New guy here! Just got my first 98 Civic coupe. I picked it up for a fuel-efficient daily driver (100 miles per day). It had some issues, but these things are so easy to work on, I haven't had to take it to a shop yet (muffler rusted out, rear brakes, seized e-brake cable, old belts, oil pan gasket leaking, alignment, bushings, leaky radiator, etc). I don't know when the tranny (automatic) was last serviced so I want to knock that out before I put too many miles on it. Couple questions though:
1.) Is there a serviceable filter?
2.) What fluid should I use?
3.) I have heard of the 1/3 method. Is that applicable to this generation of civic?
4.) How often should the 1/3 service be done? I can't imagine only changing 1/3 of the fluid every 30,000 miles. Maybe doing 1/3 every 10,000 miles?

I never thought I'd like these things, but the design is really growing on me (easy to maintain/very utilitarian). Thanks for the help!

 

First, get a service manual. Your auto tranny has an "ATF Strainer" that is accessible if you drop the pan. It can be cleaned but will be in good shape if the previous owners changed it every 2 years or 30,000 miles. If you were to simply drain and fill, you'd need 2.9 quarts of Genuine Honda Premium Formula ATF fluid.
If you do decide to drain and fill, do it again in 6-12 months to get more of the fluid that is not easily removed.

After that, drain and fill every 2 years and never any longer than 30,000 miles. Most people should drain every 2 years.