🔧 Accord - Transmission Fluid Change

This job is usually a simple drain-and-refill (not a “power flush”). Fresh fluid helps shifting quality and extends transmission life. The exact steps and fluid type depend on whether your Accord is an automatic or a manual.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Support the car with jack stands; never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Transmission fluid can be very hot—let the car cool if needed.
• ⚠️ Keep the car level when checking/filling fluid.
• ⚠️ Do not mix fluid types; use the correct Honda fluid.

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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)
• Shop rags
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive torque wrench (10–80 ft-lbs range)
• 17mm socket
• Long funnel
• Measuring container (quart/liter marked)
• Trim clip tool
• Flathead screwdriver
• 3/8" square drive (specialty)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Honda ATF DW-1 automatic transmission fluid - Qty: 4 quarts
• Honda Manual Transmission Fluid (MTF) - Qty: 3 quarts
• Transmission drain 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.
• 🌡️ Drive 10 minutes to warm the fluid, then shut the engine off.
• 🧰 A crush washer is a soft metal washer that seals when tightened; always replace it.
• 📏 A torque wrench helps tighten bolts to the correct tightness so they seal without stripping.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Identify which transmission you have

• Open the hood and look for an automatic transmission dipstick near the transmission case.
• If you see a dipstick for ATF, follow the Automatic (ATF DW-1) steps below.
• If there is no ATF dipstick, follow the Manual (Honda MTF) steps below.

Step 2A: Automatic — Raise and safely support the car

• Use a floor jack to lift the front of the car at the front jacking point.
• Set the car down onto jack stands placed at the front pinch welds.
• Give the car a gentle shake to confirm it is stable.

Step 3A: Automatic — Locate the drain plug and drain the ATF

• Place an 8-quart drain pan under the transmission drain plug.
• If an under-cover blocks access, remove clips/fasteners using a trim clip tool and flathead screwdriver.
• Use a 17mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet to remove the drain plug.
• Let it drain fully (typically 10–15 minutes).

Step 4A: Automatic — Reinstall drain plug with new crush washer

• Install a new crush washer on the drain plug.
• Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Tighten using a torque wrench and 17mm socket: Torque to 49 N·m (36 ft-lbs).

Step 5A: Automatic — Measure what came out, then refill through the dipstick tube

• Pour the drained fluid into a measuring container and note the amount.
• Remove the ATF dipstick and insert a long funnel into the dipstick tube.
• Pour in the same amount of new Honda ATF DW-1 you measured.
• Match the amount first, then fine-tune level.

Step 6A: Automatic — Check ATF level correctly

• Start the engine and keep your foot on the brake.
• Move the shifter slowly through each gear (P-R-N-D and back), pausing 2 seconds in each.
• With the engine idling on level ground, pull the dipstick, wipe it with a shop rag, reinsert, then check level.
• Add ATF DW-1 in small amounts using the funnel until it reads in the proper range.
• Reinstall the dipstick fully.

Step 7A: Automatic — Optional “3x drain & fill” for better exchange

• Drive 5–10 minutes, then repeat Steps 3A–6A two more times.
• This gradually replaces more old fluid without a machine.

Step 2B: Manual — Raise and safely support the car

• Use a floor jack to lift the front of the car at the front jacking point.
• Set the car down onto jack stands placed at the front pinch welds.
• Keep the car level for accurate fill.

Step 3B: Manual — Remove the FILL plug first

• Place the drain pan underneath the transmission case area.
• Locate the manual transmission fill plug on the side of the case.
• Use a 3/8" square drive (specialty) to loosen and remove the fill plug.
• If fill plug won’t open, stop.

Step 4B: Manual — Drain the old fluid

• Locate the manual transmission drain plug at the bottom of the case.
• Use a 3/8" square drive (specialty) to remove the drain plug.
• Let it drain fully (10–15 minutes).

Step 5B: Manual — Reinstall drain plug with new crush washer

• Install a new crush washer on the drain plug.
• Thread in by hand, then tighten with a torque wrench and 3/8" square drive (specialty): Torque to 44 N·m (33 ft-lbs).

Step 6B: Manual — Refill with Honda MTF and reinstall fill plug

• Use a long funnel to add Honda MTF through the fill hole.
• Fill until fluid just begins to seep out of the fill hole (common “full” indicator).
• Reinstall the fill plug and tighten with a torque wrench and 3/8" square drive (specialty): Torque to 44 N·m (33 ft-lbs).
• Wipe the area clean with shop rags.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Test drive 10 minutes and verify smooth shifting.
• ✅ Park on a clean surface and check for leaks around the drain/fill areas.
• ✅ Recheck level: automatic via dipstick; manual by confirming no seep/leak at plugs.
• 🧾 Dispose of used fluid at a recycling center or parts store that accepts it.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $180-$350 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $35-$90 (parts only)

You Save: $145-$260 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-2.0 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 question (so I can keep you on the exact path): Do you have an ATF dipstick (automatic), or a manual fill plug with no dipstick?