Hi,
I recently got a 2000 Honda Accord LX. It has around 90K miles in it. The transmission fluid looks a bit dark and so I decided to get it changed. I do not know complete maintenance history for this car. As far as the automatic transmission goes, it is not very smooth while accelerating. I dont feel any jerk while speeding or anything. However, I can feel the shift in gear while accelerating. Local dealer told me that I should flush the tranny and put the new fluid in. So, if there is any dirt, it will go off almost completely. However, I saw some websites where Honda owners said they had major transmission problem after power flushing the tranny. Many recomment draining the fluid few times in order to get any dirt out.

I am a bit confused and not sure whats the best thing to do. Can anyone please give me some idea?

-Sam

 

everyone here has told me NOT to flush, just drain and fill, 3 times should be more than sufficient, drive around a few days in between. That's what I'm doing.
90 Accord LX 4 door auto trans 135,000 miles

 

Power flushing seems to be bad for them.

The torque converter doesn't drain, so you only get about 1/3 of the fluid out. Drive around to mix it up, then drain/fill again. If it's nasty dirty, it may take more than 3 times before it's clean. Just gotta look at the stuff that drains out & use your judgement.

Use real Honda ATF from the dealer. It seems to make a difference.

 

NEVER flush the tranny on the Accord. Only have a fluid CHANGE and only use Honda Tranny fluid.

 

Isn't the dexron 3 atf they use at jiffy lube the same as Honda ATF?

 

NO!! It is not the same. I think Honda charges somewhere in the neighborhood of $100 for all the fluid and labor to do a 3X Drain and Refill. Some dealers call it a flush although it is not, hopefully. Ask forst just to be sure, I've seen weirder things happen at Dealers.

 

No, the fluids are NOT the same. Like a lot of things in life, just because something has the same name or title on it as something else doesn't mean it's the same. Search the forum, ask anyone on here, or ask your dealer(s) and they will tell you the same. With few exceptions, Honda fluids are best for Honda cars, at least in stock form.

And no, a flush is NOT the same thing as a change. A dealer should be telling you that you do not want a flush but only a change. There is a difference and you do not ever want to flush your tranny. You could potentially jack it all up by doing so...

 

I was about to panic, but I checked the service manual from Honda, and for th 1990 they specify Dexron or Dexron 2 for the automatic transmission. Could the Honda brand exclusively be necessary for newer models? Again, thanks for the advice!
Jaime

 

the newer ones (98+?) need honda brand.... the older honda didnt.

btw... most dealers call it a flush (even though its just a 3x drain and refill)

 

USE ONLY HONDA ATF FLUID.
I dont know why you looked into a 1990 accord when YOU have a 2000.
If you read the manual it clearly states to ONLY use honda brand ATF.
Dextron would suffice as a temporarly solution but you must change that to ATF.