🔧 Pilot - Automatic Transmission Fluid Change

This job drains and refills the automatic transmission fluid in your Pilot. Fresh Honda-approved transmission fluid helps protect the transmission, improve shift quality, and reduce wear.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 1-2 hours

Assumption: This procedure is for a stock Pilot EX with the 6-speed automatic transmission.

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a level surface so the fluid level is accurate.
• ⚠️ Transmission fluid can be hot. Let the exhaust and transmission cool enough to touch safely.
• ⚠️ Support your Pilot with jack stands if lifting it. Never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Use only Honda DW-1 automatic transmission fluid or equivalent fluid specifically approved for Honda DW-1 use.
• ⚠️ Do not perform a high-pressure transmission “flush.” This is a drain-and-fill service.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this repair.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 10mm socket
• 17mm socket
• Torque wrench 10-80 ft-lb range
• Long-neck funnel
• Drain pan 8-quart minimum
• Fluid measuring container 5-quart minimum
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Trim clip removal tool
• Floor jack rated 3-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 3-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Shop towels

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Honda DW-1 automatic transmission fluid - Qty: 4 quarts
• Automatic transmission drain plug sealing washer - Qty: 1
• Underbody splash shield clips - Qty: 2-4

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Pilot on level ground.
• Apply the parking brake and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• If lifting the front, use a floor jack and support the vehicle with jack stands at proper support points.
• Warm the transmission slightly by driving for 5-10 minutes, then let it sit a few minutes so the fluid is warm, not dangerously hot.
• A drain-and-fill replaces only part of the total transmission fluid. For very old or dark fluid, Honda-style service is usually repeated over separate drive cycles, not flushed under pressure.
• A “sealing washer” is a soft crush washer that helps the drain plug seal without leaking.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Secure your Pilot

• Use wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Put the shifter in Park and set the parking brake.
• If you need more room, use a floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to lift the front and place jack stands rated 3-ton minimum under the proper front support points.
• Put on safety glasses and nitrile gloves.

Step 2: Remove the lower splash shield if needed

• Use a trim clip removal tool or flat-blade screwdriver to remove the plastic clips from the lower splash shield.
• Use a 10mm socket to remove any 10mm splash shield fasteners.
• Set the shield and fasteners aside in order.
• Take a quick photo first.

Step 3: Locate the transmission drain plug

• Move the drain pan 8-quart minimum under the transmission drain plug.
• The transmission drain plug is on the lower transmission case, not the engine oil pan.
• Use shop towels to wipe the area clean before opening it.

Step 4: Loosen the fill access before draining

• Open the hood and locate the transmission fluid fill/dipstick area near the transmission.
• Remove the transmission dipstick/fill cap by hand if equipped.
• Place a long-neck funnel into the fill tube/opening, but do not add fluid yet.
• Always confirm you can refill before draining.

Step 5: Drain the old transmission fluid

• Use a 3/8-inch drive ratchet or 17mm socket, depending on the plug style, to loosen the transmission drain plug.
• Remove the plug by hand while keeping pressure against it until the last thread, then pull it away quickly.
• Let the fluid drain completely into the drain pan 8-quart minimum.
• Use safety glasses because fluid may splash.

Step 6: Clean and reinstall the drain plug

• Use shop towels to clean the drain plug and magnet.
• A light gray paste on the magnet is normal wear material. Metal chunks are not normal.
• Install a new automatic transmission drain plug sealing washer on the drain plug.
• Thread the plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a torque wrench 10-80 ft-lb range to tighten the drain plug to Torque to 49 Nm (36 ft-lbs).

Step 7: Measure the drained fluid

• Pour the old fluid from the drain pan into a fluid measuring container 5-quart minimum.
• Note the amount removed.
• Most drain-and-fill services on your Pilot remove about 3.3-3.7 quarts, but the measured amount is your best refill starting point.

Step 8: Refill with new fluid

• Use the long-neck funnel to add the same amount of Honda DW-1 automatic transmission fluid that you drained out.
• Add fluid slowly to prevent spills.
• Start with slightly less than the measured amount if you are unsure. It is easier to add fluid than remove extra fluid.
• Do not overfill the transmission.

Step 9: Cycle the transmission ranges

• Start the engine with your foot firmly on the brake.
• Move the shifter slowly through each gear position: Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive, then back to Park.
• Pause 2-3 seconds in each position.
• Keep the vehicle stationary and use the brake pedal the entire time.

Step 10: Check the fluid level

• With the vehicle level, remove the dipstick/fill cap by hand if equipped.
• Wipe it with shop towels, reinstall it fully, then remove it again to check the level.
• Add small amounts through the long-neck funnel until the level is correct on the dipstick.
• If your Pilot uses a check-plug style level check instead of a dipstick, use a 17mm socket only after the transmission is at proper operating temperature and level on stands.

Step 11: Reinstall the splash shield

• Use a trim clip removal tool or your hands to reinstall the plastic clips.
• Use a 10mm socket to reinstall any 10mm fasteners.
• If any clips broke, install new underbody splash shield clips.
• Tighten small splash shield bolts snug only. Do not overtighten plastic panels.

Step 12: Lower the vehicle

• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to lift slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands rated 3-ton minimum.
• Lower your Pilot slowly and remove the wheel chocks.

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✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and check underneath for leaks around the drain plug.
• Take a short 5-10 minute test drive and confirm smooth shifting.
• Park on level ground and recheck the fluid level after the test drive.
• Dispose of used transmission fluid at a recycling center or auto parts store that accepts used oil/ATF.
• If the old fluid was very dark or shifting was rough, a second drain-and-fill may be done later after driving, but do not pressure flush it.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $45-$90 (parts only)

You Save: $135-$230 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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