I'm a few months away from maybe doing it.

I would like to change the transmission fluid. I read a few threads, so let me put my questions here.

1. Where do I recycle the ATF? Same place I would for motor oil?

2. Is it ok to mix it? I read people use a 1G milk container. Why not use the 5 qt container from motor oil? So if I have room in my used oil collection, can I mix it? Yes, I'm "throwing it away" but I still like to do the right thing so I don't mess up their recycling efforts by mixing or contaminating it.

3. The ATF drain bolt is 3/8 I was told. Is that the same as 17mm?

4. Do we change the metal washer each time, like an oil change? Same size washer?

5. I read some threads that said people do a partial ATF change. There is no issue with my trans. Just that the fluid looks kind of brown (22K). Dealer just check it (Recall PCM reflash)and said nothing, so I assume it's still good. Your thoughts on doing full or partial change?

6. Do you like think it's necessary to do a drain and fill a few times to "clean it out?" Or just one time?

7. I do plan to have the dealer service the trans when it's time. Because auto trans is not a Honda strong point. So I want it documented when service is done, without any questions. Powertrain warranty is 5yr-60K. This is just my in-between maintenance. Should I even bother with this?

TIA

 

Use only Honda ATF-Z1 (you can get this from your Honda dealer parts department) along with the replacement crush washer. It will take just under 3 quarts. You will simply drain and refill. This will only change about 1/2 to 2/3's of the fluid as the remaining fluid will be in the torque converter. You can recycle the old fluid the same way as motor oil and can even mix it. The drain bolt uses the head of a 3/8's ratchet (no socket). The fill bolt is 17mm.

 

I see. So even if I let it drain out completely, it really only a partial change.

 

yea, you're only draining what's in the trans pan. the only way to get a complete flush is to hook up the transmission lines to a transmission exchange machine. most automatic transmissions take 8-13 quarts of fluid. If you've never changed the fluid on this transmission, i would take it to get an actual flush because the other 2/3 of fluid that you haven't changed will contaminate your new fluid very fast. drain and fill is only good if you're following honda's recommendations and change it religiously.

 

Honda transmissions dont have pans

 

Correct.

You never, ever flush a honda automatic. They don't have an externally replaceable filter, its buried inside the transmission and power flushing only blows everything trapped in it everywhere it shouldn't be.

 

Where do I find this 17mm bolt? I'm new to Hondas and want to do this tomorrow? Can you fill through the dipstick hole?

Later,Bill

 

On a J-V6, you see the oil change bolt on the right. So the transmission bolt is on the left side. Plus, it's on the transmission.

 

Follow up question. I did the first Drain & Fill 3 weeks exactly tomorrow. I read that people do a D&F like 3 times to make sure the ATF is fresh. My question is, how long should the interval be? And when is too long?

Since it's 3 weeks, do we still consider that to be D&F to clean out the old fluid?

If the new fluid are getting old, then doing another D&F will not be as effective after a period.

Or maybe I should just make ATF D&F a yearly thing?

 

Normally you just go for a short drive between each drain and fill. If you actually change the fluid on a regular basis it probably doesn't matter so much if you get all the old stuff out.

 

Just to clarify, what do u mean by a "short drive between each drain and fill"? Do you mean to try and get more of the old fluid out? Also, I think Honda just updated their ATF from Z-1 to DW-1. Pretty sure its backwards compatible, but correct me if I'm wrong.

 

A couple of miles if that.

There's 6L of fluid approximately between the torque converter and the transmission, but you can only drain the transmission, so only about half the fluid gets changed. So you drain and fill, go for a short drive to circulate the fluid, then drain and fill, the repeat one last time, gets rid of most of the old fluid, otherwise you'd need to drop the transmission and pull the torque converter.

They did, and it is.

 

interesting ive never done that, just always did a single d&f. good point tho.