Chickened out on MaxLife ATF; put in DW-1

[Hokiefyd]

After feeling pretty confident about the Valvoline MaxLife ATF in the Honda, I chickened out and bought 6 quarts of DW-1 for the CR-V instead. The cost difference between it and the Valvoline isn't a factor; I just want the best fluid. Besides, my dealer sells it to me for $6.18/qt anyway. That's still higher than the Valvoline, but not nearly as high as MSRP. There are so many positive reports about the Valvoline, but I just couldn't get passed the different additive pack in it compared with the DW-1.

Plus, I wanted to see if the CR-V's transmission shifts firmer than our Acura's on its own, or if it's because of the MaxLife ATF that's already in it from the previous ATF change at the dealer. So I drained/filled three quarts of DW-1, drove around a few miles, and did it again. I must say, the slow speed/light throttle 1-2 shift has smoothed out moderately with the DW-1 in it; before, a slow 1-2 shift felt forced or awkward. And happily (at least so far), the other shifts are not slower or sloppier than they were on the MaxLife. If anything, the shifting seems a little more rapid and positive. It's also smoother when slowing to a stop. You used to be able to feel it bump into 1st, and that's not perceptible anymore. The whole transmission just seems to operate with a bit more precision on the DW-1.

So I was nearly 100% sure I was going to switch the Acura over to MaxLife, but now I don't think I will. I still don't like the moderate throttle 1-2 shift on the Acura after the fluid heats up, but that's just one very particular situation. I like how it shifts at all other times. And it appears that I may not like the way MaxLife works in it, if the CR-V's behavior is any indication.

Don't get me wrong; there's not a dramatic difference at ALL. In fact, my wife cannot feel a difference (in the CR-V). I key-in to those kinds of things and seem to be hyper sensitive to it, so I can feel it. Just another data point I guess for others considering ATF for their Honda.

 

[bakechad]

I understand where you are coming from, but I'm going with MaxLife ATF.

I did a drain and fill cycle of Z-1 at 30,000 miles in my CRV. As soon as I hit 60,000 I'm going with Maxlife. I have read so many positive experiences about Maxlife ATF, I'm not worried.

It isn't a cost thing as much as it is I'm sick of being forced into proprietary fluids. Some people claim it is about matching fluids to the engineering. It is about getting you to come back to the dealer for service. That's were the money is, not in new car sales.

I need HOAT coolant for my Dodge and am going with the dyed Mopar coolant because I am still under extended warranty. It kills me that I have to pay $27 a gallon for coolant that should be $12 a gallon!

 

[Carnoobie]

Says rright on the bottle, maxlife isnt suited for CRV trans.

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
After feeling pretty confident about the Valvoline MaxLife ATF in the Honda, I chickened out and bought 6 quarts of DW-1 for the CR-V instead. The cost difference between it and the Valvoline isn't a factor; I just want the best fluid. Besides, my dealer sells it to me for $6.18/qt anyway. That's still higher than the Valvoline, but not nearly as high as MSRP. There are so many positive reports about the Valvoline, but I just couldn't get passed the different additive pack in it compared with the DW-1.

Plus, I wanted to see if the CR-V's transmission shifts firmer than our Acura's on its own, or if it's because of the MaxLife ATF that's already in it from the previous ATF change at the dealer. So I drained/filled three quarts of DW-1, drove around a few miles, and did it again. I must say, the slow speed/light throttle 1-2 shift has smoothed out moderately with the DW-1 in it; before, a slow 1-2 shift felt forced or awkward. And happily (at least so far), the other shifts are not slower or sloppier than they were on the MaxLife. If anything, the shifting seems a little more rapid and positive. It's also smoother when slowing to a stop. You used to be able to feel it bump into 1st, and that's not perceptible anymore. The whole transmission just seems to operate with a bit more precision on the DW-1.

