Can anyone tell me which is better to use - Honda brand transmission fluid or Valvoline Maxlife fluid? (Or is there something better?) I want to change my tranny fluid to see if it helps with some weird shifting going on, but I don't want to pay too much if I can help it since I'm planning on selling it soon. Thoughts?
dudlet
I would avoid the Valvoline ATF.
How often do you change your tranny fluid?
when are you thinking of selling it?
Oftentimes a tranny fluid change, esp when long overdue, will expose pre-existing problems with the tranny. If you are planning on keeping the van for awhile, go with OEM or a top quality synthetic. I use Mobil 1, I might go Amsoil my next change. Our Trannies are very delicate so proceed with caution.
How often do you change your tranny fluid?
when are you thinking of selling it?
Oftentimes a tranny fluid change, esp when long overdue, will expose pre-existing problems with the tranny. If you are planning on keeping the van for awhile, go with OEM or a top quality synthetic. I use Mobil 1, I might go Amsoil my next change. Our Trannies are very delicate so proceed with caution.
I've used Valvoline MaxLife for 2.5 years now. No problems, shifts same as with Z1 and it's easily found at local parts store.
I've also noted that it doesn't "brown/blacken" as fast as the Z1 stuff.
I've been changing my ATF with every oil change (6k-7k) since we started towing a travel trailer with the van. Every change since towing has been with MaxLife and has preformed well. Now that we are not using the Ody for towing anymore (bought truck) I'm going to go back to changing the ATF every other oil change... Again, I'll keep using MaxLife.
(of course I'm way out of warrenty... If your still in warrenty.. then use the OEM stuff!)
I've also noted that it doesn't "brown/blacken" as fast as the Z1 stuff.
I've been changing my ATF with every oil change (6k-7k) since we started towing a travel trailer with the van. Every change since towing has been with MaxLife and has preformed well. Now that we are not using the Ody for towing anymore (bought truck) I'm going to go back to changing the ATF every other oil change... Again, I'll keep using MaxLife.
(of course I'm way out of warrenty... If your still in warrenty.. then use the OEM stuff!)
I use valvoline Mercon V
I have been using Valvoline Mercon V semi-synthedic for 3 years and about 35000 miles in my 02 Ody. It has just over 80,000 on it now with no tranny issues. I beat it to. I have been using it for 5 years in my Acura Legend. No Issues but then that car has never asked for anything.
I have been using Valvoline Mercon V semi-synthedic for 3 years and about 35000 miles in my 02 Ody. It has just over 80,000 on it now with no tranny issues. I beat it to. I have been using it for 5 years in my Acura Legend. No Issues but then that car has never asked for anything.
Thanks for the replies, guys.
Once I get through the ATF Z-1 I've got stashed in my garage (about 4 cases), I'll probably make the switch (unless I can find another ultra-cheap sale on the Z-1, which is looking pretty unlikely these days).
v/r, OF
Once I get through the ATF Z-1 I've got stashed in my garage (about 4 cases), I'll probably make the switch (unless I can find another ultra-cheap sale on the Z-1, which is looking pretty unlikely these days).
v/r, OF
Per the advice of a certified Honda mechanic in my family I would be very hesitant to apply any ATF that advertises seal enhancement properties.
I've even lost a Honda auto before due to seal enlargement resulting from an application of MaxLife, granted it was an older vehicle but still, if I hadn't used it chances are it would had not croaked nearly as soon.
The ATF travels through pin hole passages to begin with. Affecting the seals with enhancement properties greatly increases the risk of restricted fluid flow.
I've even lost a Honda auto before due to seal enlargement resulting from an application of MaxLife, granted it was an older vehicle but still, if I hadn't used it chances are it would had not croaked nearly as soon.
The ATF travels through pin hole passages to begin with. Affecting the seals with enhancement properties greatly increases the risk of restricted fluid flow.
quote: "Per the advice of a certified Honda mechanic in my family I would be very hesitant to apply any ATF that advertises seal enhancement properties. I've even lost a Honda auto before due to seal enlargement resulting from an application of MaxLife, granted it was an older vehicle but still, if I hadn't used it chances are it would had not croaked nearly as soon."
