What trans fluid goes in a 2002 Acura CL 3.2?

Answer 1

Your #1 choice should always be factory Honda fluids. Honda specially develops it's fluids for it's specific metals (power steering, brake fluid, tranny etc.). Always use factory HONDA (except for their brakes, their brakes are known for being soft, and fading quickly). Besides it's fluids are usually the same price as any you'll find at your local auto store.

If it's completely topped off before you drain, you should only be able to drain about 3 quarts out even though the system hold around 10 quarts. A lot of it is trapped in the torque converter, and the tranny fluid filter, as well as various lines. After topping it off with a long funnel through fill bolt, drive it for a few minutes being sure to go through ALL gears INCLUDING reverse. Go home and drain another 3 quarts and fill with 3 more quarts of clean HONDA ATF. Drive for a few minutes AGAIN going through all the gears, go home and repeat the process for a 3rd time. I know that 9 quarts is a lot to go through for a fluid change, and can get pricey. 9 quarts ATF @ $9 a quart= $81. But this is still cheaper then you'll pay to have some one else do it for you. Not to mention if you take it to someone else they'll only drain and refill 3 quarts of clean ATF, leaving you with 6 quarts of dirty boken down tranny fluid to contaminate your clean ATF.

It's very important to do this properly the 1st time and every time you change your tranny fluid. Hondas J32a2 (Acura CL typeS) automatic tranny is known for having malfunctions mainly due to tranny over heating. This happens when the fluid breaks down, and gunks up, and gets dirty. People don't realize that you should change the tranny fluid every 30,000 miles maximum. Proper MAINTENANCE is the key factor to longevity.

Besides it really is SOOOO quick and EASY to change. VERY SIMILAR to changing your oil. In fact it's in almost the same location. There's a square drain bolt that takes a ratchet with no socket on it in order to unscrew it off. A little higher up is the fill bolt that I believe is marked FILLER BOLT. Screw off filler bolt and fill with a small long flexible funnel until fluids reaches the filler bolt hole and starts to come out. That's it. Proper maintenance is key. Unless you want to drop $3000 on a new tranny :( Not Me! Good Luck!