I did a full 3x3 fluid change on my 04 today and planned on changing the filter, but it appears someone tried doing the filter before and completely rounded one of the 10mm bolts for the filter cover. I tried using vice grips and couldn't get it to budge. The only way I can think of to try anything else like welding a wrench on the bolt or drilling the head is to drop the trans. Is it pretty crucial to change these filters? I know the 07-08 does not have a filter you can change

 

You should be fine. Although there is a filter that can be changed I do not believe it is part of any Acura maintenence schedule to do so.

 

You can remove the entire warmer + filter housing all together but you need to disconnect the 2 coolant lines on top of the hard line.

 

Cant you change the 07-08 filter by removing the oil pan?

Ive read the filters are easier to change on the 04-08 models because they are external.