automatic trans fluid

[defiance]

What type of transmission fluid does the automatic take ? I looked everywhere and the guys at autozone don't seem to know dick about it so I m Asking here thanks a lot guys !

[DBMaster]

Far be it from me to tell you to use the search feature - because I just love talking about ATF. I used Mobil 1 synthetic fluid in mine for years until it died at 300,000 miles. The company that rebuilt it works with only Honda and Acura transmissions and recommends using ONLY Honda Z1 fluid. The synthetic stuff is just as expensive these days, anyway. You can order the Honda fluid online (eBay), but shipping costs will be high and you might end up better off paying $8 a quart at the dealer. It takes three quarts for a drain and refill.

Technically, these transmissions stated that you could use Dexron II and that was back in the 80's. The current standard is Dexron III so if you want to go cheaper, and possibly not get the best results, you could use that.

I used Dexron II a couple of times when the car was new and then switched to synthetic at about 40,000 miles. The shifts were firmer with the synthetic. Z1 fluid is "friction modified," whatever that means, but to me it yields shifts that feel like what I used to get with the Mobil 1.

I'd say get the Z1 and don't worry about anything else. It can go 30,000 miles between changes.

[DBMaster]

It looks like Honda's current fluid is DW1. It superseded Z1. So, get that. :)

[defiance]

Thank you for the info man ! Much apreciated

[Hauntd ca3]

after talking to the local auto trans specialist, castrol TQ95 is the stuff to use in honda autos.
it exactly the same as honda atf, coz castrol make all of hondas lubricants.
honda feo, is castrol magnatech

[defiance]

Well after looking around the engine bay I noticed something not quite right one of my oxygen sensors is completely destroyed. The wire seems to have been ripped off and is completely gone.the sensor is there but the ecu doesn't know that lol. My question is would a nonfuctioning o2 sensor cause problems with gas mileage,starting,running,or idling ?

The right one is there and intact but the left one is dead.

[DBMaster]

Hey, Hauntd,

It would be cool to try that Castrol, but it does not appear to be available in the U.S.

http://www.castrol.com/castrol/sectiongenericarticle.do?categoryId=9012211&contentId=7024042

Maybe the Transmax Import Multi-Vehicle is similar?

[defiance]

Any input about the o2 sensor guys ?

[defiance]

Also any ideas where I can get parts for these vehicles ? Parts stores don't seem to have anything due to the age of the car..

[Dr_Snooz]

The O2 sensor will cause the problems you list. Replace it. With it missing that wire, it should have given you a Check Engine Light immediately. If you haven't been seeing one, you may have problems with the ECU.

Parts stores should have everything you need for basic maintenance. The junkyard should have nearly everything else. If there is something specific you're having trouble finding, post up and we can help you.

I suspect that most of us here are buying our parts online. The quality of parts from most parts stores is hit or miss (mostly miss) and we can make sure we get the quality stuff from online.

[defiance]

Well it looks like the Castrol Fluid whether it be the Import MV or Dexron VI (Dexron III)
They are the same price. So the rumor about Honda fluid being the same as Castrol could very well be true. The Honda fluid is probaly slightly modified for their autos though. Either way its 8 bucks a quart.

Is it true this auto trans only takes 3 quarts to fill from empty ?

[DBMaster]

When you drain from the drain plug, yes, only three quarts.

[fuelinjected89AccLxi]

Is it ok to use Acura Automatic Transmission Fluid ATF DW-1 in a '89 accord that has an automatic transmission? The transmission is a Jasper remanufactured transmission. I have 4 quarts of the Acura fluid and want to make sure it's ok to use. I'm guessing it's the same as the Honda brand ATF fluid, only difference being the Acura packaging. It does say on the back of the Acura brand fluid bottle "Formulated specifically for newer Acura vehicles" so that concerns me. Here's a pic of the exact type fluid I'm referring to:
rdx.acurazine.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=8447&pictureid=42141

[dieselgus]

I just used the Castrol stuff formulated for Honda/Acura/Import. Biggest thing to check is to read all that stuff on the back of the bottle where it says "Meets or exceeds blah blah blah blah" that no one ever reads. It meets the Honda spec for Dex 2/ZF-1 etc.

3L goes in on a simple drain plug fill.

[fuelinjected89AccLxi]

Thanks

[DBMaster]

I got 300,000 miles out of my original transmission using Mobil 1 synthetic fluid. I have no idea if it would have gone further sticking with Honda ATF. I always noticed that the Mobil 1 provided pretty positive shifts. That is something I consider good (less slop), but I could be wrong.

[Maliciousmisery]

Anyone have experience with using the new DW1 fluid in a 3g AT? I ran out of z1 fluid and can't find any for a reasonable price. I am unsure if it is safe to mix the old type fluid with new while trying to flush the old out, especially with an old tranny.

[POS carb]

The auto trans uses dextron 2 which was superseded by dextron 3 aka dexmerc
as for Honda fluid, z1 was superseded by dw1
acura and honda dw1 is the same thing, the only difference is acura adds an "A" at the end of the part number 9008

[POS carb]

and change your o2 sensor, they're cheap and make a huge difference in the driveability of the vehicle

[Dr_Snooz]

I have yet to see any petro oils that don't get along when mixed. As long as you aren't adding solvents, there shouldn't be any problem.

[niles]

I have been using DW1 for around a year and the transmission performs very comparable to Z1. I did need a slight TV cable adjustment because my tranny started acting "sticky" when I drove on a cold start in the winter. But I can't exactly blame the fluid, the tranny was rebuilt by the previous owner an unknown amount of miles ago.

[gyates93]

Anyone have experience with using the new DW1 fluid in a 3g AT? I ran out of z1 fluid and can't find any for a reasonable price. I am unsure if it is safe to mix the old type fluid with new while trying to flush the old out, especially with an old tranny.

I've been using DW1 in my 3G, since Honda didn't have any Z1 to sell me. They said it is directly compatible and CAN be mixed with the Z1 fluid already existing in the transmission. Shifts have been very good and as far as I can tell the fluid has been performing just fine.