I have a 2006 Acura TL with 5 speed automatic. Acura recommends fluid meeting Honda Z1 specification which Amzoil synthetic ATF meets. Has anyone been using this in a Honda/Acura auto trans? What are your findings or comments? I use Mobil 1 in my engine and wonder what are the advantages of synthetic in the trans? Thanks. Steve
Synthetic Transmission Fluid?
- Thread starter cristphoto
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I use Amsoil ATF in my 2006 Honda Odyssey. It works great. I figure Honda makes V6 transmissions needing all the help they can get. Synthetic ATF will at least allow cooler running and better flow.
Not a Honda, but when I bought my 00 Mazada a few years ago the transmission shift was hard. I did a transmission flush using Penzoil Synblend and shifting smoothed out. About 2 months ago, I did another transmission flush and used Amsoil ATF. The Amsoil smooth the shifting even more. No, I'm not an Amsoil salesman, but I really like the product...works for me.
1993 Civic, 200,000 miles on odo, have been using Ams syn transmission fluid for over 80,000 miles. Transmission shifts smoothly and positively, I recommend it highly!
I just noticed that Mobil makes a synthetic auto transmission fluid (Mobil 1 ATF). They don't mention meeting the Honda Z1 spec. They say it meets Dextron (3, 3E), Mercon (V), Chrysler and H spec. Does the H mean Honda spec? I'd lean torwards using Mobil since I can get it locally (unlike the Amzoil atf).
Steve, Mobil 1 ATF is a great product. I use it in my truck. However, it does not meet the requirements of the Z1. There are Lubeguard additive products you can add to Mobil 1 ATF to simulate the Z1, but you should not use the Mobil 1 by itself. You can damage the transmission.
I believe the H spec. refers to the latest level of the Dexron III specification.
Amsoil's ATF is great in my 2001 Civic for more than 60k. Use it and you'll love it.
I just got back a report from Blackstone and they mentioned that my 30k sevice interval on Amsoil ATF could have been extended much further.
This is our 2001 1.9l SOHC Saturn used by everyone for everything, including very heavy traffic,
I put the amsoil in there because I knew the trammy would get a good beating.
This is our 2001 1.9l SOHC Saturn used by everyone for everything, including very heavy traffic,
I put the amsoil in there because I knew the trammy would get a good beating.
Pablo, I appreciate your willingness to use the Amsoil product this early in the vehicle's life. Do you have a UOA of this Amsoil ATF in your Honda's transmission as of yet? Has shifting been affected by using the non-Honda product? Is cold shifting improved over the factory fill?...Seems like 1st gear hangs for quite a while before the trans is warmed up, even on summer days.
I was going to change the trans fluide on my 04 Vue with the same Honda trans. The dealer wants $8 per bottle. The Valvoline Max Life Dexron III says it's ok to use for the Z1 spec'd fluids, so I picked up a gallon at Advance Auto this morning. (I'm not a fan of Valvo at all, but at least they offer an OTC product).
Maybe I should just hold off on changing the transmission fluid and just order a case of Amsoil ATF. $8/qt is awfully high for just regular trans fluid.
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Pablo,
I am also interested to know when you changed out your ATF. At 5K miles? 15K? How often are you planing on changing it?
I use the Amsoil ATF in my Tundra and it works great, but I was a little scared off using it in the Honda. I ended up buying a gallon of Mola's Z1 replacement and plan to switch out a gallon at 10K and then another at 15K. After that I was going to do a gallon every 15K.
I am also interested to know when you changed out your ATF. At 5K miles? 15K? How often are you planing on changing it?
I use the Amsoil ATF in my Tundra and it works great, but I was a little scared off using it in the Honda. I ended up buying a gallon of Mola's Z1 replacement and plan to switch out a gallon at 10K and then another at 15K. After that I was going to do a gallon every 15K.
Cristphoto,
As mentioned above, I bought a synthetic from a custom blender called Specialty Formulations. They are a site sponsor here:
Specialty Formulations
They make a specific Z1 formulation so I figured I would try it. No knocking Amsoil, I use a lot of their products and are very happy with them. I even use the Amsoil ATF in my Tundra, but it specs Dex II or III and is not as specific about its requirements.
