How often to change Honda 5-speed auto fluid?

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I've got a 2008 Honda CR-V. First Honda automatic I've ever had. I've heard rumors and some anecdotes about ATF-Z1 not holding up as well as Honda would like you to believe, and that there was a rash of failures in the older 5-speed autos with V6 Accords and Odysseys. I tow a small pop-up camper occasionally, and the transmission has done fine; I keep it in D3 going up the hills, and try to not let the torque converter disengage. After nearly 15,000 miles, I noticed a groan going from reverse to drive, and a little whine shifting into second. The fluid looked OK on the dipstick, but there were some brown streaks on the paper towel wiping it off. I changed it, and instead of bright cherry red it was orange. Not much crud in the catch pan or on the magnet that I could see. So after 1 change of 3.5 quarts (interesting, the owner's manual calls out 2.7 for a change), the groan and whine are gone. So is 15,000 too long an interval? Supposedly the maintenance minder doesn't indicate an ATF change until around 60,000 miles. Or are groans and whines perfectly normal?
 
My 2001 4 speed Odyssey transmission failed at 90,000 miles and Honda replaced it free. I think the 5 speed had a different problem that they put in modification to correct that put a stream of transmission fluid directed at problem area? I changed mine at 30k in hopes of avoiding problem. IIRC Honda transmission have some major differences from other automatics but don't recall the details. Clutches? Might check with some Honda forums...
 
I usually change my ATF around every 30K and it still comes out bright red. Also, color shouldn't be the main reason to change it early. BTW, I'm not sure about your car b/c I've never owned a CR-V. There should be no worries about the transmission on newer models. Honda fixed the problem years ago. The whining in reverse in normal but never heard it groan. If it makes you feel better, by all means, change it every 15K.
 
Originally Posted By: Donald
Move up to an Amsoil ATF and sleep better.


It didn't make me sleep better when I used it! I ended up dumping it out and switching back to Honda ATF. MY 06 Accord hesitated to shift when the fluid/transmission was cold. Unfortunately, it was $80 down the drain.
 
Originally Posted By: peking
Originally Posted By: Donald
Move up to an Amsoil ATF and sleep better.

it was $80 down the drain.



You dumped your ATF down the drain?!? Don't they have laws about doing that??
 
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Originally Posted By: robl
Originally Posted By: peking
Originally Posted By: Donald
Move up to an Amsoil ATF and sleep better.

it was $80 down the drain.



You dumped your ATF down the drain?!? Don't they have laws about doing that??


No, it was just the cash. Four $20 bills went down the drain. Probably floated down the Mississippi and into the Gulf of Mexico by now. Heck, maybe a shrimp boat captain already netted them and spent it.

P.S. All my Amsoil ATF got recycled the proper way. HAHA
LOL.gif
 
Originally Posted By: peking
Originally Posted By: Donald
Move up to an Amsoil ATF and sleep better.


It didn't make me sleep better when I used it! I ended up dumping it out and switching back to Honda ATF. MY 06 Accord hesitated to shift when the fluid/transmission was cold. Unfortunately, it was $80 down the drain.


Was the difference immediate in going to Amsoil and then back to Honda? You may be the first person on BIOTG who has reported problems with Amsoil ATF.

What was the history before the Amsoil ATF? Did you contact Amsoil tech support?
 
Originally Posted By: Donald

Was the difference immediate in going to Amsoil and then back to Honda? You may be the first person on BIOTG who has reported problems with Amsoil ATF.

What was the history before the Amsoil ATF? Did you contact Amsoil tech support?


Yes, it shifts normal again, after I went back to the Honda ATF.

My transmission was fine before the switch. I just wanted to change it early and use a syn ATF. I did it at 20K and noticed the hesitation right away. I even ran it for a while (3K) and it still didn't go away. The funny thing is, even my wife noticed it
LOL.gif
and she knows nothing about cars. She even said we should switch back to the Honda ATF.
 
I have had EXCELLENT results with Amsoil ATF in my Honda AT, it shifted much smoother when compared to the Honda Z-1 that was previously in it. I've honestly never heard of anyone having issues with Amsoil ATF in their Honda AT before, so that's a first for me. Not saying you're lying, just must have been a fluke or something. To the OP - I'd try Amsoil ATF.
 
