2018 Odyssey ZF 9 speed ATF drain & fill Honda 3.1 transmission fluid no dipstick/ Verse of the day

in this video we do a drain and fill on a ZF 9-speed transmission with Honda 3.x or 3.1 ATF in a 2018 Honda Odyssey. On this channel I normally do fluid and filter changes on vehicles and Equipment using Amsoil Synthetic Lubricants. LOOKUP YOUR VEHICLE: www.amsoil.com...
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Soli Deo Gloria!

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

Lookup fluid capacities and recommended Amsoil synthetics for your vehicle: www.amsoil.com/guides/?zo=1463115 Save 25% as an Amsoil Preferred Customer and support the channel: www.amsoil.com/offers/pc/?zo=1463115 my website: number1synthetic.com Mike Trull Amsoil dealer #1463115 Thanks!!!

[@cm1133]

@@MikeTrullAmsoildealer Amsoil is nothing but over priced snake oil. If it was so good, you cold buy it at local stores. It's nothing but a pyramid scheme that I will have nothing to do with.

[@cm1133]

If your ZF-9 is no longer under factory warranty, you can safely use Valvoline MaxLife automatic transmission fluid. I switched to Valvoline MaxLife ATF at 36,001 miles. I currently have 118,507 miles and my transmission still shifts like new. I drain and fill my automatic transmission fluid every 20,000 miles (every 5th oil change).

[@markm0000]

Amen brother I have been through a lot these past few years with my contractor business but it’s finally coming around and I can definitely see an improvement. I kept my faith and knew the Lord won’t let me down if I put in the effort.

[@johnfolk12]

So glad I watched to the end to catch the sharing of G-d's word!!!!

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

Thank you John! All for His glory!!

[@qballdad7104]

Great video and very helpful. I only bought a single plug for the trans as the other two were good as is.

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

I hear you on the plugs.... it seems like they could last for more than one use. Thank you so much for watching and commenting!

[@claytonmassey199]

Thank you brother! May the Lord bless you beyond Job!

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

You are welcome thank you for the kind words sir praise the Lord :-)

[@AmitPatel-bq1tp]

Thank you for clearing my questions.

[@jkreviea]

If an Amsoil dealer is using Honda ATF, I'm confident I should probably stick with it, too.

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

In this case that's what I would do since Amsoil does not have a fluid for this application... I also use Honda vtm-4 fluid on the four-wheel drive on my wife's 07 pilot and I use Honda power steering fluid as well. I do use the Amsoil in my Honda's for engine oil and the older Transmissions. Basically my rule of thumb is I look up my vehicle at www.number1synthetic.com and see if Amsoil has a recommendation if not that's when I start to look at OEM fluids. Thanks so much for watching and commenting!

[@benderman55]

Wow great video, I had no idea that was a check plug, I have the jeep cherokee with this transmission, the fluid is crazy expensive, much easier with the plug vs the aftermarket dipstick.

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

There is another guy on KZbin who references the Jeep transmissions and the dipstick and he notes that their fluid level is higher than Honda sets their fluid level since the Jeep needs to be able to take steeper angles.

[@HCR_Vids]

Love the bloopers at the end! Great content and very helpful!

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

😅 Thanks brother!

[@markm0000]

I really like Amsoil and from everything I’ve seen online they’re the best. Unfortunately I already changed the oil in all my cars and trucks last month. I will be ordering from you before the end of the year for taxes. Thanks Mike

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

That's great Mark thanks for the support! Let me know if I can help you with that preferred customer membership. 1463115 is my dealer number for the referral😁

[@markm0000]

@@MikeTrullAmsoildealer Ok I got around to applying for a commercial account and I made sure to add your name and number. We will see if I get approved. I hate overpaying for maintenance and oil prices are getting ridiculous even for the cheap stuff. It seems like Amsoil is unaffected because of the relatively low volume sales.

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

@@markm0000 thanks Mark! I will be looking for it to come through I appreciate the business! So Amsoil has had price increases but they try really really really hard to keep prices low but raw materials do eventually make price increases necessary.

[@markm0000]

@@MikeTrullAmsoildealer You’re welcome Mike. We will see but at least I gave it a shot and tried.

[@markm0000]

@@MikeTrullAmsoildealer The problem is auto parts and fleet stores are taking advantage of supply shortages and hiking up prices like crazy.

[@tyblack3487]

Really enjoyed this video, thanks! I drained 3.9 qts of the original, old fluid but see that the owners manual states that changes are 3.5 qts. Would it be better to refill with the recommended 3.5 or replace the same amount that drained and refill with 3.9? Thanks!!

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

You are welcome thank you so much for watching glad it was helpful! The right answer by-the-book is to have it running at the proper temperature and pull the check plug after adding the three and a half quarts to make sure it was full. I guess it would make me nervous to put in less than was installed from the factory. Also there's another good video on KZbin where the same transmission is in an Acura MDX I believe. The guy who works on transmissions a lot said that the same ZF is also used in certain Jeeps and they purposely fill then to a slightly higher level in order to deal with the steeper angles that the Jeep would be expected to negotiate off-road... very interesting since overfilling can be a bad thing, but underfilling I think is worse.

[@Ronaldo_hxxph]

Thanks for the advice and video i just did it myself and save $ money

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

That's great I'm so glad to hear that Merry Christmas thanks for watching and commenting!

[@kevb6233]

Great job - clear and to the point. Thank you.

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching & commenting!

[@robertligeza237]

What I drained out is what I put back in

[@mrbogeygolf6946]

This is they way, measure the out and the in. Then there is no level drain

[@richardclark4610]

That ZF trans takes a SPECIFIC ATF (Honda ATF 3.1) It's expensive (abt $33 per liter) but they are VERY specific about using that specific ATF. Use any other ATF at your own peril......ask how much a new ZF 9 speed trans cost is! haha

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

We were careful to use that exact fluid. Honda ATF 3.1

[@x-man4702]

@@MikeTrullAmsoildealer You can also use Mopar 8 & 9 speed transmission fluid, it's the same fluid as the Honda ATF 3.1

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

@@x-man4702 very true. People forget this is a ZF transmission not a Honda or Chrysler. The manufacturer specific fluids must just be blended to ZF specifications. Thanks for the info!

[@joenarvaez19]

I have a 2022 honda pilot, with 9000 miles on it, ive always felt that the oem fluid in it is garbage, is there any other brand that i can use

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

@@joenarvaez19 unfortunately Amsoil does not have a compatible fluid. I'm not sure what others may be compatible. Here are Amsoil's recommendations for your vehicle: www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-and-light-truck/2022/honda/pilot/3-5l-6-cyl-engine-code-j35y6-3/?volume=us-volume&zo=1463115

[@AmitPatel-bq1tp]

very clear on video. why do you have to open the check point plug? Is it for extra fluid you added or it is for old fluid to get drained and wait for clear fluitd you see. Then how many quarts does it need.

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

So the official procedure is that you're supposed to let the fluid drain out of that hole and the level stabilize... I was just nervous that I was letting too much drain out as the temperature of the transmission kept climbing, further expanding the fluid... this is the procedure for setting the level since it does not have a dipstick. I have heard that people have simply drained and then refilled with 3.5 quarts and called it good... never even removing that check plug on the side but that is the official way to check the level. Would be nice if there was a dipstick.

[@edwinpurnomo1612]

Honda parts said 9 speed Odyssey needs 3.5 quarts trans oil. So if I drain old oil out and refill 3.5 quarts new 9 speed trans oil should be ok right? Is there a reason to check the overflow oil? We know already that trans need 3.5 quarts oil. Thank you brother, God bless you

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

I didn't want to go so far as to say don't check your transmission oil after the service, but I think your logic is correct. There is another guy on KZbin that does the service on an Acura with the same transmission and he measured exactly three and a half quarts that came out. I'll see if I can find the video. I'm with you that would be a much simpler drain and fill than having to remove that check plug

[@jayjanyh2932]

You pointed out...the engine is running, the tranny is getting hotter and hotter, as you were trying to get the check level plug back in. This heat is expanding the fluid causing more and more to ooze out. What was the temperature of the transmission, when you removed the check level plug?

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

Thanks for watching and thanks for the well-thought-out question. Since I do not have a way to check transmission temperature I used the fact that it was warm, but not so hot that I couldn't stand to touch it To make an educated guess that the temperature was probably a little over 100ﾟ but probably under 120ﾟ. To ensure that we did not underfill the transmission , we went ahead and added The other half quart of fluid and it has been running flawlessly ever since… On a side note we just switched the Van over to 2 Amsoil motor oil about a month ago in a more recent video.

[@charlesjohnson7774]

I would have measured what was taken out ,and compared it to what was put back in regardless..

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

Its a good reference point for sure

[@HEPATCA]

After the initial fill, when you were cycling through the lower few gears, where the wheels turning? Also, did you put the car into "vsa maintenance mode"?

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

good questions, no the wheels were stationary. And no I did not know about VSA maintenance mode Is. I will Have to look into it.

