Hello,

Having just bought an 02 Accord ES/SE with an automatic and 96K miles, I want to do everything possible to keep the transmission running well for at least another 100K miles. The 01 Accord transmission was starting to fail, plus it got totalled last week and I don't want to have another tranny failure looming.

With that in mind, 2 questions are looming:
1. I used to let up the gas a bit at each gear change to "smooth out" the transition from, say, 1st to 2nd, 2nd to 3rd, etc. But is that really necessary, and could I be putting more stress on the transmission by driving that way?

2. Is it possible to change the transmission fluid myself? I searched this forum already and found lots of entries for other-year accords and apologize if I'm asking a duplicate question; if I can do it, any idea on what's best to use, and how many quarts? The engine is the 2.3L if that helps.

Thanks,
thefourthwall

Simple job:

. Warm engine to normal operating temperature.

. Remove dipstick and drain plug, allowing ATF to drain into a pan. There's no filter to worry about.

. Replace drain plug, fill with Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF (likely around 3 quarts), and replace dipstick.

. Start engine and move the gear selector through each gear, pausing 5 seconds in each gear.

. Test drive car, allowing it to reach normal operating temperature. Check final ATF level with engine running and in Park.

My advice is to only use full-synthetic ATF. Change fluid every 24 months or 24,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Simple job:

. Warm engine to normal operating temperature.

. Remove dipstick and drain plug, allowing ATF to drain into a pan. There's no filter to worry about.

. Replace drain plug, fill with Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF (likely around 3 quarts), and replace dipstick.


Thank you for your suggestions; as soon as the ice & snow clear (this isn't TX :-) ), I will do this.

Does this empty out the torque converter too?

Thanks,
thefourthwall

No. However, if you do this every 24 months or 24,000 miles, you don't need to worry about it. If you want to do the best job possible, follow this procedure:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-trucks/faq-how-troubleshoot-repair-maintain-hondas-selected-other-vehicles-46563-5.html#post552241

Simple job:
... Remove dipstick and drain plug, allowing ATF to drain into a pan. There's no filter to worry about.

. Replace drain plug, fill with Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF (likely around 3 quarts), and replace dipstick...
Thank you. Does this process empty out the torque converter too, do you know?

No. However, if you do this every 24 months or 24,000 miles, you don't need to worry about it. If you want to do the best job possible, follow this procedure:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-trucks/faq-how-troubleshoot-repair-maintain-hondas-selected-other-vehicles-46563-5.html#post552241Thank you. You have helped immensely.