Thanks to Pilotjoe

[beato1]

Thanks to Pilotjoe for his excellent instruction on how to change the transmission fluid. So, I changed mine in front of my house 2 days ago ( it was 60 degree here in Baltimore). But first, I bought 7 quarts of Honda ATF Z1 fluid ($5.50/quart and $1.25 each for 2 aluminum washers). Then I stopped by Sears for 17mm (1/2 inch drive) socket and 20 inch extension bar ($15.00) and a 1/2 inch drive ratchet ( I picked a longer, thicker drive ratchet that cost me $29.00). Why 1/2 inch drive? And why a longer and thicker drive ratchet? I have an older 1/2 drive ratchet but it is a short one and would not give me enough leverage and force to crank the filler bolt open. It was pretty tight! I picked a thicker extension bar to fit my 1/2 inch drive ratchet because I felt the 3/8 is too thin for the job. Anyway, this set up worked like a charm for me. Everything was easy from here on. I used an 18 inch long black funnel ($2.99). The end fits perfectly into the filler hole and the top was snugged so that i did not have to hold it while I poured the 3.5 quarts of Honda Z1 ATF. I used my old 3/8 drive ratchet to crank open the drain plug. It was tight and I had to use my foot to push the ratchet. The fluid came out fast. Be careful to use a deep and wide mouth bucket to avoid splashing the fluid around. My Pilot is 23,00 miles now since I bought it in February 2005. I was looking forward to this transmission fluid change. This is the last fluid that I have not changed for this vehicle. I have changd the VTM4 at 7,500 miles and 15,000 miles. My strategy is to change both fluids at the same time at 30,000 miles and then every 10,000 miles therafter (for both). I change oil every 3,000 miles and had switched to synthetics at 18,000 miles. I used Mobil 1 5w20 for my first synthetic and used Valvoline Supersynth 5w20 for my 2nd one at 21,000 miles. I'll changed oil again at 25, 000 miles and 30,000 miles (same time as VTM4 and ATF) and every 5,000 miles thereafter. Thanks.

[beato1]

BTW, I asked my dealer where I bought the Honda ATF how many quarts to drain and refill. They sent me to their service department which said it will need 4.8 quarts. But I did not believe them because I had already read a lot of the threads here before I bought 7 quarts (good for 2 tranny changes). Just shows that one should not believe everything they say. Thanks.

[pilotjoe]

Originally posted by beato1
Thanks to Pilotjoe for his excellent instruction on how to change the transmission fluid. So, I changed mine in front of my house 2 days ago ( it was 60 degree here in Baltimore). But first, I bought 7 quarts of Honda ATF Z1 fluid ($5.50/quart and $1.25 each for 2 aluminum washers). Then I stopped by Sears for 17mm (1/2 inch drive) socket and 20 inch extension bar ($15.00) and a 1/2 inch drive ratchet ( I picked a longer, thicker drive ratchet that cost me $29.00). Why 1/2 inch drive? And why a longer and thicker drive ratchet? I have an older 1/2 drive ratchet but it is a short one and would not give me enough leverage and force to crank the filler bolt open. It was pretty tight! I picked a thicker extension bar to fit my 1/2 inch drive ratchet because I felt the 3/8 is too thin for the job. Anyway, this set up worked like a charm for me. Everything was easy from here on. I used an 18 inch long black funnel ($2.99). The end fits perfectly into the filler hole and the top was snugged so that i did not have to hold it while I poured the 3.5 quarts of Honda Z1 ATF. I used my old 3/8 drive ratchet to crank open the drain plug. It was tight and I had to use my foot to push the ratchet. The fluid came out fast. Be careful to use a deep and wide mouth bucket to avoid splashing the fluid around. My Pilot is 23,00 miles now since I bought it in February 2005. I was looking forward to this transmission fluid change. This is the last fluid that I have not changed for this vehicle. I have changd the VTM4 at 7,500 miles and 15,000 miles. My strategy is to change both fluids at the same time at 30,000 miles and then every 10,000 miles therafter (for both). I change oil every 3,000 miles and had switched to synthetics at 18,000 miles. I used Mobil 1 5w20 for my first synthetic and used Valvoline Supersynth 5w20 for my 2nd one at 21,000 miles. I'll changed oil again at 25, 000 miles and 30,000 miles (same time as VTM4 and ATF) and every 5,000 miles thereafter. Thanks.

You're most welcome beato 1.
I'm glad you found it helpful.
This is really a wonderful forum to share and to learn from fellow Pilot owners.