Replacing Transmission Fluid; Do ? (2005 Civic)

Discussion in 'Civic' started by Robert11, Aug 10, 2009.

  1. Robert11

    Robert11 Guest

    Hello,

    A family member has a 2005 Civic with about 135,000 miles on it. Wow !
    Live in New England.

    The transmission fluid has never been flushed, or replaced.

    Before I suggest that this would be a good idea to have done, thought I'd
    ask here first.

    I seem to remember Posts for different brand autos where it was said,
    strongly, in effect, "if it ain't broken dont fix it", and that not to
    replace the transmission fluid - just leave it alone as replacing it
    would/might cause more problems than having "dirty" trans. fluid.

    As to be expected, there were many Posts that said it should "most
    definitely" be replaced every XXX miles.

    What do you think ? Replace or leave alone ?
    If replaced, how often ?

    At this mileage, any other fluids or maint. that should be done that we are
    not
    aware of; the manual is misplaced ?

    Thanks,
    Bob
     
    Robert11, Aug 10, 2009
    #1
  2. Before you ask here first, what does the owner's manual say about
    recommended maintenance?

    Anyway, don't "flush" it like you're thinking. Honda recommends a
    repeated drain/fill routine to get rid of as much of the old stuff as
    you can, but Honda doesn't recommend an active flush.

    But overall, the owner's manual does have a recommendation for single
    drain/fill intervals.

    Whatever you do, use the Honda-brand fluid for your car, from the dealer.
     
    Elmo P. Shagnasty, Aug 10, 2009
    #2
  3. Robert11

    Tegger Guest



    Your Owner's Manual can be found online from American Honda, here:
    <https://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/RJAAI001_OMANUAL.asp>

    You're not far off the officially specified 120K interval for the first
    fluid change, so no damage will have occurred. However, you do need to
    change the fluid properly and change it now. Then you need to change it
    every 60K from here on out for maximum transmission life.

    Use ONLY genuine Honda ATF-Z1, available only from a Honda or Acura dealer.
    Do not use "Honda-compatible" aftermarket fluids.

    The correct fluid-change procedure according to your Owner's Manual:
    "To thoroughly flush the transmission,
    the technician should drain and refill
    it with Honda ATF-Z1, then drive the
    vehicle for a short distance. Do this
    three times. Then drain and refill the
    transmission a final time."

    NOTE: Do NOT allow anyone (including the dealer!) to sell you a "flush"
    that consists of circulating through the transmission a fluid of /any/ kind
    that is not ATF-Z1. Chemical "flushes" are officially prohibited by Honda.

    The online Owner's Manual has a Maintenance Schedule that calls out change
    intervals for the car's other life-limited fluids.
     
    Tegger, Aug 10, 2009
    #3
  4. Technically speaking, that is not the correct fluid change procedure.

    The fluid change procedure is a single drain and fill.

    What you quoted above is the Honda-specified FLUSH procedure, which is
    different.
     
    Elmo P. Shagnasty, Aug 10, 2009
    #4
  5. Robert11

    Tegger Guest



    OK, "flush" then, not "fluid change".

    I try to avoid the use of the word "flush" because people tend to conflate
    that with the chemical "flush" procedures sold by the aftermarket.

    To clarify: the OP needs to do a "flush" _as specified_ in his manual.
     
    Tegger, Aug 11, 2009
    #5
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