9th Gen (2012-2015) Honda Civic Si Manual Transmission Drain & Fill 

@jjs Thank you! I’m glad it helped. I’ll be posting more videos here soon of the Civic. Getting coilovers soon so I’ll be posting a how-to video on that then.

@D Smooth It honestly isn’t that bad to do on your own and I personally don’t even trust Jiffy Lube for a simple oil change 😂 and if I wasn’t at work doing the video on it I definitely would’ve had a beer (or 4).

If you look at the other comments you’ll see that there are two fill plugs, one on top and one on the side just above the drain plug. Side note: tight is tight just don’t tighten it like the Hulk and you’re fine. Still no leaks from mine yet and I’m ready to do this a second time in about 5,000 miles.

Good to know for next time, thank you! 🙏

@@TheNemesisCoupe no problem! Wasn't trying to be a know-it-all just trying to share information with our community. So you know I watched your video today before I did it on my old lady's car I appreciate the help

Of course and no worries, I appreciate the feedback and anything to help me be a better mechanic is much appreciated!

Level plug?

Always make sure the fill plug will come loose before removing the drain plug.

@Fabian Quesada I would also suggest checking all of your engine mounts as well, make sure the bushings aren’t torn or degraded too much.

You still have OEM CMC/Slave? Aftermarket kits help tremendously with this since the OEM CMC has a fluid delay valve which will make gears grind high RPM. I went with KTUNED kit and haven’t had any problems yet

@moon cheese I’m gonna have to look into getting that 👀

@@TheNemesisCoupe definitely do it! Not too expensive depending how much of a budget you’re on. The Ktuned kit with the steel braided hose was like $160 I believe and OEM was $400 from my local Honda dealership lmao

I have the same problem with my car .. it shifts hard at high rpms… did you found a solution?

I would say yes you do, I never replaced mine but you should always replace them either every service or every other service.

@@TheNemesisCoupe oh true thanks I'll grab one soon

Does the car still live?

Yeah, Honda recommends every 60,000 miles for the 9th Gen Si, I don’t know where that lube guy got that info from. 😂 glad my video could help you!

Yes, it has 200,000 miles and runs perfect.

Thank you!! As far as tools go, grab a 3/8s ratchet and basic socket set that goes up to 19 mm, plenty of extensions and a transmission funnel.

I would say maybe a 5 inch extension should be fine!

Also, the fill plug is a 17mm if I remember correctly

@Edward Ortiz Thank you!! I appreciate the support!!

The drain plug is going to be on the side at the bottom, the plug above that on the side is a fill/level check to make sure there isn’t too much fluid in the transmission. The top is also a fill plug.

You can fill from either one. The 17mm bolt is more of a check plug to make sure the correct amount of fluid is in the transmission. If you take the bolt out and the fluid just drips out it’s good to go. If it pours out then there’s too much in it. I guess it’s more just personal preference but whatever works for you is fine. Honda says EXACTLY 2 quarts of transmission fluid should be in the transmission so as long as you’re not over or under that you should be fine. I guess no one else does it this way because they might not know about it? Not quite sure tbh.

@Johnny Yang Thank you! I did mine at 60k

@@TheNemesisCoupe ic thanks

@@TheNemesisCoupe i see some video some fill their transmission fluid from tha bottom next to the oil drain hole n some did like urs

@Johnny Yang Either way is fine to do, I just figured doing it from the top was easier with a transmission funnel

Are you able to obtain any service history from the previous owner? If you can find out whether it was done before or not, I would hold off on doing it just to be safe. I would also inquire about recommendations from a Honda dealer as well to see what they say. And thank you very much! 🙏 I really appreciate the support!

@@TheNemesisCoupe I bought it from a small dealership the only thing I got was the car fax and it showed that I wasn’t done. Thank you for replaying btw 🙌🏼

MT fluid should be change every 120,000 miles or 72 months. Don't believe the guys at Jiffy Lube

@augustodelvalle Actually, HONDA (the company that makes the car) specifically states IN THE SERVICE BOOKLET AND AT THE DEALER SHIP that the MT fluid MUST BE CHANGED EVERY 60,000 miles. Not only that but I’m the dashboard EVERY 60,000 miles, the service reminder will come on to change out the MT fluid. Do your research before giving false information on things you know nothing about.

Did you try the fluid change? Did it help? Mine does the same...

@@artnale30 hows yours now?

Yes, you do have to remove the air intake. And it depends on your mileage. How many miles do you have on yours?

@@TheNemesisCoupe pretty high mileage. I’m at 155k

@@ABR0WN it’s easy man. Just take your time. You can also fill from the bottom if you don’t want to remove the intake

Is this the correct transmission fluid? www.amsoil.com/p/manual-synchromesh-transmission-fluid-5w-30-mtf/

@@outofmind9222 how do I fill from the bottom?

I’ve heard of this problem, I’d let the car idle for about 5 or 10 minutes to warm up before shifting into first gear.

I’ve never had that problem (if I did it might have been only once or twice) I’m not sure if it would fix the problem but it’s worth a shot. Honda recommends the service every so often so it couldn’t hurt to try.

@@TheNemesisCoupe where did you buy the transmission fluid ?

At my local Honda dealership, just walked in and asked for it at the parts counter.

@@TheNemesisCoupe so I can get it at any auto parts store ?

You know what, that’s actually a really good question, I’ll go more in depth with my answer to that one in an upcoming video but typically, the 9th Gen Civic’s tell you when it’s time to change fluids in the mini screen on the dash next to the speedometer. I would have to say every 60k for these cars for a transmission drain and fill BUT the owner’s manual tells you everything as far as different service intervals.

