2011 Odyssey ATF

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I have 19500mi on the van right now. Is Honda using the DW ATF now or the old Z formulation? I am going to get it flushed at 30k at the dealer. I guess using any aftermarket oils for the ATF will void the warranty. . wish it wouldn't, I heard Honda ATF is junk. Any words of wisdom?
 
After owning two Odyssey vans (an 00 and an 06,) I'd say that the fluid is not the problem, the transmission is. Keep it changed out at factory intervals and keep your paperwork. If you are lucky you might not need it. Google Odyssey forums for the best information
 
Originally Posted By: Tdbo
After owning two Odyssey vans (an 00 and an 06,) I'd say that the fluid is not the problem, the transmission is.


Yeah I knew about previous issues with the Transmission, I heard that they "fixed" the problem recently...maybe 2009. Still, I want to be cautious.
 
DW-1

Do not flush, Honda says not to. Some dealers still do it. Internal filters can plug from the stir-up and cannot be replaced without transmission disassembly.

Drain and fill only.
 
DW-1 if you change your own oil you can change a honda AT it is that easy drain and fill 3X with a few miles on each drain and fill.
 
Originally Posted By: asharris7
Originally Posted By: Tdbo
After owning two Odyssey vans (an 00 and an 06,) I'd say that the fluid is not the problem, the transmission is.


Yeah I knew about previous issues with the Transmission, I heard that they "fixed" the problem recently...maybe 2009. Still, I want to be cautious.


There are people with 10's and 11's that are having problems with the transmission "shuddering." That is kind of reminiscent of the problems that people were having with the 99's-04's. We started having that issue with our '06 with 61K and Honda just sent out a service bulletin that they will reflash the transmission software for free. It seems to have helped ours.
 
Originally Posted By: Tdbo

There are people with 10's and 11's that are having problems with the transmission "shuddering." That is kind of reminiscent of the problems that people were having with the 99's-04's. We started having that issue with our '06 with 61K and Honda just sent out a service bulletin that they will reflash the transmission software for free. It seems to have helped ours.


My 07 MDX which shares this component had similar issues. A reflash of transmission software it is perfectly fine.
 
Aftermarket fluid will not void your warranty. In fact, even my local Honda dealer doesn't use DW-1; they use Valvoline MaxLife ATF. They admitted to such after I saw an aboveground storage tank with a MaxLife decal on it and asked their service manager.
 
Originally Posted By: 229
DW-1

Do not flush, Honda says not to. Some dealers still do it. Internal filters can plug from the stir-up and cannot be replaced without transmission disassembly.

Drain and fill only.


Please expand upon your comment. A flush is keeping the pan filled with new ATF and the transmission's own pump is pumping new ATF through the transmission and out the cooler line into the old fluid container.
 
The procedure you mention is the best.

Honda says to not use the flushing machines.

Our local dealer still does it.
 
Originally Posted By: rjundi
Originally Posted By: Tdbo

There are people with 10's and 11's that are having problems with the transmission "shuddering." That is kind of reminiscent of the problems that people were having with the 99's-04's. We started having that issue with our '06 with 61K and Honda just sent out a service bulletin that they will reflash the transmission software for free. It seems to have helped ours.


My 07 MDX which shares this component had similar issues. A reflash of transmission software it is perfectly fine.

Our Saturn VUE (which for those that don't know, has a Honda 5-speed AT) had a similar issue which went away after they flashed the PCM. I did a 3x drain/fill at 30K and stuck with Z-1. Recently I did a 3x drain/fill at 60K and switched to MaxLife DEX/MERC. I think it feels better with that fluid.
 
Originally Posted By: Tdbo
After owning two Odyssey vans (an 00 and an 06,) I'd say that the fluid is not the problem, the transmission is. Keep it changed out at factory intervals and keep your paperwork. If you are lucky you might not need it. Google Odyssey forums for the best information


Your not a member of http://www.odyclub.com/????? Shame on you (lol). Due to Bad transmissions that's why I went with a Sienna.

Regards, JC.
 
Originally Posted By: JC1
Originally Posted By: Tdbo
After owning two Odyssey vans (an 00 and an 06,) I'd say that the fluid is not the problem, the transmission is. Keep it changed out at factory intervals and keep your paperwork. If you are lucky you might not need it. Google Odyssey forums for the best information


Your not a member of http://www.odyclub.com/????? Shame on you (lol). Due to Bad transmissions that's why I went with a Sienna.

