Is Honda fluid really the only fluid to use?

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Originally Posted by JC1
On my 1997 Civic I've been using Maxlife for over 10 years and Toyota Red Coolant for the last 6-7 years. No issues and I'm the Original owner of the vehicle.

pretty sure toyota and honda have the same criteris for their coolants
 
What is people's aversion to using OEM parts and fluids? They are almost always better...and for just a little more money.

Are you really taken in by sophistic/borderline-fraudulent advertising and shiny/colorful packaging?
 
Originally Posted by ChemLabNL
What is people's aversion to using OEM parts and fluids? They are almost always better...and for just a little more money.

Are you really taken in by sophistic/borderline-fraudulent advertising and shiny/colorful packaging?


Why does this community exist at all, then?
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted by PWMDMD
I just changed the rear differential fluid in my 2018 Pilot Touring....needed 2 quarts and found it on Amazon for a price that it didn't make sense to not use genuine Honda differential fluid. For transmission and differential fluid I'll probably continue to use genuine Honda fluids.


Your 9 speed transmission calls for Honda 3.0 or 3.1 ATF. Right now it ranges from about $33.00-$50.00 per quart usually. I don't think there is a good alternative yet for that fluid. I have a 2019 Pilot Touring but don't have to worry about the fluid for a while yet. I think they are calling for the first drain and fill around 60000 miles unless you tow?

There is a special procedure to check the level since there is no dipstick. The proper way right now requires a temp reading of the fluid within a specific range while checking the level with the plug out. I have heard of maybe having the car sit for a day or so and the replacement fluid in the same area to get at the same temperature as the car fluid. That way you drain say 3 quarts and put in 3 quarts. Haven't seen on any forums yet if anyone has done it that way. That is also assuming the level is/was at the proper level to begin with.
 
Originally Posted by ls973800
Originally Posted by PWMDMD
I just changed the rear differential fluid in my 2018 Pilot Touring....needed 2 quarts and found it on Amazon for a price that it didn't make sense to not use genuine Honda differential fluid. For transmission and differential fluid I'll probably continue to use genuine Honda fluids.


Your 9 speed transmission calls for Honda 3.0 or 3.1 ATF. Right now it ranges from about $33.00-$50.00 per quart usually. I don't think there is a good alternative yet for that fluid. I have a 2019 Pilot Touring but don't have to worry about the fluid for a while yet. I think they are calling for the first drain and fill around 60000 miles unless you tow?

There is a special procedure to check the level since there is no dipstick. The proper way right now requires a temp reading of the fluid within a specific range while checking the level with the plug out. I have heard of maybe having the car sit for a day or so and the replacement fluid in the same area to get at the same temperature as the car fluid. That way you drain say 3 quarts and put in 3 quarts. Haven't seen on any forums yet if anyone has done it that way. That is also assuming the level is/was at the proper level to begin with.


Holy Crap....~$37 a quart for that stuff, is Au an additive these days? It's a ZF box, surely there is an alternative out there.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2016/SB-10086884-2280.pdf

While googling around I found that. Kinda ridiculous that they want you to use a brand new cover(cast/machined metal), bolts, and fill plug all to replace a potentially torn gasket. Honda kindof went off the reservation for that IMO.....

Sorry, didn't mean to drag this OT.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted by ls973800
Originally Posted by PWMDMD
I just changed the rear differential fluid in my 2018 Pilot Touring....needed 2 quarts and found it on Amazon for a price that it didn't make sense to not use genuine Honda differential fluid. For transmission and differential fluid I'll probably continue to use genuine Honda fluids.


Your 9 speed transmission calls for Honda 3.0 or 3.1 ATF. Right now it ranges from about $33.00-$50.00 per quart usually. I don't think there is a good alternative yet for that fluid. I have a 2019 Pilot Touring but don't have to worry about the fluid for a while yet. I think they are calling for the first drain and fill around 60000 miles unless you tow?

There is a special procedure to check the level since there is no dipstick. The proper way right now requires a temp reading of the fluid within a specific range while checking the level with the plug out. I have heard of maybe having the car sit for a day or so and the replacement fluid in the same area to get at the same temperature as the car fluid. That way you drain say 3 quarts and put in 3 quarts. Haven't seen on any forums yet if anyone has done it that way. That is also assuming the level is/was at the proper level to begin with.


