1999 Acura RL Transmission Fluid Replacement

[@dc-gm9tm]

My legend was slipping out of gear on cold days over 60mph. I did this procedure and replaced the filter. It's been fine since. Thank you.

[@carapprentice]

Nice!

[@daek_9979]

I just want to say thank you sir! As an acura rl owner, your tutorials have been really helpfull, great quality videos and well explained. God bless your family and keep up the good work!

[@carapprentice]

Appreciate kind words. Thank you!

[@jackburns2867]

Thank you so much that looks so easy 😮

[@carapprentice]

It's very easy. Thanks for checking out the video!

[@MarvelousHelix]

Aboslutley amazing content, very straight forward and covers all the bases. these tutorials are pricless for us acura rl owners!

[@carapprentice]

Glad you're enjoying the videos. Thanks for watching!

[@crazyblingo]

Thanks for making it easy for us .. I changed mine today ... it really was easier then a engine oil change 😎

[@carapprentice]

Glad the video helped. Thanks!

[@roywordlaw3879]

Thanks, Man! This helped me get rid of my B3 Service Code. Appreciate your help. 💪🏿🤙🏿

[@carapprentice]

Glad the video helped you out. Thanks for watching!

[@marquez4497]

The filter is replaceable. Got one from Wix with the pan gasket for around $20 on rock auto. It’s just 14 10mm bolts for the pan and 3 10mm bolts for the filter. My filter was full of gunk and stuff so yeah good thing I changed it.

[@carapprentice]

Yes, I included a caption with a correction in the video. Transmission filter replacement isn't part of the standard procedure.

[@ezraisrael9383]

Yo man if it wasn't for you doing these videos, i'd be lost on all these adjustments and solutions. You've saved me a tremendous amount of money, so thank you for these seriously!! Could being low on transmission fluid cause a kind of whining sound when accelerating? I'm wondering if that's what im hearing in my 99 RL

[@carapprentice]

I would check the fluid level to rule it out. If it's the same noise I'd heard for years, it strangely went away after I replaced the alternator last year. The car drove normally with the whine.

[@ezraisrael9383]

@@carapprentice yo man i appreciate the feedback, seriously! And please whatever you do i beg you, make a video for it😂, it all helps!!

[@carapprentice]

@ Doing a quick Google search, the whine (if it's the same noise I'm thinking) may be caused by a bad alternator bearing. I made a video for replacing the alternator in the Acura Legend that follows nearly the same procedure: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eWWuo4d_bMR6rsk

[@ezraisrael9383]

@ Hey thanks fam, i'm gonna check it out!!

[@Palabrassanta]

good friend greetings! How many liters of fluid & oil does it take?

[@slowwacura]

I have a question, they say that there isn’t a filter but there is a strainer, would you recommend changing that out as well or just simple drain and fill?

[@carapprentice]

I've always just replaced the fluid in my RL and my Legend, and I haven't had any issues. Others may take the extra step of replacing the filter.

[@crimsondualsport2266]

Do you think this would be similar to the 94 legend with the 4 speed auto

[@carapprentice]

Yes, the only difference is that the Legend requires 3.5 qts. of fluid vs. 3.2 qts. for the RL.

[@semajin_booh97]

I have a question…Soo driving my 1997 Acura 3.2TL on a regular warm day, I decide to go to the nearest store(10miles~15min drive). I come to a complete stop the proceed to accelerate but I dont move. After turning the car off and then back on, everything is fine until I come to another complete stop. I have to put her in 1 b4 she moves then 2, d3 then d4….Ive drained and filled the tranny once in the 10years ive had her. Do you have any idea what it could be, if I need to drain and fill a few more times or something simple?

[@semajin_booh97]

I really want to avoid rebuilding or possibly replacing my transmission….Any help would really be appreciated

[@teddybearc31]

Greetings, i have a few questions for you. I’m looking at purchasing a 2004 RL and it has about 184k miles on it. The car looks to be in good condition I’m not to sure about the service history, but do you think that’s to many miles to do a transmission drain and fill? Also is there a serviceable transmission filter, or the only service that can be preformed is the drain and fill? Any information is helpful.

[@carapprentice]

If the transmission fluid is not dark, which may indicate that the car has been properly maintained, I would consider replacing it. Otherwise, it can be a bit of a gamble. Yes, there is a serviceable filter. Here's a link to the factory service manual that may be useful: bit.ly/3VqlcPk

[@wut7640]

Do I need to use OEM fluid?

