Maintenance Minder #3 ATF Inverval

[silvergga]

I have a 2011 Pilot LX. Just curious, for those who had Maintenance Minder #3 (ATF) popped up, when did it happen? I guess they should be the same for 09+ models?

[schumi]

on my wife's '08 I think it was around 36k miles.

[theirishscion]

I haven't had the code yet. In the old days, it was at 45,000 miles for normal service. 30,000 for severe service. Presumably since the computer is monitoring it now, it'll occur somewhere between those two mileages depending on how you drive it, and when the most convenient oil change interval to tie the code to is.

[fjpthree]

On my wife's 2008, it was well over 60K.

[whizmo]

I've got 56K on my 2006 and it hasn't come on yet.

- Mark

[samc]

Regardless of whether the tranny fluid code shows up or not you should change it every 30k (VTM as well if you have 4x4). The fluids are not that expensive and relatively easy to change. One tip on changing the tranny fluid, buy a long... LONG tube funnel.

[whizmo]

Originally Posted by samc

Regardless of whether the tranny fluid code shows up or not you should change it every 30k (VTM as well if you have 4x4).

Well, that's entirely a judgment call, isn't it? It's the same discussion as whether to do more frequent engine oil changes than Honda recommends. You can certainly use the "oil is cheap, transmissions are expensive" rationale, but I've never understood how this rationale can be used to justify some arbitrary number that someone thinks is the right one (in this case 30K). How about 20K? How about 10K?

Personally, I'm following the MM. Is this optimal? Honda thinks so and given that their recommendations for engine oil change intervals seem pretty conservative to me, I'm going with Honda on this one.

- Mark

[belundy]

samc gets whizzed on....

[belundy]

Where's N_Jay when you need him....

[samc]

What's with the passive aggressive reply? You have a bad day or something, go deflect that onto someone else.

How about we change it every 5 miles? Or how about anytime you get into the car regardless of whether you start the engine or not? You yourself said that it's been 56k miles and no code so why not spend $30 bucks on some new fluid.

Arbitrary number? I'm not making stuff up here, and yes the rationale does make sense that if the tranny is such a touchy piece of equipment then you should be willing to spend $30 every 30k miles to keep it running well.

And no I didn't get whizzed on by some kid with a snappy reply.

Originally Posted by whizmo

Well, that's entirely a judgment call, isn't it? It's the same discussion as whether to do more frequent engine oil changes than Honda recommends. You can certainly use the "oil is cheap, transmissions are expensive" rationale, but I've never understood how this rationale can be used to justify some arbitrary number that someone thinks is the right one (in this case 30K). How about 20K? How about 10K?

Personally, I'm following the MM. Is this optimal? Honda thinks so and given that their recommendations for engine oil change intervals seem pretty conservative to me, I'm going with Honda on this one.

- Mark

[whizmo]

Originally Posted by samc

What's with the passive aggressive reply?

You made a hard-core statement that the tranny fluid should be changed at 30K with no justification for this number other than the fluid is "not expensive". I was calling you on this recommendation, saying that it is entirely arbitrary and not what Honda recommends.

Not sure why you're worked up about it.

- Mark

[samc]

Did you read what you wrote or are you seriously unaware?
But whatever I left my advice and I stand by it. If you chose not to change your fluid then whatever, it is your car after all.

Either way I'm done with you.

[nobby]

This thread certainly took a turn.

Public forum.... full of opinions... some based on fact and some based on experience, some based on nothing at all.

Really ....I don't see the fight here. It it's a couple of opinions that both have some merit.

No reason to get all bent outta shape because the opinion is not shared.

[theirishscion]

Not to fan the flames here but 30K miles is in no way an arbitrary number. It's the pre-maintenance minder severe duty frequency for ATF changes, and only very slightly more frequent than the standard duty one.

While it's certainly going to be overkill for most folks (myself included but I'm still sticking to it, at least to begin with) it's an excellent worst case scenario answer. These transmissions are robust when well cared for, but at least in the Odyssey, they're known for being quite sensitive to fluid condition. And yes, fluid cheap, transmissions expensive.