Do Hondas really need 'Honda' auto tranny fluid?

DanDurusky · **Joined:** Sun Apr 10, 2005 7:31 pm **Posts:** 686

My gf's Accord needs a fluid change.. probably still the original stuff at 100k now. :shock:

Her manual says any Dexron III can be used temporarily, but must be flushed w/ Honda stuff soon afterwards. Is this true? Any aftermarket alternatives?

I know Hondas are picky w/ their power steering fluid so i thought id ask.

Thanks

Richard Casto · **Posted:** Mon Jul 10, 2006 3:22 pm

VERY freaky that you just asked that question. Just seconds ago, I was reading a thread on a Honda Odyssey forum about ATF and what to use. I don't know the answer, but I can point you to that thread...

http://www.odyclub.com/forums/showthrea ... adid=31457

The quick summary of the two lines of thought is...

1. Use anything other than Honda ATF and YOU WILL DIE!
2. Use any decent Honda compatible fluid (“Valvoline ATF Maxlife” is one mentioned in the thread) and you will be fine. How often you service the transmission is more important than the fluid you use.

The older Odysseys have a known weak transmission (have already had one replaced under warrantee just like many Odyssey owners) so transmission maintenance (cooling, fluids, filters, frequency of service, etc.) is a hot topic in the Odyssey world.

Personally I am on the fence on what ATF to use. While mine is still under warrantee, I probably will use Honda ATF (have extended warrantee due to issues with bad design). When the warrantee expires I may try something else.

Michael Westerfield · **Posted:** Mon Jul 10, 2006 3:25 pm

I take it your van has the same problem as the TL, CL and V6 accord?

Richard Casto · **Posted:** Mon Jul 10, 2006 4:19 pm

Michael Westerfield wrote:

I take it your van has the same problem as the TL, CL and V6 accord?

Yes, I think all have the same basic design. Actually the current transmissions seems to be ok (cross fingers), but the original was replaced awhile back (on Honda's nickle). There are people who are on their 2nd or 3rd transmissions. The transmission in my model year (2000) does not have a serviceable filter, so you should change fluid often (more frequent than factory specs). Later models I believe had an oil squirter mod (I think a particiular bearing would get hot).

I suspect (hope) that the current Odyssey has an improved transmission. Given all of this, I still love my Odyssey and to Honda's credit, they have admitted there is a problem and extended the warrentee on affected transmissions at no charge to (I think) 100K. I am at about 96K miles right now.

Michael Westerfield · **Posted:** Mon Jul 10, 2006 4:26 pm

Richard Casto wrote:

Michael Westerfield wrote:

I take it your van has the same problem as the TL, CL and V6 accord?

Yes, I think all have the same basic design. Actually the current transmissions seems to be ok (cross fingers), but the original was replaced awhile back (on Honda's nickle). There are people who are on their 2nd or 3rd transmissions. The transmission in my model year (2000) does not have a serviceable filter, so you should change fluid often (more frequent than factory specs). Later models I believe had an oil squirter mod (I think a particiular bearing would get hot).

I suspect (hope) that the current Odyssey has an improved transmission. Given all of this, I still love my Odyssey and to Honda's credit, they have admitted there is a problem and extended the warrentee on affected transmissions at no charge to (I think) 100K. I am at about 96K miles right now.

In a similar boat myself with the wife's 00' TL. I had a recall on ours and we took it in and they installed the squirter... I beleive it sprays right onto the 2nd gear clutch pack. I currently drain it and add a few quarts to top it off. I don't get all the fluid out that way, but am constantly cycling in new ATF every other oil change. Ours is currently on the original and has 77k and is doing fine (knock on wood). I use Honda ATF and have been to chicken to stray.

Atleast for the TL the highest rate of failure accurs in the type-S models which most attribute to the fact they make more power 260hp vs my 225hp. We've been happy with the car so far, but transmission trouble is always in the back of my mind.

Richard Casto · **Posted:** Mon Jul 10, 2006 4:44 pm

I suspect that of all those that have that transmission design, the Odyssey has had the most failures due to the HP/torque of the 3.5L V6, higher weight, soccer mom in town stop and go driving and likelihood that more people tow with it than the others.

Dan, Sorry for the thread hijack!! Let us know if you use another ATF and if it works well or not.

DanDurusky · **Joined:** Sun Apr 10, 2005 7:31 pm **Posts:** 686

Interresting.. yeh hers is a '99 V6 Accord, but her tranny has not had any recalls we know of.

I have 3/4 a quart of Redline D4 ATF that is dexron III compatible and says ok for Honda's on the back. I think ill just top her off w/ that and think about what to flush with in a couple weeks.

Michael Westerfield · **Posted:** Tue Jul 11, 2006 12:43 pm

DanDurusky wrote:

Interresting.. yeh hers is a '99 V6 Accord, but her tranny has not had any recalls we know of.

I have 3/4 a quart of Redline D4 ATF that is dexron III compatible and says ok for Honda's on the back. I think ill just top her off w/ that and think about what to flush with in a couple weeks.

Possibly due to it being a 99. The 99TL had a different AT than the other years. It is a 4spd not a 5spd like the later years. For that reason I don't beleive it is covered by the recall. I don't know if the 4spd has the same problem. That being said, I'm also not sure if the accord ever switched to the 5spd at all, but surely the 99 has the 4spd.

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Do Hondas really need 'Honda' auto tranny fluid?

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