The tilt towards the passenger side will aid in keeping some fluid in the trans – not to overfill of course – but better than the car tilting the other way. I fed the funnel from the top of the engine bay and allowed the end to go into the open fill hole. I don’t have pictures of the actual drain, but the fluid did look like it needed a change.Īfter the fluid drained, I put the drain bolt back in, jacked the car up, and switched the tilt of the car from the driver side towards the passenger side. Having the fill bolt out and the car tilted slightly towards the driver’s side as mentioned will aid in the draining. I took out the fill bolt up top, used a 3/8 drive ratchet to break open the drain bolt, and drained the MTF into a container below. Why? If instead the drain bolt is opened first then all the fluid will come out and if there are complications with the getting the fill bolt off, then there’s no way to get fluid back into the trans. I recommend trying to break the top bolt open first. Some fluid coming out after breaking open the top bolt. Locating the fill bolt by peering down towards the back end of the transmission is simple. There is also a brace just under the MAF sensor plug held on with a 12mm bolt. I unclipped the MAF sensor plug, the thick then thin vacuum hoses, and the two clamps holding the intake to the manifold. To gain much better access to the trans fill plug, the short ram intake needed to be removed, which I believe is much easier than having the stock intake box.

I recommend having the car tilted slightly towards the driver’s side – not super-negative-camber-hellaflush tilt, but just slightly. Just as if I were changing oil the car was jacked up and supported on jack stands. There are other options like a screw on pump, but I opted for the funnel because I figured I could use it for other purposes in the future. I also got a FloTool long funnel from my local Autozone. I know people who have used Amsoil, but I don’t know with what kind of results. Supposedly there are special additives in there that beneficial. I was informed for many years to use genuine Honda transmission fluid when it came to Honda’s specifically. The parts guy ended up giving me the crush washer for free. Prior to all this, I went to the Honda dealership to get 2 quarts of Honda MTF for about $10 each. Admittedly I’ve never done a manual transmission fluid (MTF) change all by myself.

That along with the mis-shifts from race 9 and race 10 compelled me that the car was overdue for a transmission fluid change. The civic had just reached the 78,000 mark. Transmission Fluid Funnel or equivalent substitute.2 quarts – Genuine Honda Manual Transmission Fluid.3/8 ratchet drive – Lower Drain Bolt – 30 ft/lb torque.17mm – Transmission Fill Bolt – 30 ft/lb torque.How to Change Manual Transmission Fluid | 2011 Civic Si | 8th Gen Civic

Honda transmission fluid change civic