I've seen tons of information on changing the ATF at the 60k mark. Apparently it seems that the first is 60k, then every 30k after.
Now, my concern is, I am seeing that a FULL flush is three drain/refills after a 100 miles between them.
IS THIS "THE" 60k service? Or is a single drain/refill ok for the 60k, and following 30ks? Dealership wanted 50$ for a drain/refill, so I would think that their PM service for ATF change is just ONE drain/refill. Else, they would flush (everyone else I called said 150$ for a flush)

So, What is it? One drain/refill, or three? 40$ for the fluid, and a tube/funnel, really isn't much less than a service. However, if I buy a case of fluid for the 3 drain/refills, then I will be saving quite a bit.

edit: just since I'm here...what would a dealer/service place charge for an AC condenser? Mine is leaking, so I can let them do it all, or buy the core from Ebay?

 

Our only Auto transmission Honda was our '99 Acura TL. That transmission was fine with a single drain & fill at 60K miles, then a single D&F every 30k miles after (or two years, as we drove it less as it got older). We ran that car with NO transmission problems until it was totaled by a deer at 180K.

We would buy a case of ATF, also...you are correct about the savings. But I also did the ATF replacements on a friend's Civic.

The only time that a 3X D&F is needed, is if you had problems, or bought a used car and suspected that a generic ATF was installed.

 

If I get a case of 12 bottles, will the ATF last in storage? I always wondered about that with oil. Change oil every x miles, or x months, whichever is sooner. Meaning it degrades over time. So if I have a case of unopened oil for 6 years.......is it bad oil now?
Snerk.
I'd save 86$ on fluid if it lasts for a good amount of years. 3 bottles per change every 30k is about 2 years. Case will last 6 years.

 

Don't worry about storing engine oil or ATF.


In use, the fluids become contaminated. Engine oil with gasoline and compression blow-by. ATF, with metal particles from the wet-plate clutches inside (that's why the transmission drain plug has a magnet on it). The contamination is worse on short trips, so that is why the time interval is specified.


Somewhere I read a report from an employee of Blackstone Labs (this is a company that does used oil analysis) who bought some unopened 1960s oil cans off Ebay and analyzed the contents. The 'juice' inside still met the specs it was manufactured to at the time!

 

Good to know. Time to make my UPS driver earn his money. And a real reason to yell at me.