Honda Fit With Harsh Shifts

[The Critic]

Friend has a 09 Fit with 49k. This Fit has the 5-speed automatic that holds 6 qt of fluid total and a drain and refill service will replace 3 quarts.

I did a service at 36k because the transmission was shifting harshly, especially when coming to a stop and when taking off. The original fluid was light brown. I did a drain and fill with 3 qt of ATF-Z1 from the dealer and the problem was resolved.

Now, 13k later, the same harsh shifts are back. The fluid looks fine, but the transmission doesn't shift so fine. Thinking about going with DW-1 this time for the 3qt drain and fill since the car is under warranty.

Has anyone had issues with ATF-Z1 "wearing out" so quickly? Have any of the multi-vehicle fluids lasted longer for you?

 

[simple_gifts]

Is this the $3K of refinement you get over the Yaris? (j/k, well, mostly)

 

[sciphi]

Yep, about every 12-15k miles the Z1 was useless. I put up with that for 27k miles and 2 fluid changes before trying Maxlife ATF. After 2 changes over 13k miles, the transmission is shifting quite well.

 

[NYSteve]

Z1 issue. Remember when my sister had a 2000 Civic and same thing every 15k miles. I don't know if there is a TSB for it but it is somewhat well known.

 

[FZ1]

I think it's not particularly durable. Using DW-1 next change.

 

[Eddie]

Might be a good time to do a full fluid replacement.

 

[mattd]

Redline D4 works great. I mixed some with Redline type F in my accord.

 

[pbm]

I've always said that Z-1 was "nothing special" and overpriced.
There are several alternatives including Amsoil, Maxlife ATF, Castrol IMV, Amalie Universal, Pennzoil MV etc....

 

[bigmike]

Sounds like more filtration wouldn't be a bad idea. I haven't experienced anything negative from Z1, but I do a D/R every oil change and have a magnefine filter.

 

[MarkM66]

I've used Z1, Amsoil and Maxlife in my 01 Civic.

I've never been able to tell any difference in shifting characteristics.

Trans went out at 225k miles on Maxlife. Not saying fluid had anything to do with it.

 

[benjamming]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
Has anyone had issues with ATF-Z1 "wearing out" so quickly? Have any of the multi-vehicle fluids lasted longer for you?


Yes & sorta. I can't speak to the AT in this car, but the 4-speed AT in my '02 will shear the fluid - any fluid - like crazy. The Z1 just doesn't hold up well to that shearing. I don't know yet about the DW1 fluid but it should certainly help & would be easy to try.

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

Try Castrol Import next time. When I had the Civic I would do a drain and fill whenever the shifts started feeling hard.

Are Honda autos still designed like manuals?

 

[FZ1]

I would use only DW-1. Remember: "No good deed goes unpunished." It's not your car;It's under warranty;and you will be blamed.

 

[gogozy]

Originally Posted By: asiancivicmaniac


Are Honda autos still designed like manuals?


yes, and so they are not paying patent holding by other companies.

 

[RegDunlop]

read somewhere that Honda pulled all the Z-1 as it was causing to many problems, the NEW DW-1 is supposed to be better and allegedly 100 percent synthetic.

 

[pbm]

Originally Posted By: gogozy
Originally Posted By: asiancivicmaniac


Are Honda autos still designed like manuals?


yes, and so they are not paying patent holding by other companies.




....but Honda is PAYING in the court of public opinion because people are finally realizing that Honda A/Ts have been problematic for years.
The Kia Optima just scored higher than the Accord in an owners survey.

 

[Mau]

If you are noticing harsh shifts as well as jerks when going in to reverse you may want to replace the pressure switches as well as do 2-3 drain and fills of DW-1 with short drive between each drain and fill.

 

[The Critic]

The transmission is draining as I type this. Prior to draining the fluid, I checked the fluid condition and the fluid appeared to be in good condition.

I will be refilling with 3qt of DW-1. This will change out 50% of the fluid in the unit. I will report back on any changes in behavior.

 

[The Critic]

Part 1 of the transmission service is done.

50% of the transmission fluid is new ATF DW-1. 25% is 13,000 mile old ATF-Z1. 25% is 50,000 mile old factory ATF-Z1.

Impressions: The transmission shifts quicker and engages with slightly firmer shifts. Before I did the fluid change, it felt like the transmission was almost "slipping into" gear. Now, all of the gears engage in a crisp manner. Also, the jerkiness that was previously present during traffic jams or upon coming to a stop, is completely gone.

In the past, if you did a drain and refill with Z1, the shifts became butter smooth and soft. But with DW-1, the shifts feel much more "clean" and the engagement feels more positive. I think DW-1 may be better for the transmission since it is possible that there is less slip going on with DW-1.

I am going to do another 3 qt drain and refill with DW-1 next week (on my dime) to see if there are any further improvements. The shifting is much improved compared to before the service, but I am curious if having 75% DW-1 in the transmission will make things even better. $25 for 3 qt of fluid is a small price to pay to satisfy my curiosity.

 

[FZ1]

Thanks for your impressions of DW-1 vs. the Z1.