Went with Amsoil ATF in Honda

[Matt89]

Just thought I'd report that I put Amsoil ATF in a Honda Oddyssey...no problems to report. Seems to be silky smooth (better than previous fluid of course due to placebo effect

)

The only problem was that my 'transmission' funnel was too big to fit into the filler pipe

, so I slit the end, taped it and jammed that puppy in there.

After only 15K miles on the factory fill, I was surprised how relatively 'dirty' looking it was. I recall my GM transmission fluid looked better at 50K. Perhaps that filter has some purpose after all.

I'll let you know if the thing grenades due to 'non-Z1' fluid.

 

[Ray H]

Perhaps too early to tell. If there'll be any deletorious change in shift characteristics, it may not become apparent for several hundred miles. The clutch and band facings are by nature porous and still saturated with the Honda fluid's friction modifiers. Mine eventually developed a cyclical "surging" during the 2-3 upshift with Dexron III and a bottle of Lubegard Black after a complete changeout at 20,000 miles from the Honda factory fill, though it was only temporary. (about 2 1/2 months from initial onset before it finally ceased) Though I apparently ducked a bullet*, hindsight being 20/20, I'll henceforth always go with the factory fluid, or at least a fluid that's fully licensed to factory specs., anymore. Good luck.

*The car was totaled at 30,000 miles so I have no idea what the real long term effects might've been.

 

[caremd99]

What year is your Odyssey? I'm curious if this is the 4 speed or 5 speed. FWIW Amsoil states it can be used in an ATF-Z1 application. I have a 5 speed and it has been in mine for 17K so far with no issues. Are the shift characteristics different than factory fluid. Not sure. But each shift is distinct and purposeful, not jerky or harsh.

 

[Matt89]

Mine's an '03 with the 5spd. So far so good...glad to hear same for you!

Amsoil may do some hokey stuff, but I have some faith that they wouldn't mess around with a tight spec like Z1. We shall see if that faith is well founded!

 

[Hankrr]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Matt89:
The only problem was that my 'transmission' funnel was too big to fit into the filler pipe

, so I slit the end, taped it and jammed that puppy in there.

---

I'm pretty sure there should be a fill bolt on top of the transmission to fill it.

Anyway I've got the AMSOIL ATF in both my Accord V6 and my CRV. Working good so far......

 

[Matt89]

Hankrr;

Might have been...but there's lot of crap blocking the dipstick tube as it is. Basically had to do it by braille.

 

[turnipgreen]

There is a filler bolt on the drivers side of the engine, right on top of the transmission (it may even be marked with ATF). It takes a long extension and a universal joint to get to it, and possibly a good bit of muscle the first time off. We have a 2002 Odyssey.

Ron

 

[unDummy]

For everyone, did you flush or just drain/refill the pan?

I'm glad to see that there are people out there with peppers big enough to thumb their noses at OEM fluids.

There are only 2 UOAs of Honda ATF. One is on an Odyssey and another on an Acura. Other than HFM, there is nothing special about their fluid. But, note that the Odyssey transmission is not the most reliable.

 

[benjamming]

Here is my UOA on Honda ATF in an Accord 4 speed V6 (factory fill though). http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=001373#000000

 

[caremd99]

On certain 5 speeds you won't have to worry about using the filler bolt once they install the oil jet kit. It will no longer be available!

I "flushed" mine 1 qt in & 1 qt out at a time.

 

[turnipgreen]

quote:

---

Originally posted by unDummy:
there is nothing special about their fluid. But, note that the Odyssey transmission is not the most reliable.

---

My Odyssey transmission only lasted til 38K, had to be replaced, and I had done the service using their Honda ATF, twice as often as suggested.

 

[Alan]

Isn't there a recall for these transmissions by Honda?

They seem to love

on people.

 

[turnipgreen]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Alan:
Isn't there a recall for these transmissions by Honda?

They seem to love

on people.

---

There is a limited recall, I haven't received any notice. However the dealer was more than happy to replace the transmission under warranty even though the warranty had expired. Doesn't make me feel good though, bought a Honda expecting it to last a long time, now I'm worried the transmission may go again.

Ron

 

[Matt89]

I recently got a recall job done...as caremd99 said they installed a jet to spray ATF on the second gear. Apparently, under some load conditions this sprocket was deprived of fluid, heated up, and failed. No amount of fluid changing could help that for sure.

I guess the only consolation is that once you've dropped 30K on a van

a new transmission seems like a small purchase!

I didn't 'flush it'. I drained and filled at 17K (3.5 qts out of 8), will do it again at 30K and every 30K after that. The severe service interval is 30K so I figure I'm doing more than enough.

I'm also running M1 0W-20, changed every spring and fall (run less than 7500 miles in that time, but I'd be comfortable up to 10K if I ran that far in 6 months...would have to be mostly hiway).I plan to drain/fill the 10 year/120K coolant at 7 years (when I do the timing belt, spark plugs & probably water pump). I doubt I will reach the 105K mile point in 7 years. Plan to do the brake fluid every 2 years.

So far so good!

 

[98AV6]

Amsoil ATF lists Z1 specs on their web site, but none of the bottles at my local Canadian Tire list Z1 on the label. Amsoil replied back to my email about the labeling.

From: AMSOIL Technical Services
Thank you for contacting AMSOIL with your concerns.
In response to your inquiry, the current fluid is the same product they have at the store. It did not reformulation to get the authorization for the Z-1 specification.

Thank you again for the opportunity to respond to your concerns. As always, please feel free to contact us again if we can be of further assistance.

Sincerely,
Jim Van
AMSOIL Technical Services

So that means it's safe to use in my Honda transmission?!

 

[Hankrr]

quote:

---

Originally posted by 98AV6:
Amsoil ATF lists Z1 specs on their web site, but none of the bottles at my local Canadian Tire list Z1 on the label. Amsoil replied back to my email about the labeling.

---

Weird, I've got some right here in the Garage and it does indeed list HONDA Z1 on my bottles. Is that OLD stock or something?

 

[Dick in Falls Church]

>>>I didn't 'flush it'. I drained and filled at 17K (3.5 qts out of 8), will do it again at 30K and every 30K after that. The severe service interval is 30K so I figure I'm doing more than enough.

Matt89-- Were it my car, I'd go ahead and change what is in the pan another 2-3 times within a couple of days. That way, you'll have mostly synthetic ATF in there. Then, go ahead and change the 3.5 qts again every 50,000 miles or so.

Just checked--my empty ATF display bottle does not have the Z1 (and some other ratings) on it.
The bottles I picked up last week do. Checked the 2.5 gal bottles/boxes. One of each. So I guess AMSOIL finally ran out of the boxes and labels and got a new batch in. Far as collecting dust--don't have that problem.

 

[98AV6]

quote:

---

Is that OLD stock or something?

---

It must be. Regular fluid 2$, Moblil 1- 8$, Amsoil 12$. That's why Amsoil ATF is gathering dust , sticker electrocution $$$ for the average user.

 

[Matt89]

Just wanted to let you guys know I did another drain fill on this stuff at around 20K.

2 drain & fills so far (so now the transmission fluid is about 70% Amsoil) and it is shifting very nice. 1000 miles later no issues to report (knock on wood). Seems nice & smooth, of course it was nice & smooth before too.

 

[SilverGGA]

Does anyone know if the 2005 4-cyl Accords auto have the same transmission problem? Is it the same transmission as the recalled one?

Also, did the recall affect the V-6 transmission only or both the 4-cyl and V-6? Thanks.