other options then OEM on Honda transmission fluid

dan_erickson · Nov 4, 2016

I have not been at all impressed with how my 2015 Accord V6 6 speed auto acts with the OEM DW1 fluid for a number or reasons. From odd behavior, harsh cold weather shifting, to the fluid degrading quickly ect. I tried Amsoil fuel efficient ATF and did not care for how I could feel every single shift, could feel the converter lock and unlock on the highway so I drained that and refilled with OEM DW1 again.

I am asking so I can do some research, what other fluids should I look into? I have thought of redline D6 and Maxlife always seems to be a winner on this site. Sticking with DW1 because the car is under warranty probably is not going to last. Tell me what you think

Hokiefyd · Nov 4, 2016

I've tried: Valvoline Maxlife ATF, Valvoline Import Multivehicle, and Castrol Transmax Import Multivehicle. None have worked as well as DW-1 in our transmissions, and that's what I continue to use.

Your car is under warranty -- if the transmission is behaving odd, has a dealer looked at it?

dan_erickson · Nov 4, 2016

Yes I went to the dealer last year and service would not do anything. I was told this is normal and that there are no codes stored in the car. If there was something wrong there would be a code. Pretty much useless dealership

Sayjac · Nov 4, 2016

I think you should stick with DW1 while under warranty to cover your warranty bases. Don't want to give Honda an out in the event of a major trans issue. At least I wouldn't want to.

After that you could try MaxLife or others like Castrol Import Multivehicle and see if they shift better. Since Z1 superseded, I've used MaxLife with single d&fs in two Honda both specing Z1. 50k miles use now on V6 Accord, more than that on an 01 Civic, both working/shifting fine and no premium DW1 price. And to be honest, Z1 was a [censored] ATF that sheared quickly so ML Syn was a step up.

That said, reading your post sounds like something you may have to live with if another ATF doesn't work.

Bgallagher · Nov 4, 2016

maxlife?

Chewie · Nov 4, 2016

Castrol Transmax Full Synthetic is another good option, it's what I'm using in my Lexus and is essentially the full synthetic version of IMV.

Chris142 · Nov 4, 2016

Maybe it's the way it's programed to shift and no fluid will make it better?

JMJNet · Nov 4, 2016

Get a second opinion at another dealership?

JHZR2 · Nov 4, 2016

Originally Posted By: Chris142
Maybe it's the way it's programed to shift and no fluid will make it better?

+1. I know there was a tsb on our 14 odyssey regarding shift feel and programming. Im guessing its nearly the same drivetrain???

That said, DW-1 is cheap enough by the case on amazon, compared to other boutique fluids or a new transmission, that I just got a case. Im not a big fan of compromise fluids trying to meet multiple specs, especially if one didnt fit the bill and it still feels off.

Id be inclined to try the maxlife though if i got the itch. Not really sure how it meets dexron II, DW-1 and mercon LV all at the same tine, but maybe that makes it tg magic elixir.

mclasser · Nov 4, 2016

Probably because of VCM.

gregk24 · Nov 4, 2016

DW-1 is best in my opinion. Stick with that.

dan_erickson · Nov 4, 2016

Originally Posted By: mclasser
Probably because of VCM.

I disabled VCM a couple about a month ago. Things are better but the Trans still feels odd at times. Even more so when it is cold.

slacktide_bitog · Nov 4, 2016

Maxlife, Castrol full synthetic, Mag 1 LV, any LV synthetic multi-vehicle

dan_erickson · Nov 4, 2016

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
I've tried: Valvoline Maxlife ATF, Valvoline Import Multivehicle, and Castrol Transmax Import Multivehicle. None have worked as well as DW-1 in our transmissions, and that's what I continue to use.

Your car is under warranty -- if the transmission is behaving odd, has a dealer looked at it?

What did you not like about those fluids?

sw99 · Nov 4, 2016

I have been running ML ATF in our Civic since 30k. Now at 110K and three drain and fills later... Drives like new.

