The transmission fluid in your 2004 Honda Accord should be changed about every 50,000 miles for optimum transmission performance. Allowing the old fluid to go far beyond this 50,000 mile-mark could create problems within the transmission system, as old transmission fluid becomes thick, sticky and corrosive. The worse the fluid gets, the more the various components within your transmission are bound to abrasively rub against one another. Time-consuming as the transmission fluid task may be, a great deal of cost can be saved by changing the fluid yourself rather than taking your Accord to a professional mechanic.
Drive your Accord five to 10 miles to warm the transmission fluid for the changing task.
Park your vehicle on level ground so that no part of the car is tipped as you change the transmission fluid.
Raise your car approximately six to eight inches off the ground using a car jack supported by jack stands. For even elevation, you should use two stands on the left side and two stands on the right side of the car.
Go under the front of your car and locate the transmission pan. It resembles the bottom side of a kitchen baking pan and is mounted by eight bolts plus a center drain plug.
Put your drain pan directly under the transmission pan so that the fluid will empty straight down into your drain pan, rather than splashing onto the ground and creating an unnecessary mess.
Put your safety glasses and protective gloves on to prevent injury during the draining portion of the transmission fluid changing procedure.
Unplug the drain cap using your socket wrench. Fluid will instantly begin pouring out of the drain and into your drip pan, so use caution that the hot fluid does not spill or splash onto you.
Remove the bolts from the transmission pan's perimeter, keeping in mind that a small amount of hot fluid may be sitting at the bottom of the pan.
Dump any remaining fluid into the drip pan.
Wipe the transmission pan clean with your damp rag and degreaser.
Tighten the bolts back onto the transmission pan's mounting position, just as it was before removal.
Remove the jack stands from both sides of your Accord and lower the jack with caution.
Open your Accord's hood and locate the fill port at the top of your transmission. On the 2004 Honda Accord, the transmission is located closer to the driver's side of the car near the windshield.
Add the transmission fluid one quart at a time with the vehicle running and emergency brake engaged.
After each quart of fluid has been poured into the transmission through the funnel, slowly shift into each gear. This encourages the fluid to push through the system, thereby lubricating each intricate component of the transmission.
Fill the third quart of transmission fluid very gradually, since the entire quart may not fit and you do not want to risk the mess of overflow. The dipstick that is attached to the fill port will show you when the fluid has reached the transmission's maximum capacity.
Replace the fill port's cap and close your hood to complete the transmission fluid change.
