klam

The manual does not specify where the automatic transmission fluid (ATF) drain bolt is on the bottom of the car? Where is this located?

The manual only outlines the dipstick location and how to check the level. It merely recommends that I take to a dealer to change ATF...

solar

iTrader: (1)

Ther's no drain plug on automatic trannies, you have to drop the whole pan. The reason for this is because you have to change out the screen filter when you do a fluid change. If you have never changed tranny fluid before and are thinking of doing it yourself be prepared to make a mess, unless you have the correct tools and some knowledge.

You need a oversized flat tranny drain pan that will be wide enough to catch all the fluid, plus you'll have to buy a gasket/filter kit also. I'd recommend buying one from the dealer because aftermarket ones sometimes leak. Take out all the pan bolts except for 2 corner bolts(you decide which ones you want ot leave in). Then place your drain pan underneth the tranny and loosen the 2 corner bolts but don't take them out, then get a long screw driver and pop the pan loose. You'll see fluid pour out from all sides, then try to remove one bolt while you hold the pan up and slowly lower the pan more to dump out more fluid. Clean the pan out with a clean rag and replace the filter, don't use gasket sealer on the tranny gasket just put it in dry, make sure both sides are really clean (where the pan mets the tranny). Put in the recommended amount of fluid and run the car through all the gears.

I've done a ton of these in shops with lifts and tranny drain units and no matter how hard you try not to make a mess you will.

klam

But according to this previous thread, there is a drain bolt???

http://www.7thgencivic.com/forums/sh...&highlight=atf

PunkingCivic

iTrader: (3)

Here s a site: http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/

In the diagram below the drain plug is # 18, 19 & 20.
I referenced a 2001 ex 4 door / transmission housing on the site above.
Your profile didn't specify the year.
Here is a link to the diagram photo below and the parts run down.

LiKEaFeRiO

iTrader: (29)

There is a drain bolt on the automatics. Im sorry I dont remember which one it is.
When I changed my fluid with Mobil ATF I searched and searched and searched...what I remember is that auto trannies don't have filters like the manuals do. So what solar said is probably wrong, for our cars anyway. Changing your tranny fluid is easier than an oil change, since there is no filter to be replaced.

LiKEaFeRiO

iTrader: (29)

"Hi all,

For automatic cars, the bolt have a square shape hole is the drain plug. I've changed my ATF with Mobil-One-ATF for three months (40k now). My car runs smoother than before and my car sounds better too. Our cars come with a stock magnetic drain plug for automatic and it looks really nasty when I first removed it. It has a layer of metal particle around the plug. Also, our cars don't have filter for ATF. So, I will highly recommend you to change your ATF.
*Note: Your need about 3 qts ATF.

ekwc "

Did you miss this when you were searching? =)

solar

iTrader: (1)

Are you sure your not thinking of a manual tranny drain plug? Because manual trannies have them but its very rare that the Automatic has a drain plug so I guess I might be wrong, but ALL, AND I SAY ALL Automatic trannies have a screen filter, that I know for a fact.

ohmysac

iTrader: (5)

yep confirmed our auto trannies do in fact have a drain plug...its in the service manual

klam

Ok, today as I was flushing my radiator I took a look for the AT fluid drain bolt. I found it, I think it's the only one with a square hole engagement. It is very close to the lower control arm of the right-front wheel suspension.

In the diagram above, #19 is the AT dip stick right?

My next question, where do I fill the ATF? Do I just pour it into the dip stick hole? Because it's waaaay down in the engine bay and I'll either have to find a really long funnel or find another way to get it down there because it's not easily accessible.

ohmysac

iTrader: (5)

yep...sposed to use the dipstick hole...and yep...a really long funnel

sham01ski

those are all definitely correct and be careful pouring into that really long funnel, best bet is a two man job.. have one person watch the actual whole/funnel junction to make sure no overflow and subsequent mess occur, pour slowly...

ohmysac

iTrader: (5)

just an FYI some of you may find useful...the service manual lists 2.9 qts as the amount you'll need for a fluid change...and you're supposed to use Honda AFT-Z1

BlueFlame

Nice, I'll take this info to heart and probably change my tranny fluid sometime in the next couple days and post a DIY

Thanks guys

Oh, one other thing .. what are we supposed to do about the screen filter, or is it ok to just leave it alone??

jiggerachi

iTrader: (4)

Sorry stupid question but, how often should you change your tranny fluid??

Everytime I take it to the dealer, they keep peddling their $200 tune up thing, all I can tell is like spark plugs, trany fluid, & check evrything out & I cant afford that right now.

Chrisman8995

iTrader: (1)

just take it to a shop and get them to do a trans. flush, you shouldn't need it until 60000 miles though

BlueFlame

Well, Honda reccomends a tranny flush every 15K miles for an automatic and every 30K miles for a 5-speed

I have the sheet that tells what all they do depending on what mileage check-up you're going in for ...

jiggerachi

iTrader: (4)

I have like 19k, thtey keep pushing for it but I can do most of it myself like sparkplugs & stuff.

BlueFlame

Ok so there IS a drain plug, I just can't find it. Where the hell is it??

EManEX

15K miles for an ATF Change I have over 73K with out one. I always thougth it was till 75K. Thats how I done it in my last 2 cars and thas how my father did it with his cars. I never had problems with them a my last car had over 200K in it.

Hefe

iTrader: (1)

i thought it said to change it at 60K..??

EManEX

I a question:

Is it worth it to pay $100 to have a shop change the AT Oil? I was told that if I do it my self not all the oil will come out and at a shop they will hook it up to a machine that will completly flush it out and put syntetic oil.

BlueFlame

Well according to the owners manual, to do a tranny flush you drain the tranny fluid and add new, then drive a little bit shifting through the gears, drain and add, drive, drain and add, drive, drain and add and you're done. Supposedly you drain it 3 times. I dunno if you use the same tranny fluid each time or if you need to use like 12 quarts - that's expensive.

What I'm talking about though is just changing the fluid. Drain the old, add in the new. I might do it today though and take pics, I think I found the drain bolt. It's just inside the passenger side front wheel. I dunno, if I'm right I'll take pics and post a DIY ...

EManEX

12 qts at $7.30 (USD) each thats $87.60 (USD) I should just take it to the shop and pay $100.

BlueFlame

$7.30? Geez I got Valvoline Dechron III (Supposedly the best ) for like $4 a quart I think. That's only $50 ...

Edit: You must be referring to the ATF-Z1 straight from Honda. Is it me or does Honda screw people over on theeir OEM prices???

arriola1019

Planning on doing my auto trans service as well some of you said mobile one atf and some say gonda atf does mobile one work just as well??

MarkM01

Go to the Honda dealer and get the right Z-fluid. It's not worth the risk!

bluehonda1

Just went to the dealer and bought 3 quartz. came up to 21 bucks