2002 Honda Accord ATF-Z1 12,836 miles OCI

[benjamming]

'02 Honda 3.0L V6 4-speed automatic Mainly city-driven Sample taken Jan-28-2006 12 months on ATF Blackstone Labs 1st #: Current 12,836 mi OCI at 45,008 total vehicle miles 2nd #: 10,224 mi OCI at 31,292 total vehicle miles 3rd #: Factory fill at 21,948 total vehicle miles TAN - 0.5...0.4...0.4 Aluminum - 36...27...26 Chromium - 1...1...1 Iron - 60...53...59 Copper - 7...7...9 Lead - 2...1...1 Tin - 1...1...1 Molybdenum - 1...1...0 Nickel - 0...0...0 Manganese - 1...0...0 Silver - 0...0...0 Titanium - 0...0...0 Potassium - 0...0...0 Boron - 243...228...222 Silicon - 10...10...11 Sodium - 4...6...9 Calcium - 388...351...334 Magnesium - 258...221...208 Phosphorus - 2...8...3 Zinc - 356...320...242 Barium - 2...3...4 SUS viscosity - 44.3...45.4...45.0 Flashpoint = 340°F...350°F...355°F Water = 0...0...0 Insolubles = 0...0...0 Blackstone said: "Aluminum continues to be the only element out of line in your transmission. This level isn't really that much higher than average, though it has been on a fairly steady up-trend and it could show some extra wear at aluminum parts like the torque converter. All other wear looks great and the oil itself was still in good shape physically. The TAN read at 0.5, which is slightly higher than the 0.4 we found last sample, but still a normal reading for a transmission. 1.0 is considered too high and 2.0 is a maximum reading. The viscosity was fine. Try 15,000 miles on the next oil." This ATF sure is "thin". Fluid was drained at this sample and refilled with 3 quarts of AMSOIL ATF.

 

[The Critic]

Ben, You should consider doing 2 additional drain/refills with Amsoil ATF one week apart. That way, you would've removed about 80% of the Honda ATF Z-1. The Aluminum is on the higher side...I'd send it to Terry for his interpetation. Good luck with this transmission; the 4-spds are more reliable that the 5-spds but are less than stellar.

 

[benjamming]

That seems like wasting ATF. I'll let it go 15k miles & drain again. My samples will at least be comparable then. It is still shifting fine as always.

 

[Terry]

Z1 fluid is a good fluid and what Honda wants in these AT/gearboxes. I am ardently recommending my customers use Specialty Formulations Autoglide Honda Z1 fluid. It exceeds every measure of what even Honda is selling. I installed 4 qts in our test civic and the results are dramatic. Synergyn honda ATF mix about 50/50 was no match for the Mola fluid. SF does not have the interest or cash to get Autoglide Honda licensed but the fluid is absolutely the best you can use. "Science over license" in my racing damaged mind!

 

[benjamming]

Terry, Thanks for chiming in. I will probably try the SF fluid after the next interval with AMSOIL. I have had it for a couple years so I wanted to use it & also to satisfy my curiosity. I like the motto! SF should trademark that!