[Jerry O1]

Have any of you used LubeGard products? I know a lot of additives are "snake oil", but, this line seems to make some sense. I first got onto it on the DC repair board, where they discussed adding one of the products to Dexron ATF to make it compatible with Chrysler transmissions. They also claim the same for Hondas. Of course, I would not use anything as a base fluid other than the genuine Honda stuff, but, their "automatic transmission protectant" (red bottle) seems like a good thing. I used it in my '94 Caravan transmission (well known for early failure) and it is still shifting like new at 80K miles. I also used their power steering supplement and the steering has remained perfect to this day. (the van is still in the family)

The reason I am pondering this stuff for my Odyssey is that the power steering systems seem to be a bit marginal (there have been failures from heat in trailer towing applications) and their stuff claims to cause the systems to operate cooler. Ditto, for the transmission. The tech I spoke to told me they had seen some trouble with the transmissions getting grouchy and not wanting to shift properly. It would seem that the added lubricity of the additive would be helpful and it also is said to offer cooler running.

Yes, I know claim there is everything in the ATF that is necessary, but, with some units failing out there, one wonders.......... You can check it out on their website, www.lubegard.com.

Jerry O. 2001 GG LX

 

[odyfox]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Jerry O:
Have any of you used LubeGard products? I know a lot of additives are "snake oil", but, this line seems to make some sense. I first got onto it on the DC repair board, where they discussed adding one of the products to Dexron ATF to make it compatible with Chrysler transmissions. They also claim the same for Hondas. Of course, I would not use anything as a base fluid other than the genuine Honda stuff, but, their "automatic transmission protectant" (red bottle) seems like a good thing. I used it in my '94 Caravan transmission (well known for early failure) and it is still shifting like new at 80K miles. I also used their power steering supplement and the steering has remained perfect to this day. (the van is still in the family)

The reason I am pondering this stuff for my Odyssey is that the power steering systems seem to be a bit marginal (there have been failures from heat in trailer towing applications) and their stuff claims to cause the systems to operate cooler. Ditto, for the transmission. The tech I spoke to told me they had seen some trouble with the transmissions getting grouchy and not wanting to shift properly. It would seem that the added lubricity of the additive would be helpful and it also is said to offer cooler running.

Yes, I know claim there is everything in the ATF that is necessary, but, with some units failing out there, one wonders.......... You can check it out on their website, www.lubegard.com.

Jerry O. 2001 GG LX</font>

Jerry,

After a fair amount of research, I decided to try Lubegard ATF additive in my Volvo 850. I added it when I did a tranny flush, and I also used Mobil 1 synthetic fluid instead of regular dino tranny fluid. I had lots of late shifting problems that have pretty much disappeared, but I can't say if it is the Mobil 1 or the Lubegard, although I suspect that it is the former. I decided that the worst that would happen is that I would have a "belt and suspenders" solution-the Mobil 1 is supposed to keep the tranny cooler by itself, and so if the Lubegard lowers the operating temp a bit more, so much the better. All I know is that my '95 850 now shifts almost as smooth as it did when I bought it, so I am a happy camper. I am now investigating a moaning sound in the power steering pump area that I get at startup, so I may give the PS additive a try and see what happens. Based on my experience with the Volvo, I will probably also flush and replace the tranny fluid with Mobil 1/Lubegard when the time comes-a tranny flush for the Ody looks almost as easy as it is on my Volvo. Hope this helps you with your decision.

Jeff, AKA Odyfox

 

[Jerry O1]

Jeff, keep us posted re LubeGard in your vehicles. I just may clear up that moan in the Volvo. I would be interested in the Mobil-1 in the Honda, as well. Do they recommend it for use in Hondas? Hondas and DCs use slicker ATF than the others, so I would suppose that the Mobil would be fine.

Jerry O. 2001 GG LX

 

[odyfox]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Jerry O:
Jeff, keep us posted re LubeGard in your vehicles. I just may clear up that moan in the Volvo. I would be interested in the Mobil-1 in the Honda, as well. Do they recommend it for use in Hondas? Hondas and DCs use slicker ATF than the others, so I would suppose that the Mobil would be fine.

