How Long Does It Take to Change the Transmission Oil for a Fit?
4 Answers
Under normal circumstances, changing the transmission oil for a Fit takes about half an hour. Below are the methods for changing the transmission oil for a Fit: 1. There are two methods for changing transmission oil: one is gravity replacement, and the other is using a circulation machine. It is recommended to use the circulation machine method because it can clean the transmission, whereas gravity replacement only replaces the oil without cleaning the transmission. 2. The gravity oil replacement method generally involves lifting and securing the vehicle, finding a suitable container to hold the transmission oil, locating the transmission oil pan, and using tools to unscrew the drain plug, allowing the transmission oil to flow out. If adding ATF oil, there is usually a filling port. 3. The circulation machine replacement method uses specialized transmission cleaning equipment. During the operation of the transmission, the old oil is thoroughly circulated and completely drained before adding new transmission oil, achieving a replacement rate of over 90% and ensuring a good oil change effect.
I just finished changing the transmission fluid for our old Fit at home, and the whole process took about two hours. If it's purely manual draining and gravity refilling, a skilled worker can get it done in just over an hour. But the mechanic mentioned that many shops now use a flushing machine for the change—it's cleaner but takes significantly more time. Just flushing the lines requires adding three to four times the amount of new fluid, and the car needs to be hooked up to the equipment for a while. Last time I opted for the machine flush, it took nearly three hours until the new fluid ran clear. Actually, the time mainly depends on how dirty the old fluid is. If it's something like not being changed for 80,000 kilometers, the sludge buildup will definitely slow things down. It's advisable to book an appointment in advance and avoid weekend peak hours to save some time.
As a third-generation Fit owner, I've had my transmission fluid changed twice, with noticeable differences in service speed between shops. At a regular repair shop, a gravity drain and refill plus inspection took just one hour—they even adjusted my brakes in the same visit. But the dealership was much slower; last time their records showed two hours and twenty minutes. They claimed it was due to following procedures: removing the oil pan to clean the strainer, and checking fluid level in three stages. The most time-consuming part was warming up the vehicle to test oil temperature—they had to lift the car and let it idle while the mechanic kept crawling underneath to monitor the overflow port. Pro tip: avoid rainy days for this service—the shop's queue gets terrifyingly long.
The timing for changing the transmission oil in a Fit largely depends on the method used. A gravity drain is like pouring water from a kettle—unscrew the drain plug, let it gush out, then refill with new oil, taking at most forty minutes. However, this only replaces about 40% of the old oil, which is why I prefer spending twice as much time on a flush replacement. The machine pressurizes and pushes new oil in to displace the old oil—though more expensive, it’s far more thorough. My CVT took two and a half hours, and I had to stay the whole time. Honestly, checking with a few shops is wise—some are overloaded with bookings and jammed up, stretching what should be a two-hour job into an afternoon delivery.
