Honda ATF Type 3.1 and Valvoline Maxlife.

[stchman]

Hello all.

I was looking at the price for Honda ATF Type 3.1 and the prices per quart are shall we say, ludicrous. Talk about liquid gold.

I was looking on Valvoline's site and they claim that Maxlife ATF is Honda 3.1 compatible. Is this BS? Has anyone used this in a Honda 9 speed?

Thanks.

 

[millerbl00]

The Honda 9 speed is super sensitive. (ask me how I know.) Stick with OEM and change often

 

[charbaby]

I would stay with the OE ATF as these 9 speed trannys can be finicky.
I’m surprised the Honda is still using the ZF 9 speed since most(Passport, Pilot, Odyssey, RDX, MDX) have moved to the in house 10 speed HONDA unit.

 

[kschachn]

Here are a few previous discussions that may help. There are more if you look around.

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Thread 'Maxlife ATF now sates Honda 3.x compatible'

Feb 6, 2020

I just spent $30 a quart for Honda 3.1 ATF and later saw that Maxlife PDS claims they are compatible with Honda 3.X and Lifeguard 8.

I have succesfully used maxlife on Honda's calling for Z1, DW-1, Toyota's calling for T-IV, having said that.

I am starting to wonder what is going on in the ATF industry, either Ashland is spot on and OEM's are just making it difficult for customers with OEM specific fluids or is Ashland misleading us with their universality?


One thing about the Honda 3.1 fluid, after 82k miles it was still nice and green, unlike the WS fluid which is cruddy looking at...

• Drew7a
• Replies: 41
• Forum: ATF, Differential, Trans, Brakes, P/S

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Thread 'Acura / Honda 3.1 ATF Fluid alternatives?'

Sep 17, 2021

Has anyone personally tried Amsoil ATF in lieu of the crazy expensive Acura 3.1 fluid? I'm tempted to try it but looking for someone who has first hand experience doing so.

• EcoB00ST
• Replies: 13
• Forum: ATF, Differential, Trans, Brakes, P/S

Thread 'Please recommend place to buy: ATF-Type 3.1'

Nov 3, 2019

Best online price I've found is $34/qt for ATF-Type 3.1

Any suggestions for places to buy?

• henni
• Replies: 3
• Forum: ATF, Differential, Trans, Brakes, P/S

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Thread '2019 Honda Pilot 9 speed transmission fluid???'

May 10, 2022

My manual says DW1 fluid and the dealer says ATF 3.1. Dealer wanted $128 for ATF 3.1 fluid and a gasket. 4 quarts

Went on line and two Genuine Honda parts sites say Honda ATF 3.1 is discontinued.

Got any experiances or recomendations?

Which fluid, ATF 3.1 or DW 1?

• callbay
• Replies: 17
• Forum: ATF, Differential, Trans, Brakes, P/S

Thread 'ZF9 Reman Overfill'

Aug 18, 2025

My 2018 Pilot got a remanufactured ZF9 about 26k miles ago. Today I did her first drain and fill and to my surprise I got what looks to be 4.5+ quarts (5 quart bucket) out of the transmission instead of the 3.5-4.0 quarts that should be expected.

I did it cold like I always do and just put all of the 4 quarts of new fluid that I had back into her. I am guessing that she will be fine, but if she acts up then I will go through the bother of warming her up and using the check plug.

The reason I made a post about this is because afterwards I started searching for...

• skaughtz
• Replies: 14
• Forum: ATF, Differential, Trans, Brakes, P/S

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[JavierH19]

Someone used it in their Mercedes 9 speed with no issue and that also ulv class fluid. The new Valvoline Restore and Protect ATF also specs gm Ford 10 speed ulv with the same 5.9 kv100 of Valvoline MaxLife and Valvoline Extended Protection. I'd use it. I don't see 3.1 being this magic liquid.

 

[Hall]

It's $25-30/quart and you need 3-4 quarts, I'm guessing. Yeah, it's expensive fluid but if you only have to do this every 30-50k miles, just look at it a different way: It will cost you $60/year.

 

[stchman]

I just purchased the 2026 Ridgeline and was looking around at how much fluids are. The Dual Pump Fluid II for the rear diff appears to be reasonably priced. The transfer case appears to take ordinary 75W-90 GL5.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

If it's the ZF 9-speed, you can use any ATF a ZF9 would use, including Valvoline MaxLife