transmission

Transmission Fluid Change

for 2021 Honda Accord 1.5L I4 Turbo · FWD

Editorial review:Chris Hackleman — Master Technician · 20+ years · Jeff Moore — Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years

Difficulty

Easy

Time

48 min

Tools

Steps

✓Expert-verified. Personally reviewed and approved by OLP's master technicians (Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — 20+ years each). Always follow the vehicle's factory service information and torque specs.

This procedure involves draining and refilling the transmission fluid on the CVT-equipped 2018-2024 Honda Accord 1.5L Turbo to maintain transmission performance and longevity.

Warnings

⚠Transmission fluid can be extremely hot after driving. Allow vehicle to cool for at least 30 minutes before starting this procedure.

⚠This is a drain and fill procedure, not a complete flush. Only approximately 3-3.5 quarts will drain; the total system capacity is 8 quarts.

ℹ️Using non-Honda DW-1 ATF may cause transmission damage and void warranty. Use only genuine Honda DW-1 fluid.

ℹ️The CVT does not have a dipstick. Fluid level is checked via the fill port at operating temperature.

Tools required

3/8 inch drive ratchetEssential

17mm socketEssential

Torque wrench (10-50 Nm range)Essential

Oil drain pan (minimum 4 quart capacity)Essential

Funnel with long spoutEssential

Clean rags or shop towelsEssential

Jack and jack standsEssential

Wheel chocksEssential

Fluid transfer pump (optional but recommended)

Parts

Transmission drain plug crush washer × 1 — 90471-PX4-000 or equivalent

Fluids

Honda DW-1 ATF — 3.5 qt

Preparation

Park vehicle on level surface and apply parking brake
Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
Allow engine and transmission to cool to warm (not hot) temperature
Raise front of vehicle with jack and support securely on jack stands
Locate transmission drain plug on bottom of CVT housing toward rear of vehicle
Prepare new crush washer and have 4 quarts of Honda DW-1 ATF ready

Procedure

1
Access the transmission drain plug
From underneath the vehicle, locate the 17mm transmission drain plug on the bottom of the CVT housing. Clean the area around the drain plug with a rag to prevent contamination. Position the drain pan directly underneath the drain plug.
2
Drain the transmission fluid
Using a 17mm socket and ratchet, loosen the drain plug slowly. Once loose, carefully unscrew it by hand and allow fluid to drain completely into the pan. The fluid will drain at an angle, so position the pan accordingly. Allow at least 10-15 minutes for complete drainage. Expect approximately 3 to 3.5 quarts to drain.
⚠Fluid may still be warm. Remove drain plug slowly to avoid splashing.
3
Inspect and replace drain plug washer
Remove the old crush washer from the drain plug and discard it. Inspect the drain plug threads for damage or debris. Clean the drain plug with a clean rag. Install the new crush washer onto the drain plug, ensuring it seats properly in the groove.
4
Reinstall the drain plug
Thread the drain plug with new crush washer into the transmission pan by hand to ensure proper threading. Tighten the drain plug to specification using a torque wrench in a single smooth motion. Do not over-torque as this can damage the aluminum housing.
Torque spec
Transmission Drain Plug30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
5
Locate the transmission fill port
From underneath the vehicle or from the engine bay, locate the CVT fill port. This is typically accessed from above on the driver's side of the transmission with a 17mm bolt. On some models, it may be easier to access from below. The fill port is higher on the transmission case than the drain plug.
6
Add new transmission fluid
Remove the fill port bolt. Using a funnel with a long flexible spout or a fluid transfer pump, add exactly the same amount of new Honda DW-1 ATF as was drained (approximately 3 to 3.5 quarts). Add fluid slowly to prevent overflow. If using a pump through the fill port from below, this process will take several minutes.
ℹ️Measure the drained fluid quantity to determine exact refill amount. Adding too much fluid can cause transmission damage.
7
Check fluid level
Once the appropriate amount of fluid has been added, reinstall the fill port bolt and torque to specification. Lower the vehicle to the ground. Start the engine and allow it to reach normal operating temperature (approximately 5 minutes of idling).
Torque spec
Transmission Drain Plug30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
8
Cycle through gears
With the engine running and your foot firmly on the brake, shift through all gear positions (P-R-N-D-S) and hold each position for 3-5 seconds. Return to Park. This circulates the new fluid through the transmission system.
9
Final fluid level verification
With the engine at operating temperature and running, raise the vehicle again and check for leaks around the drain plug. The CVT does not have a traditional dipstick; proper fill level is achieved when the correct measured amount has been added. If you have access to Honda HDS scan tool, verify fluid temperature is between 35-45°C (95-113°F) for proper fill level confirmation.

Reassembly

Ensure drain plug is properly torqued with new crush washer installed
Verify fill port bolt is secure and properly torqued
Lower vehicle from jack stands safely
Remove wheel chocks

Verification

Check for any fluid leaks around drain plug after test drive
Verify smooth transmission operation through all gears with no slipping or harsh shifts
Monitor transmission behavior over next several drive cycles for any abnormalities
Check fluid level again after 50-100 miles of driving if desired by repeating drain and measure process
Dispose of used transmission fluid properly at recycling center

🔧Stuck on this transmission fluid change? Take it to The Diag Desk.A human with 20+ years in the bay answers about YOUR Honda within 24 hours — never AI. $25, and you're not charged unless you get an answer.Ask a tech →