I haven't tried it yet so I can't endorse it, but the other products I have purchased from Specialty Formulations have been excellent.
I am not saying that the Amsoil is a bad choice at all. I am just letting you know about another option.
As mentioned above, I bought a synthetic from a custom blender called Specialty Formulations. They are a site sponsor here:
Specialty Formulations
They make a specific Z1 formulation so I figured I would try it. No knocking Amsoil, I use a lot of their products and are very happy with them. I even use the Amsoil ATF in my Tundra, but it specs Dex II or III and is not as specific about its requirements.
I haven't tried it yet so I can't endorse it, but the other products I have purchased from Specialty Formulations have been excellent.
I am not saying that the Amsoil is a bad choice at all. I am just letting you know about another option.
I changed at about 10K. No I won't do a UOA for awhile. I will swap in 4 qts every other oil change.
Shifting is the same or better, shifts out of 1st just fine. Quiet and good.
I wish I could say the same for the PS pump. Makes sort of a growl after a long drive. And it's filled with the factory Honda juice. I don't think it's a fluid issue, I know Honda is beginning to recognize some Ody's have this noise issue, but I'm not sure as to the cause and if they have rolled out a fix.
Shifting is the same or better, shifts out of 1st just fine. Quiet and good.
I wish I could say the same for the PS pump. Makes sort of a growl after a long drive. And it's filled with the factory Honda juice. I don't think it's a fluid issue, I know Honda is beginning to recognize some Ody's have this noise issue, but I'm not sure as to the cause and if they have rolled out a fix.
Pablo,
Sounds like we are on the same plan. Except I was going to stagger the fluid change the first time rather than replace it completely. Just figure that the factory fill has plenty of life left in it and it should play nice with Mola's oil. But maybe I should rethink that.
I've heard there was some issues with the P/S going out at around 10K over at the Ody forum. Sounds like the colder weather makes it worse - sorry to threadjack.
Sounds like we are on the same plan. Except I was going to stagger the fluid change the first time rather than replace it completely. Just figure that the factory fill has plenty of life left in it and it should play nice with Mola's oil. But maybe I should rethink that.
I've heard there was some issues with the P/S going out at around 10K over at the Ody forum. Sounds like the colder weather makes it worse - sorry to threadjack.
I change my transmission fluid every year with Amsoil ATF.
I have a 2006 Honda CRV and a 2006 Civic, both with 5 speed automatics.
I've done 2 drain & fills on each using Amsoil ATF (did them around 1K). Shifts FINE in both cars. I plan to do one more drain/fill, then drain/fill the Civic per the maintenance minder and the CR-V at 60K/4yr then every 45K/3yr.
I've done 2 drain & fills on each using Amsoil ATF (did them around 1K). Shifts FINE in both cars. I plan to do one more drain/fill, then drain/fill the Civic per the maintenance minder and the CR-V at 60K/4yr then every 45K/3yr.
I use amsoil ATF in wife's accord for about 50 thousand miles, it now has 70 k and it shifts smoothly. I did do a complete drain and fill about 10k miles ago, and did an auto rx treatment prior to complete drain and fill. I feel amsoil atf is a better fit for auto transmissions as opposed to amsoil mtf, which decreased shift quality. I feel honda's manual transmissions do better with a thicker visocsity fluid.
I wonder if redline's D-4 application would work in a honda automatic transmission. The specs look similar to amsoil's specifications. I called Dave at Redline and inquired about this. He stated that it is not currently recommended for the honda transmissions, but he indicated that it would be in time. I asked him if the fluid itself would be changed to meet the recommendation and he stated the formula would remain the same. He mentioned generally positive comments about the additive company in relation meeting Honda specifications. Indirectly, (and this is my opinion not corroborated by Dave) it seems Redline is taking a conservative approach about Honda's automatic transmissions since they have been problematic relatively speaking. I may try this fluid with wife's accord, although amsoil atf is doing well with her car.
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