Should i attempt to change my transmission fluid??
 

I got around asking my dad when he last changed the transmission fluid in the civic before he gave me the car. He told me that he does not remember the last time he had it done, and that his mechanic didn't think he should since my dad does not remember when he changed it. My question is, should I change my tranny fluid? It has to have been at least 6 or 7 years since its been done. Is there any harm in changing the fluid that's been in that car for almost a decade? It's the civic I drive now.

Re: Should i attempt to change my transmission fluid??
 

Yes, change it, use Honda MTF, it will do your tranny good

Re: Should i attempt to change my transmission fluid??
 

Do it!

Re: Should i attempt to change my transmission fluid??
 

not knowing when it was last changed is all the more reason to change it. you will know what fluid was put in, and at what mileage you put it in so you will know when to do subsequent changes. I cannot think of any possible harm that would be caused by emptying out 'who knows how old' tranny fluid and replacing it with fresh fluid. lubricants are designed for a certain life span and should be changed at the appropriate intervals. is it a manual or an auto transmission?

Re: Should i attempt to change my transmission fluid??
 

Its an automatic.

I know I feel dumb not doing it, but the mechanic has me worried that if I do change it, the tranny wont work properly... or am i just being paranoid lol

Re: Should i attempt to change my transmission fluid??
 

Change it, go to the Honda dealer and get the new Honda ATF DW-1. It's just like changing the fluid in a manual, just drain and refill, no filter to replace. It won't hurt anything.

Re: Should i attempt to change my transmission fluid??
 

Should I get Honda ATF DW-1 or something else? Or is that what is needed for the auto tranny? Sorry for being dumb, I just don`t like dealing with transmissions lol

Re: Should i attempt to change my transmission fluid??
 

Honda ATF DW-1 is all I've used, well since Honda released it to replace the old Honda ATF, got 230K on my 1999 Civic Lx and not one problem. I think it takes 2.6qts, but the dealer should be able to tell you, if you don't have the owners manual.

Re: Should i attempt to change my transmission fluid??
 

Don't use anything but the Honda fluid period

Re: Should i attempt to change my transmission fluid??
 

Ditto this!

Re: Should i attempt to change my transmission fluid??
 

Just don't mess it up like I did. Don't confuse the snap ring plug for the drain plug. -_- It was a pretty embarrassing thread.

Re: Should i attempt to change my transmission fluid??
 

So you all agree, that even thought the fluid has not been changed in nearly 10 years, it`s a good to change the fluid??

Re: Should i attempt to change my transmission fluid??
 

It gets better over time like wine. Throwing away a 10 year old scotch for some miller light sound good to you? Mechanic knew best

Re: Should i attempt to change my transmission fluid??
 

You ask, everybody answers, yet you still questioning if you should do it or not?

In that case, leave it in for at least 20 years. You have to ferment the transmission oil so you can shift so fast. So fast.

Re: Should i attempt to change my transmission fluid??
 

Please tell me you're not serious?

OP, it's your car, but most of us recommend changing that old crap out ASAP, it's beyond it's lifespan and is damaging your trans with every mile you put on it.

Re: Should i attempt to change my transmission fluid??
 

I asked the question a second time to do two things. 1) bring it to the top of the thread list, and 2) just to get another opinion or two.

I do appreciate the answers though.

Re: Should i attempt to change my transmission fluid??
 

Definitely change the fluid.

Re: Should i attempt to change my transmission fluid??
 

+1 change it, Honda ATF only.

Re: Should i attempt to change my transmission fluid??
 

Have u got to it? It takes 3 qts to refill, 15 min and done

Re: Should i attempt to change my transmission fluid??
 

I dont get your reasoning at all....some people have no common sense.

Re: Should i attempt to change my transmission fluid??
 

Your mechanic is an idiot... Don't change your oil, it will make your engine not run right with fresh viscocity!.... Honda ATF or synchromesh

Re: Should i attempt to change my transmission fluid??
 

Are these autos the cvt? Do they have a tourqe converter? If they do if you do a simple drain and fill you only change less then a quarter of the fluid. You may need to drain fill drive around the block and repeat the drain and fill several times to change most of the fluid in the trans

Re: Should i attempt to change my transmission fluid??
 

