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Had my A17 service done at the dealership the other day (40,000 miles). Of course when I left, they had a list of recommended service items, one of which was a transmission flush. The quoted cost is $275.00.

Number one, that sounds insanely expensive. I like to use this dealer for service because it's uber convenient, but I feel like I'm getting taken here.

Number two, does Honda even recommend transmission flushes? I've seen forum posts mentioning just draining and refilling.

 
Rep Power: 224

40k miles sounds about right for transmission fluid change, $275 seems a bit steep. Don't know what year/trim you have but the 2016+ with the CVT only gets a drain and fill. The fluid is pretty pricey though, if I'm remembering correctly ~$15 a quart and you need four.

 
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2017 EX-T, so you are correct.

 
Rep Power: 308

Hondas idea of a "flush" is multiple drain & fills.

At 40k this should not be needed..... just an OEM fluid change & drive on.

Strange that a Honda dealer would recommend a flush though....

 
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Just got off the phone with the dealer. I specifically asked him if Honda recommends flushing the CVT, and he said "well, a lot of people just drain and fill." It seems to me they're just trying to sock me for money. Shocking.

 
Rep Power: 224

On a regular automatic trans the torque converter holds fluid so when a drain and fill is done only about half the total amount of fluid is replaced. A couple more drain and fills are then done to get the fluid as new as possible. My understanding is with a CVT all the trans fluid is drained at once because there is no torque converter. So a simply drain and fill is sufficient.

 
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Interesting, since when I asked the dealer to describe the flush, he specifically mentioned cleaning the torque converter. More evidence that a) they don't know what they're talking about, or b) they want to do the flush because it's profitable. I called another dealer and they quoted me a drain and fill straightaway. $100. Sold.

 
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What about the transmission filters? When do they need to be changed and where are they located?

 
Rep Power: 222

You have to pull the trans apart to get it, good luck with that

 
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You are mistaken the transmission filter is located under the transmission in the transmission oil pan. Once you remove the pan it is easy to get to. My question is how often does it need to be replaced and if you remove the pan does it require the same amount of fluid if you remove the pan as opposed to a drain and fill?

 
Rep Power: 222

Well that's new, for years they never had an accessible pan. I would change it at 160k kms.
probably need about 3 qts of fluid

 
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Hello everyone. I wonder if any of the dealerships ever changed the Transmission filter on my car. I did see on YouTube that it isn't that hard to get to. It's just below the air filter but takes some tools to get to it. I have almost 150K miles on my 2011 Civic and wondering if can get away with a Drain and Fill rather than a Flush. The book didn't say anything about a Flush so just wanted to check with everyone here. Thank you.

 
Rep Power: 126

You don’t flush transmissions. That runs the risk of knocking things loose and doing more harm than good. Drain and fill only.

 
Rep Power: 0

Thank you so much!