FULL ATF fluid change - is doable? - Honda Pilot

kkkkken · 08-06-2010, 09:58 PM

Without having a shop and a hoist do the work - how could one do a full fluid change on the Tranny in an 07 EXL 4wd ?

Tonight I did the 4 litre ATF change on mine, and I got to thinking of a way to maybe do the full change in the driveway - but I've no idea if it'll work.

What if the fluid was drained, then the drain bolt tightened up. Start up the Pilot - foot on brake - and slowly go through the gears. Turn it off - drain again.

Would this work to get more of the fluid out of the converter - or is this a sure fire way to smoke a trans?

If this could work - the cycle could be done 3 or 4 times - draining all the fluid.

I am probably way out on this one - but thought I'd ask if it could work?

thanks.

macphanatic · 08-06-2010, 10:32 PM

I've done all of my own maintenance to date but the tranny fluid. My dealer wanted about $85 to do it. Otherwise you need to drain and drive three times to flush it if I remember correctly. Wasn't worth the time and amount of tranny fluid for me to do it myself.

N_Jay · 08-07-2010, 01:10 PM

Might work, might cause issues.

If you really are worried (I would only be worried if the fluid was burnt or contaminated), then you can drain and fill from the cooler line.

There are systems that put clean new fluid in as the old fluid is drained.

rocky · 08-07-2010, 02:09 PM

I'm no fan of the forced draining of any auto transmission. There are many that say forced draining causes damage to the unit.

The rule of thumb is that about 1/3rd of all the transmission fluid comes out during a change. the rest being held inside. I did once on my truck, do a drain and refill, three times in quick succession but it made no noticeable change in the way the box operated. It was a waste of time.

So all I do now, is drain and refill at half the recommended intervals.

No transmission failures in over 600k of driving in last 20 years.

N_Jay · 08-07-2010, 02:44 PM

I would not do a forced change.

Let the system pump out he oil, and the changing setup delivers the same quality to the return line.

Again, all not usually needed.

OhioBobcat2000 · 08-08-2010, 09:36 PM

I would also not do any shifting with less than a full amount of fluid. Just drive it another 10k and drain-fill again to ease your mind.

08-06-2010, 09:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
kkkkken Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Georgetown, Ontario Canada Posts: 40 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	FULL ATF fluid change - is doable? Without having a shop and a hoist do the work - how could one do a full fluid change on the Tranny in an 07 EXL 4wd ? Tonight I did the 4 litre ATF change on mine, and I got to thinking of a way to maybe do the full change in the driveway - but I've no idea if it'll work. What if the fluid was drained, then the drain bolt tightened up. Start up the Pilot - foot on brake - and slowly go through the gears. Turn it off - drain again. Would this work to get more of the fluid out of the converter - or is this a sure fire way to smoke a trans? If this could work - the cycle could be done 3 or 4 times - draining all the fluid. I am probably way out on this one - but thought I'd ask if it could work? thanks. __________________ Changes/Mods made so far: - Cabin Air Filter replaced - YUCK. - Dash lights revived vis a vis hand pounding on dash - not cool Honda. - Class III Trailer hitch installed - wiring as well - ATF change done - badly needed - VTM fluid change completed - H9 bulbs put in - H11's out

08-06-2010, 10:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
macphanatic Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ply. Meeting Posts: 596 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I've done all of my own maintenance to date but the tranny fluid. My dealer wanted about $85 to do it. Otherwise you need to drain and drive three times to flush it if I remember correctly. Wasn't worth the time and amount of tranny fluid for me to do it myself. __________________ 2007 Pilot EX-L AWD Nav Nimbus Grey, Weathertech Window Deflectors, Cargo Cover, WWong's pads, Blitzsafe Aux Input & Sirius Starbase, Splash Guards, Subframe Braces, DEI 452T auto door lock mod, Fumoto drain valve, Parrot 3200 Bluetooth, Polk db651s & db651, Michelin LTX M/S2 1999 F-250SD XLT SC 4x4 Black & Silver, Stainless Running Boards, Weathertech Window Deflectors, Sirius

08-07-2010, 01:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
N_Jay Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Chicago, NW Burbs Posts: 13,440 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Might work, might cause issues. If you really are worried (I would only be worried if the fluid was burnt or contaminated), then you can drain and fill from the cooler line. There are systems that put clean new fluid in as the old fluid is drained. __________________ However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results. Sir Winston Churchill

08-07-2010, 02:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
rocky Super Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Red Sox Nation Posts: 6,721 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I'm no fan of the forced draining of any auto transmission. There are many that say forced draining causes damage to the unit. The rule of thumb is that about 1/3rd of all the transmission fluid comes out during a change. the rest being held inside. I did once on my truck, do a drain and refill, three times in quick succession but it made no noticeable change in the way the box operated. It was a waste of time. So all I do now, is drain and refill at half the recommended intervals. No transmission failures in over 600k of driving in last 20 years. __________________ https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chris...19131498101662

08-07-2010, 02:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
N_Jay Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Chicago, NW Burbs Posts: 13,440 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I would not do a forced change. Let the system pump out he oil, and the changing setup delivers the same quality to the return line. Again, all not usually needed. __________________ However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results. Sir Winston Churchill

08-08-2010, 09:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
OhioBobcat2000 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 39 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I would also not do any shifting with less than a full amount of fluid. Just drive it another 10k and drain-fill again to ease your mind.

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