07 accord transmission fluid.

[OtisBlkR1]

i called my local Honda dealer and started asking questions.

Q: hello how much is a tranny service ?
A: $59.00 plus tax
Q: how much is the fluid if i just come purchase it ?
A: ummm maybee $12.00-$14.00

Ok, so if i come pick up fluid is it as simple as pulling the plug on our Honda, letting it drain out, Measure how much comes out and refill that amount through the dip-stick ?

Tech: Yep, thats pretty much it.

So today i had pretty wife stop and pick up the fluid, before i do this is there anything else i should be aware of ? Ive always been a little timid on Tranny service and most often just had the shop do it. (Kinda funny becouse i do all my own maintence for the most part, oil, differentials,coolant, ect.. just been gunshy on transmission service. I think my fear has something to do with measuring it hot/cold and many stories ive heard about different models having different operations for performing this job..

So anyways im doing it myself, any tips for this model year?
07 accord 6 cyl EX. at this point my plan is doing exactly as described above..

thanks

 

[Chris Meutsch]

Easy stuff. If you want OE fluid, go with DW-1 and get the amount you need, plus the drain plug gasket. Drain and fill.
Or, get with Pablo on the Amsoil ATF and use that. Both work great, but use the Amsoil for at least 50k. I have, it works.
Or, change out the DW-1 when you want to, or every 30k.

Sincerely,

Honda/Amsoil believer (and user with zero issues)

 

[bubbatime]

Honda transmissions typically use 2.5 to 3.5 quarts on a drain and fill. It is very easy to do. Even easier than an oil change in my opinion. Your car originally came with Honda ATF-Z1 fluid which is no longer supported. The new fluid is Honda ATF-DW1. The drain plug crush washer is a one time use washer and should be changed also. The dealership gave me 5 of them for free last time I went in there.

 

[OtisBlkR1]

appreciate the info guys, im not sure if my wife got the crush washer when she picked up fluid, if not i will just have her stop again. Considering theres no filter to fiddle with this sounds like a fairly novice job. Its funny the little things that we dont do out of fear of screwing it up.. well im done giving my money away.

 

[Sayjac]

Own the same year/model 3.0L. Did a D&F once @25k using the much maligned here Z-1. I'm going with MaxLife next time since Honda has now changed to DW-1.

I didn't follow the crazy involved procedure listed in the OM. I just drained the fluid, then filled with 3qts. Z-1, and took the vehicle for a spin going through all the gears and back, no issues.

I've used Z-1 with simple D&F's in an 01 Civic with the notorious AT, still humming at 165k. Figure if Z-1 can cut it, under the 'if it ain't broke theory', I can try ML now since Honda switched.

But, I suppose DW-1 is the 'safe' play so I understand the thinking.

 

[OtisBlkR1]

yeah, im not going to overthink tranny fluid. this is my wifes car, not a autocross race machine.. every 30,000 it can get some fresh Honda fluid and all will be right with the world.

 

[SIXSPEED]

DW-1 should cost less than $9 per quart. You'll need a new drain plug washer for about $2. You also need to consider how to re-fill the ATF. For my 04 Odyssey, I filled through the dipstick tube using a long funnel and some vinyl tubing.

 

[OtisBlkR1]

i have lots & lots of funnels. thanks for the tip though

 

[garlicbreadman]

be prepared to remove the splash shield if you have one. the one on the tsx is a pita(i imagine your accord being similar)..but other than that, its simpler than an oil change.

 

[Sayjac]

Quote:
You also need to consider how to re-fill the ATF....

There's a separate fill hole at the top of the tranny on the drivers side, no need to use dipstick tube. I found using a 1/2" drive with an with 10" extention works well, I used a "Sliding T Driver Set" from HF to reach and break the bolt free. 3/8" drive with extention might work too, but for first time it's on fairly tight. Then a medium neck length funnel (10-12") works fine to fill.

And as for minimizing the drain splash mess, I've found leaving that dipstick in at least at the beginning helps slow the flow, then pull the ds later to finish. Not much splash at all that way. No splash shield to remove afaik.

 

[Hokiefyd]

If you don't have a new crush washer, I wouldn't sweat it. I've re-used the one on our MDX probably 3 times now. They're usually good for a few repeated uses.

As others have said, draining a Honda transmission is easier than an oil change.

 

[MarkM66]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
If you don't have a new crush washer, I wouldn't sweat it. I've re-used the one on our MDX probably 3 times now. They're usually good for a few repeated uses.

As others have said, draining a Honda transmission is easier than an oil change.


Yep, I re-used one several times, never leaked a drop.

 

[Mud]

Echoing others, related to our 08 Accord:

Just did this over the last couple of days, easy!

Used DW-1 fluid, drained out about 3.5 qts the first time, no splash shield removal needed. Re-used the drain crush washer. Added fresh fluid thru the top filler hole.

Drove to work, then yesterday repeated the process again. I do want to get some replacement crush washers, but no leak after the 2 drains.

 

[greasegunn]

I'm curious on how you drained without removing splash shield. Could you explain?

 

[Vikas]

Loosen the fill plug first!

 

[OtisBlkR1]

starting to think this was a waist of time, they sent my wife home with 3qrts of DW-1. Above posters have mentioned 3.5 may be needed ? the 3quarts were $26.00 so if i need another quart im $35.00 into this plus a $2.00 crush washer, so with taxes on all items almost $40.00, I coulda thrown the dealer a extra $20 bucks and kept my hands clean and warm (its around 20' outside now)

Also, why would i want to remove a top fill plug if i can easily just pull the dipstick and fill through there ? is there a advantage to removing the plug and filling ?

 

[SIXSPEED]

Next time you will only need to buy 3 quarts. Filling through the dipstick tube is much easier for me, but I had to rig up a long funnel and two sizes of vinyl tubing to make it work. With the fill hole you may have to re-apply thread sealant to the plug and torque to spec.

 

[Barkleymut]

I'm sure you already thought of this but...collect everything that comes out and pour into empty quart bottles, then when adding, just add in the same amount.

 

[bubbatime]

Originally Posted By: greasegunn
I'm curious on how you drained without removing splash shield. Could you explain?


My Honda Accord did not have a splash shield. My Acura TSX did have a splash shield.

 

[Doog]

I do 3 to 4 drain/fills every 50,000 miles on my Honda vehicles with about 5 miles of driving in between each D/F. This will make your trans shift like new.