YungMoola15

Hey people just wondering what fluids I should use to do my WHOLE fluid change.

Brake fluid
Power steering fluid
Transmission fluid

Most important is the transmission fluid, now I have done some research and the consensus about which fluid to use it broken. Some say to use OEM Honda ATF-D1 but other's say that causes tranny fail. I am thinking about Redline D4 or Amsoil. I am a complete noob to this so I have no experience so hopefully one of you gurus can help me out.

Car currently has 135k original everything and I want to keep it that way so doing the transmission fluid change is eminent.

Also do you guys think brake fluid and power steering fluid replacement is necessary? If so, please recommend me some fluids.

Thank you very much for reading.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

honda power steering fluid.

you can use any Dot 3or 4 or 5.1 fluid. DO NOT USE DOT 5.

YungMoola15

What about tranny fluid?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

shit, i dunno...I have a 6MT.

Acidicheartburn

I've heard some say to use the NEW Honda AT fluid and flush it every or every other oil change.

Universe93B

Use the Honda DW-1 tranny fuild. The Honda Z1 is the older one. The DW1 is supposed to be fully synthetic I think. DW-1 is supposed to be better in extreme temps, either high or low.

YungMoola15

Damn. What about castrol transmax multi vehicle import? It cost me $4 per quart whereas dw1 would've cost $10

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

so, does that mean you already put the castrol stuff in?!

YungMoola15

No I haven't put it in yet. I bought it from amazon.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

dont. I would only put in Honda fluid, or fluid that is better than Honda fluid.

I dont think that castrol stuff is as great as the new honda fluid.

Universe93B

Agreed. You may want to use different brands for the other fluids, but for tranny fluid, only go with Honda. Any little help our transmission can get!

CM6

Brake fluid - as stated above, any DOT 3, 4, 5.1
P/S - ONLY HONDA - Honda's power steering fluid is specifically engineered for Honda vehicles.
ATF - HONDA DW-1. A 3X drain and fill will ensure that the fluid is perfectly clean and protect your already-at-risk transmission.

YungMoola15

Hey thanks. What about royal purple PS fluid? And 3x drain is draining 3 qts right? Or 9qts? Should I get 3 qts or 9? I thought a 3x3 meant draining 3 qts and refilling 3 qts.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

you're making things very hard for yourself!!
honda power steering fluid.
the royal purple might or might not exceed Honda's fluid requirement.

3x3 means... you drain once, you fill once. drive around the block.
then do it again, 2 more times.
so, you're draining 3x and youre filling it back up 3 times.
you'll need a total of 9 quarts

CL-S progression 01

iTrader: (2)

3x3 does not mean the trans fluid is completely new... U can only drain the to converter area and then fill it. Then it mixes with the rest of the fluid. Then when u do it again u are actually removing some of the new fluid u just put in.

So a 3x3 is not the bees knees. It's good if it's the first time u ever done it. But on the reg it's pointless. U will get more better results if u do it just once ever oil change.

U also have an external ATF filter that no one bothers replaceing it for some reason,... I did.

As for the fluid..

When u drain it, sometimes u get more than 3 quarts if u measure what comes out. So I would have 4 if I planned on doing 1 trans fluid change.

YungMoola15

Thanks, I know there's a filter but it's very difficult to replace (remove many things to gain access) Is it important to replace the filter?

YungMoola15

So I shouldn't use the Royal Purple stuff then? Damn I F'd up twice, first with the tranny fluid and then the steering.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

read the contents!
if it exceeds Honda, then it is okay.
Ive never dealt with royal purple, so I dont know.

the simple thing would be to grab honda power steering fluid and honda tranny fluid

CL-S progression 01

iTrader: (2)

the atf filter is not that hard to get to...

trust me... try it on an MDX and then u will see how impossible it can be... the cl is a breeze in comparison IMHO.

u just need a 10 mm wrench and then an adjustable wrench to unscrew the atf filter from the one end. the other is just held in via pressure with the 2 10mm bolts.

I changed mine cause it was original and i had just gotten my trans rebuild for the second time and i put the cooler on and the trans temp gauge and the last thing i could do to help her out was the filter.

it's a flow through design... kinda weird. I was thinking of putting in one or 2 rare earth magnets to catch even more clutch material... like the trans fluid drain plug does.

but i was skeptical and decided not to in case the magnets happen to take a hike into the transmission. LOL

johndo18

After many many threads of research this is what i can contribute is the best for the CL:

6 spd fluid: GM Syncromesh
AT fluid: Honda
Brake: ate type 200, motul rf600, motul dot 5.1, castrol gt lma
Power steering: Honda

Your welcome

LoeyD

This is so helpful. I'm a newbie and want to take care of my car as much as I can