[GKIII]

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.

 

[GKIII]

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.

I have photos of every MM event hah. No way I missed it. I actually video my maintenance because I've had to fight a manufacturer over warranty coverage (Hyundai, FWIW. They said there was no proof the oil in the receipt actually went into the vehicle). I still plan on getting it done at the dealer tomorrow, the wife (the Pilot is her DD) is getting impatient with the whole thing....so the faster the better . If this fluid change fixes things I'll likely do another myself at 90k.

 

[GKIII]

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. 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. 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.

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.

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?

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!

For me it's more an issue with the HondaCare extended warranty than anything else. If I didn't have one this is a non-issue and I'd do it myself. With that said, I've used MaxLife in a couple ZF 8-speed transmissions with good results. One of which has ~150k on it since switching to MaxLife.

 

[GKIII]

The 2017 version of maintenance minder I believe just calculates scheduled maintenance based on number of oil changes that have reached 15% before being reset. If you reset it before that the car doesn't count it. Seems the 2018 or 2019 revision worked some of those bugs out and let's you view upcoming maintenance in the menus of the head unit.

ZF publishes a recommended interval for their 8 and 9 speeds in other vehicles and it is typically 60-75k. Fortunately their green tyranny fluid is synthetic and seems to hold up OK.

Do you have AWD? Rear diff will need to be changed too.

I actually just remembered that the first 4 oil changes were through the dealer I bought the car from in Tucson....4 free changes within 20k miles. I think maybe once the MM came up in that 20k miles because the dealer reset them early. So yea, now it makes perfect sense why I didn't get the trans code at ~60k now.

 

[GKIII]

OK - Thanks. Any idea on the cost for this service?

If you go to a dealer it can vary, I just had mine done at a dealer for ~$290