Originally Posted By: barlowc
Technically, I don't think it meets the Honda specs. Honda won't approve any fluid as such.
I think meeting the specifications and gaining Honda approval are different. This is the exact wording from Valvoline's email back to me:
"The Valvoline MaxLife Dex/Merc ATF will actually meet both the ATF-Z1 and DW-1 specifications."
The product can meet the specifications without gaining approval. Similar to how some motor oils might meet all the specifications of dexos 1, but maybe they haven't paid the licensing fee to have the logo on the bottle. (I know, there is a difference; Honda doesn't license their fluids to anyone.)
I'm thinking about using the MaxLife in our vehicles because the shifting performance with the Honda DW-1 is almost "too smooth". I would prefer to feel the shifts a little more. It shifts like butter in the Acura, and ever skips a beat, but my simple mind has to believe that a slightly firmer shift would be easier on the clutches.
And the only reason I'm halfway comfortable with using a universal fluid like this is because of the overwhelmingly positive comments about how it works in these transaxles.