Jerry O. 2001 GG LX</font>

Jerry,

I will most likely be looking at the front end moan in the very near future, although it doesn't seem to be getting worse. Besides the PS flush, I also plan to add a high flow Supersprint exhaust, Mobil 1 syn oil, an ECU upgrade, front and rear Konis and a sway bar upgrade, so my Volvo list is almost as long as my Ody's was until recently. My main problem is finding the time-work is the curse of the modding class!


------------------
2001 EX
iVES
Infinity 652s/452s/105ts
Honda Wood Dash
Wheel Locks
Cargo Tray
Cargo Mat
Cargo Cover
Roof Rails
Cassette Player
Heartland console
Foglights
Tranny Cooler

Coming up: In dash 6 CD Changer
Glove Box Light
Kelton Sub
Honda wood/leather steering wheel

 

[albaby]

Can someone explain why towing would be hard on power steering? The only way I could see a problem is if there was a lot on jockeying around trying to back a trailer up etc, where there was no air passing over the PS cooler. That type of maneuver can also blow a tranny in some vehicles. (So can backing uphill). I have towed fifth wheel and standard trailers for years with pickup trucks without an aux. PS cooler and no problems and little extra effort on steering.

Thanks
Al

 

[Jerry O1]

Higher underhood temperatures are the only thing I can think of which would be detrimental to the PS unit. If that is the case, the system must be designed with little margin of safety and be operating close to the edge when in hot weather, whether (no play on words) towing or not. That is one reason I have mentioned the LubeGard products, which are said to help the system run a little cooler.

Jerry O.

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

 

[lelandstanford]

Looks like LubeGard has additive/converter for transmission fluid and power steering fluid for Honda applications. What about brake fluid?

 

[rkpatt]

It looks like you would use the Lubegard red bottle (ATF Protectorant ) the Lubegard Platinum Unversal Protectorant if you are using Honda brand ATF. Howver I don't quite understand how Lubegard Platinum could work as well (being "universal") . Any Lubegard users here ?

 

[fcatwo]

The instructions that came with our DrawTite load leveling hitch said not to overload the front wheels. "Measure from ground to fender well both front and rear before hitching and return front to neutral only unless rear drops more than an inch".
"Drop front no more than 1/2 inch in any case". Some weight is transferred to the trailer wheels as well of course.

This is all done with the tow vehicle loaded as it will be for towing- passengers and all. I guess you have a neighbor sit in your place.

 

[sfearing]

I think there is some confusion about what LubeGuard ATF fluid does. It is designed to convert Dexron into Honda-spec ATF. For this reason, I fail to see why adding more of it to Honda ATF would be of any use. You would be better off just replacing the old fluid with Honda ATF. Admittedly, the standard drain-and-fill only replaces 1/3 of the fluid but if you do it relatively frequently (every six months or so) you would accomplish the same thing as the machines that flush and replace in one service. Quite often these machines use Dexron so that is why LubeGuard offers their product.

 

[Jerry O]

I think there is some confusion about what LubeGuard ATF fluid does. It is designed to convert Dexron into Honda-spec ATF. For this reason, I fail to see why adding more of it to Honda ATF would be of any use. You would be better off just replacing the old fluid with Honda ATF. Admittedly, the standard drain-and-fill only replaces 1/3 of the fluid but if you do it relatively frequently (every six months or so) you would accomplish the same thing as the machines that flush and replace in one service. Quite often these machines use Dexron so that is why LubeGuard offers their product.

Yes, LubeGard has a product to convert Dexron to Honda or Chrysler compatability, but, the red bottle is NOT that product. The red bottle is touted as a "protectant" to be used in ANY ATF, to help with lubrication and cooling. The Mopar van in our family which is using it is now up to 92K miles and shifting as well as when new. It has had fluid/filter changes (pan off and around 1/2 the fluid changed) at 30K intervals. Not bad, for a notoriously failure prone gearbox! Is anyone out there using the red bottle stuff in a Honda automatic?

Jerry O.

 

[lelandstanford]

Lubegard

So, what's the difference between LUBEGARD® PLATINUM Universal ATF Protectant and LUBEGARD® HFM-ATF SUPPLEMENT?

 

[jkues]

If it looks like a duck and sounds like a duck....
I'm sorry, but it sounds like snake oil to me. The engine oil additive claims to eliminate cold starts...how do you do that? Maybe I am being picky, but it claims too much. And the charts showing various oils improvements with the additive really looks made up, such wild variations in friction improvement and wear reduction. Just the fact that they show that Slick 50 and Duralube show improvements over regular oil makes me suspicious, since I've seen test data showing just the opposite. I know you think this is belts and suspenders, but what if you are screwing up the additive balance of the lubricants and actually making things worse? Just my .02 worth.

