was much redder than that, but I believe it was Z-1 on the factory fill.

Did the same on my Civic, which was DW-1, with 7800 miles, coincidentally, and it was also much redder. Posted the UOA in the ATF UOA forum. Still corresponding with Blackstone about some of the results, but it looked new to the naked eye, unlike yours.

Does it smell burnt? When you say you drive in a "spirited" manner, does that mean you're using the paddle shifters to force downshifts or delay upshifts?

If I had fluid this color coming out of my AT, I'd replace all the fluid immediately, then buy a few cases of DW-1 from H and A accessories and a fluid extractor and replace a quart a month.

I'm not sure the filter will help much, as I don't think wear particles have been as big an issue in these AT's as actual breakdown of the fluid. I would look into increasing the size of your ATF cooler before I'd worry about additional filtration.

Who knows though. The analysis may come back telling you all is well. We'll have to wait and see. Best of luck.

 

[oiltard]

Originally Posted By: LargeCarManX2
Just keep up the service schedule.


According to Acura's press release when this car came out, the ATF doesn't get its first service until 120k. I'd err on the side of more frequent services, although I do think Honda has corrected the design problems that plagued the early-mid 2000's auto transmissions.

 

[bxsvx]

Originally Posted By: oiltard
I recently drained & refilled my girflriend's 2010 TL's ATF with 25k miles. It was much redder than that, but I believe it was Z-1 on the factory fill.

Did the same on my Civic, which was DW-1, with 7800 miles, coincidentally, and it was also much redder. Posted the UOA in the ATF UOA forum. Still corresponding with Blackstone about some of the results, but it looked new to the naked eye, unlike yours.

Does it smell burnt? When you say you drive in a "spirited" manner, does that mean you're using the paddle shifters to force downshifts or delay upshifts?

If I had fluid this color coming out of my AT, I'd replace all the fluid immediately, then buy a few cases of DW-1 from H and A accessories and a fluid extractor and replace a quart a month.

I'm not sure the filter will help much, as I don't think wear particles have been as big an issue in these AT's as actual breakdown of the fluid. I would look into increasing the size of your ATF cooler before I'd worry about additional filtration.

Who knows though. The analysis may come back telling you all is well. We'll have to wait and see. Best of luck.



No burnt smell thankfully. I do use the paddle shifters in that manner. I bought the case of fluid, but have not had time to swap the fluid out.

I am placing the magnefine filter as a precaution, there is no "proper" filter in the trans except for that reusable strainer and the magnet on the drain bolt. The larger cooler did also come to mind.

I will do a 3x3 and take it from there, and based on fluid color and smell change the fluid accordingly.

 

[berniedd]

The Magnefine's a good idea, but be aware that if Honda sees it, they may void your warranty as it is an aftermarket item.

 

[bxsvx]

Originally Posted By: berniedd
The Magnefine's a good idea, but be aware that if Honda sees it, they may void your warranty as it is an aftermarket item.


Thanks. This is true, even though it is a beneficial add on.

 

[oiltard]

Make sure you have a 17mm 6-point socket and a LONG ratchet extension (and a breaker bar) before you pull the drain plug. You can't put the fluid in through the dipstick tube, and you will have a hard time reaching the ATF fill bolt on top. And that sucker's on there tight. Ask me how I know.

 

[bxsvx]

Originally Posted By: oiltard
Make sure you have a 17mm 6-point socket and a LONG ratchet extension (and a breaker bar) before you pull the drain plug. You can't put the fluid in through the dipstick tube, and you will have a hard time reaching the ATF fill bolt on top. And that sucker's on there tight. Ask me how I know.

I wish I could let the dealer take care of it, but considering they scratched most of my center interior panels I will tackle this myself!

 

[bxsvx]

Originally Posted By: oiltard
Make sure you have a 17mm 6-point socket and a LONG ratchet extension (and a breaker bar) before you pull the drain plug. You can't put the fluid in through the dipstick tube, and you will have a hard time reaching the ATF fill bolt on top. And that sucker's on there tight. Ask me how I know.

