Easy DIY ATF Fluid Change PICs

[ctobio]

The Honda Pilot does not have a CVT (continuously variable transmission).

[brianthomas]

Is there not a filter to change also?

[Armystrong]

Nope, no filter. Your'e in luck, just drain and fill.

[jarizzo]

Nice job and thanks for posting the instructions and pics. I'm going to do the same thing before I start towing the camper this spring.

The manual says an ATF drain/fill will use 3.6 quarts, so that pretty much jives with what you guys have seen.

Are there any thoughts out there about the torque specs for the bolts and Honda's recommendation to use a new crush washer every time the bolts are loosened? Or does everybody use the same washer and just tighten it until your hand hurts? I just don't want to strip anything. That could get real expensive real fast.

Thanks...
John

[Armystrong]

I just reused the washer. No leaks at all. If you are really are wanting the torque I will look in the morning as my manual is out in the car and its 10PM. I will post the torque first thing in the morning.

..............alright I was tired of sitting on the couch so I went out and got the manual. Here is what is says about both bolts:

Drain bolt
18x1.5mm
49Nm
(5.0kgf.m, 36 lbf.ft)

Fill Bolt
24x1.5mm
44n.m
(4.5kgf.m, 33lbf.ft)

[Armystrong]

Originally posted by jarizzo
Nice job and thanks for posting the instructions and pics. I'm going to do the same thing before I start towing the camper this spring.

The manual says an ATF drain/fill will use 3.6 quarts, so that pretty much jives with what you guys have seen.

Are there any thoughts out there about the torque specs for the bolts and Honda's recommendation to use a new crush washer every time the bolts are loosened? Or does everybody use the same washer and just tighten it until your hand hurts? I just don't want to strip anything. That could get real expensive real fast.

Thanks...
John

Even after going outside to post the torques, I forgot that in the First slide of this thread, you will see the torques posted in the picture. Hope this helps.

[jarizzo]

Originally posted by Armystrong


Even after going outside to post the torques, I forgot that in the First slide of this thread, you will see the torques posted in the picture. Hope this helps.

Thanks so much Armystrong. I found the torque specs on page 1 and have finished the job. This was far easier than an ATF change on my old car, a 1996 Cadillac SLS. Dropping the pan and dealing with the gasket and about 15 bolts on that car was a giant pain. The Pilot was as easy as an oil change.

I removed the ATF filler plug on top of the trans to fill it up again instead of using the dipstick tube. I have a funnel with a long hose that was perfect for the job. About 3.75 quarts filled it up. The drain plug magnet was pretty crusty with metal particles. Hopefully between the new fluid and a clean magnet the trans will stay in good shape for a long time.

Next stop, differential fluid change...

Much appreciated Armystrong.

Cheers!

John

[colorider]

Excellent DIY thread!!

Stickied............

[jpc]

You stated, " I will be this every time I change my oil. " Isn't that too often?

[Armystrong]

Originally posted by jpc
You stated, " I will be this every time I change my oil. " Isn't that too often?

Since I take meticulous care of our 05 Pilot, It will be too easy to incorporate the single ATF drain and fill while I wait for the engine oil to drain. I also decided to do the drain and fill (one time) during my 6,000-7,000 mile engine oil (Mobil 1 5W-20) change interval mainly because after doing my first Drain and Fill at 25,000 miles, the fluid was dark red and dirty, that’s under normal driving conditions too. Since the drain interval is 45,000 miles for Normal, and 30,000 miles for severe, I have decided to maintain the properties and cleanness of the fluid by doing it every oil change. I can either buy 4 quarts of ATF-Z1 every oil change or I can wait until the fluid is dirty/thicker at 30k miles and buy 12 quarts of the fluid at that time.

I love my Pilot so I want the transmission to last and optimizing how clean the fluid remains for the life that I have the Pilot is why I chose to integrate this change cycle into my maintenance routine.(Keep in mind this is just my routine as I maintain a meticulous maintenance schedule on my 05 Accord and 05 Pilot, to date no problems at all on either vehilce)

Sorry it took me so long to respond.