MaxLife is available in a "stop leak" option and "standard" option. Never used the stop leak version, but the standard MaxLife version works great -- in fact I'd say it has better shift quality than Z1. I'd recommend it.
MaxLife is available in a "stop leak" option and "standard" option. Never used the stop leak version, but the standard MaxLife version works great -- in fact I'd say it has better shift quality than Z1. I'd recommend it.
I'm bumping this thread. So far, I've got a year on Valvoline MaxLife ATF on my 2003 EX-L. No problems, inexpensive enough to do a drain and refill with each oil change.
Any other experiences?
Regards, OF
Any other experiences?
Regards, OF
I've used Valvoline Maxlife red bottle in newer Mercon V spec'd Fords and pesky Ford P-steering systems with great success. Valvoline has changed the specs around some over the years. The current Maxlife red bottle says nothing about Merc V anymore, but says it is suitable for Honda/Acura ATF-Z1 applications. http://www.valvoline.com/products/Maxlife ATF.pdf For a regular drain/fill regimen, I wouldn't hesitate to use it in my Honda product. Gawd knows "genuine" Honda ATF-Z1 doesn't keep them from grenading. How bad can it be?
Joel
Joel
Ditto here. If anything the Maxlife seems to make my '02's tranny
shift smoother. My trans has always worked great, but I don't
pound on it until it's warmed up. The Maxlife seems to have
lessened the "reverse clunk" in cold weather that it's always had.
shift smoother. My trans has always worked great, but I don't
pound on it until it's warmed up. The Maxlife seems to have
lessened the "reverse clunk" in cold weather that it's always had.
I did not find any max Life ATF without the stop leak on Valvoline website. I too fear those additives...Sloppy said:
Valvoline MaxLife part number VV324 (the generic 1qt red bottle) does not have the extra "stop leak" seal additives.
In general, "stop leaks" tend to be a band-aid for a sucking chest wound. However, I will concede that Bar's Leaks for cooling systems actually works. I tried it once to stop a leaking heater core on an older car, and darn it if it actually worked...and held up for many, many years until we took the vehicle out of service!
I'm pretty sure most of your ATF's have some sort of "seal conditioner". Most of these, as far as I can tell from reading here and there, use something with a silicone base. Can't find a whole lot of information about it, though. Most ATF manufacturers seem to be keeping this information "close hold".
Look for MaxLife VV324 (w/out that stop leak stuff) at your local Wal-Mart. That's where I've been getting it for the past two years for my 2003 EX-L.
OF
In general, "stop leaks" tend to be a band-aid for a sucking chest wound. However, I will concede that Bar's Leaks for cooling systems actually works. I tried it once to stop a leaking heater core on an older car, and darn it if it actually worked...and held up for many, many years until we took the vehicle out of service!
I'm pretty sure most of your ATF's have some sort of "seal conditioner". Most of these, as far as I can tell from reading here and there, use something with a silicone base. Can't find a whole lot of information about it, though. Most ATF manufacturers seem to be keeping this information "close hold".
Look for MaxLife VV324 (w/out that stop leak stuff) at your local Wal-Mart. That's where I've been getting it for the past two years for my 2003 EX-L.
OF
The Maxlife ATF seems to be OK for me . My nearby Walmart location seems to have stopped stocking it and is now selling the Castrol Import Multivehicle ATF (Honda Z1 compatibility written on the bottle ) . It is my understanding that there is also Dexron VI ATF ( synthetic ?) that is Honda Z1 compatible . I haven't seen the Dexron VI at Walmart .
chiody, I bought a couple more cases of ATF-Z1 in the mean time (while they were still not too prohibitively expensive a couple years ago). I still have about 3-1/2 cases, but they are, and have been used only for my wife's 2002 EX. I did sell a case to the guy who bought my 2001 EX.
The only item I add to the ATF-Z1 in her 2002 Ody is some Lubegard Red.
