I want to change the tranny fluid on my 02 tl-p tomorrow, but I was wondering, when checking the fluid level after refill, is the car supposed to be in neutral, or park? or does it even matter? also, I was planning on adding some lucas oil trans fluid stabilizer. if anyone is for or against that, please feel free to chime in. don't see how it could hurt?

 

Honda fluid only. I measure what comes out and then put the exact same amount back in. It's usually about 3 qts. (a little less) To check the fluid=Tranny in Park/tranny warm/level ground. Check the level before changing and replace with the exact amount that comes out. Then check again.

 

I did this on my '99 (4 speed) last Friday. I drained into a clean pan, poured into an empty gallon milk jug, which then exactly filled 3 empty oil bottles. I used Honda fluid.

Some tips;

1. Make sure you can remove the fill bolt before draining the tranny. Major bummer if you drain then end up having to fill through the dipstick tube. I had to use my impact wrench to get the bolt out.

2. In order to get enough leverage to remove the drain bolt, I had to have the car on ramps. Once loose, I backed down onto a level surface before draining. No problem getting the bolt back in when the car was on the ground. Note: My car is lowered about 3/4" in the front.

3. A tranny funnel, with a long snout, will make refilling much easier. I didn't have one (I do now) and I couldn't get the quart bottle very close to the short funnel I put in the fill hole. If you don't have a tranny funnel, aim carefully.

4. The oil spurts out just like it does when you drain the engine oil, except the tranny oil goes to the side (drivers). Place your drain pan accordingly.

 

^ Good advice right there.

 

...and make sure engine is not running when checking the fluid level. If you can't get the filler bolt off, filling through the dipstick tube is alternatively okay, you just have to do it slowly. Either way works, and whatever works for you.

 

As far as I was able to see, long extension or more then one extension (one into the other), 17mm socket and the breaker bar for the fill bolt should do the job easily.
Also, you can make a funnel (long enough) from the paper (that better quality paper, not newspaper paper) using paper from flyers for example, and simply discard it after you are done.
Also, to do it as per manual, you have to replace both washers, on fill and drain bolts (these can be bought in the Honda stealership for 2002 Honda Accord V6 for example should match; this should be cheaper option then Acura stealership).

 

Didn't for me. YMMV.

Good idea. $3.00 for a tranny funnel for the next time wasn't too bad.

I reused the washers. No leaks.