Kia/Hyundai SP-III is a totally different beast than Z1. Some Honda owners/maintainers, myself included, have observed how Z1 gets destroyed in 15-20k miles. With the fluid being water-thin (sheared) and oxidized in that distance, it's tempting fate to wait to 60k miles to change it.
Generous Honda ATF Change Intervals
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I'm not sure the color is a huge indicator on Z1. I recall seeing used oil analysis that show the fluid in good shape with a brownish tint. That said, the fluid in our '00 didn't change color much in it's first 30K, when I changed it the first time. But ours gets mostly highway type miles, thus avoiding the cycles (shifts) that can help cook the fluid and change it's color.
I think you did a wise thing changing the oil and adding a Magnefine at this early stage. From here, I would suggest 30K drain-n-fill intervals. 30K on the first Magnefine, then perhaps 60K on the next (pull the old one apart to see how much junk was generated... contaminants trend significantly downwards after break-in). Honda transmissions have been improving, so fretting and excessive maintenance is probably not as warranted as it was back at the turn of the century.
I think you did a wise thing changing the oil and adding a Magnefine at this early stage. From here, I would suggest 30K drain-n-fill intervals. 30K on the first Magnefine, then perhaps 60K on the next (pull the old one apart to see how much junk was generated... contaminants trend significantly downwards after break-in). Honda transmissions have been improving, so fretting and excessive maintenance is probably not as warranted as it was back at the turn of the century.
Jim, thanks for the encouragement! I'm planning on changing that Magnefine at 50k miles (car has 20k on it), and doing another fluid change at 30k miles just to be cautious. The transmission is shifting beautifully 800 miles after the fluid change and Magnefine. I can't remember it being that quick or positive in its shifting, ever. With the spirited city driving this car sees, one can't be too cautious.
The 60k mile change interval is still far too long, IMO. Maybe in an ideal world where everybody drove nicely. Not for a city car that sees very spirited driving.
The 60k mile change interval is still far too long, IMO. Maybe in an ideal world where everybody drove nicely. Not for a city car that sees very spirited driving.
Just so people know PepBoys has the Castrol ATF line 2/$5, The HM, and Import being good for Hondas. I use the Castrol High Mileage in the CRV and it was good.
My 2001 Acura EL (fancy civic) has had the drain/fill at around 60,000miles and 90,000 miles and I'm at about 112,000 with no problems.
I actually just phoned the dealership today to see when it was last done. It's been two years and a bit, and I think I'll do another drain/fill. This time I'll do it myself as I can do it for $25 or so and the dealership charges $80 ($200 machine flush).
I think I'll just keep doing drain/fills as I've had good luck so far. With the dealership doing the previous drain/fills, I've never had a chance to examine the magnet, so I'll be curious to see what is on it.
I actually just phoned the dealership today to see when it was last done. It's been two years and a bit, and I think I'll do another drain/fill. This time I'll do it myself as I can do it for $25 or so and the dealership charges $80 ($200 machine flush).
I think I'll just keep doing drain/fills as I've had good luck so far. With the dealership doing the previous drain/fills, I've never had a chance to examine the magnet, so I'll be curious to see what is on it.
Originally Posted By: The Critic
The fluid in my friend's Fit still looks OK at 33k. We did get the PGM-FI software reflashed to the latest version, and that improved the shift quality tremendously after a few days of driving. Sometimes, a software update can make a big difference.
Unless of course, they changed the ATF without telling me, but that's unlikely.
Just changed the ATF in the 2009 Fit today. 35,844 miles on the clock.
The old fluid, like yours, was dark brown and was water. I have never seen ATF so watery before. I refilled with 3 qt of ATF-Z1 as the vehicle is still under warranty.
With a 50% fill of new fluid, the shift quality has noticeably improved. The 1-2 shift, which used to be clunky, is now smooth, as is the 2-3 shift. I will advise my friend to service this transmission yearly.
The fluid in my friend's Fit still looks OK at 33k. We did get the PGM-FI software reflashed to the latest version, and that improved the shift quality tremendously after a few days of driving. Sometimes, a software update can make a big difference.
Unless of course, they changed the ATF without telling me, but that's unlikely.
Just changed the ATF in the 2009 Fit today. 35,844 miles on the clock.
The old fluid, like yours, was dark brown and was water. I have never seen ATF so watery before. I refilled with 3 qt of ATF-Z1 as the vehicle is still under warranty.
With a 50% fill of new fluid, the shift quality has noticeably improved. The 1-2 shift, which used to be clunky, is now smooth, as is the 2-3 shift. I will advise my friend to service this transmission yearly.
At 45k on my 06 Corolla, I decided to just do a drain and fill which only does 3.5 quarts. Man that stuff was pretty dirty. I decided from now on I'm going to do the 3.5 quart drain and fill every 15k miles, then probably drop the pan and change that screen at 100,000 miles. The stealership wants over 200 bucks to do the flush on the transmission. I'd rather just be cheap and do the drain and fill every 15k from now on. Considering they "claim" this to be a lifetime fluid, it is better than not flushing it at all.
I have owned numerous Honda/Acura vehicles and always followed the severe service routine when it came to the transmission and rearend. After warranty expired, I then changed out to Maxlife transmission fluid and never had any problems. In fact, the transmissions made less noise and shifted smoother.
Yeah, having the first service required right when the warranty expires is kinda fishy.
I'll be using the Maxlife in my own car. If I like it, it may go into the Fit at 60k miles.
I'll be using the Maxlife in my own car. If I like it, it may go into the Fit at 60k miles.
Originally Posted By: sciphi
Yeah, having the first service required right when the warranty expires is kinda fishy.
I'll be using the Maxlife in my own car. If I like it, it may go into the Fit at 60k miles.
The warranty doesn't expire on the powertrain until 60,000 miles.
Yeah, having the first service required right when the warranty expires is kinda fishy.
I'll be using the Maxlife in my own car. If I like it, it may go into the Fit at 60k miles.
The warranty doesn't expire on the powertrain until 60,000 miles.
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