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DW-1 Compatible or Maker of Honda Genuine DW-1?

12K views 8 replies 7 participants last post by  Ralphy  
#1 ·
Greetings again friends,

Thanks to those of you on taking the time to give me your feedback/opinions about the best tranny fluid on 08 Odyssey.
After searching online, I found that a local auto parts store sells ATF Fluid that is suitable for the Odysseys, but it is not labeled Honda Genuine DW-1. Idemitsu H Plus is what the folks at Advance Auto Parts sold me today and it is at a reasonable price similar to Ebay. I bought 8 bottles for around 53 dollars. Different to the drain/fill change back in May, I forgot to mention in my initial post, that what I drained from the van in May seemed dark brown. The fluid on the second drain seems more of a dark purple color. I might do the third drain tomorrow or in a couple of days in hopes that, while I wait for the people at Advance to restock, and buy four more quarts, that for the fourth drain I will get a nice reddish color.

Also another tip, in my initial post I forgot to inform that the fill in port/bolt on the van was so stuck that I gave up on trying to loosen it. What I did is I filled the van through the dipstick port and used a clean/new ketchup bottle, and cut from the bottom, and use its tip (where the ketchup comes out but this time tranny fluid), to funnel the fluid into tranny by putting a standard funnel on top of that bottle. It might take a bit longer for fluid to get to tranny but it does work.


It is the first time I know that Idemtsu H-Plus Fluid is the same maker of the Honda DW-1 tranny fluid. Has any of you used or heard of this brand before? It is developed in the USA.
 
#2 ·
I've heard that the Idemtsu is the same fluid but never seen any proof.

As for the fill plug, it's not really that tight (or at least it shouldn't be as it's about the same torque as the drain plug) but because it takes a nearly 18" extension to get to it, there is too much twist in a 3/8" drive extension. I actually use my 3/4" drive tools since there is almost no twist in the extension. It comes off without too much trouble that way.
 
#4 ·
First, the smell of the fluid is more important than the color. Smell the new fluid, and compare it to the fluid that comes out. Color just means 'something' is suspended in the fluid, where it is supposed to be. A burnt smell is a no-no.

Second, Honda is in Japan, and they wouldn't ship bottles of DW-1 over from Japan if they can have it made in the states, by whoever happens to get the contract. I'm sure Honda does quality control on the manufacturers that make the fluid for them.
 
#6 ·
I totally agree that, since they're the manufacturer the fluid should be the same. But my only issue is that there may be some different additives in dw1 vs the idemitsu. Unless I see a comparison of the two, I'd personally avoid it in my cars. Not saying that others should, just my personal thought

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#5 ·
I have also purchased a case of DW-1 from my local dealer for about $75.00, this is their case price. I have also used Valvoline MaxLife full synthetic automatic transmission fluid from Walmart for $18.00 for 1 gallon, I had used this on a 97 and a 2009 CRV and they ran well. Do a search for Valvoline on this forum, there are many threads on this fluid.