Hi guys. My 2004 Honda Civic was shifting rough and slipping. I went to the auto part store and bought Valvoline Import Multi Vehicle transmission fluid and did a drain and fill. It helped, but it is still not right. Do I do another drain and fill with the Valvoline fluid that is for imports, including Hondas, or buy ATF DW-1? I think my problems are fluid related because the fluid is thin like water and is black. It also smells burned. The car has 110,000 miles and the transmission has never been serviced. But I just got it and both front brakes are stuck and have been for 8,000 miles, which probably burned the fluid. Got that fixed. Which transmission fluid should I use besides Amsoil? IS ATF DW-1 synthetic?
Is ATF DW-1 synthetic? I need advice!
- Thread starter Avery4
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DW1 is not synthetic in the US.
Maxlife would be a great choice for your Honda, and so would Castrol full synthetic, or any cheap LV multi synthetic
Maxlife would be a great choice for your Honda, and so would Castrol full synthetic, or any cheap LV multi synthetic
Originally Posted By: mclasser
How would stuck brakes burn up the ATF?
If your calipers are stuck, your transmission has to do a lot more work to maintain the same speed as before. Leads to lot more stress = lots of heat = #1 enemy of ATF. If the brakes have been stuck for 8000 miles and its OEM fluid, @ OP's mileage his fluid is definitely hurting.
@OP : I suggest maxlife atf + LG red for 3 drain and fills as well.
How would stuck brakes burn up the ATF?
If your calipers are stuck, your transmission has to do a lot more work to maintain the same speed as before. Leads to lot more stress = lots of heat = #1 enemy of ATF. If the brakes have been stuck for 8000 miles and its OEM fluid, @ OP's mileage his fluid is definitely hurting.
@OP : I suggest maxlife atf + LG red for 3 drain and fills as well.
Do two more drain and fills with the Valvoline IMV transmission fluid. Works well in a 2005 Honda Odessy with off-course trans maintenance. Get a fresh mix of IMV in there since that's where you started.
Since you are having some trouble I'd do a couple more D&Fs for a total of 3. See where you stand. Is there a replaceable external ATF filter in this year model? I have one I'm going to replace under the battery of my '07 Fit A/T (an in-line external filter) but will also be converting to Amsoil's ATF from DW-1.
DW-1 isn't necessarily super special in of itself. So, I don't think Valvoline's current fluid is necessarily any worse of an option than what you have in there.
If things get better after your 3rd D&F and you want the best fluid for this car I'd go with Amsoil Universal ATF. Many Honda owners with A/Ts of the early 2000s vintage with V6 engines had it even worse and that or MaxLife from Valvoline seemed to be most popular. Redline's D4 I believe was a good product, too.
Considering the mileage hopefully it's just really old fluid, but definitely find out if it has a replaceable transmission filter. If so, replace it after you finish your 3rd D&F.
DW-1 isn't necessarily super special in of itself. So, I don't think Valvoline's current fluid is necessarily any worse of an option than what you have in there.
If things get better after your 3rd D&F and you want the best fluid for this car I'd go with Amsoil Universal ATF. Many Honda owners with A/Ts of the early 2000s vintage with V6 engines had it even worse and that or MaxLife from Valvoline seemed to be most popular. Redline's D4 I believe was a good product, too.
Considering the mileage hopefully it's just really old fluid, but definitely find out if it has a replaceable transmission filter. If so, replace it after you finish your 3rd D&F.
Premature transmission fluid burning (other than binding brakes) is a classic sign of transmission mount falling apart. I remember changing the mount on my nissan transmission and I over torqued it beyond the 50 lb, this get the input shaft out of line with the gears and would burn up the fluid. Check the mount and if it is blown, then get the exact specs of torque, if you torque it a little more or little less they input and gear box go out of sync and can result in burnup in a few hrs. I learnt it the hard way on my maxima.
Originally Posted By: Avery4
My 2004 Honda Civic was shifting rough and slipping. It also smells burned. The car has 110,000 miles and the transmission has never been serviced...both front brakes are stuck and have been for 8,000 miles
Too late. You have already neglected the car past the point of no return. You can change the fluid 100 times and it will continue to slip because your clutch packs are worn out in the transmission. Basically, you need to fix the front brakes (allowing them to drag for 8000 miles, REALLY?) and replace the transmission.
Consider this an expensive lesson learned and better luck next time.
My 2004 Honda Civic was shifting rough and slipping. It also smells burned. The car has 110,000 miles and the transmission has never been serviced...both front brakes are stuck and have been for 8,000 miles
Too late. You have already neglected the car past the point of no return. You can change the fluid 100 times and it will continue to slip because your clutch packs are worn out in the transmission. Basically, you need to fix the front brakes (allowing them to drag for 8000 miles, REALLY?) and replace the transmission.
Consider this an expensive lesson learned and better luck next time.
Originally Posted By: MaximaGuy
Premature transmission fluid burning (other than binding brakes) is a classic sign of transmission mount falling apart. I remember changing the mount on my nissan transmission and I over torqued it beyond the 50 lb, this get the input shaft out of line with the gears and would burn up the fluid. Check the mount and if it is blown, then get the exact specs of torque, if you torque it a little more or little less they input and gear box go out of sync and can result in burnup in a few hrs. I learnt it the hard way on my maxima.
Your advice is so far out in left field FOR A HONDA. Not even relevant.
Premature transmission fluid burning (other than binding brakes) is a classic sign of transmission mount falling apart. I remember changing the mount on my nissan transmission and I over torqued it beyond the 50 lb, this get the input shaft out of line with the gears and would burn up the fluid. Check the mount and if it is blown, then get the exact specs of torque, if you torque it a little more or little less they input and gear box go out of sync and can result in burnup in a few hrs. I learnt it the hard way on my maxima.
Your advice is so far out in left field FOR A HONDA. Not even relevant.
Originally Posted By: bubbatime
Originally Posted By: MaximaGuy
Premature transmission fluid burning (other than binding brakes) is a classic sign of transmission mount falling apart. I remember changing the mount on my nissan transmission and I over torqued it beyond the 50 lb, this get the input shaft out of line with the gears and would burn up the fluid. Check the mount and if it is blown, then get the exact specs of torque, if you torque it a little more or little less they input and gear box go out of sync and can result in burnup in a few hrs. I learnt it the hard way on my maxima.
Your advice is so far out in left field FOR A HONDA. Not even relevant.
hmm, didn't I qualify it as if not the binding brakes!! Or are you telling me broken mounts cannot make the ATF to heat up the unit.!!
Originally Posted By: MaximaGuy
Premature transmission fluid burning (other than binding brakes) is a classic sign of transmission mount falling apart. I remember changing the mount on my nissan transmission and I over torqued it beyond the 50 lb, this get the input shaft out of line with the gears and would burn up the fluid. Check the mount and if it is blown, then get the exact specs of torque, if you torque it a little more or little less they input and gear box go out of sync and can result in burnup in a few hrs. I learnt it the hard way on my maxima.
Your advice is so far out in left field FOR A HONDA. Not even relevant.
hmm, didn't I qualify it as if not the binding brakes!! Or are you telling me broken mounts cannot make the ATF to heat up the unit.!!
The late 90's and early 2000's Honda AT's were junk anyhow, I'd say this one is toast bud and no amount of fluid changing is gonna fix it. If the fluid is black and burnt the damage is done...
Trans might be toast if fluid is as bad as described. If so, consider cheap fluid like WalMart Mercon V and see cleaner fluid helps and not spend too much before the rebuild. The back of the Walmart Mercon V bottle does recommend in place of Z-1.
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