Hello, all! Second post, about something that I have been thinking about in my ~2 weeks of ownership of my 1995 Honda Civic EX coupe (from Canada.) My transmission fluid. Oil looks good, and is at proper level. As to the trans..

1. This is my first Honda. Do I check it while the car is RUNNING or when the ENGINE IS OFF. I know I check it at normal operating temperature. And yes, I found the dipstick. FWD. Was easy to find it... My transmission fluid LEVEL looks perfect.

2. I had a Taurus once. I know how to take my orange siphon pump, and pump out about a gallon (or more, but I will say a gallon.. 4 quarts) into an empty gallon milk jug. And marvel at just how brown/black it is/was. So, if I do that.. What kind of transmission fluid goes in my Honda. ?

I want to keep it shifting smooth. It is so hot out, and heat kills transmissions.

I WILL NOT FLUSH

I was thinking.. "Change out a gallon, change it out again in about 1,000 miles, repeat 5 times."

Am I on to something?

This is about my 12th car and I am getting serious about proper care of my cars. I want this Honda to last a looooooong time. Even by Honda standards.

Unknown histort, is why I like the gentle "cycle" idea..

OK, second post. Will check back later! -95EX

 

You didn't specify but clues of a dipstick say automatic transmission.

The generally accepted method is the drain (no need to siphon, there is a drain plug bolt on the bottom level on the side of the case the transmission) and add 3 liters of ATF, drive 100 miles (which is what 150 KM?) drain then add 3 liters, drive another 100 miles, drain and fill with 3 liters for a third time and call it a day.

Honda ATF is all that is recommended for your car. It's about 100 bucks worth of fluid or so.

 

In the past IV had success with an automotive vacuum into the dip stick hole and pulling out extra fluid.

managed to remove pretty much the entire capacity of an automatic transmission that way. It had been filled with cheap fluid, so I wanted to get all of that crap out before putting dealer fluid in.

I personally believe the reason people say that its wrong to change trans fluid, or to instead cycle it like tomcat described, is because people use cheap crappy fluid and that's what hurts the transmission, not that its being changed. If you stick to Honda fluid or a quality aftermarket fluid like Amsoil or Torco, you should be in good shape. It should shift better too

 

Yes.. is an auto.

I made link to "value" thread about it here https://honda-tech.com/forums/showpo...postcount=3162

Next dumb question: Any specific TYPE of fluid the Honda dealer will give me ?

I will likely siphon, and put the same amount of new fluid back in as the old dirty. I should pic the old fluid, too. Looks dirty. Since I don't have the tools or space like I used to, with a previous car. Good to know about that drain plug... (siphon I can do in a parking lot without ramps or a tool or crawling)

 

^^ sorry about the double post my Internet made me think it did not post. Apologies

 

Ask the dealer if they still have any Z1 trans fluid, they may or may not still have it in stock. Mine did a while ago when I asked. Its the proper fluid, the original fluid. But apparently the new fluid is backwards compatible

 

I noticed I think I have an "EG" Civic, as I took a look at the VIN.

Anyways, since I was short on tools, I took the siphon, and was able to get out just about exactly 3 quarts from the Honda ATF. The dealer had DW-1. Seems it has a really small capacity, as does the engine.. The Honda tech said "Should be about three quarts of trans fluid" and "It is not the Z1 anymore, we don't have that, it is all DW-1 now." Ok. Cool. So.. He seems to have been right, I could not get out more than 3 quarts from the trans!

I reinstalled, and it runs a bit smoother. Not like OMG! NIGHT AND DAY difference, NO, but, a little smoother.

How much longer before I swap it all out again?

Pics:



Old fluid:

 

no need to siphon next time, the drain bolt removes with a 3/8" socket wrench.

 

 

Drive another week and do another drain and fill, repeat one more time and I think you should have all of the old z1 out of there.

 

One thread per car per issue. Merged your related threads and updated original title to reflect you new title.