shopping for OEM ATF

Status
Not open for further replies.
Joined
Jul 10, 2010
Messages
1,270
Location
Washington
So I aquired the 98 Civic in my sig in December of 09 and its had quite a few miles put on it now. Close to 30k since I bought it. I have no clue if the ATF was changed prior to me buying it from a Honda dealer (Id hope they'd look into that). Anyway anyone know a good spot to buy Genuine Honda ATF without getting it from Honda? Im really looking forward to changing it out soon since Ive got a full tune up I want to do maybe this week and Id like to do it at the same time since Id already have my car in the shop (not a mechanic shop). Thanks for any advice in advance even if its to go to Honda.
 
You might find an online store that sells Honda atf, but you wouldn't get it this week. You'll want to get enough fluid to do at least two back to back drain and refills. My daughter has a 99 Civic and I use the Amsoil atf in it, works very well.
 
Go to a Honda dealer if you are determined to use OE ATF. Plenty of options available in the aftermarket however that will work for less money and can be a better product however.
 
Originally Posted By: hate2work

You might find an online store that sells Honda atf, but you wouldn't get it this week. You'll want to get enough fluid to do at least two back to back drain and refills. My daughter has a 99 Civic and I use the Amsoil atf in it, works very well.


+2 to amsoil in a 99.
 
Right now is a bad time to go with genuine Honda ATF since they're transitioning to DW-1 from Z-1. It might be a roll of the dice which one will be in stock. Either will work, but the DW-1 is supposed to be an overall better fluid than the Z-1.

Get some Amsoil or Maxlife ATF instead.
 
I am with you on wanting to use OEM fluids, BUT...when I went shopping for Manual trans fluid for my Saturn it was priced way too high and the bottles the local dealership looked like they were 10 years old. So I went to the Amsoil website and they had a great tool where you punched in your car and they told you which of their fluids would meet/exceed the OEM fluid requirements. I looked for this tool just yesterday and couldn't find it.

Anyways the Saturn now shifts 10x better than before.
 
You are looking at about 12 dollars a quart at your dealer... and the stuff is not even that good..

Make that +3 for Amsoil..
 
Well perhaps would it would be nearly as cost effective to just get it changed by Honda? I had a 5.0 Mustang MT change a few years ago that only cost $70 at a mechanic.
 
Anyone who has Honda and actually cares about it knows that hondas are picky about their trans fluid and it's always best to use genuine Honda fluid. Royal purple ATF claims to be compatible with Honda ATF-Z1 and just about every makes fluid demands. Anyone know any truth on this or have tried RP ATF?
 
Trust me I went and bought Honda Genuine MTF and it was better than the Castrol GTX HM 10w30 that was in there, but not by much.. and at a premium price, NTY..
 
Originally Posted By: Brenden
You are looking at about 12 dollars a quart at your dealer... and the stuff is not even that good..

Make that +3 for Amsoil..


Don't really know where you are getting the $12/qt from. I never paid more than about $6 at the local dealer when I bought it by the case. I'm not bashing Amsoil ATF or anything like that. I've used it in my 2005 GMC, but Z1 can be had for about the same price as Castrol Multi Vehicle ATF. My personal preference for ATF in my Honda was the Z1. Now if the dealer was going to charge me $12/qt I would have looked elsewhere.
 
Originally Posted By: yaris0128
Anyone who has Honda and actually cares about it knows that hondas are picky about their trans fluid and it's always best to use genuine Honda fluid. Royal purple ATF claims to be compatible with Honda ATF-Z1 and just about every makes fluid demands. Anyone know any truth on this or have tried RP ATF?


I did not say to use RP MaxATF. I said you had aftermarket options. I was not even considering RP MaxATF due to the age of the vehicle and the type of vehicle. IMO it is not a vehicle worth spending what it would cost for a premium ATF like RP, Redline, Amsoil, etc...

I was thinking something more along the lines of Castrol Import-Multi Vehicle ATF*. It covers Honda ATF–Z1 and has a very good reputation when used in import vehicles. Valvoline offers MaxLife* and the new Import Multi-Vehicle ATF that cover your spec. Kendall offers VersaTrans ATF* that covers your spec. Pennzoil has a Multi-Vehicle ATF* that covers your spec. So these are the types of options you had I was referring to.

* - these ATF's are not for use in CVT transmissions. I am not a Honda guy but I don't believe your tranny is a CVT.

I personally would consider one of the above over expensive OE fluids. However, if OE fluid makes you feel better and you would be less concerned about a picky transmission issue then use the Honda stuff obviously.
 
I went to the dealer and picked up an entire case for $70. And it was ATF DW-1!! They wanted $13 a quart or $6 per quart getting the case. So I figure Ill have enough to do a proper flush and plenty for as long as I own the car. I also picked up some Castrol Syntec gear oil for my Toyota while I was at it. Very excited to change out two of my cars Trans fluids!
 
Having owned several hondas, including an Acura TL(aka nice honda accord) I can honestly tell you that the fluid is clearly not the problem. Honda doesnt know how to build automatics. Plain and simple. Is Z-1 a great fluid? NO. But it isnt reponsible for the failures that occur. The old wives tale about "use only Z-1 or else" is just that. The new fluid you purchased is a good choice(DW-1). Just dont expect any miracles or superb performance above the likes of Amsoil or Redline. Not gonna happen. I've been there, done that. Good luck.
 
Originally Posted By: AzFireGuy79
Having owned several hondas, including an Acura TL(aka nice honda accord) I can honestly tell you that the fluid is clearly not the problem. Honda doesnt know how to build automatics. Plain and simple. Is Z-1 a great fluid? NO. But it isnt reponsible for the failures that occur. The old wives tale about "use only Z-1 or else" is just that. The new fluid you purchased is a good choice(DW-1). Just dont expect any miracles or superb performance above the likes of Amsoil or Redline. Not gonna happen. I've been there, done that. Good luck.

Im sure its all a bunch of Honda purist fanboy [censored] but and Im sure ATF-Z1 is just cheap bulk anyway. I dont doubt that someting like Castrols import ATF would run fantastic but when I take my car to my hardcore honda fanboy Honda mechanic brother and get the work done for free its best not to have something to argue about and not get the work done.
 
Originally Posted By: yaris0128
... when I take my car to my hardcore honda fanboy Honda mechanic brother and get the work done for free its best not to have something to argue about and not get the work done.


Now that's a great reason to stick with OEM despite the cost and unknown value.
 
Originally Posted By: MonumentOiler
Originally Posted By: yaris0128
... when I take my car to my hardcore honda fanboy Honda mechanic brother and get the work done for free its best not to have something to argue about and not get the work done.


Now that's a great reason to stick with OEM despite the cost and unknown value.


Agreed.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom