Should I run run Honda fluid in the tranny, or switch to a synthetic fluid? I have 120,000 miles on the car and my goal is to get 225,000 good miles out of this car. Car has a good maintenance record since it was new.
Automatic trans for 2000 Civic LX question??
- Thread starter tarboroheel1
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Alot of people ask this question. The answer is that it is probably okay to run a synthetic fluid in Honda AT's but keep in mind that no manufacturer can truly claim their fluid is compatible with ATF-Z1. Honda has never given out specs for their fluids so using anything else is a crapshoot.
IMO ATF-Z1 is a good fluid and you cant go wrong with using it.
IMO ATF-Z1 is a good fluid and you cant go wrong with using it.
I've had good results with a Dexron-III ATF plus a bottle of Lubegard black HFM supplement, so a syn Dex-III ATF would be likely OK with the Lubegard. Amsoil and Schaeffer now claim that their full synthetic ATF is OK in Hondas.
Ken
Ken
MolaKule
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But that doesn't mean that we don't know what's in it, nor does it mean we can't reproduce it.
I just did a 50% service in my clean CRV trans that was full of Z1 with 2q of MaxLife and 1q of Mobil 1 ATF. It shifts smooth. My notion is that you should not use a run-of-the-mill Dex, but a premuim one is ok. Universal ATF is a plus, but finding one in synth is questionable. Noone has mentioned the Pennzoil products...they are worth looking at, but MaxLife "recommends" for Z1 and my unit is a 98 with 95k. I will service it again with the same mix. I am a lil crazy, I guess.
I use Amsoil's ATF in my 2001 Civic, and it's been in there trouble free since 31k. I now have 79k on the car.
I have used Amsoil syn fluid in my 1993 Civic for the last 60,000 miles with no problems, now have 183,000 miles on the car. Try it, you'll like it!
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