Our readers keep the lights on and my garage snacks stocked. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Specs are compiled from manufacturer listings and verified buyer reviews and can change over time — please confirm the key details on the product page before buying.
Your 2008 Accord’s transmission is the most finicky part of the car — it needs exactly the right fluid, not just any red liquid. A wrong fill leads to hard shifts between first and second gear, a lurchy takeoff from park, or that dreaded high-RPM slip before gear engagement. This guide walks you through the Honda-approved formulas that can restore smooth driving.
I’m Min Islam — the founder and writer behind Trending Car. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
Your 2008 Accord automatic transmission needs a specific fluid to shift smoothly and last. The six products here match exactly what it calls for — the genuine OEM DW-1 fluid and the leading OEM-supplier alternative — so you can find the right 08 honda accord transmission fluid for a smooth drain-and-refill.
Our Picks at a Glance
How To Choose The Best 08 Honda Accord Transmission Fluid
Your Accord’s automatic transmission is designed around a specific fluid specification. Here is what to look for before you pop the hood.
DW-1 vs Z-1 Compatibility
The 2008 Accord originally called for ATF-Z1, but Honda later superseded Z-1 with DW-1 across all its vehicles. Every fluid on this list is either labeled DW-1 or explicitly states compatibility with both Z-1 and DW-1, so you are covered on either the original spec or the updated one.
Volume for a Proper Drain and Fill
A single drain-and-refill on the Accord uses roughly 3 to 4 quarts. A full “triple-cycle” exchange — where you drain, fill, drive, and repeat two more times — needs closer to 8 quarts. Buying a pack that covers your intended number of cycles saves you from running short mid-job.
Including the Drain Plug Washer
Honda transmissions use an aluminum crush washer (part 90471-PX4-000) on the drain bolt. Reusing an old one can cause a slow drip. Some product listings bundle this washer with the fluid bottles so you do not have to source it separately.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Volume | Number of Items | Includes Washer | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idemitsu ATF Type H-Plus 5QT★ Best Overall | Best Overall | 5 Quarts | 1 | No | Amazon |
| Honda Genuine 08200-9008 (2 Qt)Best Value | Single Top-Up | 2 Quarts | 1 | No | Amazon |
| Genuine OEM DW-1 3 Quarts (Acura) | Small Drain and Fill | 3 Quarts | 3 | No | Amazon |
| Honda Genuine ATF DW-1 4 Quarts + Washer | Single Refill Kit | 4 Quarts | 4 | Yes | Amazon |
| Genuine OEM DW-1 4 Quarts (Honda) | Mid-Range Refill | 4 Quarts | 4 | No | Amazon |
| Genuine OEM DW-1 8 Quarts (Honda) | Triple-Cycle Flush | 256 Fluid Ounces | 8 | No | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Idemitsu ATF Type H-Plus Automatic Transmission Fluid for Honda, Acura – 5QT
Our pick — over 4.5★ from 850+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
The OEM supplier that rivals the factory fluid, packed in one jug for a full drain and fill.
This 5-quart jug delivers a rare advantage over the genuine Honda bottles: one container covers the entire drain-and-refill without mixing quart bottles. Idemitsu is a known supplier of factory-fill oil for Honda, Mazda, Nissan, and Subaru, so this is not an off-brand guess — it is the fluid chemistry the transmission was designed around. The liquid volume of 5 Quarts even leaves you a bit extra for the inevitable spill or a small top-up later.
The advanced anti-wear technology here targets the gears and bearings inside that sensitive 2008 Accord unit, and buyers report it dramatically improved rough 1st-2nd and 2nd-1st shifts, along with the park-to-reverse lurch some Accords develop at higher mileage. One owner with a 2002 Accord V6 saw years of extra life from it.
Why It Leads the List
- 5-quart single bottle means no mixing four separate containers
- Rated 4.8 from 855 reviews — the highest trust score in this roundup
The One Catch
- No drain plug washer included, so you will need to buy the 18 mm aluminum crush ring separately
Best for the DIYer: one jug, one drain, done — the Accord’s transmission shifts noticeably smoother according to actual owner reports.
Keep an eye on: if your 2008 Accord is at very high mileage and you are doing a cold drain, some owners note that the flush process itself can dislodge old deposits. Change the fluid regularly to avoid that.
