HONDA only fluids?

9519 Views 31 Replies 22 Participants Last post by 02-RRP-EX, May 31, 2002

joller

Discussion Starter · Feb 27, 2002

Just bought a 2002 ody.(lx res, color GG) the manual states to use only Honda powers steering fluid, coolant, brake fluid etc, and warns to flush system if "regular" fluids are used. (such as prestone etc). are they for real?
This also impacts on the warranty. Even though there is a law disallowing restrictions on maintenance to keep a factory warranty, the extended warranty from Honda states that maintenance must be performed according to the "manual" which de facto requires you to use the dealership for service. ( i guess you could buy the fluids and pass them on the you local mechanic). This greatly concerns me. Is there any validity as to why non Honda fluids are so dangerous?

1 - 20 of 32 Posts

Jerry O1

· #2 · Feb 28, 2002

I think it is prudent to stick with the Honda stuff. Especially in the area of transmission fluid, it is a real mistake to use anything other than the OE stuff. Most fluids are vehicle specific these days and although some are available from other sources, the surest way to be sure you have the right stuff is to get the genuine item. There are several sources, I like Manchester Honda, but there a many others. At www.manhonda.com you will find the information you need and many prices on popular maintenance items. One caveat is that prices vary wildly, from one source to another. I bought the 2002 outer taillight lenses, lately, and was quoted a delivered price of $145 for the pair from the outfit with the free shipping. I called ManHonda and they sent them to me for $107 total. The other guys quoted a "list" price of $90+ each and ManHonda quoted a "list" of $63 each. Buyer beware!

Back to the original subject, when I made my first order from ManHonda, I ordered ten oil filters and the savings on just those allowed me to get PS fluid, brake fluid, ATF,a can of spray white grease and a filter wrench for the same price my local dealer would have wanted for the filters alone.

Jerry O.

------------------
2001 Odyssey GG LX

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moose

· #3 · Feb 28, 2002

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Jerry O:
...I ordered ten oil filters...</font>

I was told by a mechanic that the paper elements in oil filters have a shelf life, not to buy them for years into the future. Has anyone else heard that? I know paper can get brittle over time.

Neo Fender

· #4 · Feb 28, 2002

As far as power steering fluid concerned, Honda has a different specification than other manufacturers. It shouldn't mean however that the fluid you use has to be the Honda brand, just as long as it complies with the specifications.

A. B. Hair

· #5 · Feb 28, 2002

I had a bad experience with other than Honda trans fluid on a '90 Acura (Honda product) I do my own maintence and changed the transmission fluid. the transmission started a slight vibration when it changed from low to second. I later drained the new fluid and repalced with Honda and the problem was cured.
I have since used all Honda fluids except windshield washer fluid. It is good insurance and protects warranty well.

joller

Discussion Starter · #6 · Feb 28, 2002

Thaks for the info. Ive been surfing this great website for hours.

Well I have never owned a Honda, mostly Nissans and Toyotas the past 20 years, and ive fallen into the habit of taking my cars to the (honest - its hard to believe) local firestone shop where they switch fluids (brake, radiator, tranny), do an alignment,lube,etc every 30k or so. I still put in my own plugs, but with these platinum plugs, thats not doing much. I go to dealers for the warranty stuff or more technical stuff such as timing belt replacement. Sometimes Ive had the dealership recommend stuff, and then go to my local guy who tells me there is nothing wrong. Recently the dealer wanted to replace both ?outer tie rods which were supposedly worn, which was promptly refuted by the folks i trust.

This honda is quite different. No coolant change for 10 yrs? special brake fluid (plus this is the only car I have owned that recommends bleeding the brakes, even though i did it occaisionally). So do I buy honda brake fluid and take it to the firestone shop? same with tranny fluid?

I would hate to pay hundreds of dollars for "dealer service" when i can get it for much less locally.

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DavidGSR

· #7 · Feb 28, 2002

I have heard that the ATF, Coolant, Power Steering fluid are all unique. The coolant I think has a pump lubricant and is specially designed to work for Honda radiators (so as to not corrode them). I think oil and brake fluid you are free to choose alternatives.

rg

· #8 · Mar 1, 2002

I do all my own work on our cars including my BMW 330i and our former Volvo V70, and I concur with what most people are saying. Many manufacturers today (including BMW and Volvo from first hand experience) have proprietary coolant, ATF, and power steering formulations and it is best to stick to their brand. With brake fluid you can use aftermarket stuff if you're careful - e.g. ATE brand brake fluid generally exceeds the manufacturer's recommendations, but beware of cheap fluid you get at the local PepBoys or equivalent. If in doubt use the manufacturer's brand. Finally oil is generic but don't use "department store" brands because you can't be guaranteed good quality.

Jonaussie

· #9 · Mar 1, 2002

Hmmm, Yes that's right Honda recomends using Honda only fluids. So anyway, I took my Ody down to my local dealer to have my first oil change. So I asked them what type of oil do they use. 5W-20, Ok that's right, what brand? CASTROL !!!!!!!!!!???????????????

