Hi everyone,
I have a 2012 Honda Accord ex-l automatic with 62k miles. I got a drain and fill done for the transmission at 59k miles earlier this year. I went for an oil change today at a local shop and the mechanic stated my transmission needed a fluid change, stating it was dirty. I found that absurd given it was recently changed and the color looked adequate to me. How does the color look? Was the mechanic making a wrong observation? Any comments are appreciated. Thanks.
P.S. I could not attach bigger pictures in the textbox, apologies on the quality.
I can't tell the color in the picture but the fluid should have a reddish tint to it. There is no way a transmission should need a transmission fluid change in 3000 miles.
Your mechanic is giving you the hard sell. If you have changed the fluid and filter as per the maintenance section of your owner's manual, you know that it's OK. Find another, honest, mechanic, please.
If you KNOW it was changed, find a new mechanic. Hard to tell off photos when it comes to trans fluid unfortunately.
It's easier to judge the color if you smear the stick over a white towel or paper.
Your fluid doesn't look very new and bright to me, but maybe the photos are just bad.
Use your sense of smell. Does it smell new like out of a fresh bottle, or burnt?
New transmission fluid is a transparent red color and as other folks stated it doesn't make sense for a car to need a transmission fluid change that soon. So check the fluid color and if it looks right then your mechanic is lying and you should find another mechanic. I personally won't trust a mechanic that would lie to me for a transmission fluid.