[@rondail5675]

Howdy neighbor. I bought my 2022 Ridgeline Black Edition at Balise Oct-2021. I traded-in a 2019. Is Dr Janice your wife? I live behind the Lowes store on Rte-1.

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

Really cool. No I live in Clearwater Florida hahaha but I ordered parts from t h a t dealership sometimes as they have a really good website and prices

[@chakrisr.7950]

After you're done checking the level, why couldn't you shut off the engine before attempting to put the check plug back in?

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

Because on an automatic transmission when you turn the engine off the fluid level immediately starts to rise . Great question!

[@lovetacoma8604]

thank you

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

@@lovetacoma8604 you are welcome thanks for watching and commenting! Hope the video was helpful

[@paulrobinson3528]

Great video, thank you. Do you check the level with the engine running??

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

Thank you so much. Yes check the level with the engine running. If you turn the engine off the level will rise and too much fluid would run out of the check plug. Checking the fluid level with the engine running is common with most traditional automatic transmissions. What is interesting is if it has a Honda transmission (rather than the ZF) they want you to check the fluid level 60 seconds after you turn off the engine , as in my 03 Accord V6 and my 07 pilot. Happy Easter / Resurrection Day!

[@user-cp4bu4dp8o]

2018 Honda Odyssey. Looking at my fill plug, found where you said, the black tube by the fill hole was off. What is this tube used for, possible breather or something else. Thanks

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

I don't know for sure but like you said possibly a breather tube

[@user-cp4bu4dp8o]

Thank you sir

[@bluelawn420]

thanks for the video

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

You are welcome thanks for watching! I was really stumbling through getting that check plug back in at the end but I hope it can help my viewers to be ready for that.

[@binhha6856]

Thank you

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

Glad to help! Thanks for watching :)

[@williamfulton3225]

What about the filter located underneath the battery box?

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

Sounds like a good project for another video thanks for watching

[@chakrisr.7950]

Is there a separate washer for the drain plug or is it built into the plug?

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

Each plug has a Built-in O ring . I do not believe you are able to change the Ring it might even be silicone. Hence the owner's insistence on replacing all 3 plugs just like Honda Recommends.I think you can get away with Reusing the fill plug though Since it's very unlikely to have it leak

[@TheJorgern]

My 2023 honda passport port says atf 3.a. When i drive it aggressive it shifts hard. Only had it a week. Wonder if i add an extra quart it would fix that?

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

I would take it back to the dealer ASAP have them check the fluid level. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@TheJorgern]

@@MikeTrullAmsoildealer Seems like dealers don't think out side the box. Straight by the book. Just bought another quart of atf 3.1and added to the existing fluid. I'm getting better gas mileage. Atf was at where it supposed to be but now it has an extra quart. According to the Honda that's way to much. Tomorrow I'll punch it. I'll update the results.

[@spartus56996]

What does the owners manual say is the service interval for that trans ?

[@markm0000]

I found the owners manual on Honda’s website and this is what it says in the Maintenance section under Transmission: “Have a dealer check the fluid level and replace if necessary. Do not attempt to check or change the automatic transmission fluid yourself.” Just another auto manufacturer that wants you to burn up your own transmission and buy a new car after 100k miles. I’ve watched quite a few mechanics on this website and the general consensus is that if you have a CVT replace the transmission fluid and filter every 30k miles. If it’s a older style automatic then 50k miles is fine. I know pretty much nobody does this and sometimes you get lucky and it lasts 150k sometimes it doesn’t. If you want to keep your car forever then change the transmission oil. Never get a transmission “flush” service that will screw it up. Only drop the oil in the pan and change the filter. That’s good enough.

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

I think the owner had said he was supposed to do it at 60K but I'm not sure where he got that info. And the dealer quoted him $350 to do a drain and fill.

[@kenbossi5338]

2019 Pilot setting transmission codes. 66 km. Dealer in Canada was $750 to have the oil changed. What a rip-off

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

@@kenbossi5338 so sorry for your experience Ken that sounds awful.

[@toddac61]

@@kenbossi5338 Just had other service done at Honda dealer in NY. They recommended change fluid since it is 80K miles. They only want $225 US to do it. To buy 4 quarts of fluid I hear is $100 and honda wants you to change the three plugs at $30 each so no reason to not have the dealer do it. It is interesting they only charge $49.99 for a 5.7 quart synthetic oil and filter change but the parts department wants $21 just for a filter!

