| mdxforever |
The owner's manual suggests that the technician should drain, refill and drive a short distance, and repeat this exercise three times. And then finally drain and refill the fourth time.
I dont believe the dealer service does this. They drain and refill only once.
Can someone please tell me what exactly the Acura shop manual(that the techs use) says about the tranny fluid change ?
If its the same then why is the dealer not doing it. If its not why is Acura causing the confusion by giving different instructions to the customer (owners manual) and to the service dept (repair/service manual).
Please help me clarify this situation. Thanks! |
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| hondacuraworld |
| The three time flush is done in the event of a transmission problem, to eliminate the possibility of having dirt stuck in a valve body, etc. For maintenance, it's just a drain and fill. |
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| mdxforever |
Thanks for the reply.
hondacuraworld, I am not doubting your comment, but where exactly in print does it make that clarification ? |
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| hondacuraworld |
| The June 1997 issue of Acura ServiceNews outlines the transmission flush procedure, which you describe. A "flush" is different than a "change". |
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| mdxforever |
I am so sorry for the embarassing typo above. It should read -
I am NOT doubting your comment.
Sorry again!
edit: looks like we cross posted... |
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| mdxforever |
quote:
Originally posted by hondacuraworld
The June 1997 issue of Acura ServiceNews outlines the transmission flush procedure, which you describe. A "flush" is different than a "change".
well, I am not sure if its the same transmission they are referring to in 1997(four years before mdx rolled out), but does it explain what it means by "replace" then ?
Because Acura says "Replace Transmission Fluid" in the maintenance schedule. Does that mean a "flush" or a "change" ? |
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| BaldEagle |
quote:
Originally posted by hondacuraworld
The three time flush is done in the event of a transmission problem, to eliminate the possibility of having dirt stuck in a valve body, etc. For maintenance, it's just a drain and fill.
I thought the "drain and fill" had to be done three times when changing per the maintenance scedule?
Sounds like a little confussion concerning "drain" and "flush'. No wonder, here is what it says in my owners manual:
"To thoroughly flush the transmission, the technician should drain and refill it with Honda ATF-Z1 (Automatic Transmission Fluid), then drive the vehicle a short distance. Do this three times. Then drain and refill the transmission a final time."
Isn't this three times drain(flush?) required every 30000 miles and not a single drain. A single drain only releases about 3 quarts and leaves over 5 quarts of old fluid in the transmission.
:confused: |
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| hondacuraworld |
| Basically, you're correct. I've never seen the flush done as a part of a mileage service at either of the Acura dealers I've worked for, only as a corrective action. |
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| Mr. Mom |
| My dealer suggests the drain at 15K and the flush at 30K. |
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| mdxforever |
| Has anyone ever done this type of a flush, either as part of regular or corrective maintenance ? |
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| Robyjo |
quote:
Originally posted by mdxforever
Has anyone ever done this type of a flush, either as part of regular or corrective maintenance ?
:4:
Every 15k or every 2 to 3 oil changes. It's simple, even for those of us with the '01/'02's that have the jet kit installed.
rob |
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| lester123 |
quote:
Originally posted by Robyjo
:4:
Every 15k or every 2 to 3 oil changes. It's simple, even for those of us with the '01/'02's that have the jet kit installed.
rob
I need to have the transmission fluid changed again at 60K; because of the installation of the jet kit on my 2002 MDX, is this any problem if I bring it to the local AAMCO place? Anyone know what the Acura dealers charge these days for the replace and flush, vs a place like AAMCO? |
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| pbkirby |
| Cost me $75 at a local shop for a complete fluid exhange/flush. |
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| Mr. Mom |
I had my 30K “flush” done last week also and here is what they charged at the dealer.
Labor $95.00
12 qt. Z1 62.88
Washer 2.50
Trans. Flush Kit 29.95
Enviro Disposal 9.07
Tax 17.75
Total: $217.15 |
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| Ceenit |
quote:
Originally posted by Mr. Mom
I had my 30K “flush” done last week also and here is what they charged at the dealer.
Labor $95.00
12 qt. Z1 62.88
Washer 2.50
Trans. Flush Kit 29.95
Enviro Disposal 9.07
Tax 17.75
Total: $217.15
:eek: :eek: Good gracous :eek: :eek: Find another dealer if you have the option. |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by Ceenit
:eek: :eek: Good gracous :eek: :eek: Find another dealer if you have the option.
That is very high. I've seen Acura and Honda dealers advertising flush for $135 and less. |
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| Mr. Mom |
Yes I’m not happy with this dealer. Has anyone else had this service done to compare it to by an Acura dealer?
