Doing my 2021 Passport today. Drain and fill and replace the two plugs with new ones. That damn fluid is HIGH dollar, $170 for 4 quarts! I will also be doing my Transfer case! Thanks for sharing the video and well done!
Best 9 speed trans change video by far. If your tranny is not leaking, no need to to get transmission up to temp, shift thru the gears and wait for excess oil to drain from overflow. Just measure what you drain and put back in exact amount.
Did you take off the tire and check level? Or just drain and fill 3.5? Is it necessary to check the level if the same amount of fluid drained is put back in?
I was surprised to see that fill plug on the top. I've got a Jeep and the plug to check/fill is at the backside. So I looked and i can see one on the top, but a bugger to access. Is there any specs for checking the level on that plug ?? Just wondering how much the Honda oil costs. The Chrysler stealership is at $53 a jug.
@@CampingRandy The transmission is supposed to be at operating temperature, the car level and trans fluid trickles out of the side level hole. It should be 3.5 quarts, IF the fluid level was correct prior to the change.
The bottles are NOT quarts, they're Liter size. I used 3.5 bottles on my Acura MDX w/9speed (at $33 per liter). Best to drain your trans, measure what came out and replace exactly that same amount.....no matter what you call it. haha
Aren't you supposed to also change out the transmission filter? I've seen a few videos mention it and I'm having a hard time finding the filter for the 9-speed transmission.
@@CampingRandy There is nothing mentioned in the manual about changing ATF. The manual says to take it to the Honda dealer for any ATF maintenance. No mileage is mentioned. I'm planning on changing mine out soon. I have about 36,000 miles on my Ridgeline. Better safe than sorry. Thanks for the video.
Vehicles are becoming more and more non consumer maintenance able. The 9speed has an internal life time filter. You can only change it if you open the transmission.
@@letfingerswalk get a OBD scanner it will save your life. My maintenance schedule says every 60k miles or 72 months. If you’re towing and off roading or really pushing the tranny then change more often. Honda builds one of the best engines and transmissions, if you service regularly, they’ll last for decades. Also he forgot to mention that each of the 9 speed ATF quarts is about $30….so you’re looking at about $100 in fluids alone to service the transmission.
How long have you been changing your own transmission fluid? I never heard of anyone doing the 9 speed themselves because its supposed to be some big elaborate process. There is no way to check the fluid levels.
I have been doing my 2016 with ZF 9-speed for the past 6-years. I do it once a year. You do it exactly like he does only I measure exact amount of what comes out of the bottom drain plug. I put in exact amount back in. It shifts really well with the change every year. The temps must be same for the oil going back in. I leave my pilot sit at night in my garage and place the new trans oil right next to the car in my garage. And yes you are right - no way to measure the level.
Does anyone know if this transmission ever had a dipstick from the factory? Ask because one might screw into that upper access hole. Would make it easy to check/change the fluid.
It’s life with new cars. Every year, “we” are able to work on our cars less and less. Pretty soon our maintenance will cost more than the cars over a ten year period.
@@CampingRandy Excellent observation. I was telling my friends the other day that all these car reviews that state what low maintenance cost is on Toyota and Honda (just cost of routine maintenance) is all bunch of lies. They have like $ 600-$700 a year cost according to them when we all know that shops and even more so with dealer's shops, charge sooo much for routine maintenance. Mine charged over $90 for oil change and then couldn't even be bothered to push the reset button. In addition they slapped the sticker that my next oil change should be at 3000miles . Month later I happened to be checking my maintenance reminders and noticed that my oil change % life is identical as it was before the change. This last visit was supposed to be 2hrs but they kept my car 5.5 hrs, so called them and asked why the heck they claim that I should be changing synthetic oil at 3000 miles when Honda states 5000-7500miles and so does the oil manufacture right on a bottle. Their response was " well but we recommend 3000 because we are living in colder climate then south of US", to which I said " manufacture is aware of climates and nobody, I say nobody, recommends synthetic oil change of casual driving every 3000miles and in addition, you just serviced my friend's Honda with synthetic 3 months ago and you recommended 5000 miles, so it seems to me that you are trying to shake me for more money". Manager just kept on rambling repeatedly "well, we recommend every 3000 miles regardless of what manufacture says". 🤯🤯🤯
The data is confusing out there. It states 30 to 120k depending on driving habits. My 6sp Ridgeline, I change every 15k because I tow and over heat it off roading. I changed the passport at 40k now to see if any shifting improvements which it didnt seem to improve. I think it’s just that 9speed.
Hi nice video 👍 i went to an oil chnge place and ask for this chnge and the owner/mechanic there said that i have to go to honda to chnge this bcoz he said its a sealed system. He dont know how to chnge it😡
Those oil change shops might just put in the wrong fluid for that transmission or rear diff. Don't want that! Buy Honda fluid and do it yourself. Save money and have peace of mind that the correct fluid was used.
That’s because there’s a procedure to do trans fluid change not just drain and top off. If don’t know what you doing don’t do it. It will cost you a Trans. You will overheated the trans if you drained and top off.
