Best way to get access to ATF drain plug

bugeyes · 10-13-2009, 08:14 AM

I was trying to change the ATF myself but found it is so difficult to get access to the drain plug, what is the correct way to get to it? thanks. It is '06 AT transmission.

NTSX · 10-13-2009, 08:48 AM

Go to a dealershipp ..it's not that pricey... i work @ a honda dealership....=P

Pacemaker_Guy · 10-13-2009, 02:32 PM

1/4 socket is all you need. Their is a panel on the bottom you take off (the larger plastic undertray). Someone made a DIY a while ago this year about doing it. It's super easy but remember to use Acura ATF nothing else.

saveth · 10-13-2009, 02:36 PM

You mean 3/8's

the only tools I used was a 10mm socket, a flat head screw driver,3/8's rachet and maybe a Phillips screwdriver.

Pacemaker_Guy · 10-14-2009, 12:22 AM

yes, sorry 3/8 is correct

bugeyes · 10-14-2009, 08:30 AM

NTSX, my dealer wants $200 for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

endlesswinterco · 10-14-2009, 12:39 PM

i payed $140 about a month and half ago at my stealer. didn't feel like doing it myself. i guess you gotta pay to be lazy! haha

KBH · 10-14-2009, 01:43 PM

It's helpful to jack up the car for the first drain since you need to remove or at least bend back the splash shield to get access to the drain bolt. That bolt is also on pretty tight from the factory so you need the room to get enough leverage on it. You can do the subsequent drains with the car on the ground. You can go for Honda brand Z1 ATF. It might be a few quarters cheaper than the Acura parts counter. you need to do 4x drain/fill to change >90% of the fluid. Consider changing your ATF filter as well

TPhong · 10-14-2009, 05:07 PM

How many quarts of Honda Z1 ATF will I need to fill it back up?

KBH · 10-14-2009, 08:51 PM

Each drain will be about 3 quarts so buy a case of 12 bottles to do it well. See this thread

How to change your Acura TSX Automatic Transmission Fluid

HNDFRK · 10-14-2009, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bugeyes

NTSX, my dealer wants $200 for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is probably an AT Flush which Honda does not recommend on their transmissions.

The actual recommended process consists of changing the fluid a couple of times (~3) and driving the car in a predetermined way in order to recycle most of the tranny fluid, this should be done at aprox. 60K miles.

Now some dealers just do a single drain and refill at 15k intervals, this seems to work fine in my car. My dealer only charges $35 for the drain and refill.

bunta · 10-15-2009, 01:08 AM

I did the tranny fluid swap today. Yea, you gotta take the entire cover off. I broke a few of the clips while taking it out, the clips are 3 dollars a pop at the dealership. The drain bolt is a pain to take out, take alot of force. The picture below shows the location of the drain bolt.

newapocalypse · 10-15-2009, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KBH

Each drain will be about 3 quarts so buy a case of 12 bottles to do it well. See this thread

How to change your Acura TSX Automatic Transmission Fluid

Yay me on making that DIY :-)!!!
Don't feel bad took me years to find the drain plug too....
edit: You definitely only need 5 quarts tops to do your first flush. You have to remember not all of the atf comes out when you do the flush... and Acura ATf and Honda ATF-z1 = same thing so go nuts...

Racecarbox616 · 10-16-2009, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bunta

Where do you have that jack stand supporting the car at?

bunta · 10-16-2009, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racecarbox616

Where do you have that jack stand supporting the car at?

By the way, that's not my car. Looks like the person placed the jackstand on the suspension. I place the jack stands on the flange along the side of the car.