[Nail Grease]

If the transmission has the judders, it'd be important to replace fluid asap.
The 9-speed is not a simple Honda drain and fill transmission. Lots of videos out there of ones draining out fluid and measuring it. Yes, this can work, but you can't close the fill plug with confidence that the transmission is filled to the proper level. This transmission is to be serviced with the vehicle level (no ramps). It also requires that the vehicle be placed in VSA Maintenance Mode so you can shift into different gears to draw fluid up into the transmission and then fill to the proper level.

 

[Nail Grease]

I used four ramps and the car was sitting level. I am very confident in my case that the amount of fluid removed and the exact amount of fluid replaced kept the fluid in the correct operating range. After almost 3 years and 28000 miles I would have noticed any transmission odd shifting or behavior if the fluid had been low to begin with from the factory. There were also no seeps or leaks which may have been a concern as to the correct level to begin with.

I understand that you put in what came out. Obviously it worked out for you. What about the transmission that may be leaking? What about the guy who had one to many beers and fails at capturing all that drains out an doesn't get a proper measurement? Should he guess? Bottom line is, when the "measure what you drained out" method is used, do you really know it's filled properly? I'm not the pro go to the dealership guy. Quite simply, the vehicle owner should learn how to go into maintenance mode and do the job correctly. It's doable. I can't recommend someone doing a simple D&F on this transmission. If the old transmission ATF ends up spilled out all over the garage floor, they will be on Piloteers.org asking "Whata I do now?" I guess he will be forced into to learning how to go into maintenance mode or have it towed to the dealership.

 

[Nail Grease]

To answer some comments questions:

1. Yes, I have done all the maintenance according to the maintenance minder. Specifically because I know clearing it early will prevent me from seeing the maintenance codes for some of the less frequent items. Example: the rear diff was last done at 41.5k miles (it threw an A16 code).

2. I am well aware that the ATF change procedure is not a simple drain and fill. I have the tools and the ability, but I don't feel like fighting Honda over extended warranty coverage saying I may have done the procedure wrong in the event the trans grenades itself. If this were any other transmission I wouldn't care as much, but I know the 9 speed has issues...particularly the earlier model year 3rd gen Pilots. Local dealer is quoting ~$290 for the change so I'm not terribly upset with the prospect of having them do it.

I am generally just more concerned with Honda having an issue with the fact I didn't have an ATF change right at (or before) 60K even though the car never told me to (in the event I need to try and have it replaced under the extended warranty). That's why I was asking if this is the norm for some Pilots, I haven't seen anything in the manual (or otherwise from Honda) that would indicate 60k is the hard number.

If I had the ability to do ATF service myself, I'd do it. As proof, save the receipt when you buy the 3.1 ATF. Even document the milage on your Honda Owners account on their website.
If the MM tells you to do the ATF next time or in the future, your ahead of the game. If you missed the service and was supposed to do earlier, it's not like you can go back and fix that. You've done all you can do.

 

[Nail Grease]

I will just say that I find it ironic that Nail Grease is so adamant that a home DIY of drain and fill shouldn't/can't be done by the owner on the 9 speed transmission unless the service procedure to check the level is done.

I explained above. Adding back what drained out may not be an accurate filling. If this was done several times over, would it continue to have the correct amount of fluid in it? I don't want a call from the Mrs. some day, telling me she's stranded, only to find out the transmission was low on ATF. Please explain how I can give a person simple drain and fill instructions without knowing if there is an ATF leak. His wife and kids may be driving cross country.

Yet he praises MaxLife ATF for the 9 speed which is not an approved fluid for use by Honda. Which will void a warranty first, a drain and fill by a home DIYer who puts in the same amount that came out (which how would the dealership even know it was done unless they were told) or the use of a non approved fluid? Wrong fluid would be easy to tell, a drain and fill having been done would not be noticeable.

Do we know that using MaxLife ATF will void the warranty? MaxLife has been proven to work in many ZF transmissions, I found it good to know that some found it to work fine in this Honda 9-speed as a less expensive alternative.

Only other question is why does Honda say in the procedure to replace the drain plug each time the fluid is changed out? I didn't do that and others who have done the drain and fill on this transmission haven't either.

As a precaution. It is a unique size green rubber o-ring that can with heat and age loose it's integrity and begin to leak. I have the same plugs on my BMW with a ZF transmission. I am forced to replace. It'd be nice to be able to just replace the O-ring for pennies instead of the whole plug.

Valvoline MaxLife ATF is recommended by, gee go figure, Valvoline. Valvoline also recommends it for the DW1 replacement. How can such a fluid be meeting the special requirements of the 3.1 Honda fluid and the Honda DW1???? Honda themselves say these fluids are not interchangeable and can't be used in transmissions other than what they are designed for. There are owners who have used the MaxLife in the 9 speed and I hope it works out in the long run for them.

I do not own a 9-speed Honda transmission. I do own a BMW X5 that has a ZF transmission that Valvoline claims MaxLife will work in. I used the BMW fluid if it makes you feel better. There are other BMW owners using MaxLife in their BMWs successfully, logging many miles. I got shamed by a family member for even suggesting it. Lol!

In order to do the "proper" fluid check not only does the car have to be put into VSA mode (which owner's have reported they haven't been able to do without special equipment because it wouldn't go into 4th gear?) but the transmission temperature also has to be monitored. That would require the purchase of another tool to retrieve the temperature. A hand held heat temperature scanner couldn't be used because in order to read the fluid, the drain plug would have to be out. Trying to read the case would not give an accurate reading. These are some of the reasons I skipped these steps and did it the way others have done with no problem

Bottom line is I am confident in the drain and fill method and the amount which came out and which went back in. There was even a post from an owner who checked with his dealership and they told him this is how they do the drain and fill and they don't do the VSA or temperature monitoring. Perhaps they would if a lesser amount of fluid came out?

yes, and I do have the equipment to service this and my BMWs ZF transmission as specified. I don't say this proudly, as if I have some special abilities. I hate the procedure, it's ridiculous, obviously a money grab set up not providing a dipstick. I'm going to roll with it though.

Really don't want to argue the point, but for me and I am sure for others this is a way to do the fluid drain and fill without extra costs of special tools or a dealership visit. Why would the owner's manual even list the amount of fluid to expect when draining and refilling?
YMMV!

I can't argue with you being able to drive 28k miles after a simple D&F. According to @Slvr7 , a Honda tech, others have tried and failed, not getting it filled properly.

 

[Nail Grease]

As someone who has had a number of Hondas over the years this 9 speed transmission maintenance thread causes me a bit of concern. It looks like the ATF replacement procedure is a lot more complex than the older transmissions. Is this something you would trust to your local automotive shop or should this only be done at the dealer?

I'd simply ask if they have the ability to put the transmission in maintenance mode to do the job properly. If not, it be safer going to the dealership. Especially if your still under warranty.