The ATF-Z1 is gone. My dealer has only ATF-DW1 ($8) for the trans and DPSF all-wheel-drive fluid ($10) for the rear diff.

Has anyone been switched over to the new fluids? Comments? Shift quality? Noticable differences?

 

I am about 14-17,000 on DP2 @ rear diff, seems the dp2 and possibly dpsf is more "grabby" if you will during the winter.

 

Just had the trans oil changed and DW1 was listed on my bill. Shifting does not seem as quick or firm as prior. Sometimes the 3-4 shift seems to feel like a little slippage happens, but otherwise seems OK.

 

Thanks for the responses.

The dealers are being told to drain a quart and put one quart of ATF-Z1 back in to the trans if customers complain about the shift feel. But my dealer has no Z1 left at all.

Anyone else notice anything?

 

I honda Dual pump II is the same just marketed as DPSF, save you some money.

I know honda's like their tranny sauces to be honda/acura brand only, is there an synthetic non OEM alternative for z1?

I thought the RDX was CVT, correct me if i am wrong.

 

nope.. no cvt.

 

They have plenty of ATF-Z1 on E-bay, you can get a case of 12 qts for $50.

 

Still concerned about some reported shift feel issues with DW1.

So I did some reading about alternatives to Z1 now that it is in short supply. The only aftermarket stuff I would even consider is Castrol Import Multi-Vehicle ATF. Mostly good reports, but of course it is not actually approved by Honda. (Some others like Redline and Amsoil had more reports of major issues.)

Trans change: Carquest still stocks genuine Honda ATF-Z1 for about $8/qt. I have a trans change due and I think I'm going to stay with Z1 for another 30k and see how the DW1 is working out.

SH-AWD change: The Dual Pump II (DPSF) was available for the Pilot and CR-V long before the RDX was ever built, but Honda still choose ATF-Z1 for the rear diff. Now that Z1 is gone, they are recommending DPSF for the RDX rear diff -- hmm, is DPSF the second best choice for those clutches?

I've got a diff change due soon and I think I'll use Z1 yet again, while I can.

 

Z1 is plentiful and cheap on E-bay, get 2 cases and you'll be set for the next 5 years.

 

Told dealer trans shifted sluggish after the fluid change and other dealers were pulling a quart of the new oil out and replacing it with the old ATF-Z1, and they did that at no charge. At first they said only the new stuff was in stock, and I pointed to their display in the service lobby where several were on the shelf, and they took one and did not say a word. Driving away from the dealer I noticed a change back to the nice positive shifts of old. The sluggish 3-4 shift was gone.

 

I'm on DW-1 for transmission, switching to DPSF when I do the oil change this weekend. Shifting with DW-1 is smooth no issues. Car has 77K on it now.

 

Thanks for the info jimmyR. Glad you advocated for yourself.

Mau108, did you get a full flush? (Some dealers only drain 4 quarts.)

 

credible source???

 

I've been using it in the rear dif for some time now.. Im past recommended service interval intentionally, still no prob. Also Acura adds an "a" to Honda fluids and parts.

https://acurazine.com/forums/1g-rdx-diy-faq-161/new-honda-atf-rear-diff-fluid-792655/

Source Honda and Acura,lol

You don't have to take my word for it tho. Ask the Honda parts guys, then ask acura parts. I am gonna run non honda/Acura fluids next. A few conversations with a fellow ht & az members has me thinking about trying a ATF-z1 alternative. Guinney pigging is what I do. Mainly out of boredom.

 

I've been doing single drain and fills every 25K so I didn't do a 3x3, I'm going to another drain and fill this weekend.

 

^^ Thanks. Since it appears to take only a quart of Z1 to restore shift feel, then maybe even a DIY 3x3 drain may not be enough to eliminate all the Z1. I guess we will find out soon enough.

I checked one on-line Honda/Acura dealer and Dual-Pump II and DPSF were both priced the same at $7.35/qt. So if your dealer is charging more for Acura fluid, I'd look around.

Still raises the question though: if DP II and DPSF are indeed the same, then why did they not choose DP II for the RDX 5 years ago? Was Z1 better until it became unavailable?

 

Do you have the part number for DP II and DPSF? If they are similar (as in H is turned in to an A) then they are the same fluid.

 

Looks like they are

DPSF - 08200-9007A - http://acura.bernardiparts.com/08200-9007A.aspx
Dual Pump II - 08200-9007 - http://www.bernardiparts.com/Honda-D...8200-9007.aspx

 

Thanks.

Which returns us to the question:
If the Honda/Acura Dual Pump fluid was available 5 years ago (and now the replacement), why was it not chosen for the RDX diff until now?

 

The only people whom can answer that would be Honda. Let us know if you find out.

 

We have an answer to the differential fluid question.

I was at my dealer today. They are a joint Honda/Acura dealer with both service depts under one roof.

I asked both a Honda tech and an Acura tech about the difference between Dual Pump II and DPSF, regarding the nearly identical part numbers. They both agreed that the fluids are different and perform two different jobs:

1. The Dual Pump II does far less work in Honda differentials and at a much lower temperature. The Dual Pump II has an amber/caramel color and a specific odor.

2. The DPSF works much harder in Acura SH-AWD differentials, at much higher temperatures and must cool and lubricate the electronically controlled wet clutch packs. The DPSF has a pink color and a specific odor of its own. Despite the nearly identical part numbers, the fluids are quite different.

They also said that just the day before, they got a call from a Honda only dealer. That dealer had an Acura in for SH-AWD service and didn't know if they could use Dual Pump II, since that was all they stocked. The Honda only dealer questioned the part number similarity and were confused by it as well. My dealer told them "no #%&-ing way" and sent them 3 quarts of DPSF.

Also, the nice parts lady told me they have a supplier problem getting the ATF-DW1, and were able to get more ATF-Z1 instead. So I picked up 2 cases of Z1 at my personal discount.

 

AcuraClientCare AcuraClientRelations
@DmitryBan Thx 4 ur patience. We've researched ur concern & confirm both fluids R the same. Pls let us know if u have any additional ?'s.^SR

from Acura service in the Twitter

 

I mean
08200-9007A for Acura and 08200-9007 for Honda