Automatic Transmission Fluid for 2005 Honda Civic

[AlwaysLearningToSave]

I'm getting on the bandwagon of doing my own car maintenance.  Next project is replacing the transmission fluid on my wife's 2005 Honda Civic, which is approaching 130,000 miles.  I have a few questions you car gurus might be able to answer for me.

1)  This strikes me as a situation where it is worthwhile to use genuine Honda fluid.  How do I get my hands on that?  Or is there another brand that will suffice? 

2)  If I replace the fluid myself, shouldn't I also replace the transmission fluid filter?  Or is the filter more of a lifetime unit?  If I change it, how do I get my hands on that part?

3)  Am I crazy for thinking this is a DIY job for a fairly-handy-but-new-to-car-maintenance guy? 

4)  Any tips or tricks? 

[Uturn]

1.  If there is Honda trans fluid, the dealer would have it.  I would do some Civic forum research and see what the gurus are using.

2.  Always replace the filter.  Any auto parts store should have it.  If it is a dealer only item, they will tell you.

3.  It's not outside of beginner capabilities, but it is a messy job, unless you are lucky enough that a 2005 Civic has a transmission drain plug.  You would be surprised at how many transmissions don't.  If there is no plug, you carefully remove the drain pan and hope that you get most of the fluid in your bucket.  Read the shop manual on the proper way to refill after draining.  Some transmissions want you to put in some fluid, run the car, put in more fluid, check and repeat until full.  Others, you just dump in the fluid until full. 

4.  old cotton clothing make great shop rags.  Synthetics not so much, they don't absorb enough.  Don't over tighten the bolts holding the pan on, if you do it can leak.  It's the gasket's job to create a seal, not the bolts.  A little gasket sealer goes a long way. 

[Spork]

Warning: I don't know Hondas.

Many auto transmissions don't have a proper "filter".  They just have a mesh screen the fluid passes through.  IMO, it isn't worth the time/trouble to replace the screen if that is what you have.  (But check... you might actually have a proper filter.)  Sometimes models will sell a cheap after market inline filter and call it "the filter."

Dropping the pan can be a nasty messy job, especially if it doesn't have a drain plug.  If you drop the pan, you may also need a new pan gasket.  Some are metal/reusable.  Some are not.  Be careful torquing the pan bolts back on.  Use a torque wrench.  Some of those are very soft aluminum an it can be easy to over tighten (which will give you a nice leak).

[zolotiyeruki]

I recently changed the transmission fluid on our '06 odyssey.  Same company, different trans.  I believe Honda in the mid 2000's transitioned to transmissions with "lifetime" filters. What that means in reality is "if the car lasts XXX,000 miles, we'll make sure it doesn't last any longer."  On some vehicles, you can still access the filter fairly easily.  On others, you actually have to remove the transmission (the access to the filter is through the side that bolts up against the engine).

For my Honda, the proper procedure was to drain the transmission, add 3 quarts, drive around a bit, then do the same thing two more times.  A bit of a pain, so I just waited a few weeks (or a couple months) between iterations.  I got my Honda fluid via Amazon--that was the cheapest source.  You can also get it from the dealer.

If you've changed the oil on your car, and your transmission has a drain plug, then changing the transmission fluid is no more difficult than changing the oil.

[AlwaysLearningToSave]

I recently changed the transmission fluid on our '06 odyssey.  Same company, different trans.  I believe Honda in the mid 2000's transitioned to transmissions with "lifetime" filters. What that means in reality is "if the car lasts XXX,000 miles, we'll make sure it doesn't last any longer."  On some vehicles, you can still access the filter fairly easily.  On others, you actually have to remove the transmission (the access to the filter is through the side that bolts up against the engine).

For my Honda, the proper procedure was to drain the transmission, add 3 quarts, drive around a bit, then do the same thing two more times.  A bit of a pain, so I just waited a few weeks (or a couple months) between iterations.  I got my Honda fluid via Amazon--that was the cheapest source.  You can also get it from the dealer.

If you've changed the oil on your car, and your transmission has a drain plug, then changing the transmission fluid is no more difficult than changing the oil.

Thanks.  This was helpful.  I seemed to be gathering that it was not possible to change the filter.  Seems like a stupid design but, like you say, it helps ensure there will be a market for new Hondas in the future so I understand why they do it that way... wouldn't want to build a car to too well!

[zolotiyeruki]

I recently changed the transmission fluid on our '06 odyssey.  Same company, different trans.  I believe Honda in the mid 2000's transitioned to transmissions with "lifetime" filters. What that means in reality is "if the car lasts XXX,000 miles, we'll make sure it doesn't last any longer."  On some vehicles, you can still access the filter fairly easily.  On others, you actually have to remove the transmission (the access to the filter is through the side that bolts up against the engine).

For my Honda, the proper procedure was to drain the transmission, add 3 quarts, drive around a bit, then do the same thing two more times.  A bit of a pain, so I just waited a few weeks (or a couple months) between iterations.  I got my Honda fluid via Amazon--that was the cheapest source.  You can also get it from the dealer.

If you've changed the oil on your car, and your transmission has a drain plug, then changing the transmission fluid is no more difficult than changing the oil.

Thanks.  This was helpful.  I seemed to be gathering that it was not possible to change the filter.  Seems like a stupid design but, like you say, it helps ensure there will be a market for new Hondas in the future so I understand why they do it that way... wouldn't want to build a car to too well!

Back when I was researching it, there were lots of Honda owners who were installing their own inline Purolator filters in the fluid line to the cooler.  Without knowing the details of how fluid is routed through the transmission and cooler, I'm not convinced that it would actually help--if the fluid gets pumped through the filter, then passes through the cooler, then an additional filter wouldn't help, but if its path is transmission->cooler->filter, then an inline filter would indeed extend the life of the transmission.

[guitar_stitch]

Try getting the fluid on Amazon.  I find most of my OEM/Dealer parts there for 50% of what the local dealer wants.  Do not substitute fluids.  The Honda transmissions are great, when run with the right additive packages found in HONDA fluids.

There is unlikely to be a filter in your transmission.  The design is such that the magnet in the drain plug will catch metal shavings and the clutch materials will settle at the bottom of the transaxle case.

200,000 miles on my Honda, many of which were towing a trailer in NE Florida at highway speeds as well as a fair bit of stop-n-go traffic and I have no problems.  I have followed the Honda service schedule to the letter.

Don't forget to pick up a new crush washer for the drain plug.  I'm pretty sure your Civic doesn't have a pan.

[AlwaysLearningToSave]

I just replaced the fluid last night.  At least $100 saved for a procedure that is nearly as simple as changing the oil.  The hardest parts were breaking the drain plug free and wedging the long funnel in just right to go in the hole. 

I bought fluid at the local Honda dealership and was pleased with their price and parts sales department.  Felt no pressure to use the dealer's service center that you so often experience. 

Thanks for the advice folks!

[Uturn]

I'm glad to hear it worked out for you.  Imagine doing it with no drain plug.  I have no idea why it took the manufacturers so long to figure that out.