QuestionQUESTION: I have a 2001 Honda accord EX,the owners manual states that only Honda transmission fluid should be used and if you use another brand fluid it should be drained and replaced with the Honda fluid
as soon as possible. Is yhis true that only Honda brand trans fluid should be used?
ANSWER: It is a fact. Use the Honda ATF-Z1 fluid from the dealership. It's $6.88 per quart these days. If you have used another brand or Dextron, drain and fill the transmission. I'd drive it a few hundred miles and change it at least one more time.
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QUESTION: Is it necessary to use The Honda ATF-Z1 in all Hondas regarless of the year?
When you drain the transmission you get less than 3 quarts of fluid, how much does the transmission hold and how do you get it all out?
ANSWER: All of the Honda automatics require ATF-Z1 fluid. Remember the cvt transmission uses a different fluid. When the fluid is drained on a Honda transmission you get less than 1/3 of the fluid out. The drain, fill, roadtest and repeat method is the only way to get out any aftermarket brand fluid. It's like draining dirty bath water 1/3 and then refilling the tub. The clean dilutes the dirty fluid. Transmission disassembly would be required to get all of the fluid out at once.
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QUESTION: We have a 1992 Honda Accord with 182000 miles and have always drained the transmission (1/3) every 7000 miles useing Valvoline dextron trans fluid( which states on the bottle it is okay for Hondas up to 1995). Is this statement missleading us and should we now change to ATF-Z1? I thank you for your quick responses to my questions and this should be the last on transmissions.
Answer The statement that the Valvoline fluid works on pre 1996 is most likely based on Honda's transmission shift control. In 1996 Honda Civics started using a linear solenoid to control upshifts. The previous cars had throttle valve/cable type. The Honda ATF-Z1 fluid has special ingredients that protect seals and "O"rings while providing smoother shifts at low and high temperatures. The fluid also has a very low oxidation rate that allows for longer change intervals. An analogy that could be used would be like using type O blood in a person with type B. The Valvoline will work but the Honda fluid is going to give the best results in driveability.
