itsromy

just wondering what the best tranny fluid is to use when changing the fluid. its about that time for me to change my fluid... i have a 2001 3.2 CL-P

just want to hear what fluid some of you use. thanks!

itsromy

is redline good to use for this car??

phipark

I would just stick to Honda for tranny fluid.

itsromy

thanks, anymore suggestions?? how about synthetic fluids??

Allout

Amsoil is what I recommend. I've been using it for around 4 years and it seems to hold up better than Honda Z1. Amsoil ATF is one of the few synthetics that is says that it meets Z1 specs. Others have used Redline without a problem but the last time I looked, Redline still was not willing to say that their fluid met Honda Z1 specs. Both fluids are very good but if you're concerned about warranty issues, I would stick with either Honda Z1 or Amsoil synthetic ATF.

http://www.amsoil.com/StoreFront/atf.aspx

BigLizard

Stick to Honda synthetic ATF.

Bobbydoedoe

anyone here uses the GM synochmesh? the ppl at hondatech and s2ki loves that stuff

NightRider

I have heard good things about synchromesh, but with our ridiculous trannies....???

Allout

Some have gone to Syncromesh for their manual gearboxes. It's not a replacement fluid for autos.

Autos are the ones with problems. 6MT boxes seem to be holding up fine.

itsromy

what do you use Allout??

NSXNEXT

iTrader: (2)

...

QUOTE=Allout]Amsoil is what I recommend. I've been using it for around 4 years and it seems to hold up better than Honda Z1. Amsoil ATF is one of the few synthetics that is says that it meets Z1 specs. Others have used Redline without a problem but the last time I looked, Redline still was not willing to say that their fluid met Honda Z1 specs. Both fluids are very good but if you're concerned about warranty issues, I would stick with either Honda Z1 or Amsoil synthetic ATF.

http://www.amsoil.com/StoreFront/atf.aspx[/QUOTE]

TRILIGHT

So far, as I wait for my Z1 to arrive, I am using Mobil1 synthetic ATF with LubeGard Black added to add the appropriate friction modifiers. The car shifts as smooth as silk! The LubeGard made a huge difference when I added it. Now, this being said, I am still switching to the Z1 when it arrives. The Mobil1 + LubeGard is more expensive anyway! However, I am going to use the less expensive Dexron III spec fluid for drain/fills in the future with the final fill being with the Z1. It's just silly to waste the expensive fluid on a drain/fill process.

fender4

same, I use AMsoil trans fluid and oil/filter in my 01 cl-s, 92 legend, 05 Ody.

you can mix it in if you want to, just drain the 3 qts and then add .

Allout

I've run Amsoil in our 99 TL-P and I used to run Amsoil when I had the 2003 TL-S. Shifts are more consistent and not as suceptable to temperature - one of the benefits of Synthetic. Amsoil ATF and a tranny cooler make a big difference.

itsromy

does a tranny cooler void your warranty??? i have a bout 2.5 years left on my warranty... so, if it doesnt void it, i might seriously look into doing that.

Allout

I had an issue that required the regional rep's intervention. When I asked him about the tranny cooler, he thought it was a good idea. I think anyone would be hard pressed to say that a tranny cooler caused a tranny failure. Tranny coolers are sold for the MDX and Pilot as part of their tow packages so the factory does recognize the benefits of a tranny cooler.

fender4

I have the comptech trans cooler on my cl-s. When the trans went out they didn't even ask about it, just gave me a new trans and hooked the cooler back up.

TRILIGHT

Makes one wonder what the hell good it is then if the underlying tranny design is crap anyway. Wonder how long the new one will last ya. I'm sure they didn't redesign it.

fender4

not entirely true, being a engineer,, I look at the corrective actions that the rebuilt units have in place. yes a new design has come out but hopefully my fix will last until my sell off at 200k.

TRILIGHT

You're a tranny engineer? Cool! What have they changed in the replacement units? Thanks!

fender4

no, sorry for misleading,, Electrical Engineer, aero-space. point being habit of reading all corrective actions,, My job is analysing field failues and working designs for corrective actions. I have to work both electrical and structure dynamic failures. Read the detailed reports posted from for transmission failures and there were others posted in news paper articals,, I didn't save them but with research you can find them. By memory it was the material in the plates, there was something else but I can't remember. All in all it was still a total cost analysis that only allow a quick fix until the next gen trans came out.

Again sorry for mis leading about being a automotive transmission specialist, in my business we are paid to pretend to be experts in all fields of science.

TRILIGHT

Ah Ok so I'm curious what they replaced your tranny with? Was it a tranny with a new design/materials or was it just the same tranny but a new one with an oil jet kit installed? I'm just wondering if they actually put something better in or just the same old thing that has a very good chance of failing again in the future.

If the new one is a new design and/or materials and has a better chance of surviving, I might actually work to get it replaced before my 100k bumper-to-bumper warranty is up. Install a tranny cooler and keep the car for a good long time. However, if it is the same old thing, I may have to just dump the car before 100k because I don't want to take the risk. Thanks for the info!

fender4

They replaced it with a rebuilt unit that had the upgrades completed. This design doesn't need the oil jet, my old trans had this done at 45k miles and my tranny failed at 89k miles. I am assuming the upgaded unit will last at least another 89k miles. With that said there are people on this forum who are on their third and forth tranny. I also run syn trans oil and change out 3 qts every 20k miles.

