With the cold season coming again, the shifter will be very stiff when the
engine is cold. This doesn't happen in the warmer seasons. After warming
up (15 minutes of driving), everything is back to normal.
Acura is telling me that this is normal, and nothing needs to be done unless
the problem gets worse.
Question : Is there a synthetic fluid out there, that could be used instead
of the current Honda fluid ? The dealer says some people have switched to
this successfully, but cannot recommend it (for warranty purposes).
Thanks for your input.

Signature
Richard White
rwhite13@localnet.com
ACAR - 15 Sep 2006 03:30 GMT
> Question : Is there a synthetic fluid out there, that could be used instead
> of the current Honda fluid ? The dealer says some people have switched to
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> Richard White
> rwhite13@localnet.com
I've had Red Line MTL in my Acura Legend 5-speed for about 100K miles.
Works great.
John Horner - 19 Sep 2006 20:08 GMT
> Question : Is there a synthetic fluid out there, that could be used instead
> of the current Honda fluid ? The dealer says some people have switched to
> this successfully, but cannot recommend it (for warranty purposes).
>
> Thanks for your input.
I would try Redline MTL (Manual Transmission Lube).
John
NomoreRGS - 19 Sep 2006 23:52 GMT
>With the cold season coming again, the shifter will be very stiff when the
>engine is cold. This doesn't happen in the warmer seasons. After warming
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
>Thanks for your input.
The fix is most likely just a simple change of the guild.
I have a 2005 TL 6-sp Manual Transmission like you. With only a
couple of thousand miles I started having the "3rd gear" shift problem
where it needed a bit of force when cold to get in 3rd gear. I
changed the fluid at about 2,000 and the problem went away. The car
now has about 7,500 miles on it and still shifting perfectly.
The Acura forum I frequent has lots of info on the topic and I found
that the GM "Syncromesh Friction Modified" fluid seemed to work well
for everyone who used it. Most people rave of the improvement. Of
course Acura would not like that fluid, but some Acura dealers are
actually using it since the problems go away when using it.
Some have had success with Acura changing it with their previous MT
fluid. Some used Redline or other after market fluid or even GM
Syncromesh Friction Modified with very good results.
Acura just came out with a new Manual Transmission Fluid. It has a
white cap on the bottle. I don't know how much it is improved as it
came out in August and I don't know anyone who has used it.
"Acura Precision Crafted MTF: It’s Even Better Than Before" (bottom of
page http://www.in.honda.com/Rjanisis/pubs/SN/B060800.PDF)
Acura ServiceNews Bulletins links on Acurazine forum page:
http://tl.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=129196
Lots of good info and experience here and worth the time (have to join
to post and search forum but it's free):
http://tl.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=93452&highlight=fluid
http://tl.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91608
http://tl.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=125774&highlight=fluid
http://tl.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84834
NomoreRGS - 20 Sep 2006 00:47 GMT
Sorry for the spell check error!
The fix is most likely just a simple change of the Fluid.
Also, use 303 Aerospace protectant on dash to protect against fade.
Clean it first of previous products for best results.
http://tl.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=138067&highlight=Aerospace
>>With the cold season coming again, the shifter will be very stiff when the
>>engine is cold. This doesn't happen in the warmer seasons. After warming
[quoted text clipped - 42 lines]
>
>http://tl.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84834