Here’s what they did for free (to me).
Fixed audio controls (this wasn’t asked to be done by me, has only happened a few times)
Fixed judder sound when turning in the VTM by doing a rear differential flush. (Never heard this)
Resurfaced front rotors (It did have a slight vibration, but not requested)
Rear windows rattle adjustment (Never heard any rattle)
Transfer Case drain (because they didn’t check this off on the original 30K service)
Now my hearing isn’t what it use to be and these things might have been a problem, but I have the feeling they are working both ends
:14: |
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| phins2rt |
quote:
Originally posted by Mr. Mom
Yes I’m not happy with this dealer. Has anyone else had this service done to compare it to by an Acura dealer?
Mr. Mom,
I think mine was $170 at my Acura dealer. |
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| Mr. Mom |
| Thanks for the reply phins2rt; I feel only half screwed now. I see you have the trans. cooler as well so it must another qt. or so. Been one of those years for me, lost my Mom in April, my father-in-law in Aug., the well pump went TU , the boat engine needed the heads re-done, the wife’s down and out girl friend from high school moved in our little guest cabin for 6mo. Free. And now I’m getting the shaft on my pride and joy MDX. I hope 06 will be better. :rolleyes: |
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| phins2rt |
quote:
Originally posted by Mr. Mom
I hope 06 will be better. :rolleyes:
It sounds like it has to be!!:D Hang in there! |
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| pbkirby |
| From avg of 16 to 22. Hoping that a fuel injection cleaning and new plugs will help as well. |
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| ardvarkus |
quote:
Originally posted by mdxforever
Has anyone ever done this type of a flush, either as part of regular or corrective maintenance ?
I've been doing the 3x drain and refill since the beginning. (I have 107k now). 30k, 70k, 105k.
Honda has a blind spot on tranny service IMHO.... clean fluid = longer life.
Dealers use the term "trans flush" interchangeably.... most do a 1x drain and fill. Make sure you are comparing apples to apples when comparing prices.
I can do the vtm4 and a 3x tranny flush and an oil change in around 1.5 -2 hrs.
It is correct that the standard transmission service, per the service manual, is a 1x.
The manual goes on to descirbed a 3x procedure if the fluid has been contaminated or must be completely changed.
The 3x flush should be $180 or so.
It'd be so much easier to do a passive flush- but Honda doesn't believe in that...
A
PS The cooler adds virtually nothing- a solid tube is replaced by a tube with fins... |
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| dj-mdx2 |
Once again a very informative and interactive thread. Just to add my 2 cents, I just quoted a price for 3X ATF fill and drain (the service manager dislikes the term flush and reserves that for the actual "dialysis"-like machine; more on that later) at $150 including labor.
The ATF flushing machine, the SM said, was not recommended for routine maintennance, and as has been noted before, is usually reseved for tranny replacments and/or known tranny problems. |
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| reds2k1 |
Is there a DIY guide on changing the automatic transmission fluid?
Thanks! |
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| mdxforever |
| yes. look/search in the maintenance forum. |
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| dapretendr |
any of your guys used NON honda Tranny fluid?
i just did a tranny oil change at 75k with some dextron 111 and it seam to have no problems |
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| ardvarkus |
quote:
Originally posted by dapretendr
any of your guys used NON honda Tranny fluid?
i just did a tranny oil change at 75k with some dextron 111 and it seam to have no problems
Why?
I'd consider a higher quality synthetic, but not just "some" dextron...
Hey, worse case you buy a new tranny. |
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| mdxforever |
| the only fluid I'd put in that box would be the Amsoil syn atf or Schaeffer's. Not even mobil or redline or any of those 'racing' oils. The combination of viscosity, heat/friction tolerance in this atf is very unique. |
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| pianoman41 |
quote:
Originally posted by dapretendr
any of your guys used NON honda Tranny fluid?
i just did a tranny oil change at 75k with some dextron 111 and it seam to have no problems
Honda has been very specific about using Z1 and only Z1 in their trannies. Even companies like Redline (who pimp their oil for every make and model) say don't use their oil in Honda transmissions--only use Z1. It's a proprietary formula and I woudn't recommend using anything else. |
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| dapretendr |
| are the transmission from the mdx that bad, that poeple out there have replaced them? the mdx is not for racing why need to put amsoil, in them. i think oil is oil if you replaced them at right intervals. now the differential i used the honda vtm becuase, i coundn't find anything at the moment, |
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