[@carapprentice]

I've used Castrol Import Multi-Vehicle in the past without any problems, but OEM is best.

[@jarnpr1316]

Would appreciate to know for a 1996 Acura RL 3.5 how a transfer case fail sounds and feels like. When shifting from parking to gear, a very loud screeching noise occurs and the car does not move at all. This noise occurs in all gears, except parking. Your input is appreciated.

[@carapprentice]

I don't have a lot of experience with the transmissions on these cars - never been an issue for me. Have you tried changing the fluid?

[@jennabobenna3631]

Ok, so let me tell you what had happened... I think I told you before (in another video) that I inherited my mom's RL so we are the original owners & despite having all the records, I'm unsure of what all has or hasn't been done over the 20 plus years. Anyhow, I'm driving home from work & at a red light, I notice my temp gauge is CLIMBING. Thank goodness the light changed before it red-lined & as I start driving, the gauge starts dropping, so I book it home (I was 5 mins away) & as I pull in, I popped the hood & my husband saw liquid & steam coming from the top right of my radiator. Long story short, I replaced it, but in doing so, I lost some ATF from the hoses that run through the radiator... This fluid was blaaaaackkkkk. I had noticed a rough shift from 1st to 2nd, but that was about it. So I hit the KZbin & naturally you & Eric are my go-to guys 😊. I locate the drain plug, right where you said it would be, but the square head is distorted some & it's torqued down like you wouldn't believe. We tried this & that, couldn't budge it. So in a last-ditch attempt, we put the wrench on at an angle so that the bottom contacted the ground & I dropped the jack so that the weight of the car came down on this nut. It broke loose, I jacked her back up, & finished this job just like your video. Thanks again, man! Your videos are SOOOO clutch! 👌🏼 Sorry for the drawn-out story 😆.

[@carapprentice]

Glad everything turned out OK. Many owners never change the transmission fluid, so I'm not surprised.

[@gerardohurtado5482]

You seem to be the guy I should reach out for some tips I just bought a 2002 Acura RL and it’s having a transmission problem. When I put it on 4D it berly goes its super slow but if I put it in 2D and 3D the car run fines do you think the tranny is done? Or is their any tips I’d really appreciate it if you gave me some tips that be awesome thanks again

[@carapprentice]

Is the D4 light flashing? Also, I start by checking the fluid level and possibly change the transmission fluid and filter. If you decide to replace your transmission fluid, I would observe how much metal is stuck to the drain plug's magnet. The service manual has some troubleshooting steps that start on page 14-52 and may be useful: www.mediafire.com/file/uvbmryok1ax4vbs/Acura_RL_-_Factory_Service_Manual_%25281996-2004%2529.zip/file

[@talinm-mv7dg]

@@carapprenticehey i have this same problem the light for d4 is not on but all the other gears the light works. i can drive in any gear but as soon as i upshift at about 45 mph it will not shift, if in d4.

[@louisvillalba7695]

Hey I have a 96 Acura 32tl what fluid should I use ? Thank you

[@carapprentice]

From what I understand, the '96 3.2 TL uses the same fluid mentioned in this video.

[@louisvillalba7695]

@@carapprentice ok thank you

[@joelweekes4267]

What if the fluid is dark red or light brownish

[@carapprentice]

I would do a drain and fill. If the transmission is shifting normally, you should be fine. I might even change the fluid a couple times a few hundred miles apart.

[@joelweekes4267]

Oh OK I just changed my fluid today ill drive it in a little bit and see

[@zmadani341]

Is there a transmission filter on these cars which need to get replaced?

[@carapprentice]

There is a filter, but replacing it is not part of the routine service - @ 1:43

[@zmadani341]

@@carapprentice Just because it is not part of the routine service doesn't mean it shouldn't be replaced :) . I've read many Acura RL boards that the filter gets pretty dirty even at 90k miles.

[@carapprentice]

@@zmadani341 I agree that going beyond the routine maintenance specs is not a bad thing, which is why I periodically replace the fuel filter on this car, even though there's no schedule. I've owned my Acura Legend for almost 25 years, and I've never replaced the transmission's filter.

[@zmadani341]

@@carapprentice Thanks man! That helps. I think I will hold off on the trans filter.

[@chudomel]

yes its a metal screeeeen just under tranny pan

[@rand0870]

Mandatory to replace the washer?

[@carapprentice]

The service manual calls for it to be replaced. Otherwise, a leak could develop - IMO, not worth the potential headache for a $1.00 part on a service that is performed once every 6 years.

[@louisvillalba7695]

👋