Rep Power: 0

My 2008 Civic DX has very low mileage, under 35000 km to be sure. However, the automatic transmisssion fluid is still the original.

Any views on whether one should change this fluid more frequently, as in every two years or so? Also, I presume the fluid change includes pan removal, new filter, etc. Would that be the usual service rather than just drain and replace fluid?

Thanks!

 
Rep Power: 518

The maintenance minder system.....I can't tell you when it would want you to change the trans fluid.

At work we recommend trans fluid service every 30,000 miles. (What's that, about 50k km to you?)
I do my own more frequently than that.

It's a simple drain and fill. About 2.5-3 quarts. It's almost easier than an oil change.

There is no pan to drop. There is an inline filter mounted on the back of the trans case, but we (where I work) don't replace that with routine fluid services. Some people do replace it though.

HTH

 
Rep Power: 307

Get it done due to age, the MM will be pretty much useless with low mileage use.... and even with normal use waits until almost 60k.

Much too long for me.

 
Rep Power: 142

Change mine at 25K miles, measured amount removed and replaced with Honda ATF. In the volume range noted. Didn't know about the inline filter will have to check my car for this. ATF is cheap trannys aren't.

 
Rep Power: 0

I dropped into my Honda dealer last week and asked the service people about changing the automatic transmission fluid on my 2008 Civic with 35,000km. The service rep pointed out a chart they use, which states that the fluid should be serviced between 35,000km and 100,000km - and no need to change it every two years! With my low mileage, he recommended not doing anything at this time, even though nothing has been done to it for about 7 years.

So, I guess I'll leave it as it is for now. I'll continue to check the fluid level, and montior the smell of the fluid to try to detect any problems which might be forming.

 
Rep Power: 307

OK, go with that then.........is your brake fluid that old as well ??

It's a drain and fill, cheap insurance to me.

 
Rep Power: 518

One guy I work with picked up an Accord of the 98-02 variety a few years ago. Well known for trans disasters.

He changes trans fluid every time it goes up on a hoist.

 
Rep Power: 142

The reason I change my fluid every 25K miles is that just draining and replacing the fluid doesn't get most of the fluid that is in the torque converter which doesn't seem to have an external access window and drain plug, like some older vehicles I've worked on.

 
Rep Power: 518

RWD Fords were the last ones I remember dealing with that had a converter drain plug.
TCC shudder? A case of Mercon-V and a filter would fix it for a long time. Reusable pan gasket FTW