2. Honda Genuine 08200-9008 Automatic Transmission Fluid ATF DW-1 (ATF-Z1) 2 Quarts
The official Honda bottle for small top-ups or a single drain on a tight budget.
At 3.77 pounds for the two-quart bottle, this is the lightest package in the list — perfect if you just need to replace what leaked out of a worn pan gasket or to correct a slightly low dipstick reading. It meets the strict DW-1 spec that Honda requires for the finicky 2008 Accord transmission, and the brand is Honda itself so there is zero compatibility guessing.
One buyer with a 2012 Odyssey — a vehicle with a famously sensitive transmission — ran it to 140,000 miles and reported the transmission still shifts like new. That is a strong indicator that the DW-1 formula protects the internal clutches over the long haul.
Trusted Name
- Direct from Honda’s factory parts supply — the exact fluid the transmission was validated with
- among the most-reviewed ATF products online at 890 ratings
Volume Limit
- Only 2 Quarts — not enough for a full drain-and-fill on an Accord needing 3-3.5 quarts
Reach for this when: your Accord is just a quart low and you only need a top-up, avoiding the waste of a larger bottle.
skip it if: you plan a full drain-and-refill — you would need two bottles of this to get 4 quarts, costing more per quart than buying a larger pack.
3. Genuine OEM Automatic Transmission Fluid DW-1 3 Quarts (3×1 Qt) For Acura
Three individual quarts sized for an exact single-service drain and fill.
With a total of 96 Fluid Ounces — exactly 3 Quarts — this pack gives you just enough for one drain-and-refill cycle on most 2008 Accord transmissions. The eEuroparts branding sources genuine OEM-spec fluid that meets Honda’s DW-1 requirement, so you get the same wear and tear protection and corrosion resistance as the dealer fluid but without the dealership markup.
Buyers confirm the fluid is the real OEM product, with one owner saying it matched the fluid from his local Honda dealer exactly. The 4.7 rating from 70 reviews suggests consistent quality, and the individual quart bottles make it easier to pour one at a time without spilling from a heavy jug.
Right-Sized
- 3 Quarts matches the typical drain volume on an Accord — no leftover fluid
- Individual bottles make incremental pouring easier than a 5-quart jug
What It Lacks
- No drain plug washer in the package; you will need a separate 18 mm crush ring
- Only 3 bottles — not enough for a triple-cycle flush
Stick with this for: a single maintenance drain-and-fill on your Accord or Acura if you want zero leftover fluid taking up shelf space.
Look elsewhere for: any plan that involves a full flush cycle — you would need at least two of these packs.
4. Honda Genuine ATF DW-1 Automatic Transmission Fluid (4 Quarts) + 18 mm Drain Plug Washer
The one-stop pack with the 4 quarts and the crush washer you would otherwise forget.
This kit bundles genuine Honda ATF DW-1 — four individual 1-quart bottles — with the exact 18 mm aluminum drain plug washer (part number 90471-PX4-000) that seals the drain bolt on your Accord. At 7.5 pounds total weight, it is the heaviest package here because it includes both the fluid and the metal washer, eliminating the trip to the hardware store mid-job.
One owner doing a triple cycle on a Fit noted the fluid arrived quickly and that he’d be ordering more soon. That confirms the 4 Quarts is ideal for a single drain-and-fill with a little extra for a small top-up afterward. The 5.0 rating from 39 reviews is a perfect score so far — every buyer so far has been satisfied with the genuine Honda content.
All-in-One Convenience
- Includes the aluminum drain plug washer — a part that stops a slow drip
- 4 Quarts gives you a comfortable buffer over the Accord’s ~3.5 quart drain volume
Short Notice
- New release — only 39 reviews so far versus the thousands on older products
Grab this if: this is your first time changing transmission fluid on your Accord — the included washer removes the most common “I forgot one part” mistake.
Pass if: you already have a box of new 18 mm washers sitting in your toolbox.
5. Genuine OEM Automatic Transmission Fluid DW-1 4 Quarts (4×1 Qt) For Honda
Four quarts of verified OEM fluid at a price that undercuts the dealer shelf.
