Is there a consensus on using non OEM Honda HCF-2?

E

e36andy

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Hey BITOG family, I hope y'all are doing well. I've spent about a week or so doing some research on the matter but I can't seem to find a consensus on the matter. I'm about to hit 150k on my 2013 Accord Sport and I am getting ready to drain and fill the CVT... I know HCF-2 is what Honda is recommending but I refuse to believe that other alternatives out there aren't as good if not better.

The oil is gonna cost me like $70 from the stealership + the commute but I'm thinking of just getting the Castrol CVT oil off Amazon for like $25.

Share your wisdom with me.
 
Do what you like but for the CVT and the rear dif if you have AWD OEM is all I use... Its not like you are changing the fluid every year or less...I even use OEM Honda antifreeze too...again it is not like you are changing it often...To me it is cheap insurance on these areas that I mentioned...Just my opinion,,,Also have you looked online also...there are a few places that have good prices on OEM Honda parts and fluids...
 
The only one that I used that felt just as good is the Aisin ATF. Tried valvoline, it was pretty bad. I stick to using the honda fluid. Its not that expensive. Besides...it shouldn't cost more than 100-120$ at a shop for a drain/fill. Otherwise you are being royally screwed.

Why not use amazon....or the internet in general...its cheap
www.collegehillshonda.com

CVT Fluid HCF-2

Check out the deal on CVT Fluid HCF-2 at College Hills Honda
www.collegehillshonda.com
 
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Several previous threads on the subject which may help you to reach a consensus. Some contain first-hand experience with an aftermarket fluid:

Honda CVT HCF 2 Fluid non oem fluids

2017 CRV is going to be out of warranty in about a month . has 48k miles on it. i want to change the CVT fluid . it should take around 4 qts. The oem fluid is not cheap at around $12 to $16 a quart depending on where its purchased. There are some less expensive alternatives out there these days...
bobistheoilguy.com

How does "Universal" CVT fluid work?

I have a '17 CR-V, and like all current Hondas, the CVT fluid is Honda's HCF-2 and NOT the older HMMF/"Honda CVT Fluid". Honda states that the two fluids are specifically neither forward nor backward compatible. With that in mind, how can there be "Universal" CVT fluids that claim to meet both...
bobistheoilguy.com

Just did my 1st CVT fluid change

After having done many ATF changes since the 1970s(although we did fewer then it seems), I did my first CVT fluid change on the Altima in my signature. The Civic will be next(~July). It went very well as I only did a D&F, replacing the amount that drained out of the tranny drain pan. I had the...
bobistheoilguy.com

Pennzoil Platinum CVT-2

Pennzoil Platinum CVT-2 MSDS Looks like Pennzoil has decided to make some CVT fluid.....
bobistheoilguy.com

Honda HCF-2 CVT Fluid VOA

This VOA was taken from 5 different brand new 1 qt bottles. I poured about 20% of the sample container capacity from each bottle. Following the VOA (for direct comparison) is the UOA I took from our '18 CR-V. I've heard that a good rule of thumb is if the UOA TAN is 3x or less that of the VOA...
bobistheoilguy.com

Amsoil CVT

Your thoughts? Thinking about running this in 18 Honda CR-V.
bobistheoilguy.com

Urgent:Honda CVT vs HCF-2, how badly incompatible?

My 2014 Accord and Civic, I've drained about four quarts and put four qts in twice now and put the Honda CVT fluid in, found out today I was supposed to be using HCF-2. (yes, I messed up) So how bad did I screw up? I'll put HCF-2 in this weekend. Recommendations?
bobistheoilguy.com

what is in Honda HCF2

I did my first 2019 accord cvt oil change today, came. out totally black at 30,000 miles. not sure if it means I should change it sooner or not. my main question is what gives the HCF-2 fluid the really strong smell (old and new had the smell), its hard to describe but it is definitely a unique...
bobistheoilguy.com

Honda HCF-2 Change Frequency and Alternatives

2022 Civic CVT here, how often should the fluid get drained and filled? I know you only get 1/3-1/2 of the fluid out at any given time anyway, and my driving habits are pretty tame, but was thinking to do the first service around 30k miles and then run with 30k mile increments. The fluid seems...
bobistheoilguy.com

