🔧 Accord - Transmission Fluid Drain & Refill

This service replaces the old automatic transmission fluid (ATF) by draining what’s in the transmission pan area and refilling through the dipstick tube. Fresh ATF helps shift quality and protects the transmission from wear and overheating.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.5-1.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Support the car with jack stands; never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Let the exhaust cool; it can burn you while you’re under the car.
• ⚠️ Keep the car level while draining/filling; a tilted car gives a wrong fluid level.
• ⚠️ Wear gloves and safety glasses; ATF is slippery and irritating.
• 🔋 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
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive torque wrench
• Drain pan (at least 6-quart)
• Fluid measuring container (at least 3-quart)
• Long-neck funnel
• Shop rags

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Automatic transmission fluid (Honda ATF DW-1) - Qty: 4 quarts
• Transmission drain plug crush washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Chock the rear wheels using wheel chocks.
• Warm the transmission fluid with a 10-minute drive so it drains more completely.
• Gather your tools and place a drain pan and shop rags under the front of the car.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and support the front of the car

• Use a floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum) to lift the front at the correct center jack point.
• Set the car down onto jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum) on both sides.
• Give the car a gentle push to confirm it’s stable before going underneath.

Step 2: Locate the transmission drain plug

• Slide the drain pan (at least 6-quart) under the transmission drain plug.
• The drain plug is on the transmission case (not the engine oil pan).
• Tip: Engine oil drain is usually more centered.

Step 3: Drain the old transmission fluid

• Use a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the drain plug (this plug commonly accepts a 3/8" square drive directly).
• Remove the plug by hand and let the fluid drain completely into the drain pan.
• Pour the drained fluid into a fluid measuring container (at least 3-quart) and note how much came out.

Step 4: Replace the crush washer and reinstall the drain plug

• Remove the old washer from the drain plug and install the new transmission drain plug crush washer.
• Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 3/8" drive torque wrench to tighten the drain plug: Torque to 49 N·m (36 ft-lbs).
• Tip: Hand-starting prevents expensive thread damage.

Step 5: Refill the transmission through the dipstick tube

• Open the hood and pull out the transmission dipstick.
• Insert a long-neck funnel into the dipstick tube.
• Pour in Honda ATF DW-1 equal to the amount you measured coming out (usually about 2.5-3.0 quarts for a drain-and-fill).
• Reinstall the dipstick.

Step 6: Circulate fluid and set the level

• Start the engine and keep your foot on the brake.
• Slowly move the shifter through each gear (P-R-N-D-2-1 if equipped), pausing 2-3 seconds in each position.
• Return to Park and let the engine idle for about 1 minute.
• With the car on level ground, remove the dipstick, wipe it with shop rags, reinsert fully, then pull again to check level.
• If low, add ATF in small amounts (about 0.2 quart at a time) using the long-neck funnel, then recheck.
• Tip: Don’t overfill; it can cause shifting issues.

Step 7: Lower the car and do a final check

• Use the floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum) to lift slightly, remove the jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum), then lower the car.
• Check underneath for any seepage around the drain plug.
• Wipe any spilled ATF with shop rags.

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✅ After Repair

• Test drive 10-15 minutes and confirm smooth shifting.
• Park on level ground and recheck the dipstick level; top off only if needed.
• Check for leaks at the drain plug after the test drive.
• If the fluid was very dark/burnt, consider doing 2 more drain-and-refills a few days apart (this exchanges more old fluid without a flush).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $35-$80 (parts only)

You Save: $100-$250 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.7-1.2 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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