grandnexus

Two questions:

1.) How much is the required amount of ATF for a honda civic 2001 LX, 2dr auto? I couldn't find it in my manual (found the amount for coolant and oil though).

2.) How is the difference between a "flush" and a "drain"? For example, I want to change my ATF myself (because the shop charges like $100 to do a flush). I've read some DIY's here, most say just remove a bolt, drain it, refill with ATF, done. But the manual says to do that 3 times to "flush" it. Which is correct and why do you need to flush it, isn't draining and replacing good enough?

CraigW

iTrader: (1)

Owners & Service manuals say 2.9qts for drain and refill.

For Honda a flush is 3 drain & refills.

No to flush machine...Yes to OEM fluid.

grandnexus

So I'll need about 12 quarts.....9 just for flushing, and 3 for actually filling it.

OEM ATF fluid at the dealership is $8.23/qt. So that is $98.76....

Do I HAVE to do this 3 times? Is once or twice good enough? I was always wondering why the shop charges so much....now I know at least.

MindBomber

once, twice, three times.. it all depends on the condition of your fluid.

I did it once and after that the fluid was cherry red again, so I just put the extra bottles away for future use.

CraigW

iTrader: (1)

^^^ Yes, Whats the mileage ?? Has it ever been changed ?? How does it look now ??

grandnexus

It is a 2001, so 10 years old. It has 75k miles on it. I don't remember the last time it has been flushed, but I know it has been a while, several years I'm guessing, and at least 40k miles.

I'm not sure how it looks now, I can check after work. What color should it be? What should I look for?

MindBomber

Pull the dipstick and let the fluid drip off onto a piece of paper towel, refer to picture below to compare completely spent to fresh atf.

gearbox

iTrader: (95)

if you have an empty oil bottle with gradations (the big 2.5L bottle), you can pour the atf in there to see how much was drained out, then put that much back in. mindbomber that atf looks really good for its age. mine was dark black at 18k miles lol.

Civicnoobie

Wow you went 148miles on 1 ATF change? Im surised yours isnt black. I change mine every year as well as the ext OEM filter but because i just changed mine after just 4 months and noticed a noticably darker ATF than new I might do it every 6 months and the filter every year.

Simcoewaters

Is the filter your referring to for transmission fluid? If so is it easy to access? Rock auto does not list a ATF filter for the 2003 Honda civic 1.7L.

NDNV

The ATF filter is inside and not serviceable unless you tear it down. Just do a simple drain and fill of Honda DW-1 ATF every third engine oil change to keep ATF fresh. No power flushing ever.