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.

 

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

 

Do it!

 

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?

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

Don't use anything but the Honda fluid period

 

Ditto this!

 

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.

 

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??

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Definitely change the fluid.

 

+1 change it, Honda ATF only.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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?

 

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.