My wife has a '99 Honda Civic. Honda, of course, recommends their fluids for everything, but I'm having trouble accepting that I have to go to a dealer for all of this and pay the inflated prices. I can accept that Honda ATF is a definite necessity. I can also accept that the power steering fluid could be a special formulation to be compatible with the seals, but I'm having trouble with the coolant and brake fluid recommendations. Is there anything that special about the Honda fluids where a silicate free coolant, such as the Peak Global coolant, and a typical DOT 3 brake fluid won't work? Unless someone can convince me otherwise, I'm not going to bother with Honda for these two fluids.
Honda fluid questions
- Thread starter Matt_S
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I have an 02 Accord V6 automatic, & I'm not sure if the Honda ATF is a necessity. I have 6 qts of AMSOIL to try over the next two drains. Neo claims that their ATF will also work but its $9.85-10.95/qt!
I'm not too worried about the ATF. The price isn't actually that bad, either. Just under $4 a quart, which is still cheaper than M1 or Amsoil
. I am curious as to what people think about the brake fluid and coolant, though. The dealer wants $8 and change for pre-mixed coolant.
Brake fluid is brake fluid, as far as DOT 3, 4 etc. They do have differnt wet and dry boiling points. There are some brake fluid that are not compatible with certain metals, like Motul RBF600 isn't compatible with magnesium.
I don't believe there is anything special about honda's braking system nor their fluid so you are pretty safe using any fluid you like, EXCEPT silicone fluid.
For most vehicles, valvoline synpower brake fluid is a good choice, or castrol LMA. For racing theres a whole bunch to choose from. I myself use the valvoline Syn brake fluid with good results.
I wonder what brand honda uses for their brake fluid?
as far as the coolant, any silicate free coolant should work in the system, however, if you are switching between type/brands, i would do a complete flush to prevent cross contamination.
Transmission fluid I would stick with honda but only for cars after 1995, which is when they specifically started to spec the Z1 that they now only sell.
Earlier cars 95 and before speced dexron IIe or honda fluid, but not honda Z1. You can use dexron III by itself in these transmissions, however some people have had to add friction modifier like Lubeguard Black HFM. Some people have had good results with the Z1 in these older transmissions.
I don't believe there is anything special about honda's braking system nor their fluid so you are pretty safe using any fluid you like, EXCEPT silicone fluid.
For most vehicles, valvoline synpower brake fluid is a good choice, or castrol LMA. For racing theres a whole bunch to choose from. I myself use the valvoline Syn brake fluid with good results.
I wonder what brand honda uses for their brake fluid?
as far as the coolant, any silicate free coolant should work in the system, however, if you are switching between type/brands, i would do a complete flush to prevent cross contamination.
Transmission fluid I would stick with honda but only for cars after 1995, which is when they specifically started to spec the Z1 that they now only sell.
Earlier cars 95 and before speced dexron IIe or honda fluid, but not honda Z1. You can use dexron III by itself in these transmissions, however some people have had to add friction modifier like Lubeguard Black HFM. Some people have had good results with the Z1 in these older transmissions.
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