🔧 Passport - Transmission Fluid Drain & Fill

Your Passport’s automatic transmission doesn’t have a dipstick, so the fluid level is set through a check/level plug at a specific fluid temperature. The job is mainly a “drain and refill,” then verifying the level correctly so shifting stays smooth and the transmission stays protected.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-3.0 hours

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a cool drivetrain to avoid burns from hot exhaust and ATF.
• ⚠️ Support your Passport with jack stands on solid, level ground; never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ The transmission level check is done with the engine running; keep hands, hair, and tools away from belts/fans.
• ⚠️ Keep the vehicle level (front-to-rear and side-to-side) during the final level check.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this service.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Wheel chocks
• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Drain pan (at least 10-quart)
• Shop rags
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• Socket set (8mm-19mm)
• Torque wrench (10-80 ft-lbs range)
• Trim clip removal tool
• Funnel with long hose
• Fluid transfer pump (specialty)
• Scan tool that reads transmission fluid temperature (specialty)

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Automatic transmission fluid (Honda ATF Type 3.1) - Qty: 4-5 quarts
• Transmission drain plug crush washer - Qty: 1
• Transmission fill plug crush washer - Qty: 1
• Transmission level/check plug crush washer - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Passport on a level surface and apply the parking brake.
• Chock the rear wheels with wheel chocks.
• Plan to keep the vehicle level while checking the final fluid level (all four corners supported evenly on jack stands).
• Set up your scan tool that reads transmission fluid temperature (specialty). You’ll use it during the level check.
• Pro tip: Always loosen the fill plug first.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Warm the transmission slightly

• Start the engine and let it idle 2-3 minutes.
• With your foot on the brake, move the shifter through all positions briefly, then return to Park.
• Turn the engine off.

Step 2: Raise and support the vehicle level

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the front and rear as needed.
• Set the vehicle on jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) so it sits level.

Step 3: Remove the lower cover (if equipped)

• Use a trim clip removal tool and socket set (8mm-19mm) to remove the underbody fasteners.
• Set the cover and fasteners aside in order.

Step 4: Locate and loosen the transmission fill plug first

• Place your drain pan (at least 10-quart) under the transmission area.
• Use a 3/8" drive ratchet / socket set (8mm-19mm) to crack the fill plug loose (do not remove yet).
• Pro tip: If it won’t loosen, stop here.

Step 5: Drain the old transmission fluid

• Position the drain pan (at least 10-quart) directly under the drain plug.
• Use a 3/8" drive ratchet / socket set (8mm-19mm) to remove the drain plug.
• Let the fluid drain until it slows to a drip.
• Install a new transmission drain plug crush washer on the drain plug.
• Reinstall the drain plug and tighten with a torque wrench (10-80 ft-lbs range) to Torque to 49 N·m (36 ft-lbs).

Step 6: Refill with the correct ATF

• Remove the fill plug fully using a 3/8" drive ratchet / socket set (8mm-19mm).
• Install a new transmission fill plug crush washer on the fill plug (don’t reinstall yet).
• Use a funnel with long hose or fluid transfer pump (specialty) to add Honda ATF Type 3.1.
• Add roughly what drained out (most drain-and-fills are around 3-4 quarts).
• Reinstall the fill plug and tighten with a torque wrench (10-80 ft-lbs range) to Torque to 44 N·m (32 ft-lbs).

Step 7: Circulate fluid, then check/set the level at temperature

• Start the engine and keep it idling.
• Connect and view ATF temperature using your scan tool that reads transmission fluid temperature (specialty).
• With your foot on the brake, move through all gear positions, pausing 2-3 seconds each, then return to Park.
• When ATF temperature is in the correct check range (commonly around 35°C-45°C (95°F-113°F)), you can perform the level check.
• Place the drain pan (at least 10-quart) under the level/check plug area.
• Use a 3/8" drive ratchet / socket set (8mm-19mm) to remove the level/check plug.
• Correct level looks like a small steady drip or thin stream that slows to a drip.
• If no fluid comes out, add small amounts of ATF through the fill port using a fluid transfer pump (specialty), then re-check until it drips.
• Install a new transmission level/check plug crush washer, reinstall the plug, and tighten with a torque wrench (10-80 ft-lbs range) to Torque to 12 N·m (9 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Reinstall the lower cover and lower the vehicle

• Reinstall the underbody cover using the trim clip removal tool and socket set (8mm-19mm).
• Carefully lower the vehicle using the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).

---

✅ After Repair

• With the engine running, check underneath for any seepage at the drain, fill, and level/check plugs.
• Test drive 10-15 minutes with gentle acceleration. Confirm normal shifting and no warning lights.
• Recheck for leaks after the test drive.
• If you have a scan tool, check for any stored transmission-related codes and clear only if appropriate.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $250-$450 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $60-$140 (parts only)

You Save: $110-$390 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-1.8 hours.

---

🎯 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.