Maxlife ATF or Beck Arnley Premium ATF for 2007 Honda Ridgeline?

[NormanBuntz]

My Ridgeline is approaching 100K miles and I want to do a series of drain and fills for it's second ATF fluid change. The first was done by a Honda dealer at 62K miles using a Wynn's fluid exchange machine but no solvents (requested by me but who knows what they did). I'm the original vehicle owner. The truck is not used for towing or severe driving.

The OM calls for Z-1. Maxlife is about a $1.50 less per quart, so price is not a factor. The Beck Arnley is Type Z-1. I plan to do three drain and fills each after 1,000 miles. I welcome opinions on which fluid I should use.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Maxlife will be fine,but there is nothing wrong with B/A either

 

[BMW Dom]

If z-1 is that cheap, I would stick with that.

 

[JeffKeryk]

I like the Idemitsu DW-1 equivalent. Good stuff. Amazon has a 5 quart jug.

 

[NormanBuntz]

I like the Idemitsu DW-1 equivalent. Good stuff. Amazon has a 5 quart jug.

Except DW-1 is not specced for my Honda. It is specced for my Acura.

 

[Cripes]

I believe Z1 is obsolete now. Your manual probably says Z1, but Honda specs DW-1 for all non CVT trannys now.

Just like your original manual calls for 5W20 oil, but 0w20 is also now specced, in addition to the 5W20.

Honda changes it's mind fom time to time.

 

[Cripes]

Oh and Maxlife is what I use in my 07 Pilot Tranny, with occasional DW1 (when I get it cheap enough). I like that Maxlife is synthetic (where the DW1 is not).

 

[Cripes]

 

[2010Civic]

I like the Idemitsu DW-1 equivalent. Good stuff. Amazon has a 5 quart jug.

I can find real DW-1 for less than the knockoff. Only Honda ATF goes in my cars.

 

[NormanBuntz]

Thank you, Cripes. I suspected that Z-1 was succeeded by DW-1 after 2011 but I couldn't verify it until just now. My last transmission service was in 2013 and I can't tell which fluid the Honda dealer used. If it was Z-1, can I still use DW-1 for three drain and fills? In other words, are the two compatible or mixable?

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Thank you, Cripes. I suspected that Z-1 was succeeded by DW-1 after 2011 but I couldn't verify it until just now. My last transmission service was in 2013 and I can't tell which fluid the Honda dealer used. If it was Z-1, can I still use DW-1 for three drain and fills? In other words, are the two compatible or mixable?

Yes, you can mix Z1 and DW1 with no problem

Honda stopped selling Z1 once DW1 came out, and back-spec'd all Z1 transmissions to DW1. In 2013, the dealer most likely used DW1 sine Z1 had been obsolete for 2 years at that point.

 

[aquariuscsm]

I'd stick with dealership oem Honda DW-1.

 

[JeffKeryk]

I can find real DW-1 for less than the knockoff. Only Honda ATF goes in my cars.

Idemitsu makes ATF for Honda. I like the knockoff better. All good.

 

[wymi516]

Idemitsu makes ATF for Honda. I like the knockoff better. All good.

Could you tell us why you like the Idemitsu better?

 

[JeffKeryk]

Could you tell us why you like the Idemitsu better?

I like the shift quality and the low end torque feels stronger. It pulls better in around town driving.
Wifey's 2006 TSX used DW-1 for years until I tried the Idemitsu fluid. Been using it ever since.
I use it in 3 TSXs, a '98 Accord LX and a '15 Odyssey EX-L.

 

[wymi516]

JeffKeryk, thanks for the info. I take care of my sisters 2012 Accord 4cyl with 92k trouble free miles and I'm ready to do some drain and fills on the trans. I'm going to look in to the Idemitsu ATF.

 

[JeffKeryk]

JeffKeryk, thanks for the info. I take care of my sisters 2012 Accord 4cyl with 92k trouble free miles and I'm ready to do some drain and fills on the trans. I'm going to look in to the Idemitsu ATF.

Idemitsu Honda equivalent

 

[Dogman]

Don’t you know by spill and filling 3 times you’re just contaminating your new fluid? Kidding

glass half empty

 

[ctechbob]

Idemitsu Honda equivalent

Ugh, it was $33 back on May 10th, which is the last time I bought some.

But yes, I am another H+ user. Both of my Honda vehicles have been using it for some time now. Gets the from me.

 

[rob1715]

Use Z-1 or DW-1 (if it's backwards compatible) and be done with it. Transmissions are nothing to play with.