AT Additive for Hondas

[JMG]

I would change the ATF in the Accord. I beleive that Honda recommends chaning the ATF at 90K miles or 72 months for normal conditions. For severe conditions every 30K or 2 years.

Honda recommends only using thier Fluids. There is much debate on this and you can do a search about what is the best to use. I thought about using different fluids and posted a few times, but I have heard some bad things about not using Hondas TF's. So I use Honda MTF in the Accord and Honda ATF in the CRV.

I dont know anything about additives and most Honda literature suggests not using them.
Good Luck!

 

[Elroy the Unique]

quote:

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Originally posted by DeeJay815:
What do you guys reccommend for AT additives (if any) for a '96 accord w/ 117K miles and an '02 Odyssey w/ 37K miles? I bought the accord used w/ 56K on it and haven't yet changed the AT fluid. Plan on doing it sometime in April. The dealer installed the oil jet for the Odyssey under the recal. thanks for you help!

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http://www.lubegard.com/automotive/trans_atf_platinum.html

This is the additive the professional transmission shops use.

 

[unDummy]

ATF additives aren't needed if you practice a more regular fluid change interval.

Aamco sells relabelled lubegard.
Lubegard is excellent. Smartblend also makes a titanium product. There are other competitors to them also.

 

[DeeJay815]

What do you guys reccommend for AT additives (if any) for a '96 accord w/ 117K miles and an '02 Odyssey w/ 37K miles? I bought the accord used w/ 56K on it and haven't yet changed the AT fluid. Plan on doing it sometime in April. The dealer installed the oil jet for the Odyssey under the recal. thanks for you help!

 

[thrace]

The manufacturer only recommends ATF Z1 and no additives for 2002 Hondas. It takes about 3 1/2 quarts for a simple drain and fill. It is time to change ATF soon in the Odyssey. The owners manual recommendation is at 45,000 and every 30,000 mi thereafter for normal conditions or every 30,000 mi for severe service. Sorry to say, changing the ATF does not guarantee the trans will not fail. One owner with an MDX with a similar transmission changed fluid every 7500 miles only to have the trans fail at about 66,000 mi. Failures before 45,000 are too common.

 

[Jon]

I just did a change (at 25K miles, only 3.1 quarts) and my fluid came out "like coffee", according to the mechanic. I put back in 3.1 quarts of Specialty Formulations "AutoGlide" that had been modified for Honda's. I noticed much more positive shifting right away. I will do another 3 quarts at each of the next two oil changes for a complete drain. I'll probably report then.

The only other fluid (other than OEM) that I'd use is the Amsoil stuff, which claims ATF-Z1 compatability.

 

[jthorner]

quote:

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The only other fluid (other than OEM) that I'd use is the Amsoil stuff, which claims ATF-Z1 compatability

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Valvoline Maxlife ATF makes the same claims as Amsoil. Is there a reason you trust Amsoil but do not trust Valvoline?

John

 

[Jon]

quote:

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Originally posted by jthorner:
Valvoline Maxlife ATF makes the same claims as Amsoil. Is there a reason you trust Amsoil but do not trust Valvoline?

John

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I've had good luck with Amsoil and bad luck with Valvoline.

 

[Ken2]

The Honda transmission drains a larger proportion of fluid than most. I've had good results with draining the sump, refilling to the proper level, drive briefly, drain & refill, drive, drain & refill and correct the level. It takes about 12 quarts.

You do not need an additive if you use a fluid licensed (Honda's own) or "recommended" for Hondas. Amsoil ATF and Schaeffer 204SAT are two of the best. If you wish, you could add a red bottle of Lubegard, but there is probably no good reason to do so. If you use a Dexron-III ATF, you need a black bottle of Lubegard.

If you have LubeControl, an ounce every 10,000 miles is recommended. If the transmission is high miles or the fluid dirty, an Auto-Rx cleaning is highly recommended.


Ken

 

[mechtech]

There is a good additive available.
First, drain your transmission, then add the appropriate amount of Specialty Formulations lube, in the weight you desire.