🔧 Accord - Manual Transmission Fluid Change

This service drains old manual transmission fluid and refills with fresh fluid to keep shifting smooth and protect the gears and synchronizers. The key is to open the fill plug first, then drain, and refill until the fluid just starts to run back out of the fill hole.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 1-2 hours

Assumption: 6-speed manual uses Honda MTF; fill-to-overflow method.

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a level surface and support the car with jack stands before going underneath.
• ⚠️ Let the exhaust cool; the catalytic converter area can burn you.
• ⚠️ Wear safety glasses; fluid can drip sideways when the plug comes out.
• ⚠️ Keep the car level while draining and filling, or the fluid level will be wrong.
• 🔋 Battery disconnect is not required for this service.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Drain pan (at least 6-quart)
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 3/8-inch drive torque wrench (10-100 ft-lbs range)
• Breaker bar (3/8-inch drive)
• Fluid transfer pump (hand pump) (specialty)
• Shop rags

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Honda Manual Transmission Fluid (MTF) - Qty: 3 quarts
• Transmission drain plug crush washer - Qty: 1
• Transmission fill plug crush washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, shift to Neutral, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Warm the transmission slightly with a short 5-10 minute drive, then shut the engine off. Warm fluid drains faster.
• Lift the front with a floor jack and set it securely on jack stands. Keep the car level.
• Place a drain pan under the transmission.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Locate the fill and drain plugs

• Slide under the front and find the transmission case (driver side area). You’ll see two plugs: the fill plug on the side of the case and the drain plug at the bottom.
• The plugs typically accept a 3/8-inch drive ratchet directly (the ratchet end fits into the square hole).
• Fill plug first prevents getting stuck empty.

Step 2: Remove the fill plug first

• Use a 3/8-inch drive ratchet (and a breaker bar if needed) to loosen and remove the fill plug.
• Wipe the area with shop rags so dirt can’t fall inside.
• Remove the old crush washer from the fill plug.

Step 3: Drain the old fluid

• Position the drain pan
• Use a 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen and remove the drain plug. Let the fluid fully drain (usually 5-10 minutes).
• Clean the drain plug with shop rags and install a new crush washer on the drain plug.

Step 4: Reinstall and torque the drain plug

• Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the drain plug: Torque to 49 N·m (36 ft-lbs).

Step 5: Fill with new manual transmission fluid

• Insert the hose from your fluid transfer pump (specialty) into the fill hole. (A fluid transfer pump is a hand pump that pushes fluid from the bottle up into the transmission.)
• Pump in Honda Manual Transmission Fluid (MTF) until fluid starts to slowly dribble back out of the fill hole (this is the correct level on this style of transmission).
• Pause for 30 seconds, then add a little more if the dribble stops.
• Install a new crush washer on the fill plug.

Step 6: Reinstall and torque the fill plug

• Thread the fill plug in by hand first.
• Use a 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the fill plug: Torque to 49 N·m (36 ft-lbs).
• Wipe the case clean with shop rags so any new seepage is easy to spot.

Step 7: Lower the car

• Use the floor jack to lift slightly, remove the jack stands, then lower the car carefully.
• Remove the wheel chocks.

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✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and, with the clutch pressed, shift through all gears while parked (don’t force it). This helps circulate fluid.
• Take a short 5-10 minute drive and confirm shifting feels normal (no grinding or notchiness beyond normal).
• Park and look underneath for leaks around the fill and drain plugs.
• Dispose of used fluid at a recycling center or parts store that accepts used oil/fluids.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $180-$320 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $35-$75 (parts only)

You Save: $105-$285 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.8-1.3 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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