Just realized people are forgetting how to check their transmission fluid on newer cars

I was helping a buddy swap out a radiator on his 2018 Civic last weekend and he asked me where the transmission dipstick was. Told him Honda doesn't even put one on those anymore, it's a sealed unit you have to take to a shop for. Seems like every car after 2015 is going this route and nobody is talking about how much more expensive it makes basic maintenance. Has anyone else run into this with newer models?

3 comments

3 Comments

flores.emma5d ago

Wait, isn't a 2018 Civic still using a CVT that has a dipstick? I thought Honda only started sealing those up around 2020 or so. My buddy's 2019 Accord has a dipstick still, and it's the same generation as that Civic. You might have been looking in the wrong spot, or maybe the radiator swap had something to do with it. Either way, I have to push back a bit because I've checked fluid on a few newer Hondas and they still have one, it's just tucked under the air intake on some models.

taylor_patel5d ago

Honda sealed CVTs in 2019 actually, not 2020.

fionafoster4d ago

The 2018 Civic still had a dipstick, yeah, but it's not tucked under the air intake on that model. On the 10th gen Civics the dipstick is actually right on top of the transmission, near the battery. You gotta pull the air intake tube off to see it clearly on some trims though.