2008-2012 Honda Accord ATF replacement - Every 80k Miles

Step 1

Follow Recommended Service Intervals

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• Caution: Injury may result if this procedure is not followed properly. Be sure to follow each step carefully and follow all warnings.
• Every 30k miles, do a plain vanilla drain and fill. The steps in this guide are not for a vanilla drain and fill.
• Every 80k miles, do a full flush as shown in this guide.

Step 2

V6 Engines: Loosen ATF Fill Plug

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• V6 Engines: Use this video. Loosen 11/16" bolt with "ATF" printed on it. Use a 10" socket extension. This allows air into the transmission as the fluid drains out later.
• Remove fill plug washer, which may be just sitting on the transmission case. Do not drop the washer into the transmission or your car must be towed!

Step 3

V4 Engines: Loosen ATF Fill Dipstick

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• V4 and I4 Engines: Use this video. Remove the Transmission Fluid Dipstick. This allows air into the transmission as the fluid drains out later.

Step 4

Drain HOT Automatic Transmission Fluid

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• Caution! Fluid will be hot. Loosen drain plug a little and let fluid come out slowly into a bucket.
• Open drain plug with a 3/8" socket drive
• When mostly drained, fluid flow will decrease to a dribble. Wait until fluid has drained to unscrew the drain plug all the way and remove it.

Step 5

Clean plug and refill.

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• Wipe metal filings and any fluid off the drain plug. Replace the drain plug and tighten to hand-tight.
• Replace drain plug and tighten to finger tight.
• Fill transmission from fill plug (or dipstick). Use 2.5 quarts of Honda DW-1 Automatic Transmission Fluid. Use a funnel and pour carefully to not spill fluid.
• Replace fill plug (or dipstick).
• Wait 15 minutes, then check transmission fluid level. This allows fluid to enter all the corners of the transmission. If needed, add last 0.5 quarts of fluid.
• Drive the car and make sure to reach all gears. This should be about freeway speed.

Step 6

Second Drain/Fill

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• Loosen the fill plug (or dipstick)
• Drain the fluid following previous instructions. CAUTION: HOT FLUID.
• Replace drain plug following previous instructions.
• Refill transmission with a funnel and 2.5 quarts of the same fluid as before.
• Replace fill plug (or dipstick). Wait 15 minutes. Check transmission fluid level. Add last 0.5 quarts if needed.
• Drive the car and make sure to reach all gears. This should be about freeway speed.

Step 7

Final Drain/Fill

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• Loosen the fill plug (or dipstick).
• Drain the fluid following previous instructions. CAUTION: HOT FLUID.
• Place a new crush washer on drain plug. Tighten the drain plug using a Torque Wrench to 36 ft-lb of torque.
• Refill with a funnel and 3 quarts of the same fluid as before.
• Replace fill plug (or dipstick).
• Wait 15 minutes.
• Check transmission fluid level. Top off transmission fluid if needed.

Step 8

Continue to inspect transmission

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• One day after the flush, inspect the transmission for signs of fluid leaking.
• Check transmission fluid level. Add transmission fluid if the fluid level is a little low, using a funnel. When checking fluid level, engine and transmission should be up to normal temperature, which is reached after about 5 minutes of driving
• Two days after the flush, inspect transmission again for signs of fluid leaking.