So I was nearly 100% sure I was going to switch the Acura over to MaxLife, but now I don't think I will. I still don't like the moderate throttle 1-2 shift on the Acura after the fluid heats up, but that's just one very particular situation. I like how it shifts at all other times. And it appears that I may not like the way MaxLife works in it, if the CR-V's behavior is any indication.

Don't get me wrong; there's not a dramatic difference at ALL. In fact, my wife cannot feel a difference (in the CR-V). I key-in to those kinds of things and seem to be hyper sensitive to it, so I can feel it. Just another data point I guess for others considering ATF for their Honda.

 

[Oil Changer]

I'm going with Eneos for mine.

 

[barlowc]

Originally Posted By: bakechad
I did a drain and fill cycle of Z-1 at 30,000 miles in my CRV. As soon as I hit 60,000 I'm going with Maxlife. I have read so many positive experiences about Maxlife ATF, I'm not worried.

Same here with our Saturn, which has a Honda powertrain for those that didn't know. I did a 3x drain/fill at 30K and stuck with Z-1 (which I got for $4.50/quart) that time. But in another 4K I'll to a 3x (maybe even a 4x) drain/fill series and plan to use MaxLife.

Originally Posted By: Carnoobie
Says rright on the bottle, maxlife isnt suited for CRV trans.

That's CVT transmissions, not CR-V. It's not suited for Honda's CVT transmissions.

 

[Bandito440]

I did my first drain and fill on a 2006 Ford Fusion V6 with the 6-speed Aisin trans. Using Castrol Transmax Import Vehicle ATF it's doing well so far. It took about 3.25 quarts. My plan is to do drain and fills with the next few oil changes.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Rumor has it, Carquest used to sell Honda Z-1 at a good price. I'm not sure if that actually was true and/or if they now have DW-1 also. You can also get sealed bottles of DW-1 on eBay for a decent price if you want to pay for a case at a time. I also heard that you could buy it at a GM dealer for a good price (the Z-1) because the Saturns with the Honda 3.5L V-6 and transmission combo obviously used that fluid. I'm not sure if GM dealers have the new DW-1.

I also looked at the Castrol product. None of them have the zinc that the Honda fluid has, and for some reason, I can't get passed that in my mind. If Honda recommended Dexron III, I'd absolutely use any Dexron III fluid. But their fluid's properties are different enough that I just can't set my mind to it.

I do know that other fluids work well, so don't take this as me trying to talk folks into Honda's fluid; that's certainly not what I'm trying to do. I just wanted to compare how the two fluids work back-to-back (DW-1 and MaxLife). They are close enough in operation and shift feel that most people won't know or feel the difference.

 

[Sayjac]

Thought "maybe" you would pull the trigger with the MaxLife this time but..... It is very surprising though that the dealer will sell DW-1 to you for the H&A price, before shipping. This area, most try matrix pricing the stuff and lowest negotiated has been suggested retail, $8.23, yikes. Though if I was now interested, knowing this I might try the $6.18 match, very doubtful though. Did you have to buy a case of DW-1?

However, with the Civic now done with the singular d&f with MaxLife, when time comes same plan for my 3.0L Accord. We'll see, but if the 01 Civic works out, no reason the Accord or any shouldn't work, imo.

Glad the DW-1 works for you, but it's MaxLife now for me. Strokes for folks, but Bitog and life would be boring if everyone had exactly the same ideas.

Don't forget GM sells a Honda ATF for it's Honda Saturn, might still be Z-1 or now DW-1, and might or might not be less expensive?

 

[BISCUT]

I had some trembling also when it came to Matic S or MaxLife for the Armada. Went with Maxlife and it all worked out great! Will continue to use Maxlife in the Nissan, Camry, and F-150.