@@CampingRandy Look no further, to get to the filter you must remove the whole transmission from the vehicle. Great design ZF, thanks for the "lifetime" for the fluid and filter. What they don't tell you is that it's not for the lifetime of the vehicle but for the lifetime of the warranty. My Pacifica has the same tranny so we are left with drain and fill, "That's all Folks".
I went to get a quote at the dealer and it was $500. They recommended to do it there because something needs to be scanned it?? And it needs 3 drain plugs?
Valvoline max Full synthetic. Has on label recommended for use. Honda Acura 3.1 is listed on its label. I did some research, alot of reviews on ones using valve line, say the shifts are more better with the valoline over the 3.1 honda atf.
Doing my 2021 Passport today. Drain and fill and replace the two plugs with new ones. That damn fluid is HIGH dollar, $170 for 4 quarts! I will also be doing my Transfer case! Thanks for sharing the video and well done!
Changed mine yesterday and it is shifting like butter again.
Thanks for the video and entertaining snippets, it was informative and fun to watch.
Glad to help! Thanks for watching!
Best 9 speed trans change video by far. If your tranny is not leaking, no need to to get transmission up to temp, shift thru the gears and wait for excess oil to drain from overflow. Just measure what you drain and put back in exact amount.
Thanks man!!!!!!
Curious, what would you do if you drained 3.9 qts of the original fluid but spec calls for 3.5 qts on change? Asking for a friend...
There is a cap on the drivers side axle. That’s the level.
Did you take off the tire and check level? Or just drain and fill 3.5? Is it necessary to check the level if the same amount of fluid drained is put back in?
Just did 3.5
😂👍I lov the add ins
Lol - thanks for watching!
You rock my man! Great video! Looks easy!
Awesome- thanks for watching.
Just wondering if there was a certain temp to drain or fill the transmission?
Yes you are suppose to have it between a certain temp per Honda. Also suppose to cycle between gears after you fill with new fluid then check fluid
What bar extension do u use ? This one looks solid.
I was surprised to see that fill plug on the top. I've got a Jeep and the plug to check/fill is at the backside.
So I looked and i can see one on the top, but a bugger to access. Is there any specs for checking the level on that plug ??
Just wondering how much the Honda oil costs. The Chrysler stealership is at $53 a jug.
I was told the 9 speed has multiple points to empty the transmission and in a certain order to drain it properly. Is that incorrect?
Yes - there is a full or level hole on the driver side.
This fluid applies to the 9 speed pilot EX 2W drive also? Not ATF DW1?
Thanks for sharing , how is the tranny shifting so far after fluid drain ?
How often should the ATF fluid be changed in a 2021 Honda Pilot?
The maintenance reminder will bring up a code.
Excellent video
Thank you very much!
There is a way to check fluid level in the 9 speed ZF. There’s a level plug on the side of the transmission.
Yes there is a 8MM bolt on the side.
@@CampingRandy
The transmission is supposed to be at operating temperature, the car level and trans fluid trickles out of the side level hole.
It should be 3.5 quarts, IF the fluid level was correct prior to the change.
There's another drain plug next to main for differential, should have done that also.
Thanks for posting Randy. I just did my 2023 and it was 3.7 U.S qts are you going by the 3.5L Canada denomination on your measurements?
The bottles are NOT quarts, they're Liter size. I used 3.5 bottles on my Acura MDX w/9speed (at $33 per liter). Best to drain your trans, measure what came out and replace exactly that same amount.....no matter what you call it. haha
Potato - Tomato
Aren't you supposed to also change out the transmission filter? I've seen a few videos mention it and I'm having a hard time finding the filter for the 9-speed transmission.
No filter to change on the 9spd. It’s an internal LIFETIME FIKTER!
Great video and straight to the point. At what mileage do you change the 9 speed trans fluid? Every 40k?
Check your maintenance interval in your manual. I change mine every 15k as we off-road.
@@CampingRandy There is nothing mentioned in the manual about changing ATF. The manual says to take it to the Honda dealer for any ATF maintenance. No mileage is mentioned. I'm planning on changing mine out soon. I have about 36,000 miles on my Ridgeline. Better safe than sorry. Thanks for the video.
Vehicles are becoming more and more non consumer maintenance able. The 9speed has an internal life time filter. You can only change it if you open the transmission.
@@letfingerswalk get a OBD scanner it will save your life. My maintenance schedule says every 60k miles or 72 months. If you’re towing and off roading or really pushing the tranny then change more often. Honda builds one of the best engines and transmissions, if you service regularly, they’ll last for decades. Also he forgot to mention that each of the 9 speed ATF quarts is about $30….so you’re looking at about $100 in fluids alone to service the transmission.
Is the drain pretty consistent in how much comes out? I know it isn’t a full drain but I’m thinking you said 3.5 quarts is needed each drain?
How long have you been changing your own transmission fluid? I never heard of anyone doing the 9 speed themselves because its supposed to be some big elaborate process. There is no way to check the fluid levels.
I have been doing my 2016 with ZF 9-speed for the past 6-years. I do it once a year. You do it exactly like he does only I measure exact amount of what comes out of the bottom drain plug. I put in exact amount back in. It shifts really well with the change every year. The temps must be same for the oil going back in. I leave my pilot sit at night in my garage and place the new trans oil right next to the car in my garage. And yes you are right - no way to measure the level.