2019 HRV: Amsoil CVT or Honda HCF-2

Good day, I'm trying to get a definitive answer as to whether or not I can use Amsoil CVT in my 2019 Honda HRV CVT. I've read countless posts on various forums and can't find solid information one way or the other to assist me in making this decision, other than use the fluid stated in the...
bobistheoilguy.com

Honda HCF-2 vs. Redline nonslip CVT Fluid

My daughter just bought a 2015 Honda CRV with the CVT. It has about 38k but I am planning to baseline all the fluids with fresh fill in the coming weeks. My question is about the Honda HCF-2 fluid vs. the Redline CVT equivalent. In the past, the Honda fluids were mid-pack. I've had good results...
bobistheoilguy.com

Trans fluids other than hcf-2

I have a 2013 Honda Accord lx-s coupe 2.4 liter and a couple years ago it was mixing radiator fluid with the transmission fluid. I eventually located the problem and fixed it but in doing so I flushed the transmission fluid and replaced it with the wrong kind. It's been using the wrong kind...
bobistheoilguy.com

Honda HCF-2 CVT, 17398 miles, 2016 HR-V

So I realized after my last engine oil UOA that my type of driving is considered severe service (cold weather + short trips) For this vehicle, the dealer first replaced the CVT fluid at 31,068 miles. I decided it's a good idea to have them change it again at 48,466 miles - only 17,398 miles...
bobistheoilguy.com

RockAuto says AISIN ATFDW1 is equivalent to HCF-2

RockAuto says AISIN ATFDW1 is equivalent to HCF-2, but I don't think so. What do you guys think? Is there a good equivalent that won't break the bank to Honda HCF-2?
bobistheoilguy.com

VOA - HCF-2, Eneos Import CVT Model H, Eneos ECO CVT

Here are the results of a Horizon oil analysis test I purchased through Amsoil. I was trying to figure out which one to use, but wound up doing a few drain and fills with HCF-2. On the last D/F I still wasn't happy with the condition of the fluid, so I'm going all in and dropping the pan along...
bobistheoilguy.com

Just changed the CVT fluid in my '15 Accord

Two years and 20k miles later, I just did my first CVT drain and fill on my new-ish Honda in the hopes that doing so every 20k instead of 36k will make the transmission last a bit longer. The procedure was 'different' but easy, the hardest part being the need to have it on flat ground for it to...
bobistheoilguy.com
 
kschachn said:
Several previous threads on the subject which may help you to reach a consensus. Some contain first-hand experience with an aftermarket fluid:

Honda CVT HCF 2 Fluid non oem fluids

2017 CRV is going to be out of warranty in about a month . has 48k miles on it. i want to change the CVT fluid . it should take around 4 qts. The oem fluid is not cheap at around $12 to $16 a quart depending on where its purchased. There are some less expensive alternatives out there these days...
bobistheoilguy.com

How does "Universal" CVT fluid work?

I have a '17 CR-V, and like all current Hondas, the CVT fluid is Honda's HCF-2 and NOT the older HMMF/"Honda CVT Fluid". Honda states that the two fluids are specifically neither forward nor backward compatible. With that in mind, how can there be "Universal" CVT fluids that claim to meet both...
bobistheoilguy.com

Just did my 1st CVT fluid change

After having done many ATF changes since the 1970s(although we did fewer then it seems), I did my first CVT fluid change on the Altima in my signature. The Civic will be next(~July). It went very well as I only did a D&F, replacing the amount that drained out of the tranny drain pan. I had the...
bobistheoilguy.com

Pennzoil Platinum CVT-2

Pennzoil Platinum CVT-2 MSDS Looks like Pennzoil has decided to make some CVT fluid.....
bobistheoilguy.com

Honda HCF-2 CVT Fluid VOA

This VOA was taken from 5 different brand new 1 qt bottles. I poured about 20% of the sample container capacity from each bottle. Following the VOA (for direct comparison) is the UOA I took from our '18 CR-V. I've heard that a good rule of thumb is if the UOA TAN is 3x or less that of the VOA...
bobistheoilguy.com

Amsoil CVT

Your thoughts? Thinking about running this in 18 Honda CR-V.
bobistheoilguy.com

Urgent:Honda CVT vs HCF-2, how badly incompatible?

