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Car Forum / Honda Cars / March 200697 Accord Trans Fluid Change?
A couple of questions: 1) Does the 97 accord AT just have a drain plug to change fluid? Any filter? 2) I was told to use Genuine Honda ATF and not NAPA or other generic brands. Any Thoughts? It does have a drain plug. Mine took a 3/8 rachet . IN VERY TIGHT. And use only Honda fluid. Scott >A couple of questions: >1) Does the 97 accord AT just have a drain plug to change fluid? Any filter? >2) I was told to use Genuine Honda ATF and not NAPA or other generic brands. >Any Thoughts? Yes. I had the 105,000 mile service done 2 months ago on my 1997 Accord wagon. Went to a highly respected independent repair place for the required timing belt, and a whole slew of other maintenance items. Had them do a transmission fluid change - that being a flush and 100% fluid change. It began shifting a little harshly a week or two ago. Then some slipping when cold the last couple days. I checked the ATF level - it was okay. So had a look in the owner's manual. It warns about using only genuine Honda Premium Formula ATF. Service manual says the same, and both say that Dexron III can be used temporarily but it will affect shifting quality and should be changed for Honda ATF as soon as it is convenient. Sounded like my problem. Then had a look at my 105,000 mi service receipt and it said they used Valvoline Premium Max Life ATF. Went to the Valvoline web site and it says this fluid is "compatible with new and rebuilt transmissions and will not void new car warranties" and is recommended for "Most Import Vehicles" but doesn't mention Honda. But it also says this ATF is Dexron III-type. Hmmm. Emailed Valvoline yesterday describing the problem and asked them if I need to change back to Honda fluid. Their answer received this morning : "For your application yes." Tomorrow morning taking the car back to get the correct Honda fluid installed. Wish I researched this first, but I assumed people who service cars all day for a living would know what they were doing. My mistake. Steve Noll | The Glass Block Pond | http://www.kissingfrogs.tv >>A couple of questions: >>1) Does the 97 accord AT just have a drain plug to change fluid? Any filter? [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > Steve Noll | The Glass Block Pond > | http://www.kissingfrogs.tv thanks for taking the time to share this experience! i ended up making the same enquiries of castrol for their dexron fluid a few years ago and got the same answer: "not for honda". >>A couple of questions: >>1) Does the 97 accord AT just have a drain plug to change fluid? Any filter? [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] >Steve Noll | The Glass Block Pond > | http://www.kissingfrogs.tv So I took the car back Tuesday, showed the Service Advisor all the documentation proving that they put the wrong fluid it. I insisted they change it to the correct Honda ATF, and that I want to see a bunch of empty Honda ATF bottles when I pick the car up. He said he'd look into it... When I picked the car up that afternoon they had indeed changed it to the correct fluid. But the SA still argued on and on about the matter and wouldn't admit that the vehicle is supposed to take the fluid that Honda requires, even when presented with written proof from Honda and Valvoline. Most annoying. Anyway, after a couple days of driving the tranny seems to have recovered and is shifting normally now. I chose this repair place because it was recommended on Car Talk's web site. I've left comments and filled out their survey as to what happened so that some other poor sap doesn't fall for this place, but so far they haven't posted it. I sure hope they do. Steve Noll | The Glass Block Pond | http://www.kissingfrogs.tv You can change the fluid yourself in less time than it takes to drive to one of these shops and you will know the correct fluid has been used and your drain plug has not been cross threaded. Changing ATF on an accord is easier than changing oil. Drive it for at least 15 miles to get the fluid hot - better still after coming in off a longer trip - change the oil. If you turn the steering wheel all the way to the right - the ATF drain plug is easy to access without jacking up the car. It takes a 3/8" square drive - be very careful when draining the ATF - it squirts out and can be well above 200F - will give you third degree burns - wear heavy gloves and go slow. And change ATF every 30K and like everybody else said - use only Honda ATF - anybody sez otherwise is either stupid or trying to damage your tranny. > A couple of questions: > 1) Does the 97 accord AT just have a drain plug to change fluid? yes. > Any filter? not that you can get at. don't worry about it. > 2) I was told to use Genuine Honda ATF and not NAPA or other generic brands. you were told correct. it makes a significant difference to shift quality. > Any Thoughts? > A couple of questions: > 1) Does the 97 accord AT just have a drain plug to change fluid? Any filter? > 2) I was told to use Genuine Honda ATF and not NAPA or other generic brands. > Any Thoughts? ---------------------------- Take it for a drive to get any 'sludge' into solution. Remove the dip stick, remove the magnetic drain plug SLOWLY and let it drain most of the fluid before removing the plug or it will pee on the tire. Wipe the clump of grey fuzz off the magnet, replace the copper washer. Refill with the same amount of HONDA Z1 fluid. Drive it a week and do it again. Filter is internal and doesn't get touched. You'll need to buy 4 quarts, but will use less unless you drain it overnight and maybe start it for 10 seconds. 'Curly' Yeah, don't fool around with anything but Honda's ATF. Trust me on that :) I have an '88 Accord with 239,000 miles and I have always used regular old Dexron III. It's OK to use aftermarket ATF for Honda's of that era but the newer models (although I'm not sure where the cutoff is) MUST use Honda's fluid or you're just asking for problems. I had been using Dexron III in my '98 CRV for around 40,000 miles without any noticeable problems but it eventually started having shifting problems and it would ocasionally shudder when cruising around town in the 38-42 mph range. I switched to Honda's ATF and the symptoms immediately vanished. I changed it again several weeks later (as insurance) since only three quarts drains out during fluid change. That was around four years ago and I haven't had any problems since that time. The other guys have already given you solid info. Honda's don't use AT filters. Just throw a 3/8" ratchet into the drain plug to remove it. It couldn't be any easier. I took my '98 Odyssey to our Tuffy shop for a transmission fluid change a couple of years ago. After a while the manager came out and said they couldn't do the change because Honda AFT was specified. That told me I had a good mechanic. - Terry Curly: You state: "and drive it a week and do it again" are you saying to buy 8 gts of Honda ATF, put new in, run a week, drain, pitch, and refill with new? > > A couple of questions: > > 1) Does the 97 accord AT just have a drain plug to change fluid? Any filter? [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > 'Curly' > Curly: > You state: "and drive it a week and do it again" are you saying to buy 8 gts > of Honda ATF, put new in, run a week, drain, pitch, and refill with new? --------------------- You could actually change it twice the same day as long as it goes for a good long drive, to allow the magnet a chance to catch a bit more metal, and to mix the new with the old. I like the idea of doing it a week apart because I drive lots of highway, and the magnet picks up a very fine 'paint' of grey stuff in seven days. 3 - 4 quarts each time. Some would even say you should do it three times. 'Curly' |
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