I picked up some Honda Z-1 Transmission fluid at the dealer and will be doing a drain/refill tomorrow. I will keep a sample to send it into a lab for a check. Maybe it is racing fluid they used?
Acura Tranny fluid not red?
- Thread starter Integra51089
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I'll post again. Old Honda Fluid looses its color completely. My Honda with 113,000 had this clear fluid when I purchased it. I had no problem with transmission as it shifted like butter. However this fluid I don't think had ever been changed. 4 quick drains and refills with Honda fluid was done. I am at 129,000 and no problems and fluid is now red.
Greatness I am happy now. I am glad it looses its color and someone did not put in motor oil haha thanks
I just checked my friends auto Civic and its the same color as mine. Thanks guys for re-assuring me. I just got back from my garage and I opened the nut up and gonna let it sit overnight and drain and then tomorrow morning re-fill w/ 3 quarts Honda fluid and 1 lubeguard high friction lube
Why are you using the lubeguard? I don't see why it would be needed.
Ken2 recomended it and I have heard great stuff about it. I left it draining well and its still dripping I wanna get out as much as possible.
Also I didn't know Honda fluid lost its color I almost had a heart attack!
Tomorrow morning will be refill time and test drive
Thanks!
Also I didn't know Honda fluid lost its color I almost had a heart attack!
Tomorrow morning will be refill time and test drive
Thanks!
Your clear fluid may mean your trans is in better condition than mine. I wish my ATF in my Odyssey were more clear. After 21,000 miles, it was dirty brown. Dirtier looking than motor oil after 5000 miles. Lots of stuff stuck to the drain bolt. Not good.
The yellow fluid is just a indicator of oxidation. It needs to be changed. This is very typical of original Japanese ATF fills.
Yellow/Clear --> Excessive oxidation
Brown/Black --> Overheated, possible clutch damage
Unfortunately, color change is not always a good indicator of ATF condition in some ATF forumulations. But, in the majority of cases, and most likely in your case, it's definitely time for a fluid change.
DH
Yellow/Clear --> Excessive oxidation
Brown/Black --> Overheated, possible clutch damage
Unfortunately, color change is not always a good indicator of ATF condition in some ATF forumulations. But, in the majority of cases, and most likely in your case, it's definitely time for a fluid change.
DH
thrace,
Keep that ATF changed on a regular basis in your Honda. Those transaxles are hard on the fluid and desperately need regular attention. The days of no attention needed on Honda automatics and joy of having a transmission last longer than the rest of the car are long gone.
DH
I wouldn't be surprised if there is an ATF that is clear. Somebody could have put an off brand ATF in.
Power steering fluid is very similar to ATF. The stuff that's required for my chevy truck power steering (a saginaw unit that in the old days took dextron I think) is a clear straw color if you use the GM/Delco stuff.
If it's functioning properly I wouldn't worry too much, but I'd still have it changed out immediately with the honda ATF specified so you know you're in good shape.
Power steering fluid is very similar to ATF. The stuff that's required for my chevy truck power steering (a saginaw unit that in the old days took dextron I think) is a clear straw color if you use the GM/Delco stuff.
If it's functioning properly I wouldn't worry too much, but I'd still have it changed out immediately with the honda ATF specified so you know you're in good shape.
You are so right.
I feel the hard won Honda reputation is fading fast. Even a Ford Escort or Chevy Cavalier has a more durable transmission than the Odyssey.
I now change the ATF every 2nd oil change. On the last change the ATF was brownish pink. I did not expect that buying a Honda meant more maintenance than my old Ford, but live and learn. For my next vehicle, Honda is not the front runner.
I just filled up the transmission with Honda Z-1 fluid this one is very nice and red smells fresh. I added a little under 3 quarts so I could add the Lubeguard High Friction Modifier and I checked the check and its great. I started the car put it in all the gears and they would engage smoothly. I test drove it and it runs great, seems like cold shifts are much smoother and nnot as rough.
Thanks I know I will be changing my Honda Fluid every 30k miles now
Thanks!
Thanks I know I will be changing my Honda Fluid every 30k miles now
Thanks!
Still, why did you add friction modifier to the AT? I've never heard of any Honda AT needing that stuff. Also, everyone seems to be forgetting, the color of the ATF comes from dye. It is so that you don't get all the other fluids mixed up or when you have a leak, it sort of tells you where it's coming from. I think everyone gets a little bent when the red color changes. It is NOT indicative to failed transmission fluid. Now, if the stuff smells burnt, then it is what it is. The only best way to be 100% certain that the fluid is trashed, perform a UOA.
I will say that I don't think ANY ATF is good for 100K miles. Honda, Ford, Chevy and Mopar are all saying that on their new vehicles. Be thankful that Honda still has a drain on their ATF. The days of totally sealed AT's are on the drawing board.
I will say that I don't think ANY ATF is good for 100K miles. Honda, Ford, Chevy and Mopar are all saying that on their new vehicles. Be thankful that Honda still has a drain on their ATF. The days of totally sealed AT's are on the drawing board.
I added it because of feedback I have recieved from this forum and good rating I have seen about this product. I will be doing a drain in 30k miles again so till then I guess its helping cleanout the transmission
An ATF drain on any Honda designed manual transmission is ridiculously easy, with no filter and an easy to reach drain bolt. Because there's no filter, I'd think that it would be prudent to change the fluid more often than factory recommended.
Back when I drove an '89 Integra RS, I'd change the fluid myself every 15K or 1 year (never over 15K miles) with Honda ATF. Of course this was after I started getting serious about maintenance. I didn't change it for about 40K miles, and did three changes in one week with regular Dexron-III ATF. Then I switched over to Honda ATF. This was back when the owner's manual said Dex-II was acceptable.
Back when I drove an '89 Integra RS, I'd change the fluid myself every 15K or 1 year (never over 15K miles) with Honda ATF. Of course this was after I started getting serious about maintenance. I didn't change it for about 40K miles, and did three changes in one week with regular Dexron-III ATF. Then I switched over to Honda ATF. This was back when the owner's manual said Dex-II was acceptable.
I will say that I don't think ANY ATF is good for 100K miles. Honda, Ford, Chevy and Mopar are all saying that on their new vehicles. Be thankful that Honda still has a drain on their ATF. The days of totally sealed AT's are on the drawing board. After reading this I retract my statement that you only need to change your transmission fluid one time. Perhaps the way the transmission evolved or now many have less fluid but what once was is no more I guess. To be safe do a fluid report at say 30000 miles. If it needs to be dumped sooner than that they really did a job on these transmissions.I had a 99 Acura CL bought it new and had the ATF changed at about 10K at the dealer. by 20K the trans. was slipping clunking badly. Then I read that year about how they were poorly designed.I traded it in on a New Hyundai.Just as the Camry built a Sludge bucket engine Acura did it with a few CL & TL models.
The service manual for a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic says:
Severe: 50,000 mile change for transmission fluid/filter
Non-severe: Nothing. It says nothing about when to change the fluid for non-severe service. Apparently they think it isn't needed.
Severe: 50,000 mile change for transmission fluid/filter
Non-severe: Nothing. It says nothing about when to change the fluid for non-severe service. Apparently they think it isn't needed.
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