[pilot45]

Or eventually after a few years of doing ATF D&Fs, you can do what I do and not sweat it. When the vehicle has been sitting a while, like overnight... On level ground no front jack or ramps, drain the transmission. Jack up the left rear (drivers side) to drain an additional .3 quarts (15 min). Then pour in 3.8 quarts of full synthetic Valvoline MaxLife ATF and close the hood.

I'm able to get most of the ATF I drain into a drain pan, and then into a milk jug. With an identical milk jug, I've just been putting back about as much as I take out. In the 4 D&Fs I recently did, I got 3.7qt, then just under a gallon, just under a gallon, and finally just under a gallon again. One time in there, I had the dealer check the fluid levels - probably between #1 and #2. So I think they brought it up to a gallon. Even with that gallon in there, after 13 minutes of idle it was still at the low mark in the dipstick so I added another .1qt or so.

So I have no idea what the level is, which is why I want to follow Honda's prescribed ATF level check procedure to be sure. Honda doesn't mention any damage from overfilling the ATF, but they do mention damage from underfilling it. And I don't notice any shifting problems or creeping forward in N. So I'm not too concerned since it's pretty unlikely that I'm underfilling it. When I get time I'll remove the S-VCM fuse and try to get that fan spinning again so I can check the levels according to Honda's procedure. After that I'll just put back as much as I take out.

But it would also be really swell if checking the ATF level wasn't so convoluted.

 

[Nail Grease]

I'm able to get most of the ATF I drain into a drain pan, and then into a milk jug. With an identical milk jug, I've just been putting back about as much as I take out. In the 4 D&Fs I recently did, I got 3.7qt, then just under a gallon, just under a gallon, and finally just under a gallon again. One time in there, I had the dealer check the fluid levels - probably between #1 and #2. So I think they brought it up to a gallon. Even with that gallon in there, after 13 minutes of idle it was still at the low mark in the dipstick so I added another .1qt or so.

So I have no idea what the level is, which is why I want to follow Honda's prescribed ATF level check procedure to be sure. Honda doesn't mention any damage from overfilling the ATF, but they do mention damage from underfilling it. And I don't notice any shifting problems or creeping forward in N. So I'm not too concerned since it's pretty unlikely that I'm underfilling it. When I get time I'll remove the S-VCM fuse and try to get that fan spinning again so I can check the levels according to Honda's procedure. After that I'll just put back as much as I take out.

But it would also be really swell if checking the ATF level wasn't so convoluted.

Nothing wrong with using Honda's method of checking the level of the ATF. After doing it so much, 3.8 qts on level ground, cold drain, with left rear jack seemed to work for me to the point of not seeing the need to check my level anymore, or having to take the time to warn up the engine.
When warm on ramps, others only drain 3.3 qts. I like cleaning out that extra 1/2 quart.

 

[PLT383]

Can you imagine the liability/lawsuits the S-VCM manufacturer would be facing if their VCM disabler changed/affected the operation of the efans???? Ain’t happening.

 

[PLT383]

[

I'm able to get most of the ATF I drain into a drain pan, and then into a milk jug. With an identical milk jug, I've just been putting back about as much as I take out. In the 4 D&Fs I recently did, I got 3.7qt, then just under a gallon, just under a gallon, and finally just under a gallon again. One time in there, I had the dealer check the fluid levels - probably between #1 and #2. So I think they brought it up to a gallon. Even with that gallon in there, after 13 minutes of idle it was still at the low mark in the dipstick so I added another .1qt or so.

So I have no idea what the level is, which is why I want to follow Honda's prescribed ATF level check procedure to be sure. Honda doesn't mention any damage from overfilling the ATF, but they do mention damage from underfilling it. And I don't notice any shifting problems or creeping forward in N. So I'm not too concerned since it's pretty unlikely that I'm underfilling it. When I get time I'll remove the S-VCM fuse and try to get that fan spinning again so I can check the levels according to Honda's procedure. After that I'll just put back as much as I take out.

But it would also be really swell if checking the ATF level wasn't so convoluted.

Re-read post #19.