So I just got done performing the B16 service myself at 12,500 miles. I replaced the air filter, which was very dirty, cabin air filter, also very dirty. I should of gotten pics of the cabin filter, the old one was completely dark grey and the new one is pure white (all Honda/Acura oem parts ordered from the dealer).
I also replaced the engine oil with filter, took about 5.1 quarts out, and put exactly the same amount back in, very slight smell of gas at first but not towards the end, seems low enough to not even be a worry.
I replaced the rear differential fluid, which was very easy to do, opened the fill port, drained from the drain port, and refilled. Ran car in park for 1 minute, and rechecked fluid level which was still good and slowly weeping from the full port. Btw you use Acura DPSF, do not use the Honda version which had the same part number minus the A at the end, as it is different fluid not made for SH-AWD. It was $6 a quart and you need 2 of them.
BTW I followed all the Acura manuals to a T and used factory torque specs, and new washers when replacing fluids.
Now to the good part, with the B16 service your supposed to check the tranny fluid level, you run the car, go from P -> N -> D -> S -> 2nd -> S -> D -> N -> P, and for each gear change you let it sit there for about 3 seconds. Then Immediately you check the fluid level by pulling out the check bolt which I had already loosened and it should weep tranny fluid. Also to add you need to be on a level surface, I had 4 - 9inch ramps I drove up so my car was in the air level when I did this. So when pulling the check bolt, I had no weeping for about 1 minute, and it was a very very minute amount. So I had ordered 1 quart of Acuras 2.0 ATF and I went through the process with shifting again, opened up the fill port and leave the check closed, and started pumping ATF into the tranny fill port. I opened up the check port after about 1/4 the bottle was pumped in and it started weeping very good. At this point I decided to just pump in all the fluid and let the extra weep out of the check port, doesnt hurt to have some new fluid in there. After pumping in the quart I let the check port drain while it had a decent flow, and once it slowed down to a very slow slow flow I closed up the check port, so at this point it is at the Level Acura recommends, slightly weeping from the check port.
I probably in the end added maybe 1/8 a quart total that ended up staying in the tranny, and let me say it had made a noticeable difference. My shifts are considerably smoother when the engine is cold. When I was on the ramps before doing this fluid add/check going into drive from park would give a decent bump/clunk, probably from the load on the parking pawl. After adding the small amount I did, shifting into drive had no noise at all, smooth and buttery. I also notice my shifts when driving harder on the throttle are noticeably smoother and very slightly faster.
Sure some of this could be placebo effect, but I do honestly notice a difference. It appears to me the tranny was very very slightly under filled at the factory by 1/8 a quart, perhaps from the driving and fluid getting into every nook and cranny over the 12.5k miles.
I am am going to keep an eye on the morning shifts when cold and any other rougher/bumpier shifting, but it seems so far to have made a difference. The goal is not to overfill the tranny, but with the check port thats almost impossible to do, as it will drain out any extra that is above the check ports hole.
Anyone else done a tranny fluid check on the tranny fluid or have had it serviced?
I prefer to do my own servicing, it way cheaper, gives me something to do, learn new things, and I know it was done right and not rushed by a tech wanting to go home for the day.
I also replaced the engine oil with filter, took about 5.1 quarts out, and put exactly the same amount back in, very slight smell of gas at first but not towards the end, seems low enough to not even be a worry.
I replaced the rear differential fluid, which was very easy to do, opened the fill port, drained from the drain port, and refilled. Ran car in park for 1 minute, and rechecked fluid level which was still good and slowly weeping from the full port. Btw you use Acura DPSF, do not use the Honda version which had the same part number minus the A at the end, as it is different fluid not made for SH-AWD. It was $6 a quart and you need 2 of them.
BTW I followed all the Acura manuals to a T and used factory torque specs, and new washers when replacing fluids.
Now to the good part, with the B16 service your supposed to check the tranny fluid level, you run the car, go from P -> N -> D -> S -> 2nd -> S -> D -> N -> P, and for each gear change you let it sit there for about 3 seconds. Then Immediately you check the fluid level by pulling out the check bolt which I had already loosened and it should weep tranny fluid. Also to add you need to be on a level surface, I had 4 - 9inch ramps I drove up so my car was in the air level when I did this. So when pulling the check bolt, I had no weeping for about 1 minute, and it was a very very minute amount. So I had ordered 1 quart of Acuras 2.0 ATF and I went through the process with shifting again, opened up the fill port and leave the check closed, and started pumping ATF into the tranny fill port. I opened up the check port after about 1/4 the bottle was pumped in and it started weeping very good. At this point I decided to just pump in all the fluid and let the extra weep out of the check port, doesnt hurt to have some new fluid in there. After pumping in the quart I let the check port drain while it had a decent flow, and once it slowed down to a very slow slow flow I closed up the check port, so at this point it is at the Level Acura recommends, slightly weeping from the check port.
I probably in the end added maybe 1/8 a quart total that ended up staying in the tranny, and let me say it had made a noticeable difference. My shifts are considerably smoother when the engine is cold. When I was on the ramps before doing this fluid add/check going into drive from park would give a decent bump/clunk, probably from the load on the parking pawl. After adding the small amount I did, shifting into drive had no noise at all, smooth and buttery. I also notice my shifts when driving harder on the throttle are noticeably smoother and very slightly faster.
Sure some of this could be placebo effect, but I do honestly notice a difference. It appears to me the tranny was very very slightly under filled at the factory by 1/8 a quart, perhaps from the driving and fluid getting into every nook and cranny over the 12.5k miles.
I am am going to keep an eye on the morning shifts when cold and any other rougher/bumpier shifting, but it seems so far to have made a difference. The goal is not to overfill the tranny, but with the check port thats almost impossible to do, as it will drain out any extra that is above the check ports hole.
Anyone else done a tranny fluid check on the tranny fluid or have had it serviced?
I prefer to do my own servicing, it way cheaper, gives me something to do, learn new things, and I know it was done right and not rushed by a tech wanting to go home for the day.