I mostly drive hw 100 miles daily. But I have all the comptech stuff headers ect,, so I don't baby it all the time

TRILIGHT

Thanks again for the good info, fender4! I just ordered a case of ATF-Z1 and will be changing it out about every 20k as you do. I pretty much baby mine. No performance mods or racing. I do drive like a maniac on Houston freeways when people won't get out of my way though.

immy

only acura tranny fluid of course watch if u use the american stuff ur tranny will jus feel like crap go to acura and get the japanese stuff

TRILIGHT

Ok, I just got my ATF-Z1 in today! Changed the fluid out to the Z1 and added the Smart Blend ATF Protectant from Life Automotive. All I can say is WOW!!!! I thought the change to the M1 with the HFM was good (over whatever was in the car before). This is unbelievable! I don't know if it is the Z1 by itself (a huge factor I'm sure!) or the addition of the Smart Blend but it is SO buttery smooth now! The car drives like it is brand new off the showroom floor! I will definitely not ever use anything else!

TallyCL-S

Yeah the difference is significant when you change the old fluid w/ the new ATF-Z1.

TRILIGHT

Well, here's the thing. I'm sure some if it might have to do with the fact that I was sort of "flushing" the system. About a week ago, I added SeaFoam tranny stuff, drove around for about 20 miles, then dumped it all. Not knowing a lot about the tranny at the time, I loaded it up with Mobil1 ATF. Then I got worried since it wasn't the same as OEM. A couple of days later, I added LubeGard friction modifier in the black bottle which is supposed to convert regular Dexron III fluid into something more similar to OEM. It did make a big difference when I added the LubeGard! I could tell right away!

Today I finally got my ATF-Z1 and the Smart Blend. It may be even better if I dump a third time and change it out. I know a lot of people recommend 3 times. All I know is that the Z1 with the Smart Blend right now is so far and away better than the Mobil1 + HFM! I bought a case of it so I'm good for a while. I don't want to waste it so I'll probably just drive it as is and begin my drain/fill process every 20,000 miles. I am just SO pleased with how well it runs now! Night and day difference!

beav626

How much of the Smart Blend ATF Protectant do you add?

TRILIGHT

All of it. It is 296mL. It takes right at 3 quarts to fill so I put in 2 quarts of Z1, then added the bottle of Smart Blend, and then poured the 3rd bottle of Z1 in until the fluid was at the 300mL mark on the side. Perfect fill.

SodaLuvr

Lubegard Red is much better than the SmartBlend equivalent, IMO. These products are merely LXE type products that will condition seals and improve oxidation resistance, somewhat.

You were much better off using M1 ATF and Lubegard HFM Supplement. The M1 is a much better fluid and will provide better resistance to heat and last longer under high-temp conditions.

It appears that Honda's TCM is not as sensitive and/or sophisticated as GM's, so shift times and feel will be greatly affected by fluid choice.

It's not uncommon to need to add 1.5oz/qt of Lubegard HFM Supplement to Dexron-III(H) or Dexron-VI to achieve identical shift "feel" as the genuine product. The smoother shifts though, as for their affect on longevity of the unit, is debateable.

SodaLuvr

Let me see if I'm understanding you correctly...

You added Seafoam (or tranny stuff, identical btw), drove for 20 miles, then drained and refilled your transmission ONCE with M1 ATF.

Then you added 10oz of Lubegard HFM Supplement.

And today, you did another single ATF drain/refill with ATF-Z1 and 10oz of SmartBlend protectant.

Dude, do you know wtf you're doing???

First, you still have a load of seafoam in your transmission. That stuff is very strong...and could damage the internal parts in the long-term, especially considering that Honda transmissions have a significantly smaller fluid volume in comparison to most units...so the dosage is much stronger if you had followed their directions.

Second, you have way too much friction modifier in the transmission. You overdosed the Lubegard HFM, now you added SmartBlend Red, which still has a slight FM capability.

Honda's TCM does not seem to adjust for shift times to the same extent as GM units, which is possibly why you are seeing significantly smoother shifts. With this much friction modifier in your transmission, you could be experiencing accelerated clutch wear.

You need to drain/fill this unit with Z1 to remove as much of this "soup" as possible. Then add 6 ounces of Lubegard Red if desired...

TRILIGHT

WTF am *I* doing? Do you really want me to post what you originally said before quickly deciding to change your story??

So don't pretend you know it all. Afterall, what you said originally was BS. As for the SeaFoam, it is the tranny version, not regular SeaFoam. There is not a "load" of it in my tranny, smartass. In addition to being drained with the original fluid, it was cleaned out even more by draining out the replacement M1 stuff. Which, as I mentioned before, was worse than the Z1 + SmartBlend.

SodaLuvr

Uhh...there's a reason why it changed as I realized it, lol. Nothing to do with being a smartass whatsoever...

You're missing the point here. Draining the unit only removes around 40% of the fluid, and after the second time...you would've still removed only 65% or so of the original "mix."

Unless of course...you mean by "dumping it all" to be draining/refilling three or more times, then I'm wrong...

Flyingfool

I would just stick to Honda for tranny fluid too.

Does anyone know how much more fluid is required when adding the tow package cooler?

Thanks,
Flyingfool