This procedure performs a complete transmission fluid exchange on the 2018-2024 Honda Accord 1.5L Turbo CVT transmission, replacing old fluid with fresh Honda DW-1 ATF to maintain transmission health and performance.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Transmission drain plug crush washer × 1 — Honda OEM 94109-20000 or equivalent

Fluids

• Honda DW-1 ATF — 8 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake firmly
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
3. Start engine and allow transmission to reach normal operating temperature (drive for 10-15 minutes), then shut off and wait 60 minutes for fluid to cool
4. Raise front of vehicle using jack and support securely on jack stands at manufacturer-approved lift points
5. Verify vehicle is stable before working underneath
6. Locate transmission drain plug on bottom of transmission case, driver side near the axle

Procedure

1. 1

   Access transmission drain plug
   Position drain pan directly under the transmission drain plug location. The drain plug is located on the bottom of the CVT case, accessible from underneath the vehicle without removing any splash shields on this model year.
2. 2

   Remove drain plug and drain fluid
   Using a 17mm socket, carefully loosen the transmission drain plug. Once loose, finish removing by hand while maintaining upward pressure to prevent fluid from spilling prematurely. Remove plug completely and allow fluid to drain fully into pan. This will take approximately 5-10 minutes. Observe the drained fluid color and condition for debris or burning smell indicating transmission problems.
   ⚠Fluid may still be warm. Wear gloves and position hands away from initial fluid stream.
3. 3

   Inspect and replace crush washer
   Remove the old aluminum crush washer from the drain plug. Inspect drain plug threads for damage. Install a new crush washer onto the drain plug. Never reuse the old washer as it will not seal properly and may cause leaks.
4. 4

   Reinstall drain plug
   Thread the drain plug with new crush washer into the transmission case by hand to ensure proper thread engagement. Once hand-tight, use torque wrench and 17mm socket to tighten to specification. Do not over-torque as this can strip the aluminum transmission case threads.
   Torque spec

   Transmission Drain Plug30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Measure drained fluid quantity
   Pour drained fluid into a graduated container or measure using quart bottles to determine exact quantity removed. Record this amount. You will refill with the same quantity that was drained, typically 3.0-4.0 quarts depending on how long the vehicle sat before draining.
6. 6

   Locate transmission fill plug
   The CVT fill plug is located on the passenger side of the transmission case, accessible from underneath. It requires a 3/8 inch ratchet (square drive fits directly into plug). Clean area around fill plug before removal to prevent contamination.
7. 7

   Remove fill plug and add fluid
   Remove the fill plug using a 3/8 inch ratchet. Using a fluid pump with hose or funnel with long flexible hose, add fresh Honda DW-1 ATF through the fill hole. Add the exact same quantity that was drained in step 5. Fill slowly to prevent overflow and spillage. The fill hole doubles as the level check, so fluid should be at the bottom of the threads when correct.
   ⚠Verify you are using genuine Honda DW-1 ATF before filling. Check the bottle label carefully.
8. 8

   Reinstall fill plug
   Once correct fluid quantity is added, reinstall the fill plug and tighten firmly by hand using the 3/8 inch ratchet. No torque specification is required for this plug, but ensure it is secure to prevent leaks. Wipe away any spilled fluid from the transmission case.
9. 9

   Lower vehicle and check fluid level
   Lower vehicle from jack stands back to ground level. Start the engine and allow it to idle in Park for 2-3 minutes. Shift through all gear positions (P-R-N-D-S-L) pausing 2 seconds in each, then return to Park. Allow engine to idle for another 2 minutes.
10. 10

    Perform final fluid level verification
    With engine still running and transmission in Park, raise vehicle again on jack stands. Remove fill plug and check fluid level. Fluid should be at the bottom threads of the fill hole and may drip slowly. If level is low, add fluid in small increments (4-6 oz at a time) until proper level is reached. Reinstall fill plug when level is correct.
    ⚠Engine must be running and transmission at operating temperature for accurate level check.

Reassembly

1. Lower vehicle to ground and remove jack stands
2. Dispose of used ATF properly at a recycling center or auto parts store that accepts used fluids
3. Remove wheel chocks

Verification

• Start engine and verify no fluid leaks from drain plug or fill plug areas
• Test drive vehicle for 10-15 minutes, confirming smooth shifting and normal CVT operation
• After test drive, recheck fluid level with engine running at operating temperature to ensure proper fill
• Check underneath vehicle one final time for any signs of fluid leakage
• Record the service in vehicle maintenance log with date and mileage
• For best CVT longevity, repeat this drain-and-fill procedure every 25,000-30,000 miles or per Honda maintenance schedule

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