Honda Car Forum

Hi group,
I am very novice about car and few months back I bought a 93 Honda
CIVIC LX Sedan. Last time I took for oil change, mechanic told me to
change transmission fluid. I checked by myself using dipstick. Color
looks brown, and it is touching only the very end of the stick, what
I thought that fluid level is very low. I dont know when it is changed
last. I am having another problem what might or might not related to
this. My odometer gauge is getting stop at 0 once in a while. The
engine check light coming out after driving couple of miles each time.

Now my question to you,

1) Can you instruct me, how can I change transmission fluid by
myslef.Whats the step involved? Do I need to lift my car up to do
this? Mechanic is asking me for $90, but I am not willing to pay this,
if I can do myslef by buyin transmission fluid from store.I have a
friend who works as a mehanic, will do it for me by $40, but he never
did this. He told me if I can rely on him, he has all tools do this.
Is this risky to do from a beginer. Can this ruin my transmission.
Please advice, with steps to do this.I would appreciatey your help.

2) Can this low/dirty transmission fluid cause my odometer to
malfuntion? What is happening is, it is working for a while, then it
is getting stuck at 0. It started working again suddenly.Sometime, it
is fluctuating rapidly from 0 to the speed.Engine check light coming
out. Any idea, whats going on?? Should I take care of it ASAP.

I am not in a condition to spend extra money for fixing this car for
those cause because of my affordability.

Thanks,

Sahin wrote:

> Hi group,
> I am very novice about car and few months back I bought a 93 Honda
> CIVIC LX Sedan. Last time I took for oil change, mechanic told me to
> change transmission fluid. I checked by myself using dipstick. Color
> looks brown, and it is touching only the very end of the stick, what
> I thought that fluid level is very low. I dont know when it is changed
> last. I am having another problem what might or might not related to
> this. My odometer gauge is getting stop at 0 once in a while. The
> engine check light coming out after driving couple of miles each time.
>
> Now my question to you,
>
> 1) Can you instruct me, how can I change transmission fluid by
> myslef.Whats the step involved? Do I need to lift my car up to do
> this? Mechanic is asking me for $90, but I am not willing to pay this,
> if I can do myslef by buyin transmission fluid from store.I have a
> friend who works as a mehanic, will do it for me by $40, but he never
> did this. He told me if I can rely on him, he has all tools do this.
> Is this risky to do from a beginer. Can this ruin my transmission.
> Please advice, with steps to do this.I would appreciatey your help.

This is among the easiest things to do. You need the fluid (Honda
ATF from the dealer is preferred), a 3/8 socket wrench and or breaker
bar, a 14mm crush washer, and a funnel. The change amount should be
in your owners manual. The drain bolt will be a round head with the
3/8 square fitting. Total cost of fluid should be about $14. You
already know where the dipstick is - you fill through that hole.
Don't overfill. Once you start, put it through all gears (brakes
applied), and then recheck and add it needed. You might consider
doing it a couple of times if the fluid is really dark. The fluid
change is maybe 40% of the total capcaity. Two changes will get
most of the oil fluid out.

> 2) Can this low/dirty transmission fluid cause my odometer to
> malfuntion? What is happening is, it is working for a while, then it
> is getting stuck at 0. It started working again suddenly.Sometime, it
> is fluctuating rapidly from 0 to the speed.Engine check light coming
> out. Any idea, whats going on?? Should I take care of it ASAP.

I would guess that transmission fluid would have nothing to do with
an odometer malfunction.

> I am not in a condition to spend extra money for fixing this car for
> those cause because of my affordability.

I'm trying to decipher that one. Are you trying to say you're frugal?

Buy you the manual, go to www.helminc.com or you can find used ones on eBay.
It's very simple to do, but you need to know exactly how to do it and the
right amount of fluid you need. Buy 3 qt of ATF at your local Honda dealer
or online (hparts.com).
I'd recommend doing it 2 or 3 times in a period of a week or so each time
(this is to mix the old fluid with the new one). I think if you drain the
fluid, only 40% or so will come out (or maybe 60%?, I am not sure) so it
takes several rounds to change it all. You need ramps or jackstands. Have a
piece of cardboard to redirect the fluid to the pan, since once you remove
the plug it will splash your passenger tire.

