maintenance

Transmission Service

for 2017 Honda Civic 1.5L I4 Turbo · FWD

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

Difficulty

Easy

Time

1.0 h

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 drains and refills the automatic transmission fluid on the 2016-2021 Honda Civic 1.5L Turbo to maintain proper transmission function and longevity.

Warnings

⚠Transmission fluid should be warm but not hot to ensure proper draining. Allow engine to cool 15-20 minutes after driving to avoid burns.

⚠This is a drain-and-fill service only, not a complete fluid exchange. Approximately 3 quarts will drain; the remaining fluid stays in the torque converter and valve body.

ℹ️Honda recommends DW-1 ATF only for CVT transmissions. Do not substitute with other ATF types as transmission damage may occur.

ℹ️Always use a new crush washer on the drain plug to prevent leaks.

Tools required

3/8" drive ratchet and socket setEssential

17mm socket or box wrenchEssential

Torque wrench (10-150 Nm range)Essential

Oil drain pan (minimum 4 quart capacity)Essential

Funnel with long neckEssential

Floor jack and jack standsEssential

Wheel chocksEssential

Nitrile gloves

Shop towels or rags

Parts

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

Fluids

Honda DW-1 ATF — 3 qt

Preparation

Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
Start engine and let idle for 3-5 minutes to warm transmission fluid to operating temperature, then shut off and wait 15-20 minutes to cool
Raise front of vehicle with floor jack and secure on jack stands at proper jacking points
Verify vehicle is stable before working underneath

Procedure

1
Access transmission drain plug
Locate the transmission oil pan on the driver's side of the transmission. The drain plug is a 17mm bolt on the bottom of the pan. Clean the area around the drain plug with a shop towel to prevent contamination.
2
Drain transmission fluid
Position drain pan directly beneath the transmission drain plug. Using a 17mm socket or box wrench, slowly loosen the drain plug counterclockwise. Once loose, carefully remove the plug by hand and allow fluid to drain completely. This will take approximately 10-15 minutes. Inspect the old crush washer on the drain plug and discard it.
3
Reinstall drain plug with new crush washer
Install the new crush washer onto the drain plug. Once fluid has completely stopped draining, clean the drain plug threads and the transmission pan drain hole with a clean shop towel. Thread the drain plug in by hand to avoid cross-threading, then tighten to specification using a torque wrench.
Torque spec
Oil Drain Plug35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
4
Lower vehicle
Carefully remove jack stands and lower the vehicle to the ground. Ensure the vehicle is on a level surface for accurate fluid filling.
5
Locate transmission fill plug
Open the hood and locate the transmission dipstick on the passenger side of the engine bay, near the firewall. The dipstick is typically marked with a yellow or black handle. Pull the dipstick out completely and wipe it clean.
6
Refill transmission with fresh fluid
Insert a long-neck funnel into the dipstick tube. Slowly pour 3.0 quarts of Honda DW-1 ATF into the transmission through the dipstick tube. Pour slowly to prevent overflow and allow air to escape the tube. Wait 2-3 minutes for fluid to settle.
7
Check fluid level - cold
With the engine off and transmission cold, reinsert the dipstick fully, then remove it and check the fluid level. The level should be between the lower and upper holes on the dipstick (cold range). Add fluid in small increments if needed to reach the proper cold level.
8
Warm up transmission and verify level
Start the engine and let it idle. With your foot on the brake, shift through all gear positions (P-R-N-D-L-D) pausing 2-3 seconds in each position, then return to Park. Allow the engine to idle for 3-5 minutes until the transmission reaches normal operating temperature. With the engine still running and the vehicle on level ground, check the dipstick again. The fluid level should be in the upper hole range (hot range). Add fluid if necessary to bring level to the hot range, but do not overfill.

Reassembly

Ensure dipstick is fully seated after final fluid level check
Wipe any spilled transmission fluid from engine bay and undercarriage components
Verify drain plug is tight and no leaks are present underneath the vehicle

Verification

Start engine and check underneath vehicle for any transmission fluid leaks around the drain plug
With engine at operating temperature, verify transmission fluid level is in the proper hot range on the dipstick
Test drive vehicle through all gears to ensure smooth shifting and proper transmission operation
Recheck fluid level after test drive and top off if necessary
Check again for leaks after test drive