 

[phil47]

I have just added LUBEGARD® PLATINUM to the tranny of my 2001 Ody EX (and my 2001 Nissan Pathfinder LE). This stuff is highly regarded by many of the local tranny rebuilders (the same bunch who also agree that most of the stuff from Duralube...Slick50 etc. is crap). I actually have a considerable amount of literature on this product which helped convince me to try it.

Its biggest benefit is in reducing friction and improving the heat transfer capability of the existing tranny fluid. This helps reduce tranny temps by 20F - 40F which increases tranny longevity. In their literature, they refer to a TSB from SAAB that recommends adding Lubegard to quiet a moaning during 1st to 2nd gear auto tranny shifts. I guess even SAAB is convinced it ain't snake oil!

 

[Jerry O]

I have just added LUBEGARD® PLATINUM to the tranny of my 2001 Ody EX (and my 2001 Nissan Pathfinder LE). This stuff is highly regarded by many of the local tranny rebuilders (the same bunch who also agree that most of the stuff from Duralube...Slick50 etc. is crap). I actually have a considerable amount of literature on this product which helped convince me to try it.

Its biggest benefit is in reducing friction and improving the heat transfer capability of the existing tranny fluid. This helps reduce tranny temps by 20F - 40F which increases tranny longevity. In their literature, they refer to a TSB from SAAB that recommends adding Lubegard to quiet a moaning during 1st to 2nd gear auto tranny shifts. I guess even SAAB is convinced it ain't snake oil!

It worked well for me in the Caravan I had and I hope it is good in the Odyssey as well. Let us know if you see any downside to it.

Jerry O.

 

[bigred]

It worked well for me in the Caravan I had and I hope it is good in the Odyssey as well. Let us know if you see any downside to it.

From what I've heard, you have to be pretty careful with the Honda Tranny. In the life of your vehicle, if its a longevity battle between your engine and your tranny, your tranny will die first. Now, it would be nice to get the opinion of a Honda engineer on the details of the ATF for those who want the best quality fluid to help keep down operating temperatures. I know that AMSOIL's universal ATF is not recommended for a Honda. You should know pretty quickly if its not right, however, as the shifting will noticeably change for the worse.

BTW, when changing your tranny fluid, if you want to do it at another non-Honda shop that has an exchanger, buy the ATF yourself and take your vehicle in and watch them change it. They hook up hoses to your in/out tranmission lines, fill up the exchanger with the new fluid, start your engine and the vehicle pumps the old fluid into the machine and sucks new fluid back into the tranny. There's no reason why you can't provide your own ATF.

 

[Jerry O]

Yes, that's the way I would do it, also making sure the machine was clear of residual "other stuff", even to the point of bringing some extra fluid to be used as a machine "flush" before beginning the transfusion into my transmission. With the Mopar transmissions it used to be said that it was better to run a little way with the fluid level low than to put ANY other non-Mopar fluid into the transmission. I reckon the same would apply to the Honda box.

Jerry O.

 

[rkpatt]

I haven't seen any recent posts about Lubegard ATF . Anyone using it ?

 

[Jerry O]

I haven't seen any recent posts about Lubegard ATF . Anyone using it ?

Yes. Also PS treatment.

Jerry O.

 

[caremd99]

From what I've heard, you have to be pretty careful with the Honda Tranny. In the life of your vehicle, if its a longevity battle between your engine and your tranny, your tranny will die first. Now, it would be nice to get the opinion of a Honda engineer on the details of the ATF for those who want the best quality fluid to help keep down operating temperatures. I know that AMSOIL's universal ATF is not recommended for a Honda. You should know pretty quickly if its not right, however, as the shifting will noticeably change for the worse.

BTW, when changing your tranny fluid, if you want to do it at another non-Honda shop that has an exchanger, buy the ATF yourself and take your vehicle in and watch them change it. They hook up hoses to your in/out tranmission lines, fill up the exchanger with the new fluid, start your engine and the vehicle pumps the old fluid into the machine and sucks new fluid back into the tranny. There's no reason why you can't provide your own ATF.

Who says AMSOIL's ATF is not recommended for Honda's? AMSOIL will tell you it is.