Forgive my ignorance, but what is synthetic ATF? Is it the same as synthetic motor oil (Group IV PAO)? I am mainly interested in how Amsoil UATF is formulated. Thanks for your help.
Amsoil UATF question
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ATF is a relatively thin (compared to motor oil) base oil fluid that is really a multipurpose fluid in use, in use it functions as a gear oil, hydraulic fluid, and a frictional clutch fluid. It is not a motor oil, as you know. Amsoil ATF is fairly complex as far as I can tell, it is uses multiple group IV (PAO) and group V (esters, others) base oils, combined with other organic (carbon chain based non-metallic additive) compounds and semi-metallic additive compounds/packages.
Amsoil ATF
Pablo, I know that you had discussed using Amsoil ATF in your Honda Odessey in another thread. I was wondering if you have noticed any positive or negative impact on shift quality since that time. Honda seems to make a big deal about only using thier ATF. Also, perhaps it is just my perception, but the analysis of used Amsoil ATF does not seem to indicate decreased wear in a few cases I have seen on this board. Perhaps my perception is incorrect. I just want to be very careful transitioning to Amsoil ATF, especially given the price of today's transmissions. Thanks for your thoughts on this.
I notice no difference in shifting in the Odyssey or more important, my wife who is the car critic (of every little noise, click, shifting strangeness, etc) has not said a peep.
I am unaware of any new generation Odyssey UOA’s posted using straight Amsoil ATF, maybe a few Hondas with mixed ATF’s. Nothing at all to say one way or another.
A lot of Jeep Liberty CRD owners compain of transmission "shudder", especially around 50-55 mph. I experienced it a little myself. About 10K miles ago, I did a tranny flush, replaced filters, and then loaded it up with Amsoil UATF. I haven't experienced the "shudder" since and shifting is firm.
You make a very good point. The results I have seen posted were a mix of Amsoil ATF and who knows what, which I am sure played a key role in wear. My wife drives a 2006 Pilot and I drive a 2007 Civic LX. The Pilot has ~23K miles, so it will be the first to convert to Amsoil ATF. Your comments about converting your 2006 Odessey to Amsoil ATF make me feel much better about converting my wife's Pilot.
This is the second time I've read this comment. I think it's within the norm. Does it bug you?
Would a firm shift create additional wear? Also, if the firm shift was not present with Z1 then why would a mix of Amsoil and Z1 cause it to happen? I wonder if it would disappear once the transmission was fully converted to Amsoil.
Possibly the opposite, less slip, less wear. But, I cannot 100% say the cause is the fluid. This one out of hundreds, possibly 1000+ Honda made trannies. As I said it's within the norm and the reason I say that is no one has said their shifts are looser or sloppier or slipping with the Amsoil ATF in Honda of any variety, so 2 out of 1000, from something that is human feel is well within a normal curve of expectations.
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I agree, if I were to let someone else drive the car, they would never notice the difference. Under normal acceleration I don't really notice it. Just under hard acceleration. So, I'm not worried about it. Besides, it could just be in my head.
After using the Ams ATF for over 105,000 miles in my '93 Civic, I have nothing but good things to report. Shifts are crisp, little or no wear debris on the magnetic drain plug, fluid runs noticibly cooler. I think that if you haven't tried this superb fluid, you owe it to yourself to give it a try.
Harry
Harry
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After using the Ams ATF for over 105,000 miles in my '93 Civic, I have nothing but good things to report. Shifts are crisp, little or no wear debris on the magnetic drain plug, fluid runs noticibly cooler. I think that if you haven't tried this superb fluid, you owe it to yourself to give it a try.
Harry
Is this over 105K with no fluid change, or combined mileage but always using Amsoil ATF?
I'm using the Amsoil ATF in my Integra's transmission (currently about 66% Honda Z1 and 33% Amsoil) and immediately after changing I noticed it quite a lot smoother. Then it leveled off to where it felt like before the change. I plan on continuing using it, however. I like it
Well, we seem to have Honda covered, but how about Toyota's. Toyota also specifies their ATF only . The Toyota forums return mixed reviews about the Amsoil UATF. Of coarse I have no idea if the yea's or nay's are coming from knowledgable or experienced posters.
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After using the Ams ATF for over 105,000 miles in my '93 Civic, I have nothing but good things to report. Shifts are crisp, little or no wear debris on the magnetic drain plug, fluid runs noticibly cooler. I think that if you haven't tried this superb fluid, you owe it to yourself to give it a try.
Harry
Is this over 105K with no fluid change, or combined mileage but always using Amsoil ATF?
Donald,
I presently have 225,000 miles on the 1993 Civic. Since the Honda transmission doesn't have a servicable filter, I change the transmission fluid every time I do an engine oil change. I put together a neodyium magnetic drain plug that is vastly stronger than the stock one. The plug removes whatever metal particles are floating around and gives a good indication of transmission wear. With the Ams syn fluid, there is very little wear debris to show.
Harry
After having a new remanufactured transmission installed in my '02 Accord, I drove 2k miles, then did 3 drain+refills over a 100 mile period. I noticed that the shifts were a tad firmer and seemed a little quicker. Since then I've driven an additional 8k miles and have done another dain+refill.
Overall I'm pretty happy about the feel of the shifts. Once I do another 10k miles I'll do another drain+refill and have my first UOA done...
FYI, I do 10k drain+refills b/c I auto-x, drag race, and night/road rallye the car frequently. Before disconnecting the factory radiator coolantATF cooler from the cooling circuit, I frequently went above 200*F. Now I'm running a large Wix spin-on filter and a large airATF plate+fin cooler in place of the factory cooler. I currently see 125-160*F on a regular basis and have only gone above 200*F once (1hr worth of stop+go over 20 miles of road <30mph).
Overall I'm pretty happy about the feel of the shifts. Once I do another 10k miles I'll do another drain+refill and have my first UOA done...
FYI, I do 10k drain+refills b/c I auto-x, drag race, and night/road rallye the car frequently. Before disconnecting the factory radiator coolantATF cooler from the cooling circuit, I frequently went above 200*F. Now I'm running a large Wix spin-on filter and a large airATF plate+fin cooler in place of the factory cooler. I currently see 125-160*F on a regular basis and have only gone above 200*F once (1hr worth of stop+go over 20 miles of road <30mph).
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