[jpc]

Thanks. I was wondering why you did not try to get the fill bolt off. Wouldn't have that save some time? How tight is that bolt?

[Armystrong]

Originally posted by jpc
Thanks. I was wondering why you did not try to get the fill bolt off. Wouldn't have that save some time? How tight is that bolt?

The drain bolt was tight enough for me to use a small extension. It just seemed easier than having a to use a pump to fill the transmission as compaired to my method here in. It was too easy to construct the funnel and hose. Not wanting to lay under the Pilot while pumping fluid in the transmission seemed like more work than just filling the funnel with ATF. (and one less washer to replace) If I saw this thread and couldn't make this contraption I would have removed the fill bolt and used my small fluid pump to fill the transmission.
Take Care

[jpc]

I changed the transmission oil. A little over 4 quarts came out I believe. 30,900 miles on it. I was expecting a redder oil. It was more dirty than I expected. All I had was a 1/2" tube and it worked. I will probably change it the next oil change to see the color. The trans drain bolt was not on super tight which surprised me. One whack with a hammer and it got loose. I did not even whack it hard. I changed the rings too.

1) It is best to "check" the trans oil when the oil is cold?
2) Do you change the VTM fluid? How often do you do so? I changed mine today and it was the 2nd time. It had 10,000 miles on it and the red color was good. When I change my VTM, I drive the front wheels up on ramps and then drained and fill. After filling, I back it up on ramps to top it off. Is this a good method?
3) Do you change the power steering fluid? If so, how often?
4) How often do you change the motor oil?

Where is the trans refill bolt? I did not find it.

How long can you store transmission fluid?

Thanks for this post.

[Armystrong]

Originally posted by jpc

1) It is best to "check" the trans oil when the oil is cold?
2) Do you change the VTM fluid? How often do you do so? I changed mine today and it was the 2nd time. It had 10,000 miles on it and the red color was good. When I change my VTM, I drive the front wheels up on ramps and then drained and fill. After filling, I back it up on ramps to top it off. Is this a good method?
3) Do you change the power steering fluid? If so, how often?
4) How often do you change the motor oil?

Where is the trans refill bolt? I did not find it.

How long can you store transmission fluid?

Thanks for this post.

30,900 seems to long to go before doing the xmsn drain and fill, as you saw it was dirty. Although the book says it doesn't have to be changed till 45k or 30k for severe, my recommendation is to do it sooner since most of us have witnessed darker fluid even at 25k.
Answer in order:
#2 I change my VTM fluid every 14,000 miles or sooner. 14k because I usually do my oil changes every 7,000 miles. (Mobil 1 5W20) Your method of changing the fluid is similar to mine. Almost exactly the same. Don't change a thing and 10,000 mile changes on VTM may be alittle early. Everytime I have changed mine at 15k it looks good.

#3 I have never changed the power steering fluid. I am not sure what the intervals are on the power steering but when it says to do it, I will. And if there is not a good post started on changing the PS fluid then I will take some pictures and post a DIY.

#4 I change my Mobil 1 synthetic fluid every 7,000 miles or every six months. It usually turns out to be every six months.

#5 If you look at the pictures on page one of this thread, you will see the picture of the service manual shows it is up and to the left of the drain hole. At least that is what it looks like. I have never loosened that bolt and don't plan to either.

Really I am not sure how long you can store xmsn fluid. I am not even sure if there is an expiration date on fluid that is stored in its container. Good question.

Hope all this helps.
Jim

[theshinez]

Originally posted by ncelk
I actually used a turkey baster with a funnel in the end of it. It fit inside the dipstick hole and worked like a charm. Of course my wife was not happy with my ingenuity, but I replaced it for her and now have an easy way to top off the fluid. But for the change, I do think that the transmission full hole worked a bit better as far as fluid going in (once I got the bolt loose). It was super tight on there.

Hey guys, I'm new here. Anyway, where is the transmission full hole? Anyone got a pick? I need to flush out my AT because it was low and I filled it up too high and I also didn't use "official" Honda fluid(I was about to take a long trip to Indiana and back and thought it'd be better to be full than almost empty). I bought some from Wally World that said it was compatible.