Honda ATF vs CVT fluid

[wloey]

I have 2005 Civic Hybrid needing Trans maintenance.
Will Honda ATF DW1 or ATF Z1 fluid cause problems? The manual explicitly states that it must be used.

http://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/pubs/OM/AH/ACH0505OM/enu/CH0505OM.pdf

But I get the impression that Honda CVT fluid is the better choice. Is the owner's manual wrong on this point?

 

[justalubetech]

Z1 used to be used, now there is the special CVT fluid. You can use either Z1 or CVT fluid, just don't use the DW1.

 

[michaelluscher]

http://hoonable.kinja.com/how-i-turned-a-dead-civic-into-a-plug-in-hybrid-for-10-1699191285

I'd go for the revised CVT fluid

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Use a real CVT fluid. Doesn't have to be Honda's OEM CVT, you can use Castrol or Valvoline as well.

 

[stchman]

Originally Posted By: wloey
I have 2005 Civic Hybrid needing Trans maintenance.
Will Honda ATF DW1 or ATF Z1 fluid cause problems? The manual explicitly states that it must be used.

http://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/pubs/OM/AH/ACH0505OM/enu/CH0505OM.pdf

But I get the impression that Honda CVT fluid is the better choice. Is the owner's manual wrong on this point?


Automatic transmissions and CVTs are two completely different types of transmissions. If you have a CVT, use CVT fluid, if you have a traditional automatic transmission, you ATF. I don't believe CVT fluid ATF are interchangeable.


Originally Posted By: jsfalls
Z1 used to be used, now there is the special CVT fluid. You can use either Z1 or CVT fluid, just don't use the DW1.


Honda discontinued Z1, how is one supposed to get it?

 

[HTSS_TR]

Originally Posted By: wloey
I have 2005 Civic Hybrid needing Trans maintenance.
Will Honda ATF DW1 or ATF Z1 fluid cause problems? The manual explicitly states that it must be used.

http://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/pubs/OM/AH/ACH0505OM/enu/CH0505OM.pdf

But I get the impression that Honda CVT fluid is the better choice. Is the owner's manual wrong on this point?

Originally Posted By: stchman
Automatic transmissions and CVTs are two completely different types of transmissions. If you have a CVT, use CVT fluid, if you have a traditional automatic transmission, you ATF. I don't believe CVT fluid ATF are interchangeable.

The 2005 Honda manual was okay 10 years ago when Honda didn't have experience with CVT and they didn't have specific fluid for CVT either.

But Honda is now recommend CVT fluid for CVT, no ATF should be used in Honda CVT.

I think all CVT of any car brand need CVT fluid, usually the OE type.

The question is can universal CVT fluid be used in a Honda or Nissan or Subaru ... ?

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Originally Posted By: stchman

Honda discontinued Z1, how is one supposed to get it?


You don't, unless you can find some old stock. Non-CVT automatics have been back-spec'd for DW1.

The CVT's now use CVT fluid.

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR

The question is can universal CVT fluid be used in a Honda or Nissan or Subaru ... ?


Universal CVT fluid is OK to use in Honda, Nissan, and Subaru CVT's. MUCH better than using regular ATF or DW1!

 

[HTSS_TR]

Originally Posted By: slacktide_bitog
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR

The question is can universal CVT fluid be used in a Honda or Nissan or Subaru ... ?

Universal CVT fluid is OK to use in Honda, Nissan, and Subaru CVT's. MUCH better than using regular ATF or DW1!

Amsoil website shows Synthetic CVT Fluid (CVTQT) is for Honda CVT, then a note " Use only Honda Genuine HCF-2 transmission fluid (P/N 08200-HCF2)."

http://www.amsoil.com/mygarage/vehiclelookup.aspx?url2=2014+HONDA+ACCORD+K

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR

Amsoil website shows Synthetic CVT Fluid (CVTQT) is for Honda CVT, then a note " Use only Honda Genuine HCF-2 transmission fluid (P/N 08200-HCF2)."

http://www.amsoil.com/mygarage/vehiclelookup.aspx?url2=2014+HONDA+ACCORD+K


On that link you provided, there is another link about Amsoil CVT fluid, which clearly says it's ok to use where HCF-2 is specified.

7th line on the list

 

[HTSS_TR]

Yes, Amsoil does recommend its CVT fluid for Honda continuously variable transmission, but I stay away from it and other "Universal CVT fluid", because Amsoil clearly states this on their website "Use only Honda Genuine HCF-2 transmission fluid (P/N 08200-HCF2)."

In the CVT page Amsoil posted some tests of its CVT and Nissan NS-2 CVT Fluid, nothing about Honda Genuine HCF-2 fluid.

Recommend and Approved is not the same to me.

 

[Greasymechtech]

I'd rather use a recommended premium fluid and not a lowest bid approved fluid.

Some are taking the "USE ONLY" out of context. Amsoil is quoting the OE but lists their applicable product for that spec.

 

[HTSS_TR]

I think it is best to get an answer from Pablo, he is Amsoil rep here on BITOG.

If he can get a confirmation from Amsoil engineer that Amsoil CVT fluid is as good or better than Honda HCF-2 then I will use it. Otherwise, I rather be safe by using OEM fluid.

 

[Pablo]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
I think it is best to get an answer from Pablo, he is Amsoil rep here on BITOG.

If he can get a confirmation from Amsoil engineer that Amsoil CVT fluid is as good or better than Honda HCF-2 then I will use it. Otherwise, I rather be safe by using OEM fluid.


Absolutely CVT is good to go for Honda HCF-2. Use with confidence.

 

[Greasymechtech]

http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=128&pcid=9
http://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-product/transmission-fluid/automatic/synthetic-cvt-fluid/

Amalie, Valvoline, Cam2, Torco, BG, SuperSyn, Eneos, Peak, Sunoco, Ravenol, Kendall, Castrol.... also have CVT fluid.

Read your owners manual. If it requires ATF-Z1, which is discontinued, then use a CVTF, either from the dealer, or aftermarket. Don't use DW1.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Originally Posted By: Pablo
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
I think it is best to get an answer from Pablo, he is Amsoil rep here on BITOG.

If he can get a confirmation from Amsoil engineer that Amsoil CVT fluid is as good or better than Honda HCF-2 then I will use it. Otherwise, I rather be safe by using OEM fluid.


Absolutely CVT is good to go for Honda HCF-2. Use with confidence.

Thank you Pablo.

I will contact you when I need to change CVT fluid in my daughter 2014 Accord.

How about rear differential fluid for 2000 MB E430 ? I think it needs 75W85, does Amsoil have synthetic 75W85 ? or 75W90 is suitable for E430 ?