My 2014 Accord and Civic, I've drained about four quarts and put four qts in twice now and put the Honda CVT fluid in, found out today I was supposed to be using HCF-2. (yes, I messed up) So how bad did I screw up? I'll put HCF-2 in this weekend. Recommendations?
bobistheoilguy.com

what is in Honda HCF2

I did my first 2019 accord cvt oil change today, came. out totally black at 30,000 miles. not sure if it means I should change it sooner or not. my main question is what gives the HCF-2 fluid the really strong smell (old and new had the smell), its hard to describe but it is definitely a unique...
bobistheoilguy.com

Honda HCF-2 Change Frequency and Alternatives

2022 Civic CVT here, how often should the fluid get drained and filled? I know you only get 1/3-1/2 of the fluid out at any given time anyway, and my driving habits are pretty tame, but was thinking to do the first service around 30k miles and then run with 30k mile increments. The fluid seems...
bobistheoilguy.com

2019 HRV: Amsoil CVT or Honda HCF-2

Good day, I'm trying to get a definitive answer as to whether or not I can use Amsoil CVT in my 2019 Honda HRV CVT. I've read countless posts on various forums and can't find solid information one way or the other to assist me in making this decision, other than use the fluid stated in the...
bobistheoilguy.com

Honda HCF-2 vs. Redline nonslip CVT Fluid

My daughter just bought a 2015 Honda CRV with the CVT. It has about 38k but I am planning to baseline all the fluids with fresh fill in the coming weeks. My question is about the Honda HCF-2 fluid vs. the Redline CVT equivalent. In the past, the Honda fluids were mid-pack. I've had good results...
bobistheoilguy.com

Trans fluids other than hcf-2

I have a 2013 Honda Accord lx-s coupe 2.4 liter and a couple years ago it was mixing radiator fluid with the transmission fluid. I eventually located the problem and fixed it but in doing so I flushed the transmission fluid and replaced it with the wrong kind. It's been using the wrong kind...
bobistheoilguy.com

Honda HCF-2 CVT, 17398 miles, 2016 HR-V

So I realized after my last engine oil UOA that my type of driving is considered severe service (cold weather + short trips) For this vehicle, the dealer first replaced the CVT fluid at 31,068 miles. I decided it's a good idea to have them change it again at 48,466 miles - only 17,398 miles...
bobistheoilguy.com

RockAuto says AISIN ATFDW1 is equivalent to HCF-2

RockAuto says AISIN ATFDW1 is equivalent to HCF-2, but I don't think so. What do you guys think? Is there a good equivalent that won't break the bank to Honda HCF-2?
bobistheoilguy.com

VOA - HCF-2, Eneos Import CVT Model H, Eneos ECO CVT

Here are the results of a Horizon oil analysis test I purchased through Amsoil. I was trying to figure out which one to use, but wound up doing a few drain and fills with HCF-2. On the last D/F I still wasn't happy with the condition of the fluid, so I'm going all in and dropping the pan along...
bobistheoilguy.com

Just changed the CVT fluid in my '15 Accord

Two years and 20k miles later, I just did my first CVT drain and fill on my new-ish Honda in the hopes that doing so every 20k instead of 36k will make the transmission last a bit longer. The procedure was 'different' but easy, the hardest part being the need to have it on flat ground for it to...
bobistheoilguy.com
Click to expand...
happy reading...
 
Honda's HCF-2 fluid is designed to be exactly what their CVT needs.

Anything aftermarket fluid that just happens to cover HCF-2 applications may have properties and additives that may (or may not) adversely affect the CVT in the long run. Aftermarket does not always mean better. It usually just means cheaper and good enough.

That said, I'd love to find something better for the CVT in my '15 Accord Sport. It only has 76k miles and is showing signs of slipping and general age and wear. The fluid has been changed with genuine HCF-2 at 25k and 50k, and I'm doing a third service this weekend. I considered Valvoline's CVT fluid but decided I didn't want to experiment with it at the point just to save a few bucks. $80 for four quarts of Honda fluid is a bit steep.

I think the days of a high-quality universal fluid like MaxLife ATF for Dexron III applications are over. For CVTs at least.
 
There is nothing wrong with using aftermarket CVT fluid on your Honda. However, some of them are red in color, which some people may find off-putting, but there is nothing wrong with using red CVT fluid.