I really hate this "myth" that once the trans fluid is too old, if you change it your transmission will explode and little monsters will emerge from the fluid and destroy your car, then rape your mother.

But in all seriousness, I get people asking me that all the time, same exact question you asked, they all say it's not good to change. I've changed trans fluid on cars that have 150,000 or more miles and it's never been done, they come back for their next oil change and tell me how amazing the transmission feels.

Re: Should i attempt to change my transmission fluid??
 

why is this thread still going on? anybody that knows cars, or any dealership can tell you that your tranny fluid should be changed every 4 years or so.....you are way over that......asking if it still needs to be done.....seriously?

Re: Should i attempt to change my transmission fluid??
 

He doesnt beleive us because he thinks if he changes his fluid, his tranny will blow into a million peices with deadly shrapnel killing everyone around in 100ft radius.

Re: Should i attempt to change my transmission fluid??
 

I did a thread on this not too long ago....

theres a semi-myth that goes around - that as far as I can tell refers to older domestic vehicles, that if you wait TOO long to change the Auto trans fluid, it will ruin the trans- the thought behind it, is that the new fluid + detergents will actually eat away the seals and do more damage then good.

To sum up my post- my old man told me NEVER to change the ATF after never doing it for 100+ miles, because he took his car to a shop and they refused to do it, citing- if they do it now, itd ruin it and he'd have to change the trans. This was in 1994 or there abouts when the shop told him this.

In my own personal experience, a kid I know (with an old 1987 K5 blazer) dropped his pan, filter and did a drain/refill and about a week later, was putting a new tranny in the car- No clue if its actually related, but it is real close.

Anyhow- after readin on here, and securing a replacement Transmission- I said F it...and changed my ATF (with the honda genuine fluid)

Dropped the plug- and gosh, it literally appeared as if I dunked the plug in anti-seize. A ton of metal shavings and crap all over it. Took 2 rags to clean it off 100%.

Anyhow....changed it....since, put roughly 6k miles on it. Runs better then new- shifts like butter. Didnt hurt a thing.


So-----I say ...DO it- it wont hurt.

Id say if you have a car manufactured prior to "long life trans fluid" you shouldnt try it- but anything before....lets say 96....just change it, it only helps.

Re: Should i attempt to change my transmission fluid??
 

I trust the people on here. I didn`t think that people would keep posting in this thread after I said thanks.

I haven`t got around to changing it yet because I live in a complex that doesn`t allow any type of car work that involves fluid. I am moving at the end of this month, so I will be able to do it then. I just wanted a few opinions on if I should, which I got and I appreciate.

I don`t understand why I`m getting ragged on because I am unsure if it would be safe to do so after all this time. I must of have missed something...

But for those who DID answer my question and ease my nerves, thanks.

Re: Should i attempt to change my transmission fluid??
 

blacknight-

In college my apt was like that- they'd get riled up about any car work....
so what I did was this...Id get a gallon jug (usually like an ice tea container) saw off the top oh 12% or so, so the handle is still intact...just in essence making the top bigger...

Then Id go out to my car real early in the morning on a sunday....slide the cut jug under my car to my oil pan- reach a wrench up, drop the drain plug- let the oil drop out, (it usually takes like a minute or so) re-insert the plug. Then take the jug, toss it in a walmart bag-- keepin it upright, and then toss in 4 quarts- and be done with it.

It never took me more then 5 mins - if you park at the back of the lot and you do it at a weird time- like early sunday morning, unless you got neighbors that hate you, or stare out their windows...you should be golden.

Re: Should i attempt to change my transmission fluid??
 

tranny fluid should be changed everyy 20,xxx miles. why you would leave the SAME fluid in your vehicle for a decade is beyond me. change it or replace your tranny in the next few years your choice lol

Re: Should i attempt to change my transmission fluid??
 

Especially on automatics. With a gear box, you can easily double it's life span. But it's best to do a routine maintenance. Cough up $50 dollars or so and have Honda do it for you. You might need a full flush. Just not the normal drain and fill.

Re: Should i attempt to change my transmission fluid??
 

Even honda doesnt reco a full flush---

just saying. Drain and fills only.