[@edwinpurnomo1612]

Does transmission has transmission filter? Thank you

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

Not one that is serviceable from what I can gather. There is an internal filter that I believe can only be changed by removing and disassembling the transmission.

[@reyperez3424]

Some of them have an external filter and can be located on the transmission line that comes from radiator or transmission cooler, it’s small, looks like a fuel filter

[@razoray78]

Can you tell me where is the Transmission Fluid dipstick? Been searching but could not find it

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

There is no dipstick on this transmission... there is a fill plug on the top there is a drain plug on the bottom and there is a check plug on the side. The level check plug on the side is there so that when the vehicle is warm idling in park you remove the check plug and in theory only a small amount should dribble out indicating that the level is correct. Otherwise add fluid until it starts to dribble out.

[@razoray78]

@@MikeTrullAmsoildealer wow, really? So there is no way to quickly check how dark the ATF is without going through all those you did? Wonder what the reason is....same with PS fluid...not sure if there is on this year and model.

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

@@razoray78 it's a big frustration on a lot of the newer vehicles that they do not have transmission dipsticks. I guess they don't want you to mess with it they want you to bring it to the dealer for service. Makes things more difficult for sure

[@wingrider687]

Question: why do you only need 3.5 quarts when total fill is 7.7?

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

Excellent question. It's because when you remove the drain plug you only drain about three and a half quarts. The remaining fluid is trapped inside the torque converter and other parts of the transmission. I don't remember if this transmission has external cooler lines going to the radiator or not, but on Transmissions that do you can take one of those lines loose, add new fluid while a helper starts the vehicle and the transmission will pump the fluid through itself until it starts coming out looking like new fluid. This is also called the poor man's transmission flush and I have done it many times. I have a couple videos where I do it.

[@wingrider687]

@@MikeTrullAmsoildealer one other question: you left the engine running to check the level, right?

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

@@wingrider687 yes since this ZF transmission calls for leaving it running. Normally with a Honda transmission you check your level just after turning the engine off.

[@wingrider687]

@@MikeTrullAmsoildealer thank-you!

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

@@wingrider687 you are welcome. Got to give credit where credit is due and this is another very good video on the subject same ZF transmission in an Acura and he comments on how they are also used in jeeps and how they set their fluid level kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3nLhaejgbejj5Y

[@davidhenry3938]

What is the torque value for the plugs?

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

I have not been able to find that information. Sorry. I do it 'snug' no reason to over tighten. If I had to guess 25 to 30 ft lb. Thank you for watching

[@jayzbroski3154]

26

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

@@jayzbroski3154 thank you!

[@FlipSideGarage]

Which vans have the cvt transmission

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

That's a great question. Does anyone else on here know?

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

www.odyclub.com/threads/cvt-transmission-question-do-i-have-one.65248/ According to this only in other markets

[@transtar54]

A lot over miles

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

😬

[@teoteo9021]

Don't flush, incomplete procedure

[@익선-d8p]

이전 세대에.비해 아주 일하기 더럽게 만들어 놓았네..이유를 모르겠음. 미션 액 교환이 왜 그리어려워졌지?

[@johnsteele8073]

3new plugs? $75 in plugs lol. This is not the right process at all for checking the level so anyone watching this please do not follow this. You have to verify that it gets up to a certain temperature via the Honda scan tool which obviously we don't have... None of these steps are really right.... Your best bet will be to assume that it came with the correct level from the factory and when you drain it just measure how much you drain and put that much back in. Most dealerships are just using 3.5 quarts and reusing the plug. If you insist on having a brand new plug and you insist on doing a three times drain nfill or whatever.... Use the old plug until you're done doing your drain and fills and then for the last one use the new plug why would you waste a brand new $25 plug for like 30 seconds of usage?

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

Yeah the owner wanted to use new plugs. You are right about getting it up to a certain temperature. Everything I read online had the temperature maybe around 110°-- so warm, but definitely not operating temperature. Thanks for watching

[@johnnyappleseed678]

Lol. You think the Honda tech uses a scan tool for transmission fluid change? Also you think the Honda tech follows procedures for everything? Bless your heart. I've heard many of the cringiest stories from Honda techs. Some that'll make you never take your vehicle in to a Honda service department ever again!

[@johnsteele8073]

@@johnnyappleseed678 spare me your ignorant condescension. I clearly stated most just use 3.5 qts.

[@reyperez3424]

@@MikeTrullAmsoildealer Don’t try to teach everyone that complaints, they should start their own channel. I think you did a great job

[@MikeTrullAmsoildealer]

@@reyperez3424 thanks for the encouragement!