FWIW, the CR-V's 5-speed auto has an inline filter in the ATF cooler line. I won't use Amsoil; I'm not convinced that it works in all applications, especially since somebody on the Honda forum I'm on destroyed their torque converter after they put Amsoil in. A few others have also reported their transmissions didn't work right with Amsoil but worked fine when they went back to Z1. No, I don't know all the details, and they may have been flukes. Maybe it's one of those "your mileage may vary" cases, but I find it hard to believe that one fluid meets nearly everyone's specs. Sure, it may work for some, but it obviously didn't work for others. Since Amsoil didn't design the transmission and Honda didn't release the specifications for ATF-Z1, I question how they know it meets the specifications. When the one guy put Amsoil in (changing it multiple times), it worked fine - until the fluid turned black, it shifted poorly, and the dealer found out his torque converter was shot. Bad luck? Maybe, but I'm not gambling my transmission.
 
Originally Posted By: Dave Sherman
FWIW, the CR-V's 5-speed auto has an inline filter in the ATF cooler line. I won't use Amsoil; I'm not convinced that it works in all applications, especially since somebody on the Honda forum I'm on destroyed their torque converter after they put Amsoil in. A few others have also reported their transmissions didn't work right with Amsoil but worked fine when they went back to Z1. No, I don't know all the details, and they may have been flukes. Maybe it's one of those "your mileage may vary" cases, but I find it hard to believe that one fluid meets nearly everyone's specs. Sure, it may work for some, but it obviously didn't work for others. Since Amsoil didn't design the transmission and Honda didn't release the specifications for ATF-Z1, I question how they know it meets the specifications. When the one guy put Amsoil in (changing it multiple times), it worked fine - until the fluid turned black, it shifted poorly, and the dealer found out his torque converter was shot. Bad luck? Maybe, but I'm not gambling my transmission.


your in two different worlds
LOL.gif

Honda forums highly recommends Honda ATF ONLY
BITOG/some recommends amsoil atf
 
I really hope that the people who have had problems with Amsoil ATF talk to the Amsoil tech people. And I'd like to hear the resulting answer. I have found them to be responsive.
 
Originally Posted By: Dave Sherman
FWIW, the CR-V's 5-speed auto has an inline filter in the ATF cooler line...


Can you point to a p/n on that? I've never owned a CR-V, but from the parts diagrams I've seen, the CR-V does not have a cooler line installed filter like the Civics and 4cyl Accords do.

Joel
 
It's in the ATF cooler line, behind the radiator. It's bolted to the frame, and has two hose barbs where the ATF line attaches. I'd say you are looking at some old parts diagrams, since it was built inside the transmission (not replaceable) through 2006. The 2007+ models have it in the cooler line.
 
Originally Posted By: Dave Sherman
It's in the ATF cooler line, behind the radiator. It's bolted to the frame, and has two hose barbs where the ATF line attaches. I'd say you are looking at some old parts diagrams, since it was built inside the transmission (not replaceable) through 2006. The 2007+ models have it in the cooler line.


Interesting. I know Honda would include such a filter on replacement transmissions for the earlier Odysseys, but I can't find evidence of a line-installed or case mounted filter on any model/year CR-V. Mash the #s in here: http://www.slhondaparts.com/browse.asp Like I say, look at the Civic and Accord 4cyl schematics. You'll see an inline filter on those autos.

Joel
 
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I have an '07 Acccord 4cyl AT and am on AMSoil, I only changes 3q at a time. It's smooth and quiet at 25k. I'll change 3q every spring w/AMSoil again.

On our old CRV, I use every kind of fluid except AMSoil. It functions pretty well Currently on Castrol HM ATF, which lists Z1 first as a tested spec. I;d like to install a inline filter, but am unsure about the cooler lines....anybody??? Should I consider this on the '07?

btw- I really like the new CRVs too. Had an RDX as a loaner and man...if I only had to pick one vehicle to drive. It was awesome.
 
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