Sorry for the dumb question but I couldn't find a useful Honda forum as good as our infiniti one. Anywho, on an 04' Acura TL auto tranny, is it safe to use a synthetic oil or does it use a specialized one such as the tranny on the automatic G?

Thanks,
JD

 

It has roughly about 70,000 so it's long overdue. Go figure, it's the gf's car so you know they fall for the dealer wanting to charge them an arm and a leg for the "routine mileage" services.

Just verified with Firestone and apparently they recommend sticking with OEM fluid as well. Too bad, I'm sure it could benefit from Redline but oh well, OEM for her ride and Redline for my 6mt G...ha

 

Just check your manual as to the type of fluid recommended, ie. DEXRON®, DEXRON® III, ATF+3®, Type F, Type J, etc., etc.

It shouldn't matter otherwise whether it's Synthetic, Semi-Syth, or otherwise.

 

Stick to OEM fluids for honda AT trannies, they are very picky, and using nonOEM fluid usually leads to rougher shifts. Mobil 1 ATF has also been used with some good reviews for those AT trannies with cold jerking issues.

 

syn is not recomended! do not use!

use the honda brand trans fluid

gf has a 05 acura tl and i do the service on it =P

- Eric

 

2nd to that.
check honda-tech.com, very useful forum.

 

I've own several Hondas/Acuras and YES, i agree with everyone that you should stick with OEM tranny fluid.

I've also read somewhere(not sure where from)that synthetic maybe harmful but don't quote me on that.

 

yea.. honda trannies are very particular but they do have great trannies

 

no they don't all of their AT trannies are garbage up to ~2004 at least. They all are somewhat jerky, and get worse with age. Don't even bring up first gen TL AT's and 5gen prelude AT's, worst trannies ever.

 

I agree too, that the Honda automatics do jerk as the car gets older. Experienced it on the a TL and the good ol' Acura Legend.