Be cautious on the fix idea. Could also be a sensor on the break pedal not releasing fast enough, or gas pedal sensors not talking all the time.

 

?

 

At 40K miles I would definitely refresh the ATF. That's probably the Honda 6-speed AT. It may not yet show up on the Maintenance Minder but the feeling around here is that 30K mile intervals are to your advantage. Honda DW-1 is the official recommendation for ATF. Some of the members here prefer the Valvoline Max Full Synthetic ATF. The Honda ATF is maybe $10-12/qt, the Valvoline a couple of bucks less. A gallon jug of Valvoline will probably run you under $25 at a big box department store.

The other recommendation for your Pilot is to disable the VCM program. This may or may not be a contributor to the hesitation problem but has a list of other benefits for driving smoothness and longevity.

VCM MEGATHREAD

 

Hello everyone,

I own a 2020 Pilot EXL AWD purchased Certified/Used with 40,000 miles
Pressing the gas pedal, oftentimes, I get a “hesitation“ and the whole driving is not smooth.

Called the Honda service center and was told need a transmission fluid drain & fill.
I was quoted $250 for the service (even more expensive for 3x drain & fill).

1. I want to ask if anyone knows the actual cost of the transmission fluids and how many qt(s) are needed for each drain & fill?
Also, if anyone can provide me with a link to order the transmission fluid.

2. I've also asked my local auto shop, and they are only charging $50 for each drain & fill, if I bring my own fluid.
Is there anything I should be cautious or maybe should pointed out to the auto shop?

Many thanks in advance.

Welcome. If you use the SEARCH COMMUNITY box at the top of every page you can find all of the information you are looking for regarding the transmission fluid, how to do it, and what to use. Just enter your SEARCH term such as "transmission drain and fill" and then click on the selection for this forum only to keep your results in the Pilot 2016-2022 results.

I would not even consider anything such as the brake switch sensor or gas sensors since your description of what is happening sure sounds like checking the transmission fluid condition first. For now Keep It Simple. Those other suggestions may be helpful if the problem were different than what you are finding. Make sure you come back once you find out what the cause is.

 

If you don't mind, I want to ask if there is any other part(s) needed for drain & fill, than the ATF fluid?
I was quoted $40 for the service at my local auto shop, but I need to order all the part(s) and do you think 4qt. is enough for 1x drain & fill?

If I decided to do a 3x, what would be a good time/miles interval in between?

Thanks in advance.

Especially since you own a 6-speed Pilot, I’d see it extremely important to disable the VCM. The transmission is highly susceptible to the torque converter clutch lock issue that causes rpm gauge flutter and eventual transmission flares. S-VCM or VCM Tuner II are the two most used. This device will keep your engine running on all 6 cylinders 100% of the time.

As far as what you need other than ATF, some would say that you need to replace your drain plug washer. Honda part number 90471-PX4-000. I reuse these all the time with no issue. Just has the bolt presses the washer against drain hole, push it up to make it fit the bolt perfectly. Torque to 36ft lbs. If the washer should ever become deformed from overtightening, it should be replaced.

Is your Pilot equipped with a transmission cooler? If you live where the summer heat is extreme, or drive in heavy stop and go traffic, or drive in hilly mountainous terrain, I would recommend this addition, because it increases the life of your transmission fluid which will better protect the transmission, especially if you want to continue using a non-full synthetic ATF like DW-1.
Keeping in mind that these transmissions hold about 9 quarts of ATF, And a single drain and fill only removes about 3.5 quarts. I would do one now, and a quick 2nd after driving enough miles to warm the engine and transmission up to operating temperature. If the transmission is operating smoothly, I’d plan an early 3rd 10-15k miles later. I would never go more than 20 without doing a drain and fill on this vehicle.

 

Hello everyone,

I own a 2020 Pilot EXL AWD purchased Certified/Used with 40,000 miles
Pressing the gas pedal, oftentimes, I get a “hesitation“ and the whole driving is not smooth.

Called the Honda service center and was told need a transmission fluid drain & fill.
I was quoted $250 for the service (even more expensive for 3x drain & fill).

1. I want to ask if anyone knows the actual cost of the transmission fluids and how many qt(s) are needed for each drain & fill?
Also, if anyone can provide me with a link to order the transmission fluid.

2. I've also asked my local auto shop, and they are only charging $50 for each drain & fill, if I bring my own fluid.
Is there anything I should be cautious or maybe should pointed out to the auto shop?

Many thanks in advance.

Do you by any chance have the ECON button/mode enabled?

 

Do you by any chance have the ECON button/mode enabled?
[/QUOTE

The Econ function does not result in hesitation or the car running “not smooth”. I have had mine in Econ mode for almost the entire 5 years of owning my 2019 Pilot with no such negative actions.

 

The Econ function does not result in hesitation or the car running “not smooth”. I have had mine in Econ mode for almost the entire 5 years of owning my 2019 Pilot with no such negative actions.

The not smooth part doesn't really fit, however the impression of hesitation or slower response to the gas pedal being pushed, especially when starting from a stop, for example, is certainly noticeable with ECON mode enabled compared to without it.

 

I just bought a 2020 Honda Pilot AWD Touring at 33,000 kms. please anyone can suggest what things should I need to replace other than the Air Filter, AC filter and Engine oil? I have this shuttering issue, in lower RPMs the needle is hovering to and fro, and feels little jerky or hesitating to get in speed. The newer models have a bar on the top for RPM Display

 

Is there a compatible Honda DW-1 full synthetic ATF in Bahrain? I’d also recommend purchasing a VCM disabling device like this…
VCMTUNER II - Advanced - 2007+ for Honda Acura 3.5L I-VTEC Disable VCM / ECO mode
This device will keep the engine running on all 6 cylinders 100% of the time. This will also help prevent transmission torque converter damage/failure.

 

Honda does a complete transmission flush.Mechanic shop just drains and replace what was drained out of the transmission.

 

False. Honda does not recommend fluid flushes.

 

Honda does a complete transmission flush.Mechanic shop just drains and replace what was drained out of the transmission.

False. Honda does not recommend fluid flushes.

Correct, Honda does not flush transmissions.
@raymondbatley10 Assuming you have a 6-speed…
They drain and fill. But at times, Honda does recommend doing multiple drain and fills in the case of judder, a torque converter clutch lock issue. It can be prevented in most cases by disabling the VCM.
Note the need for 10 quarts of DW-1 in these TSBs 😖. I’d sub that with 3 gallons (3x 3.5-4 quarts per drain and fill) of Valvoline Extended Protection ATF or Amalie Universal Synthetic to better protect my investment.