Introduction: Changing the Automatic Transmission Fluid in a Honda Accord (6th Gen)

By www.angelfire.com/anime/garoob/
About: @garooob

This is not a full Instructable. It is simply some notes on how to do this.

This assumes that you can and already do basic maintenance on your own, especially changing the oil.

I created this because while there are written instructions on changing Accord transmission fluid, I never found any pictures. In fact, the Haynes manual doesn't have these pictures!

Step 1: Locating the Drain Plug

This photo shows the location of the automatic transmission fluid drain plug on a 2001 Honda Accord.

Looking from the side, the plug is almost directly behind the passenger-side front wheel.

To remove the plug, you need a 3/8 drive socket wrench. *It does not take a socket, you must stick the 3/8 drive directly into the plug!*

Step 2: Draining the Fluid

Almost like changing oil.

Draining the transmission fluid is best done on a level surface, so either:
1. Put jack stands under all four corners of the car
or
2. Use no jack stands and leave the car on the ground.

When draining on a level surface, 2.6 quarts of transmission fluid will come out. This is 1/2 of the total transmission fluid so yes, you are only changing half of it. If you drain it on an angle (that is, the front end is on jack stands, but the rear is not), you will drain more than the 2.6 quarts, but I don't know how much will come out. Therefore, unless you measure it, you will not know how much to put back in!

Step 3: Locating the Transmission Dip Stick and Refilling

The transmission fluid dip stick doubles as the refill point. The loop handle is yellow. These pictures show its location in the engine bay. Using a long funnel, add 2.6 quarts of Honda ATF-Z1 transmission fluid.

Step 4: Other Notes

As mentioned before, this procedure will allow you to change 2.6 quarts of automatic transmission fluid.

The transmission fluid filter is inside the pan and requires a pan-off procedure to change. I'm not even going to bother with that. I'll let a pro handle it.

Use only Honda ATF-Z1 automatic transmission fluid! This can be purchased at any Honda dealer for about $7-9/quart or online. Check ebay for 12-quart cases.

These instructions MIGHT be transferable to other Honda vehicles with automatic transmissions. Check your owner's manual for how much fluid to drain and replace.