[xGS]

Hello everyone, I own a 2019 Pilot all-wheel-drive purchased new. Have 29,700+ miles on it and the service reminder appeared on my display with following code: A123.
Called dealership and they say I need a transmission fluid flush every 30k miles. Do I really need a tranny fluid flush every 30k miles or can it wait.

Transmission (and transfer case) fluid service whenever indicated by the maintenance minder.

 

[xGS]

Per Honda maintenance procedures a "Flush" is 3x ATF drain and fill procedures with some driving/shifting in between each one.

Which "Honda maintenance procedure" defines a flush as "3x ATF drain and fill"?
Kindly provide a link to it.

 

[xGS]

With the pandemic, we just don't drive much. My '19 Pilot 6 speed has about 4,000 miles only. Does ATF need to be drained/filled once ever x number of years? I know engine oil gets acidic and needs to be changed every year. Does ATF go by mileage only? Is it time dependent?

Before the MM, under normal use conditions, the ATF was due for its first change at 3-years/45K-miles, and at every 2-years/30K-miles thereafter. The severe service schedule was simply at every 2-years/30K-miles.

 

[xGS]

Dayum! For $95, One can change the TF (<$20 in 20 minutes), then take the wifey out for steaks and give a nice tip. LOL😱 I like to think I’m thrifty, not cheap.🤭

$95 is not out of line for four quarts of Honda ATF and a half-hour of labor at dealer rates.
Unless you drive more than 15K miles per year, the service will only be needed once every two years.
So, only $4 per month - or mere pennies per day.

 

[xGS]

$95 (+ tax?) is a high price to pay, to some of us, and I like to say I'm saving $3.50 a month.

Dealer prices will never be as low as DIY.
Compare apples to oranges all you want.
If you can't afford the maintenance costs, then you should have bought a less expensive vehicle.

 

[xGS]

It's an ATF drain and fill at the dealership or in my home garage. It is comparing apples to apples.
Some can afford it, but don't like to spend if they don't have to.
Some like better apples at a lower price.

It's not apples to apples because the DIY ATF change involves jacking up the vehicle, crawling under it and then having to dispose of the old fluid.
Apples to apples might be dealer service prices versus those at an independent shop.
It's below freezing here and the driveway is icy. Would you like to do an ATF drain and fill in those conditions?

 

[xGS]

It requires effort and the isposal of the old ATF is a negative. Each are a drain and fill. Apples to apples.

ATF disposal is an extra step that invalidates the apples to apples comparison.
Also, around here, the old ATF has to go to a hazmat facility that is closed during the winter.

 

[xGS]

Less expensive and more nutritious.
😁👍

And with Max(imum) Life.

 

[xGS]

20 Minute 6-speed ATF D&F

• Cold engine
• level ground
• parking brake set
• pull ATF dipstick
• slide drain pan under the frontend
• reach in with a 3/8 socket wrench (no socket) placing it in the drain plug
• pull towards you to break loose
• Clean silt off drain plug
• jack the driver side rear as high as you feel comfortable to drain completely
• let drip for 15 minutes
• Drop left rear jack
• Reinstall plug
• Insert long funnel in dipstick tube
• Pour in 3.8 quarts of your desired ATF
• Insert dipstick
• Close hood
• Celebrate cause you just banked some cash DIYing your ATF
• Sleep well

3.8 quarts has been at the top mark when I've checked hot. It's certainly not under filled. If anything, it might be a little over. Certainly not over enough to hurt anything.

How far do you have to travel to dispose of the old ATF?
How long does that take?
What is the value of your time?

 

[xGS]

jack the driver side rear as high as you feel comfortable to drain completely
Drop left rear jack

How much did the jack cost?

 

[xGS]

So, you're down almost the cost of one ATF service at the dealer before you even start.
Therefore, the DIY approach doesn't begin to offer any savings until the next ATF service is due two years from now.

Do you need jack stands, as well, and, if so, how much did those cost?
Or, are you trusting that Harbor Freight to support the vehicle all by itself while you crawl underneath?

 

[xGS]

🤦‍♂️
I assure you that all my tools and equipment has paid for itself multiple times over.
Yes, I have jackstands and ramps for working safely under a vehicle, if needed.

For you, maybe, but not for someone else considering the DIY method for the very first time.

Have you ever flown on a plane?
Did you take a parachute?
You trust the airline to get you to your destination safely?
That's just crazy if you didn't take a parachute. 😁

Haven't flown commercial since way back in the previous century.
I didn't pack a parachute, but I did buy flight insurance.
At least final expenses would have been covered, assuming that they could find any remains.

 

[xGS]

After 2 or 3 oil changes, ATF changes DIY, you will save enough money to pay for your oil pan, funnel, jackstands, ramps and/or jack. Plus you have the satisfaction of knowing the job was done right and with premium products.

I've probably done a hundred oil changes on various vehicles since back in the day when an oil change was typically done every 3-months or 3,000-miles.
For me, any satisfaction from a DIY job wore off quickly and that task just became another PITA.
When the dealer started offering discount coupons for oil changes, I was done with doing that job myself.
Haven't had a problem with a dealer oil change, yet.
Haven't noticed any difference, either, between whatever "premium" products I might have used and whatever products the dealer uses.

 

[xGS]

Ya, and me being a bit of a conspiracy theorist, I don't want anyone else under the hood of my vehicles if at all possible.
View attachment 144982

Do you ever worry about the factory personnel that built your vehicle?

 

[xGS]

I think this is the best deal I found yet…
Metaland M18 x 1.5 Stainless Steel Plug with Inner Hex Head Universal Fit (Pack of 2): Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

Planning to retire early on all of the money you will have saved by buying aftermarket drain/fill plugs?
How is it that you're wearing them out so that they need to be replaced?

 

[xGS]

ZF’s design with the rubber surface suggests to replace them. One time use.

How often does that replacement occur?