So I performed another ATF drain/fill today after I was finally able to remove the stripped drain plug last week (thanks AAMCO). For some reason I couldn't get a good read on the dipstick, so I put the old drained fluid into an empty oil jug with 1 qt hash marks on it to to measure everything out. A hair over 3 qts came out (more than the listed 2.6 qts probably since I had the front end jacked up) and I put a little less than 3 qts back in to account for any old motor oil residue still left in the jug that may elevate the final reading. I took the car out for a spin to warm everything up and pulled the dipstick to find it a smidgen over the full mark. By smidgen, I mean a small amount over the max. I don't know how that works because I thought putting in the same amount you took out was a fool proof way to get an accurate dipstick reading. Should I just fuggedaboutit and move on? The trans shifts fine and all but I'm a little worried about fluid expansion in the summer time, though today was in the mid-70s here.

 

I think some of the fluid will work its way into the torque converter. I would leave it be and recheck in a week or so.

 

^This

This happens to me also, but after a couple of days, it levels out on the dipstick.

 

You should do a couple more drain and fills to completely remove all the old fluid-most of it is in the torque converter. I think the FSM states 4 or 5 total, each done every 3000 miles. I can't recall exactly what it is.

 

this

above all just make sure fluid is new red color and no longer dark


Posted from Honda-tech.com App for Android

 

Always check the trans fluid level on a hot transmission. If you fill it when it is cold to the top hash mark when cold it will be overfilled when its up and running hot causing the fluid to foam thus shortening the tranny life. It takes 2.5 quarts and not a drop more.