DIY transmission fluid change?

[sjlee]

How easy (or hard) is it to do change the transmission fluid? I searched the forum and didn't find any DIY postings. If anyone has done it and would be willing to type up the steps, I (and I'm sure others) would appreciate it.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[humanoid]

Click on the link below, you'll need to scroll down a bit. Also, it should be in your owner's manual as well.

Transmission Fluid

[sjlee]

Originally posted by humanoid
Click on the link below, you'll need to scroll down a bit. Also, it should be in your owner's manual as well.

Transmission Fluid

Thanks for the link, but from the last posting on that thread, it appears that the filler bolt is no longer there... does that mean you can only refill the ATF where the dipstick is?

Also, the owner's manual does not explain how to drain the ATF. It simply describes the process... no pictures or text to help locate the filler or drain bolt.

[jay]

Originally posted by sjlee


Thanks for the link, but from the last posting on that thread, it appears that the filler bolt is no longer there... does that mean you can only refill the ATF where the dipstick is?

Also, the owner's manual does not explain how to drain the ATF. It simply describes the process... no pictures or text to help locate the filler or drain bolt.

I'm under the impression that the filler bolt is still there for later transmissions that got a factory mod, but the ones that were recalled had the filler bolt replaced by a jet kit, and the method for re-filling those is through the dipstick tube.

[Sunday Rider]

Originally posted by sjlee
How easy (or hard) is it to do change the transmission fluid? I searched the forum and didn't find any DIY postings. If anyone has done it and would be willing to type up the steps, I (and I'm sure others) would appreciate it.

Thanks in advance for any help.

This is another thread that I used. GO down to the end of the page and you will see anther way to get the fluid in, if you don't want to take out the bolt. It is not that bad to fill through the dipstick hole. I used a hand pump that had 1 hose in the bottle of tranny fluid and the other around the outside of the dipstick hole. Worked great. But I am sure just as good with a funnel.

I bought 3 sizes of 3 ft. clear hose for next time.

Here's the link I am talking about

Good luck

[john802]

You need a 17mm socket and a long extension bar to remove the ATF filler bolt. It takes a lot of effort to loosen the filler bolt.

[e2e]

Here's another link with some photos:
Transmission fluid changed

Unlike the one pictured in this thread, the filler bolt on my '05 is silver and is stamped "ATF."

[BUNKIEPILOT]

I CHANGED MY TRANS FLUID THIS WEEKEND. THE PARTS SALESMAN SAYS THREE QUARTS WOULD DO. WHEN I DRAINED IT ABOUT 4 QUARTS CAME OUT. SATURDAY AFTERNOON, ABOUT 45 MILES FROM THE HONDA SHOP DID NOT HELP THE SITUATION. I THINK THAT THE CAR WAS ON AN ANGLE WHEN I DRAINED IT WHICH ALLOWED FOR MORE TO COME OUT. I DROVE IT ABOUT 3/4 QT LOW MONDAY MORNING TO THE SHOP AND TOPPED OFF THE FLUID. IT SEEMS THE TRANS HOLDS ABOUT SEVEN QUARTS BUT WHEN DRAIN PROPERLY ONLY A PART OF IT COMES OUT, SO REPEATED DRAIN AND FILLS ARE REQUIRED TO CHANGE IT ALL.

I FOUND A PIECE OF RUBBER HOSE ( 8 INCH) THAT FIT TIGHTLY OVER THE DIP STICK TUBE AND ONTO A SMALL FUNNEL WHICH MADE REFILLING IT EASY.

BUNKIEPILOT

[jestmaty]

Originally posted by sjlee
How easy (or hard) is it to do change the transmission fluid? I searched the forum and didn't find any DIY postings. If anyone has done it and would be willing to type up the steps, I (and I'm sure others) would appreciate it.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Look at e2e's link.... the pics on the first page show both the filler bolt and drain plug. I've done it twice and my Pilot now has 38k miles.

Very easy to do... don't pay someone else to do it. First of all, the vehicle is so high off the ground that you don't have to jack it up or anything.

Just use a 17mm socket with a LOONGGG extension, maybe 18" or so, and use a 1/2 drive or breaker bar. The picture in the link by e2e shows the filler bolt which has white paint or something on it.

As with any drain/fill procedure on an automobile, always, always, always loosen the fill plug first! If you drain first and have trouble loosening the fill plug, whoops!!!!

Also, don't overtighten the fill plug between fill/drain/fill cycles. Just a little over hand tight is enough. I think the difference between the aluminum housing and the plug metal (whatever it is) almost causes a galling (seizing) effect. During both of my ATF changes, the plug seems to tighten itself when I did my drain, fill, drive a couple of miles, then drain again cycles.

Not really a problem, just aggravating to have to muscle the plug out 3 more times before the process is completed.

Be prepared to go through about 12 or 13 quarts of fluid to get a full replacement of fluid. I guess the tranny holds 10 or more quarts of fluid and only 3.5 quarts will come out with a single drain, leaving a WHOLE bunch of fluid left in the tranny and torque converter.

I've found that the fluid that comes out after about 15k miles of use is still the same color and smell as when I put it in. I know it does get contaminated, so can't go by the color/smell to justify longer intervals.

Plus, I tow a boat and a camper down in South Texas where the heat is just awful about 7 months out of the year, stressing out the fluid enough in my mind to warrant the frequent changes.

Good luck, and go by Walmart or any parts store and buy one of those 2 foot long funnels to get down to that filler bolt. The opening is about as big around as a quarter, so just about any funnel neck will fit in the hold.

[msdelasalle]

I found the DIY transmission fluid change instructions made by fellow forum member pilotjoe to be very helpful when I did my own. I believe its on pages 4 and 5 of this related thread:
Transmission Fluid