This procedure drains and refills the front differential/transaxle fluid on the 2016-2021 Honda Civic 1.5L Turbo to maintain proper lubrication and gear protection.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Drain plug crush washer × 1 — 94109-20000 or equivalent

Fluids

• Honda DW-1 ATF — 2.5 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
3. Allow engine and transaxle to cool to ambient temperature if recently driven
4. Raise front of vehicle using jack and support securely on jack stands at manufacturer-specified lift points
5. Remove engine splash shield or belly pan for access to drain and fill plugs

Procedure

1. 1

   Locate drain and fill plugs
   From underneath the vehicle, locate the drain plug on the bottom of the transaxle housing and the fill plug on the side of the transaxle case. The drain plug is typically a 17mm bolt at the lowest point of the differential housing. The fill plug is located higher on the driver's side of the transaxle case.
2. 2

   Loosen fill plug first
   Before draining, loosen the fill plug first to ensure you can refill the transaxle after draining. Use a 17mm socket or wrench to break the fill plug loose. Do not remove it completely yet. If the fill plug cannot be loosened, do not proceed with draining.
3. 3

   Position drain pan and remove drain plug
   Place the drain pan directly under the drain plug with adequate capacity. Using a 17mm socket or wrench, slowly remove the drain plug. Allow fluid to drain completely into the pan. Inspect the old crush washer on the drain plug and discard it.
4. 4

   Inspect drained fluid
   Examine the drained fluid for metal particles, debris, or unusual discoloration. Small amounts of fine metallic residue are normal, but large particles or chunks may indicate internal wear requiring further inspection.
5. 5

   Install drain plug with new washer
   Clean the drain plug threads and sealing surface thoroughly. Install a new crush washer onto the drain plug. Thread the drain plug into the transaxle housing by hand first to avoid cross-threading, then torque to specification using a torque wrench.
   Torque spec

   Drain Plug39 Nm (29 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove fill plug completely
   Fully remove the fill plug from the transaxle case. Wipe away any debris from around the fill plug opening to prevent contamination.
7. 7

   Refill transaxle with Honda DW-1 ATF
   Using a fluid pump or funnel with flexible hose, add Honda DW-1 ATF through the fill plug opening. Fill slowly until fluid begins to drip from the fill hole, indicating the proper level has been reached. This typically requires approximately 2.0-2.5 quarts. Only use genuine Honda DW-1 ATF; do not substitute with other fluids.
8. 8

   Install fill plug
   Once fluid reaches the proper level and begins to overflow slightly, clean the fill plug threads and install it. Torque the fill plug to specification.
   Torque spec

   Fill Plug39 Nm (29 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Clean up and reinstall shields
   Wipe away any spilled fluid from the transaxle case and surrounding components. Reinstall the engine splash shield or belly pan. Remove jack stands and lower the vehicle to the ground.

Reassembly

1. Ensure both drain and fill plugs are torqued to specification before lowering vehicle
2. Verify no fluid leaks are present around drain or fill plug areas
3. Reinstall all splash shields and belly pans removed during access

Verification

• Start the engine and allow it to idle for 2-3 minutes
• Shift through all gear positions (P-R-N-D-L) while stationary with foot on brake, pausing briefly in each gear
• Return to Park and check for leaks underneath the vehicle around both plugs
• Test drive vehicle for 5-10 minutes to circulate fluid and verify smooth shifting operation
• Re-check fluid level after test drive by loosening fill plug slightly - a small amount of fluid should seep out if level is correct

More procedures for this vehicle