My 2006 Odyssey with 45K miles maintenance minder is telling me I need to replace brake fluid and ATM fluids, per the maintenance schedule. I asked an independent mechanic in my town his price for these and he said I don't need to do these - it's just suggestive selling on Honda's part and that replacing the ATM fluid eliminates some varnish that has built up in the transmission system that is beneficial. Thus, he actually is turning down work.

Do I need to replace the brake fluid or ATM fluid?

Thanks

 

Can you take off the cap to the brake fluid master and check the fluid. Brake fluid is clear like water. I would say if you have any particles or the fluid isn't clear, change it. If the line is ever opened or disconnected it has to be re-bled.

ATM: I wouldn't change it.

 

I would do both. Keep up with scheduled maintenance and it can pay off in the long run. It really isn't that much money to do anyways.

 

I would do them both>>>Stick with the maintenance schedule.

 

Acura/Honda normally doesn't recommend a Transmission flush unless you have shifting issues. It's typically a drain and refill.
The brake fluid however is recommended every 3 years per your owners manual.

 

From the owners manual: Transmission, replace fluid @ 45k, 75k, 105k miles (or every 36 months)



As previously stated, Honda doesn't recommend a transmisson "flush". They simply state that the trans-fluid should be changed 3 times in a row in place of flushing. That means you need to buy 10 bottles of ATF. People call it the 3x3 method (9qts), but I find it takes one extra bottle of ATF to get the level just right on the dip stick.

- change fluid w/ 3 qts
- drive
- change fluid w/ 3 qts
- drive
- change fluid & top off (usually 3.5qts)

If you were keeping up with the maintenance schedule, then you probably only need to change it once. Therefore buy 4qts and an drain-plug washer.



And definitely do brake fluid every 3 years. That stuff is meant to soak up moisture from the system. This causes the fluid to become spoiled. If not changed, you could get corrosion inside the system.

 

The drain, drive, and refill method suggested by Honda takes 12 quarts (a full case) of ATF.

 

Brake fluid is "hygroscopic" which means it absorbs moisture. Over time it absorbs so much, which in turn will continually lower the boiling point of the brake fluid. It is meant to be changed every three years. You will hear many different opinions on changind trans fluid from different people. On my own Honda vehicles I change it ever 3rd oil change, so every 9,000 miles. At my shop we recommend every it at every 30k. We offer a 30k service in which all fluids are changed (brake, trans, oil, diff, ect...). Honda transmissions have their fair share of issues so I do it as preventive maintanance, and so far no tranny troubles. Newer models have an external filter that you can change. I have a 2006 Accord and I change the external filter every 30k. We never recommend "flushing" Honda transmissions, especially if the fluid has never been changed.

 

I need to change my trans fluid also. I tried looking for the filler bolt, but I couldn't find it. I've been told its the bolt with a blue line on in on top of the trans, but there are only 2 bolts with blue lines and both of them have hardened lines going into the top of them. Any help guys?