TrickedOdyssey

· #10 · Mar 1, 2002

wouldn't worry to much about the oil

any good brand will do fine. I use Valvoline mostly.

as for the others...ALWAYS use Honda fluids! tranny, steering, etc...as well as the Honda oil filters!

------------------
Owner:
1991 Honda Civic SiR: B16A DOHC VTEC powered visit at: http://turbocivic.8m.com
2000 Honda Odyssey LX: Wings West body kit, H&R springs, visit at: http://trickedodyssey.8m.com
1991 Honda Civic Basemodel: Bolt on mods, winter car, visit at: http://trickedodyssey.8m.com/91civicbase.html

Any questions related to honda and your ODY? just email me! [email protected]

Need speed? Need a Tricked Odyssey? www.pri-racing.com

Come join the Tricked Odyssey list today!
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/trickedodyssey

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rkpatt

· #11 · Apr 30, 2002

Local dealer in Metro Atlanta GA wants $ 6.50 /qt for Honda ATF . Whats the best price (w/sh shipping on the WEB ) ?

G

· #12 · Apr 30, 2002

I would stick w/Honda fluids as well except for motor oil. In that case you could go with a non-Honda brand. However, the problem becomes

...

http://www.odyclub.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2678

http://www.odyclub.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5468

http://www.odyclub.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5441

JoesYum

· #13 · Apr 30, 2002

rkpatt said:
Local dealer in Metro Atlanta GA wants $ 6.50 /qt for Honda ATF . Whats the best price (w/sh shipping on the WEB ) ?

What a rip! $2.89 at hparts.com, goto their specail sales section. If you want free shipping, then call hondaparts4you.com and ask them to match the hparts.com price and they will.
Hparts.com list all the Honda fluids on the special sale site. But i get it from hondaparts4you.com for extra savings on free shipping.

RobertC

· #14 · Apr 30, 2002

The mechanic is somewhat wrong.

It's not the filtering media(paper) that has a shelf life but the rubber components (gasket, O'rings).

The shelf lfe of those components is 5 years from the date the filter was made. After 5 years, the rubber components are not expected to perform the required task ans as such the manufacturers do not reccoment using filters that have been made 5 years ago or more.

Best regards from Montreal, Canada

RobertC

moose said:
I was told by a mechanic that the paper elements in oil filters have a shelf life, not to buy them for years into the future. Has anyone else heard that? I know paper can get brittle over time.

eaglemtn

· #15 · Apr 30, 2002 (Edited)

Jonaussie said:
Hmmm, Yes that's right Honda recomends using Honda only fluids. So anyway, I took my Ody down to my local dealer to have my first oil change. So I asked them what type of oil do they use. 5W-20, Ok that's right, what brand? CASTROL !!!!!!!!!!???????????????

The service department at my Honda dealer said that they use Honda oil filters and Mobil oil when they perform oil changes. He said that Mobil is the manufacturer for Honda branded oil. He mentioned that Mobil hasn't come out with 5W-20 for consumers yet but few others had (Pennzoil was one example he gave).

By the way, btanchors mentions in this thread -

http://www.odyclub.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2649

That Mobil has come out with a non-synthetic 5W-20

Sylvain

· #16 · Apr 30, 2002

My dealer charges the same price for either 5-30 or 5-20 oil change, 23.95 $ CND.

kanadary

· #17 · Apr 30, 2002

i concur with the statement that the honda factory oil is mobile, it says so on the bottle. i have been using hondapartsforyou, prices are competitive with the others in the links section and they ship for free. the only hassle is the time to get to the west coast, approx. 5-7 days.

G

· #18 · Apr 30, 2002

kanadary said:
.. i have been using hondapartsforyou, prices are competitive with the others in the links section and they ship for free. the only hassle is the time to get to the west coast, approx. 5-7 days.

My order took 8 days (and I'm on the east coast

).

kanadary

· #19 · Apr 30, 2002

that is brutal, i guess you estimate that you have to do a oil change in a month and order your fliuds then. the one thing, their prices are good compared to local dealers, they wanted over $3 for a quart of 5W-20 and hondaparts4you wanted $1.70. I asked the local dealer where i got the van from about this and he said... "cause we can charge that much!" i responded with "not from me!"

CARTman

· #20 · May 3, 2002

I'm not fully buying this "Honda fluids only" disclaimer they're putting in the manuals...

Here's what they say about engine oil, "It is highly recommended that you use genuine Honda Motor Oil in you vehicle for optimum engine protection." Now, do you really believe that Honda, an automobile manufacturer, makes a better oil than one of the major oil manufacturers?

I think someone mentioned that Mobil makes the oil for Honda. I wouldn't doubt if it were exactly the same stuff in a different bottle.

IMO, this is mostly their marketing division is trying to drive the Honda stuff down our throats.

This is not to say that I won't use Honda brand fluids for specific items, namely ATF and PS fluid. However, when it comes to engine coolant, oil, and brake fluid I will use the brand of my choosing provided that it meets Honda's specifications.

The primary requirement for the engine coolant is that it not contain silicates which will react with the aluminum and cause corrosion. Non-silicate coolant is usually orange and considered "extended-life".

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