🔧 Accord - Manual Transmission Fluid Change

Changing your Accord’s manual transmission fluid helps the gears and synchronizers shift smoothly and reduces wear. You’ll drain the old fluid, then refill through the fill plug until it reaches the correct level.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a level surface and support the car with jack stands, not just a jack.
• ⚠️ Let the drivetrain cool; fluid and exhaust parts can burn you.
• ⚠️ Wear gloves and safety glasses; fluid can irritate skin/eyes.
• ⚠️ Keep the car level while 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 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Drain pan (at least 6-quart)
• 3/8 in drive ratchet
• 3/8 in drive breaker bar
• Torque wrench (10-100 ft-lbs range)
• Fluid transfer pump (hand pump) (specialty)
• Shop rags
• Funnel
• 10mm socket
• Trim clip remover

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Manual transmission fluid (Honda 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, set the parking brake, and chock the rear wheels.
• 🧰 Gather tools and fluid before lifting the car.
• 🚗 Warm-up tip: a 5–10 minute drive helps the old fluid drain faster.
• ⬆️ Lift the front and place it on jack stands; keep the car level front-to-back.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the lower splash shield (if equipped)

• Use a floor jack and jack stands to safely support the front of the car.
• Use a 10mm socket to remove the bolts and a trim clip remover for the plastic clips.
• Set the shield and fasteners aside.

Step 2: Locate the fill plug and drain plug

• Slide a work light substitute if needed (use good shop lighting) and look at the front side of the transmission case.
• The plugs are “square-drive” style: your 3/8 in drive ratchet end fits directly into the plug (no socket needed).
• Wipe around both plugs with shop rags so dirt doesn’t fall in.

Step 3: Crack the fill plug loose first

• Insert the 3/8 in drive breaker bar into the fill plug and turn counterclockwise to loosen it.
• Always loosen fill first—prevents getting stuck.
• Once it’s loose, leave it threaded in a few turns for now.

Step 4: Drain the old transmission fluid

• Position your drain pan under the drain plug.
• Use the 3/8 in drive ratchet to remove the drain plug completely.
• Let it drain until it slows to an occasional drip (usually 5–10 minutes).

Step 5: Reinstall the drain plug with a new crush washer

• Remove the old washer and install the new drain plug crush washer (a crush washer is a soft metal ring that seals when tightened).
• Thread the drain plug in by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a torque wrench to tighten: Torque to 44 N·m (33 ft-lbs).
• Wipe the area clean with shop rags.

Step 6: Fill the transmission with fresh fluid

• Remove the fill plug using the 3/8 in drive ratchet.
• Put the hose from the fluid transfer pump (hand pump) (specialty) into the fill hole.
• Pump in Honda MTF until fluid just begins to dribble back out of the fill hole (that’s the correct level when the car is level).
• Typical amount is about 2.2 US qt (2.1 L), but always fill to the hole level.

Step 7: Reinstall the fill plug with a new crush washer

• Install the new fill plug crush washer on the fill plug.
• Thread the fill plug in by hand.
• Use a torque wrench to tighten: Torque to 44 N·m (33 ft-lbs).
• Clean any spilled fluid using shop rags.

Step 8: Reinstall the splash shield and lower the car

• Reinstall the shield using the 10mm socket and trim clip remover as needed.
• Raise slightly with the floor jack, remove jack stands, and lower the car.

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✅ After Repair

• 🧪 Start the engine, press the clutch, and shift through all gears with the car stationary.
• 🚗 Take a short test drive and confirm smooth shifting.
• 🔎 Park, then check underneath for seepage at the fill and drain plugs.
• 🧴 Pour the old fluid into sealed containers and take it to an oil/fluid recycling drop-off.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $40-$90 (parts only)

You Save: $140-$230 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.