Honda Shortens ATF Intervals, Again

[benjamming]

Critic,
Honda's intervals may have changed since my '02 4-speed, but then they recommended 120k miles/6 years for the fisrt service under normal conditions and then every 90k miles/5 years. Under severe, it was 60k miles/3 years for the 1st service & then every 30k miles/2 years.

 

[olefam]

In general, Honda builds a nice car. Their 5-spd auto transmission was poorly designed, and needed a significant upgrade, which it got in 2005. Als in 2005, CR-Vs received a very little-publicized replaceable, in-line ATF filter. When I took my '05 CR-V in for routine maintenance at 30,000 miles, the service tech stated flatly to do the ATF change at 30,000 miles no matter what the manual says. In his opinion, it was the only way to properly maximize the service life of the auto trans.
I also added an aux. ATF cooler at 5000 miles due to Honda's poor reputation with auto tranies. Time will tell if these investments of time and money pay off. But at least I have the satisfaction of knowing I've done all that I could to get the most out of my equipment.
Glen

 

[The Critic]

Quote:

---

In general, Honda builds a nice car. Their 5-spd auto transmission was poorly designed, and needed a significant upgrade, which it got in 2005. Als in 2005, CR-Vs received a very little-publicized replaceable, in-line ATF filter. When I took my '05 CR-V in for routine maintenance at 30,000 miles, the service tech stated flatly to do the ATF change at 30,000 miles no matter what the manual says. In his opinion, it was the only way to properly maximize the service life of the auto trans.
I also added an aux. ATF cooler at 5000 miles due to Honda's poor reputation with auto tranies. Time will tell if these investments of time and money pay off. But at least I have the satisfaction of knowing I've done all that I could to get the most out of my equipment.
Glen

---

As I've said, the 5-speed automatics that are paired with the 4-cyl engines are bulletproof. Problems with the 5-speed automatic only involve the ones paired with the V6.