How to Change the Transmission Oil in a Honda Accord

You should change the transmission fluid in your Honda Accord according to the recommendations in your owner's manual. The transmission filter should be changed at the same time that you change the fluid. In addition, to changing the fluid and the filter, you will need clean the magnets inside the transmission that grab most of the metal scrapings that occur in the transmission to keep them in proper working order.

Things You'll Need

• Floor jack
• 2 jack stands
• Drain pan
• Ratchet set
• Replacement transmission filter
• Torque wrench
• Funnel
• Transmission fluid
• Owner's manual

Instructions

1. Start the engine of the Honda Accord and allow the engine to the run for five minutes to warm the transmission fluid. Raise the front end of the car one side at a time using the floor jack and rest the front end on a pair of jack stands.

2. Slide under the Accord on your back and bring the drain pan with you. As you're looking up at the bottom of the transmission, position the drain pan under the square metal plate in the center of the transmission. The plate has bolts around the entire edge and is in plain sight.

3. Remove the bolts from around the edge of the plate using the ratchet set. As you remove the bolts, transmission fluid will start to drain. Allow the fluid to drain and then remove all of the bolts and completely remove the plate from the bottom of the transmission.

4. Reach into the transmission and twist the filter off the fluid pump using your hand. Replace the filter with the new filter and twist the new filter until it is snug and secured to the transmission. Remove the four magnets from inside the transmission as well. The magnets will be located on each side of the transmission wall.

5. Clean all four magnets using the transmission magnet cleaner and replace the magnets to the inside of the transmission in the same spot from which you removed them. Replace the plate to the bottom of the transmission and replace the bolts to the plate. Tighten the bolts to 80 ft-lbs. or higher, depending on your model's specifications, using the torque wrench.

6. Remove the drain pan from under the transmission and get out from under the Accord. Using the jack, raise the front end and remove the jack stands one at a time. Lower the front end to the ground. Open the hood and remove the red dipstick from the engine. Insert the funnel into the hole where the dipstick was. Pour the recommended type and amount of transmission fluid into the funnel. Remove the funnel, replace the dipstick and close the hood.

Tips & Warnings

• The type and amount of transmission fluid must be specific for your Honda Accord model. This information will be inside the owner's manual.

References

• "Honda Accord 1998 thru 2002: All Models (Haynes Repair Manual)"; Jay Storer; 2005
• "Honda Accord Automotive Repair Manual 1994 Thru 1997 (Haynes Repair Manual); Jay Storer and John H. Haynes; 1999