Another Z-1 to MaxLife Changeover

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barlowc

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Our VUE just hit 60K. At 30K I did a 3x drain/fill and stayed with Z-1. This time I decided to change over to Valvoline MaxLife DEX/MERC. This afternoon I did the first of what will be three drains/fills.

When draining the fluid, it was nice and red and didn't smell burnt at all. At first I was thinking, "What a waste of perfectly good fluid." But after filling with 4.5 quarts of MaxLife, the shifts feel great! Still very smooth, but quicker and more precise. Maybe it's just my imagination? It'll be interesting to see if my wife notices any difference and mentions it to me.

I plan to do the second drain/fill next weekend, and the third the weekend after that. Can someone remind me what approximate percentage of new fluid that results in?
 
Don't forget that while those shifts might now feel
"smoother" than they did with the Honda Z1 fluid it may actually increase the wear on the transmission.


Sharper shifts (like that in a manual) are normal and part of the typical operation of the units in Hondas.

I have also heard that using non OEM transmission fluid may slightly change the shift points as well.
 
Whats the capacity of the system and what were you getting out in each drain and fill.
 
Actually I bet thats what he means. I have done the switch of z1 to maxlife and can report the shifting quality has improved over oem. OEM fluid gave an almost rubbery bandy soft shifts. Maxlife gives instant smooth upshifts and no more hunting for a gear when exiting corners. Transmission just locks up and goes.

I for one, am very pleased with Maxlife in my transmission instead of Z1. Even if it is only a 1 x drain/fill.
 
Originally Posted By: antiqueshell
Don't forget that while those shifts might now feel "smoother" than they did with the Honda Z1 fluid it may actually increase the wear on the transmission.

See, I thought I'd read just the opposite. That Z-1 lets it slips a bit more, which results in those buttery-soft shifts, but results in more wear.

Originally Posted By: Rand
Whats the capacity of the system and what were you getting out in each drain and fill.

That's a good question. The owner's manual says the capacity is 4.5 quarts. But that's essentially what comes out and I find it hard to believe that everything drains.
 
I did a drain and fill with MaxLife ATF on my friends Tundra late last week; she said it shifted better after driving the car < 1 mile. Smells beefy for sure.
 
It is also only $16/gal at WM.

DW-1 is the replacement for Z1, and the shifts seem a bit firmer with DW-1 from my experience so far.
 
Originally Posted By: bourne
I for one, am very pleased with Maxlife in my transmission instead of Z1. Even if it is only a 1 x drain/fill.

I did a drain/fill (3x) on my Acura with MaxLife (plus Lubegard Platinum) on a recommendation from others in my Legend forum. I haven't looked back since.
thumbsup2.gif
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: antiqueshell
The question is does MaxLife ATF meet Honda specifications and do they put it it writing on the bottle?

Yes. The back of the bottles says that it is "recommended for use in", and includes "Honda/Acura ATF-Z1 (except CVTs)" as one of the bullet points.
 
Originally Posted By: antiqueshell
Sharper shifts (like that in a manual) are normal and part of the typical operation of the units in Hondas.


It's typically the other way around. Honda OEM fluid tends to produce very silky shifts. Too smooth in my opinion. MaxLife firms the shifts up pretty good. In the case of our Acura, MaxLife is perfect. In the case of our Honda, MaxLife is actually too firm for my tastes; I prefer the Castrol Transmax IMV in the Honda.
 
Originally Posted By: barlowc
Originally Posted By: Rand
Whats the capacity of the system and what were you getting out in each drain and fill.

That's a good question. The owner's manual says the capacity is 4.5 quarts. But that's essentially what comes out and I find it hard to believe that everything drains.


4.5 quarts is quite a lot to get out on a drain on a Honda AT. I get about 3 quarts out of either of ours when I drain them. Total capacity is anywhere from about 7-9 quarts, depending on the specific model. I think the V-6 transmission holds about 9 quarts.
 
Originally Posted By: antiqueshell
The question is does MaxLife ATF meet Honda specifications and do they put it it writing on the bottle?



Valvoline guarantees Maxlife will meet or exceed the OE requirements for Honda Transmission Fluids ( except their CVT ).

For further info/compatibility list :

Maxlife ATF Product Data Sheet
 
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