I'm inheriting a 2000 Accord with ~130K miles, garage kept. Regular maintenance has been limited over last few years but it drives fine and passed inspection today. I wanted to change the transmission fluid and am comfortable with DIY but here's what threw me off. I went to the Honda dealer and A) got 4 separate quotes on what they charge per quart for ATF-DW1 but more importantly B) the tech talked me out of doing the change. I don't know if the fluid has been changed during the whole life of the car. It's a petroleum-based product, shouldn't I expect some decay and sludging?

His argument is that he's seen it cause problems. My approach was going to be 3 quarts drain (or whatever comes out) and replacing with an initial 3 qts, give it a drive for a few weeks, work through the gears and repeat. Total outlay 6-7 quarts. No flushing, just a transfusion.

I'm happy to pay for OEM DW1 fluid, what's the way to proceed?
Thanks for your ideas.

 

Dont know what that tech was thinking..i change my fluid out on my Honda's regularly..my 01 accord is basic...3/8 inch socket..remove bolt and drain..replace with 3 quarts of honda trans fluid only..right into dipstick hole..you will see improved shift and less convertor chatter..i swap it out every 30k

 

When new, there really wasn't anything better than factory fluid for this model. I don't believe that's the case anymore, and for the price I don't think it's worth the premium anymore compared to what you can get after market. I've started using Valvoline Max-Life Full-synth. and will probably stick with that. It's inexpensive and widely available too.

Dealer techs are taught to be much more cautious/conservative with older vehicles. The risk of unintended effects from replacing fluid in the transmission could end up costing a service department long term. But you accept that risk yourself whether you change it or not: use dealer fluid or after market.

the thought is the transmission may be fine now, but is holding on by a thread. changing the fluid "cuts" that thread. If the service dept. does that, they may be held accountable. They would rather you drive it until it fails so you're "at fault" then they'll happily sell you a $3k replacement transmission. However, if you replace the fluid you either extend the life of the vehicle (assuming the trans is ok) or become aware sooner than later that your transmission was about to fail.