Thanks for the heads up! How long was your extension, and funnel?

 

[oiltard]

Any trans funnel will work. It's not that obscured that you need the super tall thin ones, although that is what I used.

I had 1 long extension that I use when I do spark plugs, and that didn't even reach, so I used an additional shorter one. I don't know the lengths and I'm not home now to measure them or see if it's stamped into them, but I'll check in the next couple days and let you know. I'd say you need about 12" of extension.

 

[benjamming]

Transmission fluid color is a very poor way to tell condition of fluid with the exception, of course, of extremely bad fluid. Honda stated as such in a Honda Service News a few years ago.

 

[ltslimjim]

Originally Posted By: benjamming
Transmission fluid color is a very poor way to tell condition of fluid with the exception, of course, of extremely bad fluid. Honda stated as such in a Honda Service News a few years ago.


^This.

Okay, so a test drip 'might' appear as plan to change. It has no ability to tell you the life expectancy of the fluid in your app from this point forward, and the 'plan to change' designation is questionable as well.

It's the Factory Fill. What does the owners manual state? Feel an itch? Scratch it at half the interval or go by months/years instead of miles.

 

[oiltard]

Okay, so in absence of a burnt smell, brownish ATF is not apparently a sign of trouble. Good info to have.

I still vote you get at least 1 drain and refill done sooner rather than later, if just to wipe the break-in metals off the drain plug. Whether or not to do a used oil analysis is up to you. I'd probably do it just based on the color of the fluid, but like the 2 previous posters mentioned, color alone isn't necessarily a sign of trouble.

And knowing you drive it hard (fun, isn't it?!), I'd definitely choose a shorter interval than what the manufacturer recommends. Planning on at least 1x/year on my girlfriend's 2010, and she drives it gentle-medium and rarely paddle shifts.

 

[bxsvx]

Originally Posted By: benjamming
Transmission fluid color is a very poor way to tell condition of fluid with the exception, of course, of extremely bad fluid. Honda stated as such in a Honda Service News a few years ago.


I guess i'm old school, if it's not cherry red i'm changing it. I will also do the analysis on the old fluid ofcourse.

 

[bxsvx]

Originally Posted By: oiltard
Okay, so in absence of a burnt smell, brownish ATF is not apparently a sign of trouble. Good info to have.

I still vote you get at least 1 drain and refill done sooner rather than later, if just to wipe the break-in metals off the drain plug. Whether or not to do a used oil analysis is up to you. I'd probably do it just based on the color of the fluid, but like the 2 previous posters mentioned, color alone isn't necessarily a sign of trouble.

And knowing you drive it hard (fun, isn't it?!), I'd definitely choose a shorter interval than what the manufacturer recommends. Planning on at least 1x/year on my girlfriend's 2010, and she drives it gentle-medium and rarely paddle shifts.



I agree, but will drain out all of the old fluid(peace of mind) and replace with new DW-1. To me Autos are the weakest link in the TL, always has been but much improved over the years.

I was given another loaner('11 FWD) and the fluid was pink and had no whine on take off or abrupt acceleration.

Granted this might all be nothing and maybe just the fluid is just a little worn as the other posters mentioned. I drive spirited, but do don't abuse the car at all so kinda shocked of the slight color change.

The TL is fun, the Auto really takes alot of it's performance capabilities away as compared to the 6MT(which I really want now).

Additionally I was also contemplating a larger aux. cooler, maybe the factory external aux. cooler isn't efficient for NYC driving?

 

[oiltard]

I'd recommend the cooler route for sure. Heat is what breaks down transmissions fluid, so the lower temps you run it at, the better (to a point). I even have a transmission cooler in my 2005 Civic, which is probably unnecessary overkill. It's a closed system, so if there's much more to pick up than the sludge that gets caught by the magnet, you have bigger problems than particles, like clutch packs breaking apart, and no filter is gonna save you from a rebuild.