Yeah I've read about the procedure and it seems like a PITA. We put about 9K per year on this car so it will be a while before I need to worry about the ATF fluid. That's one I'll let the dealership or a mechanic do for me. First rear differential fluid change is at 15k - extremely easy to DIY - there was a fair amount of metal shavings on the magnetic plug - I assume from the clutch packs.
 
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Originally Posted by DavidDoes
Originally Posted by ChemLabNL
What is people's aversion to using OEM parts and fluids? They are almost always better...and for just a little more money.

Are you really taken in by sophistic/borderline-fraudulent advertising and shiny/colorful packaging?


Why does this community exist at all, then?

I agree. There way too many post saying, "Use OEM, use OEM." But I will give may reasons to not use OEM. Competition. While some aftermarkets are out just trying to make a cheap products, others are out trying to make a superior product. How superior? We don't know, since OEM makes there information proprietary. That proprietary crap. Makes me mad. An aftermarkets marketing makes it seem that there product is better than OEM. That is why I like about manufacturer specs. that aftermarket can use and consumers can use it with confidence. Japanese manufacturers tend to be good about motor oil, but not other fluids.
 
Originally Posted by ChemLabNL
What is people's aversion to using OEM parts and fluids? They are almost always better...and for just a little more money.

Are you really taken in by sophistic/borderline-fraudulent advertising and shiny/colorful packaging?


The same reason people buy the Honda timing belt/water pump kit at rockauto.com for $170 instead of $400 from the dealer. It's literally the same exact part without the honda logo on it. Aisin made.

If there is plentiful documentation of people using 3rd party ATF like Maxlife or Castrol in Honda AT's with good results, and they cost less than half as much, why wouldn't you use it?

Honda isn't actually making ANY of these fluids, keep that in mind.
 
Originally Posted by ChemLabNL
What is people's aversion to using OEM parts and fluids? They are almost always better...and for just a little more money.

Are you really taken in by sophistic/borderline-fraudulent advertising and shiny/colorful packaging?

Some of the OEM stuff costs more; can save a buck by shopping elsewhere. And when it's shown not to be needed...
21.gif
"Lots" of others have shown that Maxlife ATF has been just fine in the automatic transmissions that I have, thus, I'll use that. I don't use a lot of coolant so that goes OEM. Engine oil, well that I go through a lot of, and thus I just get what is needed.

I also drive about 32k per year (about 51,000km) thus my automotive needs may be different than the typical user.
 
OEM. Just replaced the OEM ball joints on my Ranger with aftermarket at 75k miles. I'll probably never have to replace the aftermarket ball joints (lifetime guarantee).
 
Originally Posted by DavidDoes
Is Walmart the only place that carries Zerex Asian Blue?


If you don't live near a walmart you can get it from walmart.com as well. Looks like Napa and Orielly's carry Zerex as well.

I used Peak Asian Blue recently for a coolant flush and it was $17/gallon from Advanced.
 
Originally Posted by jayjr1105
Originally Posted by DavidDoes
Is Walmart the only place that carries Zerex Asian Blue?


If you don't live near a walmart you can get it from walmart.com as well. Looks like Napa and Orielly's carry Zerex as well.

I used Peak Asian Blue recently for a coolant flush and it was $17/gallon from Advanced.


Not sure why I didn't check O'Reilly - they're my go-to, normally. Looks like they have it in stock.

Also, I was about to pull the trigger on a six pack of 15400-PLM-A01 oil filters for $28 before realizing it was Union Sangyo of Malaysia (Sangyo part C-562). I haven't been able to find much on them aside from one cut open of a virgin filter. In that post, there were some concerns about it.

Might just go for PurolatorONE filter, and still go with 5k OCI. Filter might be overkill, but it's only a couple bucks more and easier to get my hands on.
 
Originally Posted by slacktide_bitog
You don't have to pay over $30 a quart for unicorn tears ZF fluid
smirk2.gif


Maxlife will work fine
smile.gif



Thank you for that information. I just looked up their spec sheet and it does in fact list it as suitable for Honda 3.1. Something to keep in mind when the time comes for a drain and fill.
 
Originally Posted by JeffKeryk
Buy a couple of Fram XG 7317 oil filters. Use for 2 OCIs. You are set.
Amazon is your friend. Or Wally World. All good.


Was thinking about grabbing that filter over the PO, but saw that the WIX 57356XP is only $7.10, and is - as far as I've seen - just as good, or even better.
 
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