I made the switch to MaxLife on my 2003 EX a couple years ago, and use Lubegard Black. I got the 2003 used, it was a really good deal (the owner was moving to Iceland!), and for some reason I thought to give the MaxLife a try in that car.
I can't even give you a reason why I made the switch to MaxLife in my 2003, other than funfinder4's writeup on how cheap the stuff is. If I recall, my thinking was, "Man, I wonder if the previous owner did any ATF changes...I'll just do a 4x drain/refill with MaxLife because it's not expensive, and then I'll use ATF-Z1 on successive changes after that..." Well, I never did go back to using Z1 in the 2003, since the MaxLife seemed to be doing so well. So far, so good!
I cannot tell much of a difference between the two, as far as shift characteristics. From an aroma standpoint, both of them smell really, really different.
OF
The only item I add to the ATF-Z1 in her 2002 Ody is some Lubegard Red.
I made the switch to MaxLife on my 2003 EX a couple years ago, and use Lubegard Black. I got the 2003 used, it was a really good deal (the owner was moving to Iceland!), and for some reason I thought to give the MaxLife a try in that car.
I can't even give you a reason why I made the switch to MaxLife in my 2003, other than funfinder4's writeup on how cheap the stuff is. If I recall, my thinking was, "Man, I wonder if the previous owner did any ATF changes...I'll just do a 4x drain/refill with MaxLife because it's not expensive, and then I'll use ATF-Z1 on successive changes after that..." Well, I never did go back to using Z1 in the 2003, since the MaxLife seemed to be doing so well. So far, so good!
I cannot tell much of a difference between the two, as far as shift characteristics. From an aroma standpoint, both of them smell really, really different.
OF
On the Valvoline WebSite, both ATF have the same PDF specs and here's what's written on their website about VV324: High-performance seal conditioners maintain and preserve the elasticity of seals to help prevent leaks0dyfamily said:
There seems to be no difference between VV324 and VV337.
I'll check on the bottle next time.
As anyone tried Mobil Multi-Vehicle ATF? Specs seem good, good viscosity index and good viscosity at -40C
And what about the Castrol one?
You missed the difference, because it's not published on the MSDS.Laphroaig said:
It's published on their adspace pages though. One has a stop leak additive, the other does not. They have identical physical characteristics to let us know that no matter which MaxLife Dex/Merc you choose, you'll get the same hydromechanical properties from either one. In short, same shift and friction qualities, etc.VV324 and VV337 are identical in terms of flash point, pour point, viscosity, etc. However, the blend (which is proprietary, and not on the MSDS .pdf) will either have a seal conditioner (which maintains seal lubricity, most likely via that silicone-based compound I mentioned) or a conditioner and a stop leak (compound that will, even in very small concentrations, appreciably swell already-shrunken seals). Like you said, it'll say what it is on the bottle. One will be a stop leak formulation/blend, one won't be.
I found this out a couple years ago from a supplier in Oklahoma while trying to buy a 5gal keg of MaxLife (yes, they make these). Just thought the keg would be easier to use, because it certainly was less expensive per quart. They just won't sell it to us consumers, only to retailers.
You'll note that none of the makers (Castrol, Pennzoil, Ashland nee Valvoline) publish their blend formulas, but will only give physical and basic chemical qualities on the MSDS, and nothing more.
I never understood why ATF makers put stop leak in a bottle of ATF and advertise it as such. It's better to simply sell generic ATF with the ubiquitous seal conditioners, and sell stop leak in a separate bottle. I've cured a number of leaky tailpieces that way on the occasional TH400 or C4 transmission...the stuff works, or at least forestalls a seal changeout for a few more years.
By the way, the ATF-Z1 (which is produced in the U.S.) has seal conditioners as well. ATF-Z1 has a very high silicone base, for seal lubricity and to serve as a friction modifier for the clutch packs.
Regarding using Castrol, Mobil, or Valvoline, I agree with what Joel said (MTPockets80): 'Gawd knows "genuine" Honda ATF-Z1 doesn't keep them from grenading. How bad can it be?'
. I mean, if my local Wally World stopped selling MaxLife, and started selling the other arguably high-quality products, I'd use those as well.
OF
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