How important is it to only use Honda ATF?

[skaughtz]

About 4000 miles ago my wife took her 2012 Civic LX into a shop to have some quick, routine maintenance done since I wasn't around at the time and she had to travel. One of the things she had done was a partial drain and refill of the ATF as per the mechanics suggestion. The car had about 37,000 miles on it at the time and has 41,000 miles on it now. I'm not sure why I thought of it today, but I called to ask what kind of ATF the shop uses and was told Peak Multi Vehicle full synthetic (and was assured that it meets Honda's specs). After doing some research (and checking the manual) I've read multiple suggestions that the only ATF that should go in this car is the Honda ATF DW-1. It was still running on the ATF filled at the factory, so the Peak was mixed with the original Honda ATF. Now I'm paranoid about potential future trouble with this transmission.

Any danger here?

Should I get it flushed and refilled with the Honda ATF?

I appreciate any advice/reassurance

 

[Donald]

I would verify from a label that the Peak ATF does indeed meet the specs for Honda. If it does you should be fine. I know many people use Amsoil ATF without problems in a Honda. I am not of the school that only Honda ATF should go in a Honda.

 

[147_Grain]

I assume the transmission is shifting fine since the ATF change.

I doubt there will be any issues. Doing another drain and fill with MaxLife LV ATF is also worth considering for improved longterm durability.

 

[antiqueshell]

You don't have to use Honda branded ATF, but YOU DO HAVE TO USE A FLUID THAT MEETS Z-1 and or DW-1 Honda specs, the DW-1 being required since about 2011 and DW-1 can be used on all Honda vehicles prior to 2011 as well.

If the fluid doesn't meet the spec for your model year car
DO NOT USE IT.

MaxLife products do NOT meet DW-1 requirements.

 

[PandaBear]

You are likely ok if it is a multi-vehicle fluid that said something like "recommended for Honda / Acura DW1" spec.

But I wouldn't go back to this mechanic anymore if they aren't up front with you before the job start.

 

[147_Grain]

Valvoline's ATF Application Guide "recommends" MaxLife or Import Vehicle ATF for the OP's Honda Civic.

 

[antiqueshell]

Originally Posted By: 147_Grain
Valvoline's ATF Application Guide "recommends" MaxLife or Import Vehicle ATF for the OP's Honda Civic.


I just looked up the PDS sheets for both and NEITHER state that they meet or are recommended for Honda and Acura applications requiring
the later 2011 and later DW-1 specification.

They only are recommended for the older Z-1 specification.

 

[Bud_One]

According to their spec sheet online - it can be used for DW-1 Honda spec.

http://tinyurl.com/kzxghlz

 

[bulwnkl]

I've used Red Line D6 in a Honda A/T that specs DW1 with good results before. I've also had good service from the Honda fluid.

 

[CKN]

I had a Honda Accord I used for business. It saw alot of road. I used the Castrol Multi Vehicle or the Honda fluid. I would alternate fluids without issue. Traded in the car with 113,000 miles with no issues with the transmission. BudOne is right-it's OK to use per the manufacturer of the Fluid.

 

[Leo99]

Originally Posted By: CKN
I had a Honda Accord I used for business. It saw alot of road. I used the Castrol Multi Vehicle or the Honda fluid. I would alternate fluids without issue. Traded in the car with 113,000 miles with no issues with the transmission. BudOne is right-it's OK to use per the manufacturer of the Fluid.


113k miles is not enough miles to draw any conclusions. You'd likely have had no tranny issues on the factory fill at only 113k miles.

 

[mclasser]

I've never really been a fan of "multi-vehicle" ATF. Honda's are picky about ATF and I only stick to DW1 on my cars.

I'd do a 3X D/F to get the Peak stuff out and refill the system with OEM fluid.

 

[HangFire]

A few people on the Pilot forum are running MaxLife with success, it does change the shift dynamics a bit. I haven't heard of anyone using Peak, so that's a bit of an unknown.

Is this your ATF?
http://images.peakauto.com/PEAK_syn_multi_ATF_MERC_LV_spec_sheet 4.15.15.pdf

If so, be aware it is "recommended" for different applications that have very different hot and cold viscosity requirements.

 

[Bill_G]

Originally Posted By: mclasser
I've never really been a fan of "multi-vehicle" ATF. Honda's are picky about ATF and I only stick to DW1 on my cars.

I'd do a 3X D/F to get the Peak stuff out and refill the system with OEM fluid.


+1

I don't know why folks are so resistant to spending a few bucks more and just use what the vehicle manufacturer recommends is best for their vehicle. Head scratcher.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

You do not have to use OEM ATF from Honda, but you do need something that meets DW1 standards.

Most of the popular low-viscosity synthetic ATF's will meet DW1.

Mag 1 Low-Vis (probably the cheapest)
Peak Synthetic ATF
Castrol Synthetic ATF (relatively new)
Castrol Import Multi (syn blend, but semi-popular on here)

If you like Castrol, I'd go with the full synthetic since it's the same price as the import-multi, which is a blend.

Also, that Civic has a maintenance minder; you don't need to change the fluid until the MM tells you to, and when it does, you only need to drain and fill once.

 

[dmark]

I do not know if it is Honda approved but Peak recommends it as DW-1 compatible (http://www.peakauto.com/products/functio...ti-vehicle-atf/).
I use and prefer MaxLife DexMerc. My Odyssey shifts firmer (which I like) and when the 08 Pilot drivetrain warranty expires this year it will switch from DW-1 to MaxLife.
Kudos to your mechanic for doing a D&F at this time- it is often neglected.

 

[antiqueshell]

Originally Posted By: Bud_One
According to their spec sheet online - it can be used for DW-1 Honda spec.

http://tinyurl.com/kzxghlz




I've looked on the actual bottles of each product and NOWHERE
on the label does it say recommended for/ or meets Honda DW-1
specifications.

 

[ThirdeYe]

Just make sure that it meets the necessary specs (DW-1 or Z-1) and you should be fine. I always used Amsoil ATF in my Acura when I had it. I put almost 100k on the Amsoil stuff and the transmission still shifted great at 217k overall.

 

[EdwardC]

Since the PDF claims it is ok for DW-1 use and you haven't noticed anything weird so far, I'd just keep it in.

What I would do is just accelerate the next drain and fill. I figure it's still 50% DW-1, so maybe in 6,000 mi, do a drain and fill, then it'll roughly be 75% DW-1. Then go back to what you were originally planning.

On my Hondas, I've done a DnF at 50-60k, then another DnF every 20-30k.

 

[Mr Nice]

Use Honda ATF.