This 4-quart pack from Newparts delivers 128 Fluid Ounces of DW-1 fluid that one buyer directly compared to the bottle from a Honda dealership — the same product at a cheaper price. For a 2008 Accord drain-and-fill, 4 quarts gives you exactly the right amount for a single service with a little margin for a spill or a tiny top-up.
One do-it-yourself buyer mentioned using it for a DIY Honda ATF fluid replacement guided by a YouTube video, calling it easy for self-starters. The fluid itself matched the OEM stuff in color and consistency — one owner described it as “fluid nice and red.” With a perfect 5.0 rating from 27 reviews, it is a no-surprises pick.
OEM Verified
- Matches the fluid sold at Honda parts counters, according to owner comparisons
- 128 Fluid Ounces is exactly 4 Quarts — the standard single-refill volume
Solo Bottles
- 4 individual quart bottles to pour — more packaging waste than a single jug
- No drain plug washer included
Best for the cost-conscious DIYer: you get genuine DW-1 fluid in the exact volume needed for one drain, at a price that beats walking into a dealer parts counter.
Something missing: you will still need to source the aluminum crush washer on your own before you drain.
6. Genuine OEM Automatic Transmission Fluid DW-1 8 Quarts (8×1 Qt) For Honda
256 ounces for the full triple-cycle flush that gets every drop of old fluid out.
When you want to fully replace the old transmission fluid — not just what drains out of the pan — you need roughly 8 to 9 quarts for three drain-and-fill cycles. This pack delivers 256 Fluid Ounces across 8 individual quarts, enough for a triple cycle with one quart left over. It is the most volume you can buy in one OEM-authorized package, and owners mention saving about to per quart compared to the dealership price.
One owner reported that 9 months after the change, the transmission still shifts like new again. That echoes the general buyer experience: the DW-1 formula, used in a full exchange, restores the smooth performance your Accord had when new. The 4.7 rating from 21 reviews is solid given the small sample size.
Triple-Cycle Ready
- 8 Quarts covers the full 3-cycle procedure recommended for a deep fluid exchange
- Priced per quart lower than single or 4-quart packs — better economy per ounce
Space and Cost
- 8 quart bottles take up shelf space and create more plastic waste than a jug
- Upfront cost is the highest in the list — only worth it if you plan the full flush
Buy this when: your Accord has never had its transmission fluid changed, or you want the most thorough fluid exchange possible.
Stick with a smaller pack if: you only have 30 minutes for a single quick drain, which only needs 3-4 quarts and leaves you with nothing extra to store.
Understanding the Specs
DW-1 Fluid Spec
DW-1 is the current automatic transmission fluid specification from Honda, superseding the older ATF-Z1. For a 2008 Accord, DW-1 is fully backward-compatible with Z-1 and provides better oxidation resistance — meaning the fluid stays effective longer under heat. All picks here explicitly state DW-1 or DW-1/Z-1 compatibility.
Drain Plug Crush Washer
The 18 mm aluminum crush washer (part number 90471-PX4-000) sits between the drain bolt and the transmission pan. It deforms when tightened to create a leak-proof seal. Reusing the old one risks a slow drip. Some product bundles include this washer; if yours does not, budget an extra dollar for it.
FAQ
Does my 2008 Honda Accord need DW-1 or Z-1 fluid?
How many quarts does a 2008 Accord need for a drain and fill?
Can I use any brand of ATF fluid in my Accord?
What is the drain plug washer size for the 2008 Accord?
Is Idemitsu ATF Type H-Plus safe for my 2008 Accord?
How often should I change the transmission fluid on my Accord?
Do I need to flush the transmission or just drain and fill?
Can I reuse the old transmission fluid if it looks clean?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most 2008 Accord owners, the 08 honda accord transmission fluid winner is the Idemitsu ATF Type H-Plus because the single 5-quart jug covers a full drain-and-refill while the premium OEM-supplier formulation actually improves shift quality according to real owner reports. If you want the official Honda factory fluid with the drain plug washer bundled in, grab the Honda Genuine ATF DW-1 Kit (4 Quarts + Washer). And for a thorough triple-cycle flush that gets every drop of old fluid out, the Genuine OEM DW-1 8-Quart Pack gives you enough fluid to do the job without mixing brands.
How We Picked
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources & Methodology
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of July 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
As an Amazon Associate, Trending Car earns from qualifying purchases. This does not affect which products we feature.