Question about Honda Civic ATF Fluid and Filter?

[maverickfhs]

So I have a 2006 Honda Civic with ~191k miles, ATF( Genuine Honda) has been religiously drained and refilled at 30k.

I always drain and refill ATF between 30-35K miles. Question I have is, have seen an external filter : 25430-PLR-003

There are mixed reviews about it, some people say to never touch since it's a metallic screen and some say to replace at ~100k.

My question is, should I continue with 30K drain and refill of ATF or consider replacing that filter/screen? Also, sticking to 30K is a good idea, since I saw some people changing it more frequently. Hence I am confused and asking this question.

Please chime in, if you can personally attest or have experienced/done it. Not because, you have heard it

For the record, I drive slow and am very easy on throttle and transmission.

Thank you.

 

[tomcat27]

There is no reason to change more frequently than 30k in a car. if the filter is truly just a screen, there is no reason to change it. The screen does not become clogged. if it does, you already have a transmission issue.

 

[maverickfhs]

Originally Posted By: tomcat27
There is no reason to change more frequently than 30k in a car. if the filter is truly just a screen, there is no reason to change it. The screen does not become clogged. if it does, you already have a transmission issue.


Thanks very much, that's what I have read on the forums that it's a screen. Can anyone here confirm if it's indeed a screen?

 

[Ohle_Manezzini]

I know a guy that bought a 2000 Civic with 185k miles and the fluid is still the factory fill. Car is still running. So, 30k is good enouh.

 

[Linctex]

You can always check the flow through the screen by disconnecting the line on the output and measuring flow. If flow is good, leave it alone. Most automatic transmissions have a pretty generous flow "filter" with very little filtering happening. Some are over 100 microns. If you change your fluid that often, I doubt there's much if any debris in your transmission system.

 

[jeepman3071]

Originally Posted By: Linctex
If you change your fluid that often, I doubt there's much if any debris in your transmission system.


This.

I wouldn't worry about the screen. The fluid changes are enough to keep everything clean.

 

[Jim_Truett]

It is a cellulose media filter. It does have a built in bypass. If the media becomes clogged it will still pass fluid. That being said, I would change it if it was mine.

 

[Dan55]

I replaced it on my Honda Fit at around 50K and cut it open, nothing inside. If your feeling ambitious go for it, otherwise I see no benefit.

 

[maverickfhs]

Originally Posted By: Dan55
I replaced it on my Honda Fit at around 50K and cut it open, nothing inside. If your feeling ambitious go for it, otherwise I see no benefit.


I was waiting for someone like you, was it the same part number and was it actually a screen? Do you have any picts of it?

Not feeling ambitious, sometimes 'why fix if not broken' is a good idea!

Guess, I'll stick to 30k drain and refill and all will be good

 

[Dan55]

Filter is the same, its an inline http://www.bernardiparts.com/Honda/Parts-List.aspx #7 in diagram

 

[maverickfhs]

Great, thanks. Will leave it as-is and continue with drain and refill option

 

[slacktide_bitog]

No need to replace the filter. Maxlife ATF is great stuff. Change it when the MM tells you to

 

[maverickfhs]

Originally Posted By: slacktide_bitog
No need to replace the filter. Maxlife ATF is great stuff. Change it when the MM tells you to

Thank you. For some reason, am too chicken to try out anything than Honda ATF

Also, 30K seems like a good spot, not an overkill or opposite of it...MM is a good thing, but sometimes it can go forever...