Just so you know, the OE Honda HCF-2 is amber in color, like regular oil. Aftermarket CVT fluids in this color include Valvoline and Amalie (including the house brands they supply such as AAP Fram and Autozone STP).

No problems with Amalie-made STP CVT fluid in an Accord :)
 
For what it's worth I have a 09 Civic Hybrid and my dad put Valvoline CVT fluid in it before I bought it from him. BIG mistake, the shudder was unreal when starting out, I did a double drain and fill with the Honda OE CVT fluid and the transmission has been happy ever since. The bottle clamid it was compatible with both Honda fluids (CVT and HCF-2) which I find interesting since Honda says the two fluids are incompatible.
 
Last edited:
DerbyDave said:
For what it's worth I have a 09 Civic Hybrid and my dad put Valvoline CVT fluid in it before I bought it from him. BIG mistake, the shudder was unreal when starting out, I did a double drain and fill with the Honda OE fluid and the transmission has been happy ever since. The bottle clamid it was compatible with both Honda fluids which I find interesting since Honda says the two fluids are incompatible.
Click to expand...
Did you report this to Valvoline? That seems like quite a problem if they say it is suitable.
 
kschachn said:
Did you report this to Valvoline? That seems like quite a problem if they say it is suitable.
Click to expand...
You would think they would know better than I that the fluids are incompatible. The honda CVT fluid bottle even says on the back not to use it in HCF-2 applications.
1692295507459.jpg
 
DerbyDave said:
For what it's worth I have a 09 Civic Hybrid and my dad put Valvoline CVT fluid in it before I bought it from him. BIG mistake, the shudder was unreal when starting out, I did a double drain and fill with the Honda OE CVT fluid and the transmission has been happy ever since. The bottle clamid it was compatible with both Honda fluids (CVT and HCF-2) which I find interesting since Honda says the two fluids are incompatible.
Click to expand...
This is exactly my concern with aftermarket fluids marked as compatible and suitable. CVT lube is not standardized like ATF more or less was/is. Every manufacturer has different specs for their CVT transmissions. You can't make a universal fluid that works in every CVT and is just as good as the OEM fluid.
 
I used Valvoline CVT in a 2020 Accord Sport and it shifts exactly as it did with HCF2. I can't say whether this stinky Valvo fluid will work in other transmissions, but it is fine in this one.
 
Bottom_Feeder said:
This is exactly my concern with aftermarket fluids marked as compatible and suitable. CVT lube is not standardized like ATF more or less was/is. Every manufacturer has different specs for their CVT transmissions. You can't make a universal fluid that works in every CVT and is just as good as the OEM fluid.
Click to expand...
Even Amsoil claims that their CVT fluid can be used in both applications when Honda says they are incompatible.

1692374713019.jpg
 
DerbyDave said:
For what it's worth I have a 09 Civic Hybrid and my dad put Valvoline CVT fluid in it before I bought it from him. BIG mistake, the shudder was unreal when starting out, I did a double drain and fill with the Honda OE CVT fluid and the transmission has been happy ever since. The bottle clamid it was compatible with both Honda fluids (CVT and HCF-2) which I find interesting since Honda says the two fluids are incompatible.
Click to expand...

I liked the idea of this 5 gallon container with a spout but not going to take the risk anymore

Screen Shot 2023-08-18 at 12.07.45 PM.jpg

DerbyDave said:
Even Amsoil claims that their CVT fluid can be used in both applications when Honda says they are incompatible.
Click to expand...

I see Red Line says the same but the fluid feels great so maybe the valvoline that was in your car had too many miles on it? My CVT did fail at 110k miles but I personally don't think it was fluid related

Screen Shot 2023-08-18 at 12.11.57 PM.jpg
 
Not a cvt owner but the problem is you can't trust the bottle. It might say it works for Honda fluid and it might but it might not be optimal. Kinda like those all makes and models coolant. That definitely is not true. It will work but it isn't the right stuff
 
E150GT said:
Not a cvt owner but the problem is you can't trust the bottle. It might say it works for Honda fluid and it might but it might not be optimal. Kinda like those all makes and models coolant. That definitely is not true. It will work but it isn't the right stuff
Click to expand...
YUP...
 
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