"Sahin" <halakah_reminder@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1df4fbc4.0404111821.323cd555@posting.google.c om...
> Hi group,
> I am very novice about car and few months back I bought a 93 Honda
> CIVIC LX Sedan. Last time I took for oil change, mechanic told me to
> change transmission fluid. I checked by myself using dipstick. Color
> looks brown, and it is touching only the very end of the stick, what
> I thought that fluid level is very low. I dont know when it is changed
> last. I am having another problem what might or might not related to
> this. My odometer gauge is getting stop at 0 once in a while. The
> engine check light coming out after driving couple of miles each time.
>
> Now my question to you,
>
> 1) Can you instruct me, how can I change transmission fluid by
> myslef.Whats the step involved? Do I need to lift my car up to do
> this? Mechanic is asking me for $90, but I am not willing to pay this,
> if I can do myslef by buyin transmission fluid from store.I have a
> friend who works as a mehanic, will do it for me by $40, but he never
> did this. He told me if I can rely on him, he has all tools do this.
> Is this risky to do from a beginer. Can this ruin my transmission.
> Please advice, with steps to do this.I would appreciatey your help.
>
> 2) Can this low/dirty transmission fluid cause my odometer to
> malfuntion? What is happening is, it is working for a while, then it
> is getting stuck at 0. It started working again suddenly.Sometime, it
> is fluctuating rapidly from 0 to the speed.Engine check light coming
> out. Any idea, whats going on?? Should I take care of it ASAP.
>
> I am not in a condition to spend extra money for fixing this car for
> those cause because of my affordability.
>
> Thanks,

"Fred" <fsm2981@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:<9izec.19312$jR6.9078@fe2.texas.rr.com>...
> Buy you the manual, go to www.helminc.com or you can find used ones on eBay.
> It's very simple to do, but you need to know exactly how to do it and the
> right amount of fluid you need. Buy 3 qt of ATF at your local Honda dealer
> or online (hparts.com).

I've heard of various Hondas requiring anywhere from 1.9 to 3.5 quarts
of ATF per change.

> I'd recommend doing it 2 or 3 times in a period of a week or so each time
> (this is to mix the old fluid with the new one). I think if you drain the
> fluid, only 40% or so will come out (or maybe 60%?, I am not sure) so it
> takes several rounds to change it all. You need ramps or jackstands. Have a
> piece of cardboard to redirect the fluid to the pan, since once you remove
> the plug it will splash your passenger tire.

Unless it's been lowered, jack stands shouldn't be necessary. The drain
bolt should be near the right wheel (on the same side as the ATF dipstick).

Thanks for all of your advice. Yes it was really easy. I got it done.

Odometer/spedometer is still malfuntioning. I noticed my cruise
control used to work before, now it is not working. One mechanic told
me that, as the sensor for speed is electronic, you might try changing
sensor. I don't know what should I exactly do. Any thoughts??

y_p_w@hotmail.com (y_p_w) wrote in message news:<591da479.0404121343.40122294@posting.google. com>...
> "Fred" <fsm2981@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:<9izec.19312$jR6.9078@fe2.texas.rr.com>...
> > Buy you the manual, go to www.helminc.com or you can find used ones on eBay.
> > It's very simple to do, but you need to know exactly how to do it and the
> > right amount of fluid you need. Buy 3 qt of ATF at your local Honda dealer
> > or online (hparts.com).
>
> I've heard of various Hondas requiring anywhere from 1.9 to 3.5 quarts
> of ATF per change.
>
> > I'd recommend doing it 2 or 3 times in a period of a week or so each time
> > (this is to mix the old fluid with the new one). I think if you drain the
> > fluid, only 40% or so will come out (or maybe 60%?, I am not sure) so it
> > takes several rounds to change it all. You need ramps or jackstands. Have a
> > piece of cardboard to redirect the fluid to the pan, since once you remove
> > the plug it will splash your passenger tire.
>
> Unless it's been lowered, jack stands shouldn't be necessary. The drain
> bolt should be near the right wheel (on the same side as the ATF dipstick).

