2007 Transmission Fluid Complete Flush and Refill every 30,000 miles?

[garywi]

I have been getting my transmission serviced every 30K at the dealer. I went to a new dealer today and they said Honda recommends a complete flush of the transmission fluid every 30K, not just dropping the pan and refilling. I felt scammed and left that dealer. Can't find anything in writting to get the facts on this...

[Blue12EXL]

I don't think Honda recommends a flush. The first dealer was doing what is needed. A drain and fill every 30K with Honda fluid is good. You could do this yourself and save some money. Easy to do , just take out the drain bolt and replace 3 to 3.5 quarts of Honda fluid. Some people do this even more often but in my experience 30K has worked well for my old Accord with 195,000 miles.

[dernp]

^^^^ +1. No question the new dealer was trying to improve his annual service quotas. Although it wouldn't hurt anything other than your wallet. A simple drain and refill every 30k mi is more than adequate. I agree that it is easy to do yourself, roughly $30 in fluid and a new crush washer. There's a nice sticky on this and several youtube posts as well. And don't forget that Honda now recommends DW-1 that has replaced the Z-1. Good luck.

[jreagan]

There is a sticky thread at the top of this very forum with Honda's statement against any sort of power flush.

[ajchien]

No flush. Drain and fill.

There's not even a pan to drop. Just a drain bolt. The service advisor to the second dealership is either upselling, dumb, or uninformed.

[clydesdale]

Is there a transmission filter? I am thinking of purchasing a crv and do all of my own maintenance and repairs. I am trying to see what the common issues and maintenance hurdles will be. I stumbled on this thread and am curious. Thanks.

On edit: What kind of fluid and can it be purchased somewhere other than a honda dealership? I have driven Fords and BMWs and I can find fluids for those without going to the dealer. Will I have the same experience with HONDA?

[Blue12EXL]

Hi clydesdale, there is an inline filter on the cooler lines but it is not a normal service item. It is very much recommended to use only Honda fluid in the transmission. The normal maintenance is a drain and fill every 30K miles. It will take between 3 and 3.5 quarts of fluid. There are a number of online dealers that sell the Honda fluids at a discount.The maintenance is very easy DIY.

[Accord]

ATF change is easier than changing the oil.

[clydesdale]

Wow, that is freakin beautiful. I am used to a much more technical flush, filter and fill procedure. This is a nice suprise. Thanks.

[Accord]

Yeah, the inline filter seems to only be changed during a transmission overhaul. But some enthusiast do change them out. The filter is the same one used across the Honda board. Civics, Elopements, Accords, etc have them. No unscrewing of 50 bolts and dropping of the pan.