🔧 Ridgeline - Automatic Transmission Fluid Drain & Fill

On your Ridgeline, the routine service method is a drain-and-fill (not a full “flush”). You drain the old ATF from the transmission pan, reinstall the drain plug with a new sealing washer, then refill with the correct Honda ATF and recheck the level.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.0-2.0 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a level surface and support the truck with jack stands before going underneath.
• ⚠️ Transmission fluid can be hot—let the drivetrain cool if you just drove it.
• ⚠️ Keep the truck level while draining and refilling, or the fluid level check won’t be accurate.
• ⚠️ No battery disconnect is 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 (8-quart minimum)
• Torque wrench (10-100 ft-lbs range)
• 3/8 in drive ratchet
• 3/8 in square drive extension
• 17mm socket
• Long-neck funnel
• Trim clip tool
• Flathead screwdriver
• Shop rags

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

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

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Ridgeline on level ground, set the parking brake, and chock the rear wheels.
• Do a short 10-minute drive to warm the ATF, then shut off the engine and let it sit 5 minutes.
• If an under-cover/skid panel blocks access, be ready to remove it (some fasteners are clips).
• “Crush washer” = soft sealing washer; replace every time.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and support the truck

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the front of the truck at the approved front jacking point.
• Place jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) under the front support points and lower onto them.
• Confirm the truck is stable before going underneath.

Step 2: Remove the lower cover (if equipped)

• Use a trim clip tool for plastic clips and a flathead screwdriver as needed to remove fasteners.
• Set the cover and clips aside so you don’t lose them.

Step 3: Locate the transmission drain plug

• Slide your drain pan (8-quart minimum) under the transmission.
• Identify the drain plug on the transmission case (not the engine oil drain plug on the oil pan).

Step 4: Remove the drain plug and drain the ATF

• If your drain plug takes a square drive: use a 3/8 in square drive extension to loosen the plug.
• If your drain plug takes a hex head: use a 17mm socket with a 3/8 in drive ratchet to loosen the plug.
• Let the fluid drain completely into the pan (this usually takes 5–15 minutes).

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

• Remove the old washer from the plug and install the new transmission drain plug crush washer.
• Thread the plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Tighten using a torque wrench (10-100 ft-lbs range): Torque to 49 Nm (36 ft-lbs).
• Wipe any spilled ATF with shop rags.

Step 6: Refill the transmission

• Open the hood and locate the transmission fill point (commonly a transmission dipstick tube on this setup).
• Insert a long-neck funnel and add Honda ATF DW-1 equivalent slowly.
• For a single drain-and-fill, start by adding 3.5 quarts, then you’ll fine-tune the level after cycling gears.
• Add slowly to avoid overfilling.

Step 7: Cycle gears, then check the fluid level

• Start the engine and keep your foot on the brake.
• Move the shifter through P-R-N-D and back to P, pausing 2–3 seconds in each position.
• With the engine idling, pull the dipstick, wipe it with shop rags, reinsert fully, then pull again to read.
• Add ATF in small amounts using the long-neck funnel until the level is correct on the dipstick marks.

Step 8: Reinstall the lower cover and lower the truck

• Reinstall the cover using the trim clip tool and flathead screwdriver as needed.
• Lift slightly with the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum), remove the jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum), and lower the truck.

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✅ After Repair

• Test drive 10–15 minutes, then park on level ground and recheck the ATF level using the dipstick method.
• Inspect the drain plug area for seepage after the test drive.
• Dispose of used ATF properly (most parts stores accept used fluid).
• If shifting feels worse (flare, slip, harsh), stop driving and recheck the level immediately.

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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 1.0-1.5 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.

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Quick check (so I match your Ridgeline exactly): Does your transmission have an easy-to-reach dipstick under the hood, or do you see only a sealed case with a fill bolt? If you can share a photo of the top of the transmission area or the drain plug, I’ll confirm which version you have.