I have a 97 3.0 with 58,000 miles on it and want to get the transmission fluid changed. Do i have to take it to the dealership to get that changed or can i take it to a good mechanic to change it so i can save some money?

 

I'm in the exact same situation. I hope somebody answers this....

 

just get some B&M Trick Shift...... quicker response, and some of the 3.0 people say that they chirp on the 1-2 shift.

 

I too am in this situation; and although i thank you for the product recommendation; i'm sure to use that it would be smart idea to have the tranny fluid changed; as a result like he asked; can we take it to a good mechanic? Or should this only be trusted with the dealer?

 

you can just take it to a gas stationa nd have them flush the tranny fluid out, and replace it with the one you bought.

check the manual for the specs on how much you need.

 

So should we take this to mean that changing it yourself would be more difficult than say, changing our own oil?

 

i have no idea where it is on the 3.0's. i would take it to a gas station or jiffy lube just to be sure.

 

changing the fluid is EASIER than changing the oil.


i use trick shift.....it causes the tranny to act funny when cold......


i suggest honda fluid

 

I just took mine to the dealer. So much easier!

 

it's just like changing oil. a bolt under the car and a little thingy that says transmission fluid in ur engine bay. just don't get mixed up with oil and tranny fluid.

 

I dont know what to say i brought my car to my mechanic who is very good and i got it back today. unfortunetly i dont know if it was a good idea. i didnt even make it home my tranny is shot. I need to know if i can get a new 5 speed auto for my car

 

how does it act funny??? so u wouldnt use it again??? what are the noticeable differences bad and good??

 

Don't take it to a general mechanic!!!! They won't use Genuine Honda ATF. If you do a search on on this topic you will find many post about tranny fluid, especially in Car Talk. Mobil1, Dexron< etc... all advise against using their transmission fluid. They said transmissions vary vastly and each car maker has their own special formula that works best. Some car makers transmission fluid can be inter-changed, but not Honda's. I started a thread not too long ago about this subject, and someone posted the diagrams from the manual on how to change the tranny fluid on the 3.0. I would just take it to a dealer to get it changed, you don't necessarily need a flushing of the transmission. There has always been a debate about flushing vs. just changing. When you change the fluid it only takes out about half of the fluid in the system. Flushing cost a lot more but removes all fluid. The risk in flushing is that the particles in the fluid being flushed out may clog the valves, also if the seals are weak than guess what.

Just take it to a dealer and tell them to change the tranny fluid. They will use Genuine Honda ATF and you will have no worries. Should cost about $30, and remember to tell them to replace the washers after the change, this will lessen your chances of a leak after the system is opened. Oh, Yea you don't have to worry about the tranny filter, there is none.