2017 Honda Accord 2.4L CVT Fluid Leveling?

[TheReal_DW]

I recently changed the fluid on a 165,667mi. Honda Accord, service history says it’s been changed once at 128,999mi. (3years ago/36.6k mi.). It drove fine and shifted P-R-N-D fine, but I did notice a very very slight whine that I assumed was coming from the CVT. I don’t remember if the noise was there previously.

The fluid and drain plug were obviously dirty, so I replaced everything, used HCF-2 OEM fluid, new drain plug gasket properly torqued, and removed ~4.5qt of fluid. I filled it with 4qt then an additional 0.5 after going through all of the gears. The fluid I removed seemed to be in not too bad of a condition, was 176F upon arrival, and smelled normal. Unfortunately I could not find an easy way to check whether the transmission fluid was leveled with this model using the bubble level method, I don’t know where to place the level before adjusting the vehicle and opening the check bolt. Ive been using two scissor jacks.

How can I properly verify the fluid level is correct? I’d hate to drive for another 30k/3yr with over/underfilled fluid. Any experience with this model or advice would be greatly appreciated. The Kia’s I’ve worked on were much easier to check transmission level with the ground.

 

[CarLuver]

i have a couple of the honda CVT i have been taking care of . change the cvt fluid every 30k . everytime i keep thinking that it could go longer by looking at the color of the fluid. looks pretty much close to what come out a new bottle .

i once went to the honda dealer to buy fluid. i asked him how much i needed. he said all the tech do it get 4 quarts and pour it in . they don't have time to do the leveling etc level check .

when i measured the old fluid that came on the first drain , 4 qrts was pretty spot on to what came out

 

[doitmyself]

Looking at all the Google search information that comes up, it seems that you level the entire car by making sure the unibody "frame rails" and/or undercar pinch welds are level front to back and side to side. You will need a suitable bubble level and straight edge or maybe a string level.

I assume you know about removing the "level plug" and adjust the fluid amount until it is just barely trickling out of the plug hole. 4 quarts is mentioned a lot in most of the online literature.

 

[Hall]

I don’t know where to place the level

I thought the door sills were considered good places to put a level or maybe as good as you're gonna get.

Draining 4.5 quarts on a Honda seems unusual though. Whether it's an AT or CVT, it seems pretty consistent that 4-cylinders drain around 3 quarts (2-3/4 isn't unusual) and 3.5 quarts for 6-cylinders.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Get it reasonably level and pull the check plug. It ain't that hard.
I just put jackstands in front and lift the rear. Put another stand or whatever in the back. Eyeball it. Check with a tape measure if you wish.
Be safe! If you don't have the proper tools, take it to Honda or a good shop.

Good luck.

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

I've done this three times (and it's due for a fourth) on my '15 Accord Sport with the 2.4 I-4 and CVT.

After four quarts of HCF-2 are added and run through the gears, a few ounces of fluid always comes out of the check plug when the car is level. 4.5 quarts does not seem right to me.

 

[wlk]

I recently changed the fluid on a 165,667mi. Honda Accord, service history says it’s been changed once at 128,999mi. (3years ago/36.6k mi.). It drove fine and shifted P-R-N-D fine, but I did notice a very very slight whine that I assumed was coming from the CVT. I don’t remember if the noise was there previously.

The fluid and drain plug were obviously dirty, so I replaced everything, used HCF-2 OEM fluid, new drain plug gasket properly torqued, and removed ~4.5qt of fluid. I filled it with 4qt then an additional 0.5 after going through all of the gears. The fluid I removed seemed to be in not too bad of a condition, was 176F upon arrival, and smelled normal. Unfortunately I could not find an easy way to check whether the transmission fluid was leveled with this model using the bubble level method, I don’t know where to place the level before adjusting the vehicle and opening the check bolt. Ive been using two scissor jacks.

How can I properly verify the fluid level is correct? I’d hate to drive for another 30k/3yr with over/underfilled fluid. Any experience with this model or advice would be greatly appreciated. The Kia’s I’ve worked on were much easier to check transmission level with the ground.

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Should have done cold, easy what comes out goes back, pull level plug and be done w it.
To level, front on ramps and jack up the rear to level along pinch welds/door jamb. Throw something under it like a spare tire if it bothers you.

 

[TheReal_DW]

I've done this three times (and it's due for a fourth) on my '15 Accord Sport with the 2.4 I-4 and CVT.

After four quarts of HCF-2 are added and run through the gears, a few ounces of fluid always comes out of the check plug when the car is level. 4.5 quarts does not seem right to me.

I put the vehicle on Jack stands today in a leveled garage and opened the check bolt, ~135F-138F and about 1/4 to 1/3 of a quart of fluid came out. Was a tiny stream of fluid when I plugged it back up, ran through the gears again and opened the check bolt one more time and two drops came out.

Tightened the plug back up and ran through all the gears in the car and it is noticeably smooth when shifting from park to drive and neutral to reverse.

It slightly vibrates when coming to a stop then goes away once the vehicle isn’t moving. I assume this is just a hi-jink of an old cvt with 50-70% old fluid left? It’s fine during any other point during the test drive.