Any reason to not use Maxlife ATF and Lubrgard in Honda?

[The Critic]

I'd assume that more would drain out when the vehicle is stone cold, due to torque converter drainback.

Maxlife ATF is a so-so fluid for the money. I can buy Honda ATF-Z1 for less money, and performance is often more predictable. Don't use the "blue bottle" Valvoline in Honda units, it needs Lubegard Black in order to shift properly.

I'd do a drain/refill every 15k minimum.

 

[glxpassat]

quote:

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Originally posted by ccs v2.0:

quote:

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Originally posted by glxpassat:
I've been using the Maxlife in our Odessey's tranny for a couple of years now, and it shifts great, no need for anything else.

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Good to know. I just switched to Maxlife/LG Black after much search. What year Ody (4 or 5-speed AT)?

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Mine is a 99 with 4 speeds. The tranny was replace under the extended warrenty 3 years ago at 85k miles. It now has 127k and is running great. I also added a cooler and inline filter two years ago. For me, the Maxlife shifts better than the Z1.

 

[ccs v2.0]

Thanks. Ours is an 02, 82K miles and fingers crossed. I need to look into replacing the in line filter, although now it's likely doing half the work since the oil jet recall.

Critic, what do you mean by "so-so fluid for the money"? I can readily find Maxlife at my local WM at $3.38/qt while my stealers want $7.80/qt for Z1. Online, the best I found was $4.10 plus shipping.

 

[The Critic]

Search "Honda" under the Product Sales/Promotions forum. There's a site I listed that sells Z1 for $3.60/qt including shipping. For that price (yours), I can buy Amsoil ATF.

 

[olefam]

I bought an '05 CR-V with the "improved" 5 speed auto trans. I have always hated being told that I had to use OEM because the factory knows best. I spent a fair amount of time researching Honda transmissions and the best I could come up with is that the clutch material Honda uses is apparently very sensitive to the formulation of the ATF. Can't tell you why or what the material is that is so sensitive. I applaud Honda for designing a device which automatically ensures that you either spend money with them every 15,000 miles replacing their fluid, or spend money with them every 100,000 miles replacing their transmissions.
My next car will NOT be a Honda!
Glen

 

[The Critic]

And Toyota, GM, Ford, DC all do the same thing. What's the big deal?

 

[BrianWC]

Please. When's the last time you saw so many people stressing over the right a/t fluid for a GM car.


Oh my goodness! Anything but Honda Z1 and that thing will blow SKY HIGH!!!

Yeah right.

 

[thrace]

Not all. GM, Ford, DC ATF is available at stores that open Sundays unlike that H____ car seller store.

 

[The Critic]

Well, may be not GM. But try finding an "approved" Ford or DC product and it's not as clear cut as some may expect it to be.

 

[BrianWC]

Ah well, I'll let y'all know when mine blows up.

 

[ccs v2.0]

Critic, thanks for the link. But I won't be needing it for another year or so.

Also, you never did answer the question, what do you mean by "so-so for the money"? What's the basis for this comment?

 

[The Critic]

I was really referring to the lack of a price advantage by using the Maxlife over genuine ATF-Z1, as the two are so similar in price. It seems like a no brainer to buy the real stuff.

 

[ccs v2.0]

I don't know. Maxlife at $3.38/qt any day, any quantity, at WM vs. online $3.60/qt (plus you need to buy 14 qts. to get the free, slow boat shipping) still tips the balance to Maxlife IMO. Factor in LG black at $1/oz and it's still easier to use the locally available fluids.

The trannies will fail regardless.

 

[The Critic]

You don't need Lubegard w/Maxlife. The Mercon-V product, if you use that one, will require Lubegard.

Other thing you must also consider, is the OEM approval. If you're under extended warranty, that may be quite important.

 

[ccs v2.0]

Granted. Warranty concerns aside, there's no real reson to be "guiltied" into sticking with Z1.

 

[The Critic]

Absolutely. Of course it's subjective, but other aftermarket formulations have shown to work fine in Honda transmissions, despite their different formulation.

 

[glxpassat]

The Z1 was made for CVT trannies, which Maxlife is not good for, probably because it's too slippery. The Z1 is a compromise fluid so that Honda can just sell one fluid for two differnt applications. To me, the shift-quality factor and the cost factor make the Maxlife a better choice.

 

[Doc8404]

If anyone has a good source for Z1, I'd appreciate it.
2001 Civic with rebuilt tranny, plan on just draining via plug and refilling with Z1...unsure what the tranny shop used.

any idea how many quarts I'll get just by pulling the one plug (passenger side)