Ed

Thanks SO much for these postings. After reading through your instructions for servicing the tranny, are you saying the fluid needs between 3 and 4 changes in order to see the same results as a flush? Just double checking before I go and buy 12-16 quarts of fluid.

Many Thanks, Dave

I know there are a lot of die-hard Amsoil followers out there and I know that many of you will likely respond negatively to this blog or mention my response in other forums, but here it goes:

There are several reasons that we do not use AMSOIL products in our Service Department and many of them coincide with why we do not use AMWAY soaps and detergents. First of all, here in Middle Tennessee, Amsoil has never really taken off. It is marketed in a paramid type distribution system, sort of like Conklin lubricants. In the ’70s, my dad was buying Amsoil out of a distributor’s house about 15 miles away from where I grew up. Thirty years later, you still have to purchase it through a paramid type distribution system.

While their lubricants may be the best in existence, 35 years is long enough to market a “super lubricant” and get it available in a retail-type, readily available establishment.

I am not going to purchase a new Acura TL, or Honda Pilot and gamble on the guarantee that the alternative fluids are the same as or even superior to the fluids that I KNOW TO BE ACCEPTED by the manufacturer of the product.

You said that Dextron 6 is suitable for Honda automatic transmissions. A well known Honda and Acura transmission rebuilder in California told me to use the Honda Z1 fluid exclusively in the Honda and Acura automatic transmissions. He went on to tell me that when they disassemble the core transmissions for rebuilding, that many times they can tell which transmissions have had alternative fluids in them by the condition of the internal hardware parts (oxidation included) and the wear to the rubber seals….And he should know because his company distributes over 200 rebuilt Honda and Acura transmissions per month.

Afterall, what are you saving and what is your ultimate goal? Are you saving time in chasing down the Dextron 6? Are you saving any money, and how much money? An average annual transmission service on a Honda or Acura vehicle requires 3.5 quarts of fluid and the quarts are under $9.00 each. How much is the Dextron 6 and what are you gambling? If the transmission does go out because of an internal problem that is not associated with the fluid, a warranty company could still say the “wrong fluid used” as an excuse to void warranty coverage. I personally won’t take that risk for my own vehicles or the vehicles that our customers own.

If the manufacturer says use a certain brand, such as American Honda specifying the use Honda Automatic Transmission fluid or the use of Mobile 1 motor oil in the Turbo-charged Acura RDX; then it is in the best interest of the vehicle owner to exclusively use that brand.

When an engine goes out or a transmission quits pulling, there is a definate relief in knowing that the manufacturer’s specified fluids were being used at the time of product failure.

At Accurate we use the Genuine Honda specified fluids to ensure compatability to oil seals and proper lubricating properties that have been accepted by the folks who designed, tested and built the Honda and Acura products.

Ed

Afton Chem is the same OEM “special sauce” manufacturer who supplies oil additives package for Amsoil, Quakerstate, Pennzoil, Mobil, STP, Castrol, Shell etc… And supplies factory & service-fill ATF oil for GM, FORD, Daimler Chrysler. The famous Shell V_Power is also Afton’s product.

Yes, motor oil and ATF have different specs and auto manufacturers for the sake of marketing says you should use theirs and nothing else; but they too have to turn to oil experts like Afton Chem (parent company NEWMARKET CORP) to create the right blend for its application.

However, the actual oil components are not that different when you are compare apples to apples; say high end Amsoil to Mobile 1. Amsoil contains more lubricity additives and less base oil, hence so it claims higher temp range and longer change intervals, but does your car ever reach those range?

Z-1 is very special but no more special than the new Dexron-6 that Afton co-developed with GM to run on its 6sp auto box.

The point is, if an aftermarket says it meets Honda specs then the special sauce in that bottle exceeds the min requirements of Honda but that doesn’t mean that unless the bottle says Z1-exclusive for Honda that you can’t use it.

Try the dex-6 oil in your honda

Yes, I suggest using the Honda Type 2 coolant. It is premixed and does not require any water / measuring.

If you drain the radiator and overflow jug, your car should only require 1 gallon. Don’t flush the system….Just drain and fill.

If the engine is not warming up enough to get heat inside the car, most likely your thermostat is stuck partially open.

Get a Genuine Honda thermostat and gasket and one gallon of Honda Type 2 coolant, and you should be in good shape. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND only using the Genuine Honda T-stat. Aftermarket theromostats are very unpredictable.

Ed

Our shop does allow Toyota and Lexus vehicles in and one of our technicians does have previous experience as a former Toyota dealership technician as well. But he will admit that Honda is easier to work on and has less issues.

Lexus / Toyota are really nice cars and they are also very reliable as well, but I do believe that American Honda builds a better product that is cheaper in maintenance / repair costs and seems to not show it’s age as quickly.

I do wish Honda would get their leather interior from the same vendor as Toyota, because the leather seats do hold up better in the Lexus products.

Thanks for the interest in the blog articles.

I invite you to visit often.