How Often Should Honda Transmission Fluid Be Changed?
When you think of changing your vehicle’s fluids what comes to mind? We bet you’re thinking about your oil, windshield washer fluid, coolant, and maybe even the brake fluid. While changing these fluids is important, you also need to add transmission fluid to your list. Transmission fluid lasts longer than most fluids, but you will have to change it a few times throughout the lifespan of your Honda. Learn more about how often Honda transmission fluid should be changed.
When Honda Transmission Fluid Should Be Changed
Most Honda vehicles, like the Honda Civic or Honda Accord, need to have their transmission fluid checked every 50,000 miles. If you notice discoloration or other issues, you’ll have to change the transmission fluid. That said, if you’re driving a Honda CR-V to work in a stable climate, you shouldn’t have to change your transmission fluid for at least 100,000 miles. Driving in poor weather or road conditions can reduce the lifespan of transmission fluid, as well as how you drive. For example, if you’re engaging in high-RPM driving in your Honda Civic SI, you might have to change the fluid every 15,000 to 25,000 miles. Now, what about electric Hondas, like the all-new electrified Honda Prologue? In these cases, you can say goodbye to oil changes, but EVs still have a forward and reverse gear that requires transmission fluid to operate smoothly. Therefore, expect to change the fluids every 50,000 to 100,000 like other Honda vehicles. Manual transmissions may also need to have their transmission fluid changed or topped off. Check your owner’s manual for more information because this is vehicle-specific. Not many Honda models are manual, but some Honda Civic models have come with a manual transmission in the past.Signs You Need to Change Your Honda Transmission Fluid
We know we covered a rough estimate for when you should change your Honda transmission fluid, but that’s not helpful if you don’t know the signs. Warning signs that it’s time to change your transmission fluid include:- A burning smell
- Trouble shifting
- Gears are slipping
- You’re leaking transmission fluid
- You hear a grinding noise when shifting
- The transmission fluid has turned dark red, brown, or black
How to Check Your Honda’s Transmission Fluid
Honda makes it easy to check your transmission fluid. You can do so by following the steps below.- Warm up the engine for 10-20 minutes.
- Check the owner’s manual to find the dipstick location for the transmission fluid.
- Remove the dipstick and remove some from the stick with your finger. If it’s not clear or pink, or it resembles sludge, it’s time for new fluid.
- Check the fluid level on the dipstick to make sure you have enough fluids.
- Use a funnel to add more transmission fluid as needed.
