--- title: "2012-2015 Honda Pilot Transmission Fluid & Coolant" description: "Which transmission fluid, coolant, and brake fluid the 2012-2015 Honda Pilot takes, with capacities and the specifications each one has to meet. Transmission: 5-speed automatic: Honda ATF DW-1 only. Do not substitute generic Dexron/Mercon ATF. Drain-and-fill takes ~3-3.5 qt; do 2-3 sequential drain/fills for a fuller exchange.. Coolant: Honda Long Life Type 2 coolant (blue, pre-mixed). First change per Maintenance Minder code 5 (~10 yr/100k mi), then ~5 yr/60k.." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2012-2015/fluids" updated: "2026-08-21" --- # 2012-2015 Honda Pilot Fluid Types and Capacities Which transmission fluid, coolant, and brake fluid the 2012-2015 Honda Pilot takes, with capacities and the specifications each one has to meet. Transmission: 5-speed automatic: Honda ATF DW-1 only. Do not substitute generic Dexron/Mercon ATF. Drain-and-fill takes ~3-3.5 qt; do 2-3 sequential drain/fills for a fuller exchange.. Coolant: Honda Long Life Type 2 coolant (blue, pre-mixed). First change per Maintenance Minder code 5 (~10 yr/100k mi), then ~5 yr/60k.. ## 2012-2015 Honda Pilot fluid guide (High confidence) | System | Fluid type & capacity | | --- | --- | | Coolant | Honda Long Life Type 2 coolant (blue, pre-mixed). First change per Maintenance Minder code 5 (~10 yr/100k mi), then ~5 yr/60k. | | Transmission | 5-speed automatic: Honda ATF DW-1 only. Do not substitute generic Dexron/Mercon ATF. Drain-and-fill takes ~3-3.5 qt; do 2-3 sequential drain/fills for a fuller exchange. | | Brake fluid | DOT 3 brake fluid (Honda recommends replacement every 3 years) | | Power steering | Honda Power Steering Fluid. This generation uses a conventional hydraulic pump, not electric assist | | Differential | VTM-4 4WD models: Honda VTM-4/Dual Pump rear differential fluid, Maintenance Minder code 6 (~15,000-30,000 mi) | Note: Plain washer fluid; no special spec ## Which Honda Pilot model years does this cover? These fluids specifications apply to every Honda Pilot built from 2012 through 2015, the 2nd generation (YF3/YF4), 3-row mid-size suv (fwd or vtm-4 4wd). Nothing in this specification changes between those model years. - [2012 Pilot](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2012) - [2013 Pilot](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2013) - [2014 Pilot](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2014) - [2015 Pilot](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2015) ## What changed during the 2012-2015 Honda Pilot | Years | What changed | | --- | --- | | 2012 | Mid-cycle facelift year for this generation: revised front/rear styling, J35Z4 V6 carries over | | 2013 | Bluetooth HandsFreeLink, a USB port, a new 8-in i-MID display, backup camera, and tri-zone automatic climate control become standard across the lineup | | 2014 | Unchanged from 2013 | | 2015 | Final year of the 2nd generation before the all-new 2016 redesign | ## 2012-2015 Honda Pilot fluids: common questions ### What transmission fluid does a 2012-2015 Honda Pilot take? 5-speed automatic: Honda ATF DW-1 only. Do not substitute generic Dexron/Mercon ATF. Drain-and-fill takes ~3-3.5 qt; do 2-3 sequential drain/fills for a fuller exchange.. Transmission fluid specifications are not interchangeable. Friction modifiers differ between them, and the wrong fluid causes shudder long before it causes failure. ### What coolant does a 2012-2015 Honda Pilot use? Honda Long Life Type 2 coolant (blue, pre-mixed). First change per Maintenance Minder code 5 (~10 yr/100k mi), then ~5 yr/60k.. ### What brake fluid does a 2012-2015 Honda Pilot take? DOT 3 brake fluid (Honda recommends replacement every 3 years). ### What differential fluid does a 2012-2015 Honda Pilot take? VTM-4 