Acura TSX / Honda Accord CL. Manual - part 845

Fig. 5: Locating ATF Filler Hole 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

RECOMMENDED FLUID 

Transaxle 

Always use Honda ATF-Z1 Automatic Transmission Fluid. If ATF-Z1 is not available, Dexron(R) II ATF may 
be temporarily used. Using non-Honda ATF can affect shift quality. Have transaxle flushed and refilled with 
ATF-Z1 as soon as convenient. See TRANSMISSION FLUSHING . 

FLUID CAPACITIES 

TRANSMISSION FLUID CAPACITIES 

Application

Refill - Qts. (L)

Dry Fill - Qts. (L)

TSX

3.0 (2.8)

6.9 (6.5)

 

2004 Acura TSX 

2004 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS Servicing - TSX

  

 

DRAINING & REFILLING 

1. Bring the transaxle up to normal operating temperature (the radiator fan comes on).  

2. Park the vehicle on the level ground, and turn the engine off. 

3.  

Remove the drain plug (A), and drain ATF. Reinstall the drain plug with a new sealing washer (B). 
Tighten drain plug to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . See Fig. 6 .  

4. Remove the dipstick, and refill the transmission with the recommended fluid amount through the opening 

(A) of the dipstick guide pipe until the level reaches the upper mark on the dipstick. See Fig. 5 . See 
RECOMMENDED FLUID and FLUID CAPACITIES .  

5. Insert the dipstick (A) into the dipstick guide pipe aligning the cap (B) with the guide tab (C). See Fig. 3 . 

Fig. 6: Removing/Installing Drain Plug 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

NOTE:

Keep all foreign particles out of the transaxle.

NOTE:

If a cooler flusher is to be used, see ATF COOLER FLUSHING .

 

2004 Acura TSX 

2004 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS Servicing - TSX

  

 

ATF COOLER FLUSHING 

1. Check equipment for wear and cracks before using. Replace any worn or cracked components.  

2. Using a measuring cup, fill the flusher (A) with 21 ounces (about 2/3 full) of biodegradable Flushing 

Fluid (J35944-20). Do not substitute with any other fluid. Follow the handling procedure on the fluid 
container. See 

Fig. 7

 .  

3. Secure the flusher filler cap, and pressurize the flusher with compressed air to 80-120 psi (550-829 kPa). 

The air line should be equipped with a water trap to ensure a dry air system.  

4. Hang the flusher under the vehicle.  

5. Attach the flusher discharge hose (B) to the return line of the ATF cooler using a clamp.  

6. Connect the drain hose to the inlet line on the ATF cooler using a clamp. Securely clamp the opposite end 

of the drain hose to a bucket (D) or floor drain.  

7. With the water and air valves (E) off, attach the water and air supplies to the flusher (use hot water if 

available).  

8. Turn on the water valve for 10 seconds. If water does not flow through the cooler, it is completely 

plugged, cannot be flushed, and must be replaced.  

9. Press the trigger to mix the flushing fluid into the water flow. Use the wire clip to hold the trigger down.  

10. While flushing with water and flushing fluid for 2 minutes, turn the air valve on for 5 seconds every 15-

20 seconds to create a surging action. Air pressure should be 120 psi (845kpa) maximum.  

11. Turn the water valve off. Release the trigger, then reverse the hoses to the cooler so you can flush in the 

opposite direction. Repeat steps 8 through 10 .  

12. Release the trigger, and rinse the cooler with water for one minute.  

13. Turn the water valve and the water supply off.  

14. Turn the air valve on for 2 minutes, or until no moisture is visible leaving the drain hose. Residual 

moisture in the cooler or lines can damage the transaxle.  

15. Remove the flusher from the cooler line. Attach the drain hose to an ATF container.  

16. Install the transaxle, and leave the drain hose attached to the cooler line.  

17. Ensure the transaxle in Park position. Fill the transaxle with ATF, and run the engine for 30 seconds or 

until about one quart is discharged.  

18. Remove the drain hose, and reconnect the cooler return hose to the transaxle.  

19. Refill the transaxle with ATF to the proper level. See CHECKING FLUID LEVELS .  

NOTE:

Transmission Cooler Flusher (Kent-Moore J38405-A) or equivalent should be 
used to perform this procedure. This procedure should be performed before 
reinstalling the transaxle.

 

2004 Acura TSX 

2004 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS Servicing - TSX

  

 

Fig. 7: Flushing ATF Cooler 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

TRANSMISSION FLUSHING 

To thoroughly flush the transaxle, drain and refill transaxle with Honda Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF-
Z1). Drive the vehicle a short distance. Repeat drain and refill 3 times, then drain and refill a final time. 

ON-VEHICLE REPAIRS 

 

2004 Acura TSX 

2004 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS Servicing - TSX