--- title: "Honda Pilot Transmission Fluid & Coolant" description: "How the Honda Pilot fluids specification changed from 2012 to 2025, compared generation by generation. Which transmission fluid, coolant, and brake fluid the Honda Pilot takes, with capacities and the specifications each one has to meet. Transmission: 10-speed automatic: Honda ATF Type 2.0 only, a new spec, not interchangeable with the 3rd gen's Type 3.1. Total system holds roughly 9.0 qt; a drain-and-fill service removes/replaces about 4.8 qt.. Coolant: Honda Long Life Type 2 coolant (blue, pre-mixed). First change per Maintenance Minder code 5, then ~60k.." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/fluids" updated: "2026-08-21" --- # Honda Pilot Fluid Types and Capacities The specification is not the same across every year we cover, the table below shows exactly where it changes. ## Has the Honda Pilot fluids specification changed by year? | Model years | Transmission | Coolant | Brake | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [2023-2025](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2023-2025/fluids) | 10-speed automatic: Honda ATF Type 2.0 only, a new spec, not interchangeable with the 3rd gen's Type 3.1. Total system holds roughly 9.0 qt; a drain-and-fill service removes/replaces about 4.8 qt. | Honda Long Life Type 2 coolant (blue, pre-mixed). First change per Maintenance Minder code 5, then ~60k. | DOT 3 brake fluid (every 3 years) | | [2016-2022](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2016-2022/fluids) | 6-speed automatic (LX/EX): Honda ATF DW-1. 9-speed automatic (EX-L/Touring/Elite): Honda ATF Type 3.1 only. Do not substitute ATF DW-1 or generic ATF. Drain-and-fill takes ~3.5 qt of a roughly 9-qt total system; many owners do 2-3 sequential drain/fills for a fuller exchange. | Honda Long Life Type 2 coolant (blue, pre-mixed). First change per Maintenance Minder code 5 (~10 yr/100k mi), then ~5 yr/60k. | DOT 3 brake fluid (Honda recommends every 3 years) | | [2012-2015](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2012-2015/fluids) | 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. | Honda Long Life Type 2 coolant (blue, pre-mixed). First change per Maintenance Minder code 5 (~10 yr/100k mi), then ~5 yr/60k. | DOT 3 brake fluid (Honda recommends replacement every 3 years) | ## Full specifications by generation The fluids on a Honda Pilot is set by its generation, not its model year, so each generation has one page carrying the complete figures, part numbers and fitment notes for every year it covers. - [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) - [2012-2015 Honda Pilot Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2012-2015/fluids) ## Honda Pilot fluids: common questions ### What transmission fluid does a Honda Pilot take? 10-speed automatic: Honda ATF Type 2.0 only, a new spec, not interchangeable with the 3rd gen's Type 3.1. Total system holds roughly 9.0 qt; a drain-and-fill service removes/replaces about 4.8 qt.. 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 Honda Pilot use? Honda Long Life Type 2 coolant (blue, pre-mixed). First change per Maintenance Minder code 5, then ~60k.. ### What brake fluid does a Honda Pilot take? DOT 3 brake fluid (every 3 years). ### What differential fluid does a Honda Pilot take? AWD (i-VTM4) rear differential: Honda Dual Pump Fluid II, Maintenance Minder code 6. ## Sources - [AMSOIL lookup, 2024/2025 Pilot 3.5L J35Y8 oil capacity 5.5 qt (w/o filter) / 5.8 qt (with filter)](https://www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-and-light-truck/2025/honda/pilot/3-5l-6-cyl-engine-code-j35y8-7/) - [Honda Techinfo, 2025 Pilot Specifications (5.8 US qt engine oil)](https://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/pubs/om/ah/at902525iom/enu/details/131247047-16992.html) - [Wikipedia, Honda Pilot 4th generation (J35Y8, 285 hp, DOHC non-VTEC)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Pilot) - [College Hills Honda, 2023-2027 Pilot maintenance parts (17220-61A-A00 air filter, 80291/80292-TYA cabin filter)](https://www.collegehillshonda.com/category/4thgen-honda-pilot-maintenance-parts.html) - [Honda Parts Connection, 12290-6FB-A01 spark plug, 2023-2025 Pilot](https://www.hondapartsconnection.com/oem-parts/honda-2023-2025-honda-pilot-spark-plug-122906fba01) - [AutoZone, 2023/2024 Honda Pilot Group 48/H6 AGM battery](https://www.autozone.com/batteries-starting-and-charging/battery/honda/pilot/2023) - [T&T Honda, 2025 Honda Pilot tire size guide (TrailSport 265/60R18 all-terrain)](https://www.tandthonda.ca/tools-resources/2025-honda-pilot-tire-size-a-guide-for-every-trim-level) - [Car and Driver, 2023 Honda Pilot TrailSport specs (13.8-in front / 13.0-in rear rotors, curb weight, MPG)](https://www.caranddriver.com/honda/pilot) - [Honda News, 2023 Pilot Specifications & Features (18.5-gal fuel tank, curb weight)](https://hondanews.com/en-US/honda-automobiles/releases/release-4e58b4e0fcd795affa5685a66a1953ae-2023-honda-pilot-specifications-features) - [Transmission Digest, servicing the Honda 10-speed transmission (ATF Type 2.0, ~9.0 qt total)](https://www.transmissiondigest.com/how-service-honda-10-speed-transmission/) - [WardsAuto, Honda recalls 259K vehicles for brake pedal pivot pin defect](https://www.wardsauto.com/news/archive-auto-honda-recalls-259k-vehicles-for-brake-pedal-pivot-pin-nhtsa/751426/) - [recalledbrands.com, NHTSA 25V-391000, 2023 Honda Pilot brake pedal pivot pin](https://recalledbrands.com/recalls/NHTSA-25V391000-2023-HONDA-PILOT) - [Go-Parts, 2023-2025 Honda Pilot infotainment black-screen troubleshooting](https://www.go-parts.com/garage/stereo-receiver-honda-pilot-2023-2025) - [WiperBladesUSA, 2025 Honda Pilot wiper size chart (26/22/14 in)](https://www.wiperbladesusa.com/wiper-size/honda/pilot/2025) - [Sierra Honda of Monrovia, 2025 Pilot trim levels (TrailSport ground clearance, towing)](https://www.sierrahondaofmonrovia.com/2025-honda-pilot-trim-levels-explained/) ## Find your exact Pilot - [2025](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2025) - [2024](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2024) - [2023](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2023) - [2022](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2022) - [2021](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2021) - [2020](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2020) - [2019](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2019) - [2018](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2018) - [2017](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2017) - [2016](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2016) - [2015](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2015) - [2014](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2014) - [2013](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2013) - [2012](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2012) More Honda Pilot guides: - [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/oil) - [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/battery) - [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/tires) - [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/wipers) - [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/filters) - [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/bulbs) - [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/brakes) - [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/service-schedule) - [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/common-problems) - [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/oil-reset) - [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/key-fob-battery) - [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/specs) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.