Castrol IMV ATF Viscosities and other questions

[dgsbikes]

2006 Honda Ody EX-L 75K Miles ATF Changed using Drain and Fill (D&F) procedure regularly with Z-1 for most part and the last D&F being DW-1.

I have a flush coming up and I am thinking of either a 3x D&F or a Flush (manual, no pressure systems).

I was looking at Castrol IMV ATF and have some questions:

1. What do the higher viscosities on the Castrol over DW-1 mean? More drag but better lubrication?
2. Looks like Castrol IMV is not fully synthetic? Is that correct? Should Syn vs. Non-Syn even be a consideration in this case?
3. Some of the viscosities for the Castrol IMV on PQIAmerica are significantly different from the ones on Castrol IMV PDS. The PQI tests were May 2013. Thoughts?
4. Any details on the additive package on DW-1? PQI has the one for Castrol

I like Castrol IMV at the Walmart price point for a flush. How does it compare to Honda DW-1 and/or Valvoline Maxlife ATF?

Any users of Castrol IMV? Experiences?

If there's already a similar recent thread that discusses Castrol IMV ATF, please feel free to point me there.

Thanks.

 

[Quakish]

i posted something similar about using newer DW-1 in my 04 honda. I looked at Castrol multi import ATF. i noticed it's thicker vs other oils at 40 and 100 degrees. and i've read here that it shears quickly so it will thin out over time. if you search by user name Hokiefyd you will see some of his posts regarding using castrol IMV in his pilot or MDX.

have you been to www.odyclub.com? some good info in trans fluids there

DW-1 is made by Idemitsu (same co that made Z-1). Looks very similar spec wise to ATF z-1, just thinner and (possibly) synthetic.

 

[Mr Nice]

I would only use Honda ATF.

 

[JethroBodine]

Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
I would only use Honda ATF.



+1 Me too.

 

[antiqueshell]

Originally Posted By: JethroBodine
Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
I would only use Honda ATF.



+1 Me too.


+ 1

If your Honda automatic is working perfectly just drain and refill the trans every 30k or so with OEM Honda DW-1 and call it good.

 

[threeputtpar]

I know you mentioned a price point, but if you're willing to spend the coin Amsoil's ATF is recommended for replacing Z-1 and I believe that Trav endorses its use in Honda transmissions from his personal experience.

It will have the same viscosity characteristics as the old Z-1, but it will be full syn instead of semi like Z-1 was. I'd worry about converting it all over to the DW-1 as that is a thin ATF compared to Z-1, and the circa 2006 units didn't have a good reputation.

 

[PandaBear]

I've used Castrol IMV, it is fine for my Z1 spec Integra.

What the higher visc means is it is thicker, and closer to Z1 spec. If you have DW1 spec on your car I'd use a thinner, closer to DW1 spec ATF like Maxlife instead if all things equal.

Not sure if Castrol is "synthetic" but IMO it is not that important in ATF as they usually wear out other things first (i.e. friction modifier, antiwear additives, VI improver, etc).

 

[Tanama]

Originally Posted By: PandaBear
Not sure if Castrol is "synthetic" but IMO it is not that important in ATF as they usually wear out other things first (i.e. friction modifier, antiwear additives, VI improver, etc).


That is an acurate statement for ATFs. The ancilliary functions of an ATF (detergency, dispersancy, anti-wear, friction modifiers, anti-corrosive, surfactancy, pour point depressant, etc.) usuallly are depleted before the main functions of the fluid such as lubrication, hydraulic capacity, and heat transfer.