I have a 2002 Acura TL and want to buy transmission fluid. On Advance Auto Part's website it says I can use the Castrol Transmax High Mileage Automatic Transmission Fluid. In my manual it says to use Honda ATF-Z1 but it's very expensive. I really want to buy the Castrol brand because it is cheaper and has that high milage quality. Can I use the Castrol and if not, why is it showing that it's compatible with my Acura?

 

Use Acura/Honda DW1. ATF-Z1 is the older Honda/Acura fluid they have changed to DW1.

These transmissions issues. I would only use DW1.

When you do a drain and fill you will only get 3 quarts out. So to change all the fluid you will have to drain/fill take it for a short drive, shift through all the gears then drain/fill again. Do this 3 times.

 

ATF-Z1 was Discontinued in 2011 so you can only find expensive old stock..
It was superseded by ATF DW-1 which is better.

 

You know what's expensive? Another transmission

 

^^^^^ this

 

Thanks for that very insightful comment.

 

I have later found out that the Castrol is ATF-Z1 compliant. I thought only the 2003 models had the transmission issues? I have 115,000 miles so far and the transmission seems to shift like a dream.

 

Famous last words.. but don't take our word for it.. what do we know

 

Truthfully, I don't know you from a hole on the bottom of my shoe. But I never said I wouldn't take advice from you all. That's why I'm here.

 

 

I will advice you not to try Aftermarket fluids on our picky and Troublesome transmission. Honda automatics are like nothing on the Domestic Market and using Universal Oils is just asking for trouble, The last time I tried anything but OEM ATF I ended up with a burnt transmission (It was Expensive ASF AMSOIL SYN ATF not off the shelf AUTOZONE stuff) and it was also Z1 "Compliant".. Bear in mind Honda DOES NOT Aprove any Aftermarket oil, "Compliant" just means it can work not that is Aproved by OEM or Tested to be better than OEM.

Honda ergo Acura design their ATF Specifically for their use and it means lots of anti slip properties not commonly found on Domestic Transmissions. That is my Advice, Stick to OEM ATF on Hondas/Acuras.

 

Lol did Castrol buy you dinner or something? People already told you not to use it, and you're trying to defend it. You do you, bud.

 

Honda DW-1. I think I saw a case of twelve on amazon for around 90 bucks if it is still there. The Honda dealers have them at a discount also if you buy 12.

Two fluids you should use for certain from Honda is Power Steering and Transmission fluid.

 

All of them have issues, most of which weren't worked out of the entire Honda line until the mid 2000s. Here's a list of models to avoid like the plague, and even then I'm probably missing some on the list:

98-02 Accord
03-05 Accord
98-04 Odyssey
99-03 TL
97-01 Prelude
01-03 CL
01-05 MDX
01-04 Pilot
01-03 Civic

As stated, Honda's A/T isn't like anything sold on the market (during its time). It's specifically designed to work with ATF-Z1 (ATF-DW-1 now), and the owner's manual states only to use other fluid in an emergency situation and to replace it with Honda fluid immediately, otherwise damage could occur.

 

Castrol may say it's complaint but that doesn't mean it equal to Acura OEM fluid. These transmission issues are not just 2003 issues. The are all the 2nd gen. with the exception of the 99 4 speeds.

I just looked the cost of Castrol at advanced it's not much cheaper than DW1. Look up a case on Amazon for DW1. Look around you can find it for under 10 bucks a quart. I understand saving money on these older car but this may be the absolute last area you want to do that.

 

I always do me. That didn't sound right but I said it. Where exactly is my defense of Castrol? I could give a care about them. I said I would like to buy it and then posted a pic of why I would. I'm here for advice not to start an argument.

 

People told you not to use it, and to use only the OEM fluid. Here's your response:
If your here for advice, then take it. Or don't, idc about your transmission.

 

Thanks you unregistered troll.

 

I think if you read the label there is no where on it which says Castrol is ATF-Z1 compliant; what it does say is it is "recommended for". A very different qualification, and one which I would not be willing to bet my transmission on. If you get on the Castrol web site you can bring up the PDS (Product Data Sheet) for the ATF you're looking at and see the only standard they list under "Industry Specifications and OEM Approvals" is JASO-1A.

 

No worries, buddy. Sorry I outlined your ignorance so clearly that you couldn't respond properly.

