🔧 TLX - Transmission Fluid Change

This service drains the old transmission fluid and refills with fresh Acura-specified fluid. Fresh fluid helps shifting quality and protects the internal clutches and bearings from wear.

Assumption: Your TLX uses the factory 8-speed dual-clutch automatic and takes Acura/Honda ATF Type 2.0 (common for this setup).

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-3 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a level surface; a tilted car can cause an incorrect fluid level.
• ⚠️ Use jack stands—never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Transmission fluid can be hot; let the car cool enough to avoid burns.
• ⚠️ Keep dirt out of the fill hole; even small debris can damage the transmission.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for a drain-and-fill.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) - Qty: 2
• Wheel chocks - Qty: 2
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Drain pan (at least 10-quart)
• Metric socket set (8mm-19mm)
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive torque wrench (10-100 ft-lbs range)
• Trim clip remover tool
• Long funnel with hose (fluid filling)
• Fluid transfer pump (specialty)
• Shop rags
• Brake cleaner spray
• Measuring container (marked quarts/liters)
• OBD2 scan tool that can read transmission fluid temperature (specialty)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Acura/Honda ATF Type 2.0 - Qty: 4 quarts
• Transmission drain plug crush washer - Qty: 1
• Transmission fill plug crush washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Warm the transmission slightly with a 5–10 minute drive, then shut the engine off.
• Gather your fluid and a clean funnel/pump so you don’t leave the transmission empty while searching for tools.
• If you’ll do a temperature-based level check, connect your OBD2 scan tool now and confirm you can see transmission fluid temperature (TFT).

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and support the car

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the front of your TLX at the proper front lift point.
• Set it down onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) and give the car a gentle shake to confirm it’s stable.
• Keep the car level for accurate filling.

Step 2: Remove the lower splash shield (if equipped)

• Use a trim clip remover tool to pop the plastic clips.
• Use a 10mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet to remove any bolts.
• Set the shield and hardware aside in a small pile so nothing gets lost.

Step 3: Locate the fill plug and drain plug

• Find the transmission case on the driver side of the engine bay area.
• The drain plug will be at the lowest point of the transmission case.
• The fill plug is typically on the side of the transmission case (higher up).
• Clean around both plugs using shop rags and brake cleaner spray so dirt can’t fall inside.

Step 4: Crack the fill plug loose first (important)

• Place the drain pan under the transmission area (just in case a little drips).
• Use the correct-size metric socket and 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the fill plug.
• Once you confirm it will loosen, snug it back by hand for now.
• If you can’t refill it, don’t drain it.

Step 5: Drain the old fluid

• Move the drain pan directly under the drain plug.
• Use the correct-size metric socket and 3/8" drive ratchet to remove the drain plug.
• Let the fluid drain until it slows to an occasional drip (usually 10–20 minutes).
• Pour the drained fluid into your measuring container so you know how much came out.

Step 6: Reinstall the drain plug with a new crush washer

• Remove the old washer and install a new transmission drain plug crush washer.
• Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a torque wrench to tighten the drain plug: Torque to 49 N·m (36 ft-lbs).

Step 7: Fill with fresh transmission fluid

• Remove the fill plug using the correct-size metric socket and 3/8" drive ratchet.
• Use a fluid transfer pump (specialty) or long funnel with hose to add new Acura/Honda ATF Type 2.0.
• Add the same amount you measured coming out as your starting point.
• Install a new transmission fill plug crush washer, then thread the fill plug in by hand.
• Use a torque wrench to tighten the fill plug: Torque to 49 N·m (36 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Circulate the fluid and re-check level (two acceptable methods)

• Method A (preferred): temperature-based level check
  • Start the engine and keep your foot on the brake.
  • Shift slowly through P-R-N-D-S, pausing 2–3 seconds in each, then return to P.
  • Use your OBD2 scan tool to monitor TFT and bring it to typical warm-check range (commonly around 35–45°C / 95–113°F).
  • If your TLX has a level/check plug design: with the car level, carefully open the check plug using the appropriate metric socket and look for a small steady dribble; add fluid with the fluid transfer pump until it just begins to dribble, then close and torque to spec.
  • Keep hands clear of rotating parts.
• Method B: measured drain-and-fill (common DIY approach)
  • If no check plug is accessible, refill exactly what you measured drained out.
  • After a short test drive, check for leaks and shifting feel; repeat a drain-and-fill later if you want a higher percentage of fresh fluid.

Step 9: Reinstall the splash shield

• Reinstall the shield using the 10mm socket, 3/8" drive ratchet, and trim clip remover tool (to seat clips cleanly).
• Make sure no clips are missing so it won’t flap at highway speed.

Step 10: Lower the car

• Use the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift slightly, remove the jack stands, then lower the car to the ground.

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✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and check underneath for any leaks around the drain and fill plugs.
• Test drive 10–15 minutes: smooth acceleration, normal shifts, no flare/slip.
• Recheck for leaks after the drive and again the next morning.
• Dispose of used ATF properly at a recycling center or auto parts store.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $220-$450 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $45-$110 (parts only)

You Save: $175-$340 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.5 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.