 

[Hermann]

If you have ever smelled Maxlife Dex/Merc you will know that there is a heavy smell similar to gear oil. It definitly has sulphur in it. Don't know about the zinc

 

[cpayne5]

I replaced the factory WS with MaxLife ATF about a month ago in my 4Runner. I replaced all the fluid at one time (using the transmission lines). Runs and shifts fine. It has about 2k (1k just yesterday!) miles on it since the swap.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Sayjac, I showed the H&A price to the dealer (Bryan Honda) and they matched it, even before shipping. That was about a year ago. Since then, I bring my previous invoice in with me and say something like, "you guys gave me a good price on this before, I hope you can do it again". Bryan Honda has been pretty fair with me on parts. I usually buy three quarts at a time, but bought six this time for a more complete service because I knew it had the Valvoline product in it already.

The only unknown is how much of the Valvoline it had in it. It had one transmission service before we bought it, so it probably had three quarts.

 

[bourne]

If the dealer did a full flush then over 90% , if not then a single drain and fill will give u roughly 30-35% new fluid. I'm going the other way, I do not like how dw-1 feels after 10k miles in my trans. It's got a [censored] VI though , 255 !!!!!

 

[Sayjac]

Certainly being able to able to obtain DW-1 for the H&A (minus shipping) price made your choice easier. ~$1.70qt. difference between it an AAP MaxLife gallon price isn't that unreasonable. Lucky imo, to find a dealer willing to do that. But, it also shows the outrageous markup in these products.

Though MaxLife is now my choice, I do give you props for your 'chutzpah' in going for and getting that price on DW-1 from the dealer.

 

[Carnoobie]

From what i remember the spec sheet saying

1 drain and fill replaces 52%
2 = 67%
3 = 78
4 = 89
5 = 94
6 = 97

 

[CharBaby]

IMHO, one can never go wrong using the OE fluids. And the DW-1 supercedes the Z-1... You may pay a bit more, but will sleep better at night.

I have noticed that the differences in shifting between one ATF and another, all depends on what type of shifting the owner desires. We won't know til we try the one that gives us what we like.

Some ATFs create a firmer shift that the owner likes and some ATFs create a lazier/smoother shift. I don't think that the latter will damage the transmission as long as it's not completely slipping.

I've been wanting to try the MaxLife ATF in my 3 Asian Cars(Lexus, Mazda, Nissan) but, I still have so much Castrol IMV(~10 qts remaining + 4qts of Castrol HM atf) that I never got the chance nor want to buy the ML until the IMV/HM is gone.

I have experienced the same/similar symptoms with using the Castrol IMV compared to other ATF's...Differences in shifting in all 3 car/transmissions. Not bad shifting, just different shifting than the way they were before. And, bearly noticable to others, if at all. I have stated this in other posts/threads.

 

[BrianWC]

I've never used anything but Castrol or Valvoline Maxlife auto trans fluids in my 02 CR-V...

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: Char Baby
Some ATFs create a firmer shift that the owner likes and some ATFs create a lazier/smoother shift. I don't think that the latter will damage the transmission as long as it's not completely slipping.


Right. In the Honda, I liked how the MaxLife shifted when warm and at higher throttle angles. But low speed soft shifts felt forced and a bit awkward. DW-1 fixed the soft shifts, and really didn't compromise on the higher throttle shifts either. It's perfect in the Honda's transmission.

In the Acura, I like how DW-1 shifts except for a moderate-throttle 1-2 shift after the fluid is fully hot. The shift seems to take longer than I'd want. All other shifting is good, even the 1-2 shift at lower throttle angles (and at higher throttle angles). And because this is the family vehicle, and my wife likes smooth, I don't want to mess up that otherwise smooth behavior with different fluid. I would prefer a slightly firmer 1-2 shift without sacrificing anything else, but after experiencing how different fluids work in the Honda, I don't think I can get that improvement in the Acura without additional compromises.

Another thing I thought of recently that I didn't before: the ECU in the Acura might be doing some torque management during shifting that I'm feeling in the butt dyno. The shift may not actually be taking as long as I perceive.

 

[CharBaby]

Maybe in your Acura, you can find the perfect blend between the DW-1 & MaxLife mix!