"y_p_w" <y_p_w@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:591da479.0404121343.40122294@posting.google.c om...
> "Fred" <fsm2981@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:<9izec.19312$jR6.9078@fe2.texas.rr.com>...
> > Buy you the manual, go to www.helminc.com or you can find used ones on
eBay.
> > It's very simple to do, but you need to know exactly how to do it and
the
> > right amount of fluid you need. Buy 3 qt of ATF at your local Honda
dealer
> > or online (hparts.com).
>
> I've heard of various Hondas requiring anywhere from 1.9 to 3.5 quarts
> of ATF per change.
As I said, he needs to have the manual to know the exact amount. 2.9 QTs is
what my 98 civic requires.

>
> > I'd recommend doing it 2 or 3 times in a period of a week or so each
time
> > (this is to mix the old fluid with the new one). I think if you drain
the
> > fluid, only 40% or so will come out (or maybe 60%?, I am not sure) so it
> > takes several rounds to change it all. You need ramps or jackstands.
Have a
> > piece of cardboard to redirect the fluid to the pan, since once you
remove
> > the plug it will splash your passenger tire.
>
> Unless it's been lowered, jack stands shouldn't be necessary. The drain
> bolt should be near the right wheel (on the same side as the ATF
dipstick).

Jackstands is not necessary, but it makes the job a lot easier. Also, he
will need jackstands for other jobs (oil change, brakes, etc) so it's a good
investment ($10).

Fred wrote:

> "y_p_w" <y_p_w@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:591da479.0404121343.40122294@posting.google.c om...

>>Unless it's been lowered, jack stands shouldn't be necessary. The drain
>>bolt should be near the right wheel (on the same side as the ATF
>
> dipstick).
>
> Jackstands is not necessary, but it makes the job a lot easier. Also, he
> will need jackstands for other jobs (oil change, brakes, etc) so it's a good
> investment ($10).

I remember doing the job on an '89 Integra (since sold). For me, jack
stands would have made the job harder. The drain bolt was very easy to
see and reach with all four wheels on the ground. It was maybe 7 inches
from the right front tire. I believe the transmission also drains
better if the car is level.

The oil drain bolt was a bit further away from the side, but easy enough
to drain with all four wheels on the ground (although I rarely did
that). I had to have a way of reaching the filter though. My house has
a 10 degree angled driveway. I parked the car with the front wheels
about 3 feet into the driveway, and I could crawl into a triangular
opening behind the front wheels. It was tilted near the angle of
jackstands. More oil tends to come out of the pan with the front
angled. I also have wheel chocks for the rear wheels.

"y_p_w" <y_p_w@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:qX3fc.9472$A_4.7579@newsread1.news.pas.earthl ink.net...
>
>
> Fred wrote:
>
> > "y_p_w" <y_p_w@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> > news:591da479.0404121343.40122294@posting.google.c om...
>
> >>Unless it's been lowered, jack stands shouldn't be necessary. The drain
> >>bolt should be near the right wheel (on the same side as the ATF
> >
> > dipstick).
> >
> > Jackstands is not necessary, but it makes the job a lot easier. Also, he
> > will need jackstands for other jobs (oil change, brakes, etc) so it's a
good
> > investment ($10).
>
> I remember doing the job on an '89 Integra (since sold). For me, jack
> stands would have made the job harder. The drain bolt was very easy to
> see and reach with all four wheels on the ground. It was maybe 7 inches
> from the right front tire. I believe the transmission also drains
> better if the car is level.
>
> The oil drain bolt was a bit further away from the side, but easy enough
> to drain with all four wheels on the ground (although I rarely did
> that). I had to have a way of reaching the filter though. My house has
> a 10 degree angled driveway. I parked the car with the front wheels
> about 3 feet into the driveway, and I could crawl into a triangular
> opening behind the front wheels. It was tilted near the angle of
> jackstands. More oil tends to come out of the pan with the front
> angled. I also have wheel chocks for the rear wheels.
>


Don't buy the jack stands!!!