I have a 2013 Honda CR-V AWD with the 5-speed automatic transmission.
I took it to the dealership to do a transmission fluid drain and fill and a filter change. Once I got home, I checked the fluid color and it was a light brown. Before, the fluid was a slightly darker brown. The difference between the colors is small. It looks like some fluid had been drained, because there’s wet spot on the plastic cover over transmission pan, but I’m concerned that they either used the wrong fluid or only drained some of the old fluid and refilled.
I called the dealership about this, since the proper fluid (ATF-DW1) is supposed to be bright red. They told me that it will take some time for the dirty fluid to filter out and then it’ll look red.
What do you think?
A drain and fill only replaces some of the fluid. For instance, in my Camry, less than half comes out during this procedure. If your fluid was brown to begin with, a lighter brown sounds about right. It will not magically turn red by going through the filter, that was BS.
It happened to me. I have done the same. I think, in my case, they did flushing instead of totally drain the Trans oil. In this case, some old oil will remain and that's why you don't see brand new color of oil. What I did, I drove the car another 20k, and changed the trans oil. There is a reason sometime it's good idea not to drain the entire trns. oil, especially if the old oil is so dark and it's been dreven high mileage. That's to avoid slipping if there was a damage due to not replacing trans oil.
does it smell burnt, or does it smell like new fluid? How many miles on the transmission?
