CRV HCF-2 OEM may not be the best

[case310]

replacing the engine in a 17 crv. also had torque converter shutter, did the 3 change thing did not improve. so while engine is out will change the converter. it is assumed that oem will have the best fluid. But after talking with some transmission shops they seem to have a different opinion. So may go with alternative fluid. Seems no one has done a deep dive on converter fluid and failures which seem to be common now in many different cars. I drive my cars till 300k and converter s were never and issue. My understanding is cvt's generate a lot more heat. therefore degrade fluid. and thus converter failure

 

[JavierH19]

That and some vehicles with cyl deactivation (not the crv in question) can have the failure happen more quickly but if disabled the torque converter lasts longer. OEM fluid is good but some places may recommend amsoil or something else. Cvt's do generate a lot of heat but if cooled well and changed frequently it's a non issue.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

How many miles on the CRV? What kind of driving conditions? Do you know the maintenance history?

You don't have to use OEM HCF2, but it does need to be changed regularly. It is part of item #3 in the minder, and it is also very easy to change the fluid in them as well.

Is your CRV a turbo?