 

People respond to you the way you present yourself, I least I do. You didn't outline anything for me. In fact, you were zero help at all. But away with you. I have better things to do than argue with some troll on the internet on Memorial Day.

 

So just use Castrol and report back when it works fine or your transmission combusts

 

Because of all of you cutting me a new one, I've decided to buy the Honda ATF. But maybe you or the others can answer me this, why is Amazon telling me the Honda Genuine DW-1 does not fit my vehicle?

 

Hmm... Everyone is cutting you a new one. I wonder why. Could it be you? Nahh

 

It has to be a glitch because it says it doesn`t fit my 2001 Acura TL.

Furthermore, you can sign up at myacura.com and get a manual downloaded for free. It might say in the manual to use the old fluid but it is DW-1. DW-1 is much bettter than the old stuff. Keep inmind also there is a spin off transmission filter right next to the fill bolt. 4-10mm screws and it`s off, kind of tight but doable.

Transmission filter, around 14 bucks. Yours is most likely toast.

 

Amazon is not a good source to find fluid compatibility.. DW-1 IS the new ATF from Honda and Acura and it's backwards.compatible to Z1..
You can trust us or just give a quick call to any Dealership.

 

Contrary to popular belief. There can be mistakes online. Amazon's part finder isn't exactly 100% accurate all the time. Just trust us.

 

I'm glad we cleared that up. I'm about to purchase it.

 

I have another question. Someone mentioned changing the transmission filter also. In my manual it doesn't even mention anything about that. If you change the fluid you should change the filter, right? I've read some Acuras transmission filter cannot be changed, is that true?

 

Newer transmissions have the filter access inside the bell housing which means is not user replaceable. We call those internal filters which your Transmission have BUT there is also a spin on filter which can be replaced in our trans.. That is the filter "Nicks2001tl" mentioned.
You can replace that but not the internal filter.

Also the Owners Manual is a very basic Manual.. The spin on filter is mentioned in the Service Manual.

 

I should have given Nicks2001tl the credit for the idea. I just noticed the name and his car is only 1 year older than mine. So, should I replace the spin on filter, is it worth the hassle?

 

Why else would we suggest it?

 

Thanks. Now I have even more work to do with that filter suggestion. By your name, your car is only 1 year older. Out of curiosity, how many miles do you have on her?

 

200,000+

You will find a lot 2nd gen TL owners with a lot of miles on there cars because of age but they run really strong.

 

just for curiosity, it may be interesting to open the old filter just to see what kind of debris accumulation is inside. i changed the external filter on my car's transmission at 200 K and after cutting it open, found it to be in better condition than i expected, with only a mild amount of contamination. the filter, appeared to be original to the car, with no indication that it had ever been changed. initially, when i purchased my car, June, 2014, i asked the Honda Dealer i bought it from, to perform a transmission fluid service and transmission oil filter replacement, prior to purchase. the Dealer advised that "the 2003 Acura TL transmission was equipped with an internal filter only, which is not serviceable"! being new to the 2G TL, i took the dealers word for it. to date, 230 K plus miles and several drain and refills, always using Honda DW1 fluid, the transmission is still operating perfectly, knock on wood!

 

Just to play devils advocate here, Honda/Acura and almost all of the other manufacturers don't actually MAKE fluids of any kind. They buy aftermarket and rebrand it for themselves. One of those Autozone/NAPA options on the shelf is actually what you're going to be getting anyway. I thought this was common knowledge already? Its not unicorn blood....

The ONLY reason to buy dealership fluids is if you have a car under warranty still. If you use aftermarket brands they can use that as an excuse or cause and not cover warranty work. No other reasons.

 

While what you say is true, ATF is a different animal entirely. True, Honda most likely does not make their own ATF, however, they most likely do contract it out and have it made to a very specific formulation relative to Coefficient of Friction (COF), the same as pretty much every other manufacturer. The thing about COF is, if it is incorrect, even if the base oil is far superior, you will shorten the life of your transmission, period, full-stop, the end. Long story short, unless a Honda/Acura automatic transmission has been rebuilt using different clutch material versus what is specified by the factory, then the ONLY ATF you should be using is Honda (unless and until Honda decides to license out the formula and certify compliance similar to how Chrysler has done with ATF+4).

 

That gives me hope.

 

Interesting.

 

Couldn't agree more here. Not uncommon to find TLs with 200k+ miles. The J series V6 is among the most reliable ever built, IMO.