Honda fluid myth

[Cooper]

Honda fluids are fine. The 5AT transmission is not. I used Amsoil ATF exclusively in my 5AT and changed it every 10k with a drain and fill. Still, the 5AT was shot at 109k. Those transmissions will fail no matter what ATF you use. It is a problem with the AT, not the ATF.

In my rebuilt 5AT, I am using DW-1. It is shifting just fine. Honda ATF is made specifically for their AT's, which are different than other manufacturers AT's. Honda DW-1 is a good fluid. Anyone who says otherwise has 0 proof.

 

[harry j]

I started using Amsoil synthetic transmission fluid (ATF) at 120,000 miles, now with 328,000 miles, transmision shifts like new. 1993 Civic

 

[SOHCman]

Originally Posted By: yaris0128
^
Seems like Honda needs to have an MTF available for owners of their older vehicles or state in their manuals a gear oil we can use thats not HG or motor oil. Seems like a good 75w90 would more than do the job here.


I have tried both conventional and synthetic gear oil (Mobil 1 75w-90) gear oil in my 94's transmission and they both shifted like absolute [censored]. Wayyyy to thick for a transmission designed for a ~30wt. Even engine oils shift like [censored]. the only oil that would work is HG for smooth shifting. I am however planning on a switch to amsoil or redlines MTF for winter because I have only heard good reviews.

 

[pawleep]

Which is better
Honda ATF DW1 vs Honda ATF Z1. for 98 3.0?
Am experiencing intermittent grabbing/slight jerk when moderately acceleration when going from 3rd-4th.. have kept up on fluid drain/fill every 40k or so but used the import multi fluid and maybe a little lucas transmission additive. has only happened 2 or 3 times in a month or so! Thanx for any advice.. P

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Originally Posted By: pawleep
Which is better
Honda ATF DW1 vs Honda ATF Z1. for 98 3.0?
Am experiencing intermittent grabbing/slight jerk when moderately acceleration when going from 3rd-4th.. have kept up on fluid drain/fill every 40k or so but used the import multi fluid and maybe a little lucas transmission additive. has only happened 2 or 3 times in a month or so! Thanx for any advice.. P

Z1 is no longer made, and has been replaced by the newer DW1, which is backwards-compatible to all Honda automatic transmissions. Besides, Z1 wasn't all that great; DW1 is much better.

The transmissions in those cars is garbage. Even with frequent fluid changes, like you've been doing (and 40k is definitely good enough), it would still be jerking even with DW1.

Castrol's Import Multi is very good ATF, and well-regarded on Hondas. Maxlife is also a high quality full synthetic ATF that will be good for you as well.

You might even want to change the transmission fluid every time you change the oil, or perhaps every 15k.

How many miles are on your car?

 

[MolaKule]

Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
Originally Posted By: AccordV6MN
Originally Posted By: yaris0128
The Honda manuals never state to use what viscosity of gear oil just to use Honda MTF or ATF. Its really annoying.


That’s what was said too for my 06 Accord V6 6MT and there is TSB for the 3rd gear problem. I read it on some other forum, people changed the MTF with Honda’s MTF and the problem was gone for about 2-3 months and then the problem comes back again. From the same forum, other members recommend GM Synchromesh with Friction Modified ($14/qt at GM dealer) for the best results, and other who wants to go cheap can go with Pennzoil Synchromesh MTF for about $7 a qt.

I myself put in the Pennzoil, and my Accord shifts as smooth as butter.


Where can you find Pennzoil Synchromesh MTF ?

Other synchromesh MTFs':

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/VAL0/SYNCHROMESH/N2281.oap

http://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-product/tr.../?code=MTFQT-EA

http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=45&pcid=7

 

[pawleep]

appreciate it slacktide! approx 250k.. but was rebuilt at 100K and guy used mobil w/ a friction modifier.. worked great and he changed it at around 20k after that and we have changed it every 50k or so miles after that.. so it never really looked real dirty or burnt!
Have had no other issues until the grab when going to 4th.. have only noticed it 2 or 3 times in past few weeks..
here is what another guy said..

01acls Registered Member
Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: NorCal Posts: 1,466 Thanks: 53 Thanked 229 Times in 212 Posts
Paul, The Z1 atf is obsolete and it's been supersede by DW1.
You should do 1x3s until the atf runs clean or close to it.
All you need is DW1 atf, nothing else.
For your shudder you might want to try replacing the Shift Solenoid C and 3rd Clutch Pressure Switch.
Check the Torque Converter and A/B Pressure Control Solenoid's screen for clogging.
Personally, knowing the age of the car I would just replace all these solenoids with new ones-oem only.
The solenoids are tire from many years of service. Think of it as a motor with 2/300,000 miles on it. The motor still works perfectly fine but its not going to have that brut force or quick snap responses it once did when new.

 

[pawleep]

What is better between the castrol import multi and the DW-1?
How about lucas or Royal Purple?

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Originally Posted By: pawleep
What is better between the castrol import multi and the DW-1?
How about lucas or Royal Purple?


No preference between Castrol and DW1, but the Castrol will be cheaper and easier to obtain. Some Autozones have Castrol full synthetic ATF, which is also a high quality ATF.

Royal Purple is too expensive and not worth it, and most Lucas products are worthless garbage.