Great feedback. Thank you.
Does anyone know if this transmission ever had a dipstick from the factory? Ask because one might screw into that upper access hole. Would make it easy to check/change the fluid.
No dip stick. I would try as there might be moving parts down there.
@@glengriessler8597 The level plug on the driver's side is removed to check the amount - it seeps out.
Is there not a replaceable filter like the previous transmission (I have a 2018)?
It’s inside the transmission.
@@CampingRandy Man I do hate the inside filter, I did move from ford escape and it got the same thing"inside filter"
@@CampingRandy I'll stick to my 18's in line filter. The worst part about replacing it was the stupid plastic cover underneath.
It’s life with new cars. Every year, “we” are able to work on our cars less and less. Pretty soon our maintenance will cost more than the cars over a ten year period.
@@CampingRandy Excellent observation. I was telling my friends the other day that all these car reviews that state what low maintenance cost is on Toyota and Honda (just cost of routine maintenance) is all bunch of lies. They have like $ 600-$700 a year cost according to them when we all know that shops and even more so with dealer's shops, charge sooo much for routine maintenance. Mine charged over $90 for oil change and then couldn't even be bothered to push the reset button. In addition they slapped the sticker that my next oil change should be at 3000miles . Month later I happened to be checking my maintenance reminders and noticed that my oil change % life is identical as it was before the change. This last visit was supposed to be 2hrs but they kept my car 5.5 hrs, so called them and asked why the heck they claim that I should be changing synthetic oil at 3000 miles when Honda states 5000-7500miles and so does the oil manufacture right on a bottle. Their response was " well but we recommend 3000 because we are living in colder climate then south of US", to which I said " manufacture is aware of climates and nobody, I say nobody, recommends synthetic oil change of casual driving every 3000miles and in addition, you just serviced my friend's Honda with synthetic 3 months ago and you recommended 5000 miles, so it seems to me that you are trying to shake me for more money". Manager just kept on rambling repeatedly "well, we recommend every 3000 miles regardless of what manufacture says". 🤯🤯🤯
I have a 2018 pilot touring awd 9 speed , no filter change?
no the filter is internal
What about the other 3 quarts in the torque converter ?
It's a partial change.
Very informative video. How often should you change it?
The data is confusing out there. It states 30 to 120k depending on driving habits. My 6sp Ridgeline, I change every 15k because I tow and over heat it off roading. I changed the passport at 40k now to see if any shifting improvements which it didnt seem to improve. I think it’s just that 9speed.
6 speed every 15-20k. 9 speed every 30-60k is a good rule of thumb.
Interesting that they recommend shaking it up before pouring it. Isn't in homogeneous?
Hey - watch that offensive language here sir. Lololololololo. Unsure why we have to shake it, but it’s fun.
@@CampingRandy Probably additives settle out.
Hi nice video 👍 i went to an oil chnge place and ask for this chnge and the owner/mechanic there said that i have to go to honda to chnge this bcoz he said its a sealed system. He dont know how to chnge it😡
Save money and do it yourself- very easy.
Those oil change shops might just put in the wrong fluid for that transmission or rear diff. Don't want that! Buy Honda fluid and do it yourself. Save money and have peace of mind that the correct fluid was used.
That’s because there’s a procedure to do trans fluid change not just drain and top off. If don’t know what you doing don’t do it. It will cost you a Trans. You will overheated the trans if you drained and top off.
Agreed
I thought the 9 speed required u to put it in a mode to cycle threw the gears and make sure the transmission was warm ?
I also thought u were supose to fill it from the check plug based on honda service bulletin ?
Look at my post
That's the recommended procedure.
Where is the transmission filter on a 2016 Pilot
Nine speed or six speed?
how do you measure oil level?
There is a side hole on the drivers side.
Nice, where is the Filter?
Where still looking…..
@@CampingRandy Look no further, to get to the filter you must remove the whole transmission from the vehicle. Great design ZF, thanks for the "lifetime" for the fluid and filter. What they don't tell you is that it's not for the lifetime of the vehicle but for the lifetime of the warranty. My Pacifica has the same tranny so we are left with drain and fill, "That's all Folks".
Thanks for the info!
MERCY!!!!
Anyone know why the Honda service department recommends replacing 3 plugs ?
$$$$$$$$$$$$
Top - bottom - side
They make more money.
I went to get a quote at the dealer and it was $500. They recommended to do it there because something needs to be scanned it?? And it needs 3 drain plugs?
And they “need” your money.
How much did it cost you?
campingrandy.com/products/$45-Full-Synthetic-Oil-Change-w-Honda-OEM-Filter-p528892983
Is there any other aftermarket alternatives to this transmission fluid, i think its garbage
Valvoline max Full synthetic. Has on label recommended for use. Honda Acura 3.1 is listed on its label. I did some research, alot of reviews on ones using valve line, say the shifts are more better with the valoline over the 3.1 honda atf.
Well Honda doesn’t think so. Lol. Thanks for the opinion.
These nuts 😂😂lol😂😂