jwaccord

I have a 1992 accord auto transmission i want to change its fluid. Anyone knows what type of fluid it is recommended on the owner's manual? Dexron? Dexron II? Dexron III? or other type? I saw Walmart has ATF for Dexron III, I wonder if it is interchangable for earlier Dexron versions? How many qts do I need, by the way. Is there a filter I need to replace? This is my first post to this forum. Hope I am doing it right. Thanks for the advise.

phootbag

Do not use anything except Honda ATF Z-1.

Nicefeet

Some will disagree, but just use this

http://www.valvoline.com/products/br...ssion-fluid/37

The filter is not serviceable so just do three drain and refills. The trans holds 2.5qts per fill.

TheMuffinMan

iTrader: (1)

Honda ATF.......

If it's similar to the 94-97 you fill the transmission (while it's level) until it starts to come out of the fill bolt hole.

92civlude

There is no fill bolt on the auto trans. Just the manual transmissions have a fill bolt hole. Fill the trans at the dipstick hole. 3 qts of Honda ATF then check the level at the dipstick, engine warm with the engine off.

TheMuffinMan

iTrader: (1)

Ah yep, got me there. Forgot that - I've even done the change on my auto tranny

jdadams12

Drain it with the plug and then 2.5 quarts back in. It is really easy.

I just traded in my 92 last month the day that it hit 400K. It got a new transmission at 60K and the next one lasted 340K on Mobil 1 Synthetic Dex/Merc III in the sliver/grey bottle (the new bottle colors) at the recommendation of the tranny builder. The Z1 is a moderate quality base with too many friction modifiers according to many transmission experts (other than Honda). Redline D4 is also a great alternative.

In over 340K on my second transmission, I never got any particles on the magnetic plug. The evidence of a clean plug was all that I needed. Less friction modifiers means quicker shifts and less wear on the clutches.

If you must use the Z1, change it every 15K.

I have a 04 and 06 Acura TL now and I use the Mobil 1 Dex III or Redline synthetics in them. I will never let Z1 into any of my cars again.

AmericanPie

Thanks for that info.

I got 275K out of my '96 Accord, using only Z1 since new but changing it every ~30K (until the last several years, when on the advice of a Honda tech I began changing it every ~15K). Sadly the car was stolen last year but the tranny was beginning to slip. I've always wondered what was so special about Z1 that it's the ONLY fluid that Honda recommends. I run synthetics (Mobil 1 or Redline) in all my motors.

If I make the switch to Mobil 1 Dex III on my current '97 Accord, would I be safe in doing 3 consecutive oil drains and fills, or does the tranny need to be flushed somehow?

jdadams12

I think that Honda has just approved a certain type of flush for most of their vehicles - I saw a TSB about it somewhere. However, the 3x drain and refill is always effective and probably the only safe option for a DIYer. Do not risk getting air into your clutch packs by doing "any old" flush.

jwaccord

you saud: the 3x drain and refill is always effective and probably the only safe option for a DIYer. can you explain the procedure? This is how I imagine it is done without knowing any better:
remove the drain plug to let it drain out completely.
reinstall the drain plug and refill 2.5 qt syn ATF
drive for few days then repeat the above 2 more times.
Is this correct? If it is, then the old and new are all mixed together, is that ok for changing over to Mobil 1/Redline syn ATF? How about the ATF in the torque converter, how is that get changed over?

jdadams12

That is the right procedure. It will all mix. It is OK to mix it. The fluid in the torque converter will not drain out, but will mix in several minutes with the new fluid once you start the car. If you do this 3x, you get about 80% of the old fluid out.

If I know that I am going to drain again soon (same day, or next day), I usually put 3 quarts in my 92. This helped to dilute the old mixture some. With the last fill, I was 2.5 on the money and then checked the dip stick.

Once you start the car after the fillup, go through the gears twice from R to 1 slowly.

skiinypete

I'm new to Hondas. So the fliter is not servicable? Just a simple fluid change? Sounds easy enough.

Later,Bill

AmericanPie

To clarify:

Yes, that's correct; there is no auto tranny filter on 5th gen Accords, only a magnetic drain plug. Which is the main reason the fluid should be changed more frequently (~15K miles or less) than a tranny that HAS a filter.