Best Synthetc ATF for 94 Honda Civic?

[thrace]

Originally Posted By: gregk24
Thin is in! But seriously I would only use Honda Z1 or DW1 in Hondas, after all, they have a unique design and Honda has formulated the ATF for there transmissions. Why would you want to use a "multi vehicle" atf when you could get the real deal? The only Honda approved ATF is Honda Genuine.
I would not use Z1 or DW-1 in a 94. Z-1 not invented yet in 1994, not even recommended on the 94 Honda dipstick. Dw-1 thinner than Dexron II which was the Dexron around in 94. Thin is not in if not designed for thin. My Honda AT died on Z-1 exclusively at 70 thousand miles even after being changed every 10 thousand miles.

 

[David1]

Originally Posted By: thrace
Originally Posted By: gregk24
Thin is in! But seriously I would only use Honda Z1 or DW1 in Hondas, after all, they have a unique design and Honda has formulated the ATF for there transmissions. Why would you want to use a "multi vehicle" atf when you could get the real deal? The only Honda approved ATF is Honda Genuine.
I would not use Z1 or DW-1 in a 94. Z-1 not invented yet in 1994, not even recommended on the 94 Honda dipstick. Dw-1 thinner than Dexron II which was the Dexron around in 94. Thin is not in if not designed for thin. My Honda AT died on Z-1 exclusively at 70 thousand miles even after being changed every 10 thousand miles.


But it says on the bottle ALL Honda cars other then them CVT trannys

Hey, go ahead and get what you want.

Get the Super Tech brand at walmart.

If I was going to use somthing other then Honda GENUINE, it would probably be that....

 

[94exa2]

The transmission does not need honda z1, required Dexron, and z1 sucks.

I already bought, and filled the trans with Mobil 1 synthetic Dex. I dont even think I would use atfz1 or dw1 in a car that actually calls for that fluid, let alone one that does not use that fluid.

 

[David1]

Originally Posted By: 94exa2
The transmission does not need honda z1, required Dexron, and z1 sucks.

I already bought, and filled the trans with Mobil 1 synthetic Dex. I dont even think I would use atfz1 or dw1 in a car that actually calls for that fluid, let alone one that does not use that fluid.



So how does it feel with the Mobil 1 ATF?

 

[harry j]

I have been using Amsoil ATF in my 1993 Civic starting at 120,000 miles. Now with 376,000 miles, I am very pleased with the transmissions performance using the ATF.

 

[Quakish]

i think i'll use dw-1 on a honda spec;d for z-1 but wouldn't use dw-1 in a honda spec'd for dexII. just use aftermarket dex

 

[DBMaster]

My 89 Accord specified "Honda/Dex II." I used Dex II on the very first D&F I did in 1990. After that I went with Amsoil ATF - only because I was not aware of any other synthetic ATF's back in 1991. I used Mobil 1 ATF after that, doing D&F's every 30,000 miles until the transmission gave out at 300,000 miles. Not bad! The rebuilder of my replacement transmission in 2009, Howard Engineering, specified only Z-1 during the 36,000 mile warranty period - requiring only 30,000 mile D&F's. I never noticed sloppy shifting, but that vintage of Honda automatic was known for it's "positive" shifting. It's probably why it lasted so long.

If you have a Honda that can use Dex then probably any of the fluids recommended here will be fine.

 

[tig1]

Originally Posted By: David1
Originally Posted By: yesthatsteve
Mobil1
Valvoline Maxlife
Valvoline Multi Import Synthetic
Mag1
Amsoil
Redline D4

All of the above are synthetic and should be fine in your application (Castrol is not synthetic, but is a very good conventional ATF). I use Maxlife in mine because of price, availability, and a general distrust of Honda-branded fluids after previous AT failures.

If you like the M1 and want something "even better," I'd recommend stepping up in price to the Amsoil or Redline. Both are excellent fluids.

I suspect Mobil removed the "suitable for Z-1" tag from the label in order to avoid liability for certain fragile AT units from Honda/Acura in the late 90s and early 00s.


Yea I was wondering why Mobil 1 did that, b/c I used to remember it saying HONDA / ACURA AT-Z1 on the bottle.


See here is from a online place that sells Mobil 1 ATF read the specs


Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF is formulated for use in most North American, European and Asian vehicles.

Approved for Allison C-4 applications

Exceeds JASO 1-A performance standard

Also suitable for use in vehicles that specify the following fluid requirements: o Audi G 052 025-A2, G 052 162-A1
o BMW LA2634
o Esso LT 71141
o ETL-7045E, ETL-8072B, N402
o Ford* MERCON*, MERCON V, MERCON LV
o All 2005 and earlier GM vehicles**
o Honda ATF-Z1*
o Hyundai SP-II, SP-III
o Idemitsu K17
o JWS 3309
o Kia SP-II, SP-III
o MAN 339F, V1, V2, Z1, Z2, Z3
o Mazda ATF-III, ATF-MV
o Mercedes-Benz 236.1, 236.2, 236.5, 236.6, 236.7, 236.9
o Mitsubishi Diamond SP-II, SP-III
o Nissan Matic-D, Matic-J, Matic-K
o Subaru ATF
o Toyota T-III, T-IV
o Voith 55.6335.XX (G607, G1363)
o Volvo 97340
o ZF TE-ML 03D, 04D, 09, 14A, 14B, 16L, 17C


But on there website they have removed that and more... Read the specs from the Mobil site now.


Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF meets or exceeds the requirements of:

JASO 1-A
Ford MERCON® V


According to ExxonMobil, Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF is of the following quality level:

Allison C4
GM DEXRON® IIIH
GM DEXRON® IIIG
GM DEXRON® IIE
GM DEXRON® IID
GM DEXRON® II
GM DEXRON®
Ford MERCON®
Voith H55.6335.3X
MAN 339 V1
Volvo 97340
Volvo 97341

Looks like the list got much smaller * SHRUGS *


So many hoops for M1 to jump through for all the many brand names, they backed out. However M1 ATF today, is the same ATF as before. In fact I still use it in my Fusion, but M1 doesn't carry the FNR Fusion spec. any longer. Trans performs very well.

 

[Gokhan]

Unlike Mobil Dexron-VI, Valvoline Dexron-VI is fully synthetic. Give it a try. I've only used Valvoline Dexron-III, IIIG, IIIH, and VI in my AT over many years and it still runs like clockwork.