Regards, JC.



Actually I am, posted there just the other day.
 
Without going into a long winded post about these units i have seen more than enough of them on every year to last me rest of my life.

A line off fluid exchange with Amsoil ATF really seems to keep them happy. None running it have failed again (some were on their third unit).
Have a filter installed in the return line and do 30K OCI.

49.gif
 
Like said, there's absolutely no harm in doing a cooler line ATF exchange on a Honda Odyssey AT. IMO, Honda says not to do it to reduce the potential of issues caused by a ~$39 Kwiki-Loob "trans flush" or the likes.

This is just another IMO, but the only reason why I would not bother with a cooler line exchange on a Honda Odyssey 5spd AT is because of the ease of which you can do drains/fills on them. I own a 2008 Odyssey LX. Assuming the 2011+ is the same as the
I'd also skip Honda ATF all together and go with Valvoline Maxlife ATF that covers Honda requirements.

Joel
 
Just talked to the dealer....2 different ones actually. They said that maxlife does not cover Honda CVT. They even said they have replaced transmissions because people used maxlife. ( I dont know if I believe that though) I think I'm going to do a single drain and fill now because it has only 20k on it. 3 QTS out 3 QTS in. Is that correct?
 
CVTs require a specific fluid and Valvoline specifically states that MaxLife Dex/Merc is NOT for CVT applications.

http://www.valvoline.ca/products/brands/valvoline/automatic-transmission-fluid/136
http://www.valvoline.com/products/consum...ssion-fluid/136
http://www.valvolineeurope.com/english/p...29/synpower_cvt

"Valvoline CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) Fluid is specifically formulated for today's technologically sophisticated variable transmissions. It is formulated with premium synthetic base stocks, long-life friction modifiers, special anti-wear additives, and shear stable viscosity modifiers. Valvoline CVT Fluid is recommended for use in most belt and chain-driven continuously variable transmissions and will not void new car warranties. Valvoline CVT Fluid in not recommended for Hybrid CVT units (Toyota and Ford)."

"Premium multi-vehicle transmission fluid for passenger cars and vans with CVT gearbox. (Continuous Variable Transmission). Valvoline SynPower CVT fluid provides outstanding protection and lubrication of most belt and chain-driven transmissions over a wide temperature range."
 
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Originally Posted By: asharris7
Just talked to the dealer....2 different ones actually. They said that maxlife does not cover Honda CVT. They even said they have replaced transmissions because people used maxlife. ( I dont know if I believe that though) I think I'm going to do a single drain and fill now because it has only 20k on it. 3 QTS out 3 QTS in. Is that correct?


Single drain & fill is fine at 20k. 3 quarts is the ballpark. Measure what you drain out and put that amount back in.

Two problems with those dealers' statements about Maxlife:

1. As martinq states above, Maxlife isn't a recommended fluid for most CVT applications http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/maxlife_atf.pdf
2. The 2011 Odyssey has an AT, 6-speed for Touring Elite trim, 5-speed for all others.

Their statements about Maxlife's compatibility with a CVT are bang-on, but have absolutely zero relevance to your non-CVT vehicle.
 
I know I should have done the drain myself however, it's nearing Thanksgiving and time did not permit. I took it to the dealership to get the tires rotated so I had them do the drain and fill. I also took my own (Mazda 0w-20) oil and KN filter so they could knock it all out. They only charged $9 for the oil change. They also did an update on the PCM for the Transmission and I feel with the new fluid and computer update, it shifts a lot smoother. I will do a 3x at 50k.

(P.S) I usually do my own oil changes.
smile.gif
 
Good luck with your van. I hope you got an extended warranty. My step moms has needed axle seals, ac compressor, multiple TRANSMISSIONS, a DVD player, a radiator and some other stuff. it's an 07 with around 95k on the clock. Every time I ask dad how it's doing he gets red in the face and look like he wants to swing at me.. Folks have labeled Honda as HORRIBLE JUNK.. a large part due to the customer service department "oh our vehicles never have problems it's driver error..go pound sand Mr. X"
 
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