Before I do this drain and fill on my wife’s 2013 Honda fit, is there anyone on here who has used the Castrol universal atf/cvt fluid? I’ve used Valvoline maxlife in the past, just curious about this Castrol offering
Castrol universal atf/cvt
- Thread starter Bettez88
- Start date
Is your Fit a CVT? 
I used Maxlife ATF in my old Nissan AT, and it never shifted properly again. Since then, I only use OEM recommended fluid in AT's. I don't know what fluid is recommended in your Fit, but the safe choice, is the OEM Honda fluid.
I have used it in a Mitsubishi Mirage CVT - worked fine and I consider it equal to Maxlife. I mostly use Maxlife but on occasion I will use the Castrol as well as it is often a few bucks cheaper. Use it with confidence.
Is there a chance the transmission has some issues and maybe was not the fluid? I agree that when in doubt the OEM fluid spec is the better choice - but having used Maxlife in so many different applications in my shop with no issues I will continue to use it where I know it works but there are definitely certain applications where you want a specific OEM fluid spec over universal.
No atfIs your Fit a CVT?
Then it should be ok.
I'm more hesitant to use it in a CVT than I would a regular automatic, so if yours isn't a CVT, then using it is not a problem at all
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
I used it in my 2019 Nissan Pathfinder's CVT for 30k miles and I've had it in my 2021 Chevy Traverse's 9T65 for about 6k miles. No issues in either application.
I am not saying that I am right or correct about the following… I do mean that seriously.
However The regular ATFs work off a coefficient of friction and CVT operate on a traction coefficient. Being that those are so different in how they work I just don’t feel comfortable using them. Trusting a new additive from Afton that is supposed to “ bridge” that gap between the two very different operating conditions in two different types of transmissions is putting a whole lot of faith in that.
I do believe though that Afton did test that new additive very thoroughly in their testing facility in Ashland Virginia. I do wonder how long of intervals did they test their new additive technology in both regular ATFs and CVTs ? Was it for 50,000 miles, 100,000 miles, 150,000 miles or 200,000 miles ? And did they test it in Honda transmissions ? Toyota transmissions ? Or the Nissan Jatco CVTs ? The Subaru CVTs ?
I hope that anyone who runs these universal transmission fluids has zero issues or problems. And I am interested in hearing from more people who use these fluids for well in excess of 100,000 plus miles to 200,000 plus miles… 30,000 to 50,000 miles is ok but I want much longer time/mileage usage to see how all that turns out.
I just did 2 drain and refills on my 2012 Honda Civic with Idemitsu DW-1 fluid. I know it’s not exactly the same chemistry formulation as Honda DW-1.
But given how these Honda transmissions are I would not use a CVT/ ATF universal fluid in a Honda transmission. That’s just my thought on this. It does not mean I’m correct though.
Now OG Valvoline Maxlife… yeah I would use that. Valvoline EP ATF which specifically says NOT to run in a CVT… I would run that too.
However The regular ATFs work off a coefficient of friction and CVT operate on a traction coefficient. Being that those are so different in how they work I just don’t feel comfortable using them. Trusting a new additive from Afton that is supposed to “ bridge” that gap between the two very different operating conditions in two different types of transmissions is putting a whole lot of faith in that.
I do believe though that Afton did test that new additive very thoroughly in their testing facility in Ashland Virginia. I do wonder how long of intervals did they test their new additive technology in both regular ATFs and CVTs ? Was it for 50,000 miles, 100,000 miles, 150,000 miles or 200,000 miles ? And did they test it in Honda transmissions ? Toyota transmissions ? Or the Nissan Jatco CVTs ? The Subaru CVTs ?
I hope that anyone who runs these universal transmission fluids has zero issues or problems. And I am interested in hearing from more people who use these fluids for well in excess of 100,000 plus miles to 200,000 plus miles… 30,000 to 50,000 miles is ok but I want much longer time/mileage usage to see how all that turns out.
I just did 2 drain and refills on my 2012 Honda Civic with Idemitsu DW-1 fluid. I know it’s not exactly the same chemistry formulation as Honda DW-1.
But given how these Honda transmissions are I would not use a CVT/ ATF universal fluid in a Honda transmission. That’s just my thought on this. It does not mean I’m correct though.
Now OG Valvoline Maxlife… yeah I would use that. Valvoline EP ATF which specifically says NOT to run in a CVT… I would run that too.
And that is a JATCO CVT transmission.
MolaKule
Staff member
Specific or dedicated cvt fluids such as HPL CVT, Amsoil CVT, Redline CVT, and Valvoline CVT seem better choices in my view.
Plus from what I think I've seen, Castrol is huge throughout the rest of the world. Here in the US, Valvoline seems to have more of a presence but Castrol seems to be more of a "world" company.
That says nothing of the specific fluid, but only speaks to Castrol's reputation and expertise -- I think they kinda know what they're doing.
As for the topic, I used it for a spill 'n fill in a '15 Forester CVT and would do it again.
I agree, but I think the OP has a step shift.
MolaKule
Staff member
You're right, OP finally clarified that in Post #7.
In that case, step-shift ATF fluids such as HPL GreenCC, Amsoil Fuel Efficient Formula - Low Viscosity ATL or Redline D6--seem better choices in my view.
Sort of.OP finally clarified that in Post #7.
And rightfully so, especially from HPL, AMSOIL, and Redline. They have much better basestocks and additive packages.
sharing my experience...
We did a drain-and-fill on our 2012 Suzuki SX4 (Jatco CVT) for the first time at 110k miles
Bought used at 40k miles, and I am sure no trans fluid change before we had it.
After some research, we decided to go with a high-viscosity aftermarket CVT-compatible fluid (KV100>=7), and Catrol ATF/CVT Universal was the most affordable choice.
Drained out 4.5 qt and filled in 1 gal Castrol Universal.....short of 0.5 qt.
I can't find any 1qt Castrol Universal bottles for sale (in-store or online), only 1gal jug is available...
But I was able to find a 1qt bottle (the only one left) of dedicated Castrol Transmax CVT Fluid at a local auto part store
The bottle was packaged in 2022 (if I interpreted the serial number correctly)
Current situation: Mix of 1Gal fresh Castrol Universal + 0.5qt fresh Castrol CVT + remaining 12-year-old OEM fluid...
It has been running great after 5k miles and the shift on cold is much improved.
Thanks
We did a drain-and-fill on our 2012 Suzuki SX4 (Jatco CVT) for the first time at 110k miles
Bought used at 40k miles, and I am sure no trans fluid change before we had it.
After some research, we decided to go with a high-viscosity aftermarket CVT-compatible fluid (KV100>=7), and Catrol ATF/CVT Universal was the most affordable choice.
Drained out 4.5 qt and filled in 1 gal Castrol Universal.....short of 0.5 qt.
I can't find any 1qt Castrol Universal bottles for sale (in-store or online), only 1gal jug is available...
But I was able to find a 1qt bottle (the only one left) of dedicated Castrol Transmax CVT Fluid at a local auto part store
The bottle was packaged in 2022 (if I interpreted the serial number correctly)
Current situation: Mix of 1Gal fresh Castrol Universal + 0.5qt fresh Castrol CVT + remaining 12-year-old OEM fluid...
It has been running great after 5k miles and the shift on cold is much improved.
Thanks
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