gen2ty

Is there any specific/recommended interval at which the tranny fluid should be replaced? I use the Honda recommended ATF-DW1. I have changed mine (2005 V6 Accord 3.0ltrs) several times. In fact, I have had to change it twice within 4 months sometimes ago because the color changed to light brownish a week after the first change. After each change, the color changes from reddish to light brown after a 150 miles trip and it remains like that for a long time.
Presently the color is still not-so-light brownish, but doesn't smell burnt. This fluid is just 6 months in the tranny. I don't know if I should change it. Any Ideas?

BLKFLSH

I think if you get it to a more Red color, it will be easier to keep it that way. When you drain and refill with 3 quarts you are draining less than half of the total fluid, so there will still be more old fluid than new, if you only do one drain and fill. I started doing one drain and fill every 15k miles, since the car was new. That's been enough to keep it pretty clean and at least a Pink color, if not Red. I would do two drain and fills within 1-200 miles, then hopefully switch to one D&F every 15k miles. If the drain plug magnet only has a light coating of metal attached to it, that's OK IMO, but a glob means there is a lot of stuff floating around in the tranny.
In short, change it as often as you have to, to keep it pretty clean and reddish. Ever change the filter? Yes, there is one.

GoodUsername

Wow man, really keepin ontop of changing the tranny fluid, way to go!

Most of the wear in a transmission is minuscule and the magnet on the drain plug picks it up, if not you got the filter. I was told that it can actually be harmful to change automatic transmission fluid in a transmission that is acting up as it is a change that might disturb settled debris but that is not your case, you just change it alot in a transmission thats fine.

GoLowDrew

I D&F my ATF about 20-25K miles. No specific reasons other than that's just my interval. I don't even know what Honda recommends..it is like 60 or 90K?


Either case, changing if often is a good idea just because. But it's no guarantee that one won't have transmission problems.


With a that said, I would not change the ATF anymore. If there is a problem, there is a problem. And new ATF is not going to solve it. If your transmission shifts fine and well, don't worry about what color it is.


If you had never said you change your ATF, then I would be a bit more worry for a 10 year old car.