[jeffs3232]

Hey Ya'll.

17 Ody EXL (at 112k now) goes in the shop in two weeks for the 105k service at my local independent imports specialist. He's using all factory Honda parts for the 105k service, and he says he does probably a dozen of these Honda jobs every month. I asked him while he's in there to do a drain and fill of the transmission. He asked me if I wanted to stick with DW-1 or go switch over to the Valvoline Max Life (VML).

Is one preferred over the other? If I'm only doing a 1x 4qt drain and refill is it ok to switch or should I have him do a 3x drain if I'm switching? I have no issues with my current transmission. I've done a 1x drain/fill every 15k-20k miles. I'm a believer of if it's not causing problems don't change it, but I also know Honda eats that DW-1 and it breaks down. Would the full synthetic VML be better long term as the van is aging?

Thanks!
Jeff

 

[tyman]

Full synthetic would absolutely be better than DW-1 in there. Do it.

 

[EOT 4 Life]

Many here report great things about switching to Max Life. I use Amsoil personally, but Max Life seems to be a great choice.

 

[gobluetwo]

When I started doing my own ATF changes several years ago, I switched to MaxLife based on the comments from the board. Shifts well, no issues on my 2013. It's also very readily available and often on sale.

 

[jeffs3232]

Many here report great things about switching to Max Life. I use Amsoil personally, but Max Life seems to be a great choice.

I use Amsoil in all my outdoor power equipment. It's good stuff...never thought to use in on my Honda. You might be the first I've seen use it in the transmissions.

 

[Azdude]

Not a fan of Maxlife. I got crazy hard downshifts in 2-1 and weird up shifts on my 2015. Smooth with dw-1.

 

[Azdude]

Using amsoil now, which is holding up fine for towing and hard driving. Shifts are fine but not as smooth as dw-1.

 

[2011.2017.odyssey]

Not a fan of Maxlife. I got crazy hard downshifts in 2-1 and weird up shifts on my 2015. Smooth with dw-1.

I blend the two... the hard shifts smoothed out, still have torque converter judder at certain speeds due to age.

hard shifts are easier on the clutches btw.

 

[white2015]

Maxlife all the way.
It can handle any heat and shearing the odyssey trans will put out.

 

[SparkyJJO]

I used Maxlife exclusively on my GM 4L60E transmissions when I serviced them and got super long service intervals and zero failures. That said, the GM 4L60E is a LOT different than the Honda 6 speed. I see quite a lot of arguments of the DW-1 weaknesses but also how Maxlife is or is not good for the 6 speed. No real hard data. Of course, I never used hard data for MaxLife on my 4L60E, I just needed fluid, and got the first thing I saw off the shelf many years ago and stuck with it due to good experience.

I have a lot of MaxLife left in the garage. I guess I could try it when our 2015 is due for a change.

 

[Juggawut]

After reading many reports from long time users of MaxLife on this forum, I opted for MaxLife. As I will most likely never use my Ody to tow, I decided not to install a trans cooler, but rather just switch to a full synthetic fluid. I've been doing a drain and fill every other oil change, (12-15k miles) and the fluid comes out looking and smelling brand new still every time. I'm very satisfied.

 

[DerbyDad03]

No one has addressed this question, although if we read between the lines of 2001.2017.odyssey's response, we get a hint of how he would answer:

"If I'm only doing a 1x 4qt drain and refill is it ok to switch or should I have him do a 3x drain if I'm switching?"

I have often wondered the same thing.

 

[phattyduck]

"If I'm only doing a 1x 4qt drain and refill is it ok to switch or should I have him do a 3x drain if I'm switching?"

I have often wondered the same thing.

The fluids are compatible with each other. For the OP, there is no need to do a 3x. Just keep up with regular maintenance as before.

DW-1: smooth shifts, short life
MaxLife: slightly harsher shifts, likely much longer fluid life
Amsoil: smooth shifts, long fluid life, expensive

Take your pick. I personally like the 'crisp' MaxLife shifts in our van.

-Charlie

 

[Juggawut]

"If I'm only doing a 1x 4qt drain and refill is it ok to switch or should I have him do a 3x drain if I'm switching?"

I wouldn't count it as a long term test, but I noticed no side effects when I switched by doing 3x D&F; one every ~500 miles (~500 miles per week, and a D&F each weekend)

After the first D&F I instantly had much smoother shifting, which was very apparent. Each subsequent D&F had a very light coating on the magnet that I couldn't even see until I wiped it off. I did the 3x D&F because the PO of my Ody said that as the second owner, he did one dealer D&F in his 50k of ownership, and I have no first owner history.

 

[mak474]

I've been running maxlife in our Pilot trans for years.
We had a second PIlot, 06 LX in addition to our 05 EX, well the 06 had some shifting issues when we got it that went away after a fluid change. Changing to max life I was able to put another 50k miles on it before selling it at around 250,000mi. Our current pilot has 275k. Runs and shifts like a dream. I have even towed with it too.

I just did a drain and fill on the Ody this weekend with maxlife last weekend and noticed the trans shift smoother as I have with the Pilots too. I'll be doing a second this weekend and 3rd next.

 

[tyman]

I used Maxlife exclusively on my GM 4L60E transmissions when I serviced them and got super long service intervals and zero failures. That said, the GM 4L60E is a LOT different than the Honda 6 speed. I see quite a lot of arguments of the DW-1 weaknesses but also how Maxlife is or is not good for the 6 speed. No real hard data. Of course, I never used hard data for MaxLife on my 4L60E, I just needed fluid, and got the first thing I saw off the shelf many years ago and stuck with it due to good experience.

I have a lot of MaxLife left in the garage. I guess I could try it when our 2015 is due for a change.

I used Maxlife in my last Silverado (6L80e) and it’s in my newer 2018 2500 with 6L90 as well. It’s g2g and only $25-30/jug? Fuhgettboutit

 

[WiiMaster]

I use what works for me, which is DW-1. I could probably switch if I wanted, but I have no compelling reason to at the moment.

 

[Buffalo4]

Hey Ya'll.

17 Ody EXL (at 112k now) goes in the shop in two weeks for the 105k service at my local independent imports specialist. He's using all factory Honda parts for the 105k service, and he says he does probably a dozen of these Honda jobs every month. I asked him while he's in there to do a drain and fill of the transmission. He asked me if I wanted to stick with DW-1 or go switch over to the Valvoline Max Life (VML).

Is one preferred over the other? If I'm only doing a 1x 4qt drain and refill is it ok to switch or should I have him do a 3x drain if I'm switching? I have no issues with my current transmission. I've done a 1x drain/fill every 15k-20k miles. I'm a believer of if it's not causing problems don't change it, but I also know Honda eats that DW-1 and it breaks down. Would the full synthetic VML be better long term as the van is aging?

Thanks!
Jeff

Since you are not experiencing tranny or shifting problems and you are keeping up on your tranny fluid, NO need to do more than one drain and fill.
DW-1 is fine and so is the Valvoline ATF. I use the Valvoline because it is lower cost and works just great and is a full synthetic ATF.
Buffalo4

 

[Juggawut]

It's $25.92 at Walmart today. Last year when I stocked up they were $17.97.

 

[white2015]

The fluids are compatible with each other. For the OP, there is no need to do a 3x. Just keep up with regular maintenance as before.

DW-1: smooth shifts, short life
MaxLife: slightly harsher shifts, likely much longer fluid life
Amsoil: smooth shifts, long fluid life, expensive

Take your pick. I personally like the 'crisp' MaxLife shifts in our van.

-Charlie

I also prefer the shifting with maxlife.
Quicker engagement