4WD models: Honda VTM-4/Dual Pump rear differential fluid, Maintenance Minder code 6 (~15,000-30,000 mi). ## Sources - [pilotsuv.com, Honda Pilot oil capacity by generation (4.5 qt, 2012-2015)](https://pilotsuv.com/honda-pilot-engine-oil-guide/) - [Honda News, 2012 Honda Pilot Specifications and Features (250 hp, fuel tank, MPG)](https://hondanews.com/en-US/honda-automobiles/releases/release-4509ac20f72a429d892191934c064ecc-2012-honda-pilot-specifications-and-features) - [Edmunds, Used 2012 Honda Pilot Specs & Features (curb weight, fuel capacity, MPG)](https://www.edmunds.com/honda/pilot/2012/features-specs/) - [Muller Honda, Honda Pilot towing capacity by year (2012-2015: 2,000/4,500 lbs)](https://www.muller-honda.com/honda-pilot-towing-capacity) - [jdmwestside.com, 2009-2014 Honda Pilot J35A/J35Z4 VCM engine](https://jdmwestside.com/honda/engines/honda-pilot-2009-2010-2011-2012-2013-2014-j35a-3-5l-vcm-enginess/50/2008-2012-honda-odyssey-j35a-vcm-model-3-5l-v6-engine-sohc-motor/) - [College Hills Honda, 17220-RN0-A00 engine air filter (2012-2014 Pilot)](https://honda.oempartsonline.com/oem-parts/honda-oil-filter-15400plma02) - [HondaPartsNow. 80292-SDA-407 cabin filter fits 2009-2022 Pilot](https://www.hondapartsnow.com/oem-honda-pilot-cabin_air_filter.html) - [WiperBladesUSA, 2012 Honda Pilot wiper size chart (22/21/14 in)](https://www.wiperbladesusa.com/wiper-size/honda/pilot/2012) - [eBay/PHILTOP listings, 2009-2015 Honda Pilot front rotor 329.8 mm (12.98 in)](https://www.ebay.com/itm/406449623025) - [Piloteers.org, Honda settles class-action lawsuit, extends powertrain warranty (VCM)](https://www.piloteers.org/threads/honda-settles-class-action-lawsuit-and-extends-powertrain-warranty.48313/) - [YouTube, Honda VCM Warranty Extended 10 years/150,000 miles (2013-2017 Pilot/Odyssey)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQYcbcoTfF0) - [Honda News, Takata Airbag Inflator Recall Fact Sheet (2003-2015 Pilot)](https://hondanews.com/en-US/honda-corporate/releases/takata-airbag-inflator-recall-fact-sheet) - [Consumer Reports, Honda expands Takata airbag recall (NHTSA campaign 18V661)](https://www.consumerreports.org/car-recalls-defects/honda-expands-takata-airbag-recall/) - [Piloteers.org, 2009-2015 Pilot reliability after 150k (control arm bushings, VCM)](https://www.piloteers.org/threads/2009-2015-pilot-reliability-after-150k.173076/) - [RepairPal, 2015 Honda Pilot problems and complaints (warped rotors)](https://repairpal.com/2015-honda-pilot/problems) ## Other Honda Pilot generations - [2023-2025 Honda Pilot fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2023-2025/fluids) - [2016-2022 Honda Pilot fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2016-2022/fluids) Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/fluids). ## More for the 2012-2015 Honda Pilot - [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2012-2015/oil) - [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2012-2015/battery) - [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2012-2015/tires) - [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2012-2015/wipers) - [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2012-2015/filters) - [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2012-2015/bulbs) - [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2012-2015/brakes) - [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2012-2015/service-schedule) - [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2012-2015/common-problems) - [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2012-2015/oil-reset) - [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2012-2015/key-fob-battery) - [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2012-2015/specs) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.