Transmission Fuild Replacement

[TCHondatoy]

I didn't realize that honda recommends to change the transmission fluid every 30,000 MI, here I am on almost 90,000 MI and now I'm flipping out to get it done.:headbash: Basically just wanted to let anyone who was intrested that my local Honda dealer in Vero Beach FL told me that for a complete flush of fluid, a machine will run cleaner through three times and then they will add brand new fulid (12 QTS) for a price of $149 plus taxes. After I get the service done I will inform you of the difference I may experience with the new fluid. :salue:

[princess]

shame on them!! "flushing" isn't recommended by Honda!

Simply drain & refill 3 or 4 times is safer. It's less likely to make crud go up into places it shouldn't.

If it's changed on a regular basis, that's not even needed.

90K is severe driving conditions, 120 for normal.

Most of us change much more often than that!! Some as frequently as 5K, some up to 30K.

[Accordlover]

Ask the dealer to do a drain and refill. Not a flush. :)

[TCHondatoy]

Well, many times I've gone there and they have told me that the fluid is looking "cloudy" and I just disregarding it because i felt that me and my car could wait to change the fluid. Well, when I went yesterday they took a sample and the transmision fluid is almost black and looks thick. So, it needs to get changed soon! I also didn't realize that you had to change the fluid as often as 5K or 30K so I have NEVER changed the tranny fluid in my car. I would think my best bet is to get the flush, don't you agree?

[princess]

You'd be best off having it changed weekly for 3 or 4 weeks, not "flushed". That way none of the crud will get pushed up the wrong way.

Others have had flushes & had no problems. We've seen some that weren't so lucky.:dunno:


I totally agree that if it's looking yucky, it needs to be changed.:yes:

[Macdawgg]

30K?-You sure about that?-I just had my car in for an oil change and thy didn't recommend it sounds like your dealer is fishy

[DonutLimo]

listen to what Princess said, knowing the history of these transmissions i would never let anyone 'flush' mine. too many chances for garbage that is harmlessly settled away to get stirred up plugging solenoids and other valves. the drain/refill/drive (x3) is the safest way. btw if you do it yourself make sure you grab honda ATF-Z1 and check the fluid amount specs for your car on a drain and refill- i think its around 3qts each time.

[TCHondatoy]

So Monday I had my transmission fluid drained and filled. I am happy with the result. After 95k MI and never changing the fluid the transmission is shifting noticeably smoother. My car seems happy for now!

[SatinSilver]

Like Princess stated earlier you should have it drained and refilled again 2-3 times on a weekly basis. Or just have it done the next few times you have your oil changed.

[hermann]

Like Princess stated earlier you should have it drained and refilled again 2-3 times on a weekly basis. Or just have it done the next few times you have your oil changed.

Do what Princess said to do, and then 3 more D&F's a week apart. In the future do a D&F every 15K. This will keep your fluid nice and red and very little residue on the magnetic plug. Below is a pic of my drain plug at 35K. I did a D&F at 20K, and one at 35K.
My $.02

[hermann]

Another pic of drain plug.

[Aviography]

So this is the FACTORY magnetic drain plug on the automatic transmission?

[benjamming]

It looks just like mine on the 4-speed AT.

[Bruce Hawkins]

Hi all,

I do my own drain and refill, my self. This is way too easy. If you do your own oil and filter change, you can to the trany.

Hints:
Do every 15K miles.
Use only Honda ATF-Z1.
Get the trany worm, not hot.
Use a long funnel, to refill.
Refill (4 cylinder) trany with 2.0, not 2.6, worm up trany, (drive off car ramps) recheck re-fill as needed, see below.
Get it only close, as in, to the graded area, then drive it for an hour or so, re-fill, if needed...

I use car ramps, maybe this is why I need only 2.1 of fluid???

Bruce

[Cordi2005]

I just did my D&F today. My car has 26,000 miles and this is the first time. I have checked the tranny fluid before on a regular basis and it was always at the right level and seemed pretty clean. I did the D&F twice. On the first drain, I could not believe how dark the fluid looked when compared to the new ATF-Z1. I put that first batch of fluid in a clear one gallon container. I put 3 quarts of fresh fluid in the tranny and then made sure the level was okay. I took the car out and drove it for a few miles and came back and repeated the D&F process. The second batch of fluid wasn't as dark as the first batch but still was not as red as the new fluid. The magnetic drain plug did have some metallic sludge stuck to it but it wasn't that bad.

As a word of suggestion..when buying the ATF-Z1 shop around. I called three different dealers in my area and I found a price difference of over $3 per quart!

Have fun.

[Mayoo]

Honda did mine on Sep and now when i check the ATF its below is the minimum leval !!! .. is tht possible ?? is it mean honda diddnt fill up to the top or my ATF is leaking ???

[russiankid]

Are you checking the level on a hot engine or cold? There should be indications where the level should be at depending on temperature.