Under Formula One rules, one gearbox must be used for six consecutive races but Button had to have a new one fitted after his retirement in Singapore last month.
The Briton finished fourth in the Russian Grand Prix last time out after crossing the line in fifth in Japan in the previous race, but he wll be up against it in Austin.
And the 34-year-old hopes warm temperatures in Texas will be a factor which works in his favour this weekend.
"I've got a gearbox change, which is a bit of a pain in the arse - a five-place penalty," Button said.
"Hopefully it's going to be hot, though, and mix it [the race] up a little bit.
"We're good now at controlling our tyre temperatures and [the race] should be mixed up in terms of pitstops, which is what we need starting five places back, because even if I qualified fourth or fifth, it's still 10th on the grid and you're on old tyres when the guys behind are on new tyres."
World champion Sebastian Vettel is expected to start in the pitlane as he requires a new engine, which would take him over the limit of five power units for the season.