Shrubitup · Nov 6, 2016

For my '10 Civic at 100K miles now: I'm too lazy to do successive drain and fills so I just change out my Honda ATF every 18K miles (service manual says 36K miles). DW-1 works very good. Alternatives other than Castrol Transmax Multi-Vehicle Import do not. DW-1 is about the same price as Castrol so no reason to use an other than OEM fluid IMO.

For my '16 Accord at 8.5K miles now: My CVT Honda says change every 30K so it will receive 15K intervals with HCF-2 only.

slacktide_bitog · Nov 6, 2016

Originally Posted By: Shrubitup
For my '10 Civic at 100K miles now: I'm too lazy to do successive drain and fills so I just change out my Honda ATF every 18K miles (service manual says 36K miles). DW-1 works very good. Alternatives other than Castrol Transmax Multi-Vehicle Import do not. DW-1 is about the same price as Castrol so no reason to use an other than OEM fluid IMO.

For my '16 Accord at 8.5K miles now: My CVT Honda says change every 30K so it will receive 15K intervals with HCF-2 only.

You can get DW1 for under $5/qt? Because Maxlife and ST LV are well below that!

For your CVT Accord, Amazon has Castrol CVT for under $6/qt (a case of six for $35)

Shrubitup · Nov 6, 2016

Originally Posted By: slacktide_bitog
Originally Posted By: Shrubitup
For my '10 Civic at 100K miles now: I'm too lazy to do successive drain and fills so I just change out my Honda ATF every 18K miles (service manual says 36K miles). DW-1 works very good. Alternatives other than Castrol Transmax Multi-Vehicle Import do not. DW-1 is about the same price as Castrol so no reason to use an other than OEM fluid IMO.

For my '16 Accord at 8.5K miles now: My CVT Honda says change every 30K so it will receive 15K intervals with HCF-2 only.

You can get DW1 for under $5/qt? Because Maxlife and ST LV are well below that!

For your CVT Accord, Amazon has Castrol CVT for under $6/qt (a case of six for $35)

It's $5.40 per quart here if you buy case but shipping not free.

https://www.handa-accessories.com/civmaint06.html

I tried SuperTech (is that what you referenced as ST above?) and the transmission slipped between second and third gear - yikes. Regarding the Transmax: Castrol's website says it's not suitable for Honda CVT transmission.

http://www.castrol.com/en_au/australia/products/cars/automatic-transmission-fluids/transmax-cvt.html

Then, to confuse it further, somebody filmed the back of the bottle at the store which says it is compatible with HCF-2 (Honda CVT). Ugh.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9Mf_UdaCf4

slacktide_bitog · Nov 7, 2016

Yes, ST is Super Tech. They recently released a full-synthetic low-viscosity ATF a few months ago.

Your link is from Castrol's Australian site. Their US-market PDS says Honda HCF-2.

So, if you're in the US, you can use Castrol CVT with no problems

As you noted, shipping is not included in the Handa price. With shipping included, $92 a case ($7.41/qt)

Shrubitup · Nov 7, 2016

Originally Posted By: slacktide_bitog
Yes, ST is Super Tech. They recently released a full-synthetic low-viscosity ATF a few months ago.

Your link is from Castrol's Australian site. Their US-market PDS says Honda HCF-2.

So, if you're in the US, you can use Castrol CVT with no problems

As you noted, shipping is not included in the Handa price. With shipping included, $92 a case ($7.41/qt)

Yep, I saw this product at the store today while trolling for a deal on some magnetec. Said hcf-2 on the back of the bottle. I have a call into castrol on this too. Their multi vehicle import worked good in the 2010 civic and it said dw_1 compatible so I trust their labels.

I change my Honda atf often. 15K miles often so getting this stuff could result in savings!

other options then OEM on Honda transmission fluid

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