🔧 Accord - Manual Transmission Fluid Change

On your Accord’s manual transmission, the fluid lubricates the gears and synchronizers so shifting stays smooth and parts don’t wear out early. This job is a simple drain-and-refill, but the car must be level so the fluid level is correct.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.8-1.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Support the car with jack stands; never rely on a floor jack alone.
• 🔥 Let the drivetrain cool; hot fluid can burn skin.
• 📏 Keep the car level when filling; nose-up changes the fluid level.
• 🧤 Wear gloves and safety glasses; fluid can splash when the plug breaks loose.
• ✅ No battery disconnect is required.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive breaker bar
• Torque wrench (10-100 ft-lb range)
• Drain pan (at least 6-quart)
• Fluid transfer pump (specialty)
• Shop rags
• Trim clip remover
• Phillips screwdriver

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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/fill plug crush washers - Qty: 2

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on a level surface and place wheel chocks behind the rear tires.
• Make sure the transmission is in neutral and set the parking brake.
• Pro tip: Loosen the fill plug first. If it’s stuck, you won’t be stranded with an empty transmission.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and support the front of the car

• Use a floor jack to lift the front of the car at the proper front jacking point.
• Place jack stands under the proper front support points and lower the car onto them.
• Confirm the car is stable and as level as possible.

Step 2: Remove the lower splash shield (if equipped)

• Use a Phillips screwdriver and trim clip remover to remove the screws/clips.
• Set the shield and hardware aside so nothing gets lost.

Step 3: Locate the fill plug and drain plug

• Find the fill plug on the side of the transmission case (higher up).
• Find the drain plug at the bottom of the transmission case (lowest point).
• Both plugs typically accept a 3/8" drive ratchet directly in the square recess.

Step 4: Crack loose the fill plug first

• Use a 3/8" drive breaker bar to loosen the fill plug counterclockwise.
• Once loose, snug it back in by hand (do not remove it yet).

Step 5: Drain the old transmission fluid

• Position a drain pan under the drain plug.
• Use a 3/8" drive breaker bar to remove the drain plug.
• Let it drain until it slows to an occasional drip.
• Wipe the drain plug clean with shop rags.
• Replace the drain plug crush washer with a new one.

Step 6: Reinstall and torque the drain plug

• Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a torque wrench to tighten the drain plug to Torque to 39 Nm (29 ft-lb).

Step 7: Fill the transmission with new fluid

• Remove the fill plug fully using a 3/8" drive ratchet.
• Install a new crush washer on the fill plug (don’t tighten it yet).
• Use a fluid transfer pump (specialty) to pump Honda Manual Transmission Fluid (MTF) into the fill hole.
• Fill until fluid just begins to seep out of the fill hole (this is the correct level when the car is level).
• Pro tip: Slow down near the end to avoid a mess.

Step 8: Reinstall and torque the fill plug

• Thread the fill plug in by hand.
• Use a torque wrench to tighten the fill plug to Torque to 39 Nm (29 ft-lb).
• Wipe any spilled fluid off the case with shop rags.

Step 9: Reinstall the splash shield and lower the car

• Reinstall the splash shield using the trim clip remover and Phillips screwdriver.
• Use the floor jack to lift slightly, remove the jack stands, then lower the car.

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✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and, with the clutch pressed, shift through all gears while parked (don’t force it).
• Take a short test drive and verify smooth shifting and no unusual noises.
• Park and check underneath for any seepage around the fill and drain plugs.
• Dispose of used fluid at a recycling center or parts store that accepts waste 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 0.8-1.2 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.