The seventh generation of the Honda Accord -- 2003 through 2007 -- brought about a rounder body style to the mid-sized car. The 2006 Accord had three transmission options available: a five-speed manual, a five-speed automatic and a six-speed manual. All three transmissions require fluid changing at specific intervals and Honda integrated a system in the 2006 Accord to remind the driver when to change the fluid, instead of a written schedule.
Honda fitted the 2006 Accord with a "Maintenance Minder," which alerts you when specific maintenance is due. When the "Maintenance Minder" light -- a red wrench -- appears on the dashboard and the maintenance code on the odometer displays "2," it is time to change the transmission fluid.
According to Honda, change your Accord's automatic transmission fluid at 60,000 miles and then at 30,000-mile increments after that when it endures severe driving conditions. Honda considers severe driving conditions as frequent driving in mountainous areas, constant low-speed driving or trailer towing. In severe driving, the "Maintenance Minder's" light will not be accurate, as it only calculates for normal driving conditions.
For the 2006 Accord's automatic transmission, Honda recommends only ATF-Z1 type fluid when servicing it. As an alternative, use Dexron III to top off the fluid, if needed, but you must have it flushed and refilled with ATF-Z1 as soon as possible. The manual transmission in the 2006 Accord requires Honda Manual Transmission Fluid, but in emergencies use 10W-30 or 10W-40 engine oil. If you use engine oil, replace it as soon as possible with Honda MTF.