Didn’t have to use a retainer. I actually got this shift boot from Amazon and it comes with a sown-in collar that sits on top of the lock nut on the shifter. I’ve had this boot for a few years now and so far no issues with quality. Had to cut slits for the shift boot to attach into the plastic console cover so it would stay in place. Here’s the link to it: POSENG Universal Suede Leather Shift Boot Manual or Auto Gear Shift Cover a.co/d/6TIYVgR

Acuity has a great boot collar that I recommend. The 9th gen OEM one is garbage.

I got that list from the Honda dealership down the road from me from their parts and service department. Typically your dealer OR your manual that came with the car will tell you exactly what you need.

On the side of the transmission you’ll find the drain plug at the bottom but above it there should be a check/fill plug. Remove that plug and if fluid doesn’t drip out, you’re low. If fluid comes pouring out then it’s overfilled. You want a nice steady drip coming out of the check/fill plug hole.

805sav thank you!! 🙏

I’d get Honda OEM transmission fluid from the dealership, but that’s just my personal preference.

amsoil synchromesh fluid works good

Chris Corbin honestly, I’m not sure how you’d check the level. I’m not even sure there really is a specific way to check it. I tried googling it and got nothing.

@@TheNemesisCoupe same here all I get is to drain and refill. I have a question tho. The tube you used to add the fluid to the second plug next to the transmission plug. What is that drain for ?

Chris Corbin it’s early and I just woke up but I might be reading your question wrong. What do you mean? My drainer I used to catch the old transmission fluid? Or my transmission fluid funnel to add the fluid?

@@TheNemesisCoupe you used a 5/8" tubing and you slightly turned the nut before you took off the drain plug.

You can check the level of the tranny fluid by removing the bolt above the drain plug, if no fluid leaks out of it that means you've got it where it should be. Can also just drain all of it out and pour in 2 quarts of the OEM Honda MTF and you're all set to go.

@daniel vidales I’m not 100% sure but it can’t be too different.

Of course!! Thanks for watching and supporting the channel!! 🙏

@Emillio Diaz I’m not 100% sure to be honest. I would assume not but I’ll look into that

Because the top bolt isn't the fill plug. The 17mm above the drain plug is the fill bolt. That's how you tell if your trans is full on fluid or not. This method is a blind shot way of filling your trans without knowing if you overfilled or not.

@@OneNoteScream actually yeah, you can fill from either one. The 17mm bolt is more of a check plug to make sure the correct amount of fluid is in the transmission. If you take the bolt out and the fluid just drips out it’s good to go. If it pours out then there’s too much in it. Honda recommends 2 quarts exactly so idk how this method is a blind shot? If anything it’s a sure fire way of doing it. But whatever works for you is good enough I guess. 🤷🏻‍♂️

@@TheNemesisCoupe I've done it, and from the side is a pita. From the top is the way to go.

Joeee Eeel some say yes, some say no. I got a new one for the oil drain plug and not the transmission. I usually change them out every other time I change fluids.

The reverse gear isn’t synchronized so it wouldn’t be bad synchros. Is the car still moving when you put it into reverse, or are you stopped completely?

This is a normal occurrence with lots of Honda Civic manuals. I thought it was weird as well. Just put it in first to align the synchros and then reverse. Not a defect. This is normal.

@@TheNemesisCoupe car is in a complete stand still

@@DanmTheSystem yeah I do that and it does work but I wanna be able to put into reverse with no problem I have ocd lol so it bothers me

@Daily Asthetics I get the OCD thing lol but yeah like what @Austin said, it’s a normal Honda thing. Honda has always had very quirky transmissions, both automatic and manual. The autos are a whole different kind of quirky though lmao but yeah, it’s normal.

@jose padilla Nope, just drain and fill

Thank you 🙏

Nope, not on these.

1.892 Liters or 2 Quarts of Transmission Fluid

@@TheNemesisCoupe is same to k20?

@@robertorodriguez7629 that I’m not 100% sure, you’d have to check with your local Honda dealer on that.

Nooooooooo

Because my favorite color is red…plus it’s my car and I make the payments on it so I do what I please with it. If you would like me to do something else to it, buy the parts and I’ll install them or you can pay my car payments.

And for the record, yes, it adds AT LEAST 50hp and 30 lb-ft of torque

@@TheNemesisCoupe

notch_mobin Mc yep, K24Z7

So you can also fill from the top? I filled mine from the bottom with the syringe.

Interesting, originally that’s what I thought I had to do but turns out there’s a fill plug up top. My CB7 Accord was the same way, there was a fill tube at the top but most other cars I’ve had you had to fill it with a syringe from the side.

The Nemesis Coupe but what I don’t understand is it should take the same amount. Just before 2 quarts. So uh, the way I leveled it was let it drip until it stopped then add the fill bolt. I didn’t watch the full video but from the top wouldn’t drip. Going to see how you finished it

I went to Ebersole Honda over by my house and they gave me the paper and told me it took exactly 2 quarts, all I did was add both quarts they gave me and the transmission actually felt better after doing it.

Please use no more than 30 ft/lbs for the drain bolt 😂

2 ugga duggas should do it. Still no leaks to this day and I have to change the fluid again 60,000 miles later. 🤷🏻‍♂️

What about it makes it the “UgLiEsT sHiFt BoOt” you’ve ever seen?

9th generation being 2012-2015

I definitely did 😂😂😂