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Honda Accord transmission fluid ? please
I just got a new 2001 Accord 4cyl automatic, I was wandering if there was a plug on the tranny that i could just drain out the 3 or 4 qts of fluid in there and replace every so often. If anyone has the new 2001 Accord and do there own maintenence work please post some info and tips here I have always done my own work but this is my first honda and want to no the right way to do things to it.
Thanks from a newbie
Thanks from a newbie
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As for location of plugs on automatics, sorry, but my Hondas have all been manuals. <:^(
--- Bror Jace
Thanks
Greg
i have been maintaining a honda accord 1994 since i bought it. Basically changing the oil and transmission fluid, spark plugs and air and fuel filter according to the manufacturer's recommendation. I have driven it for 240,000 miles and it is still going strong. Do not worry about the aluminium engine or anything. You shall never regret buying and taking care of your accord.
syed
Ps share some of the maintenance items and how long the parts lasted on your car such as brakes,cv boots, etc.
Thanks
Greg
Today's passage is from the book "Synthetic Lubricants and
High-Performance Functional Fluids."
"In diesel engine testing a PAO-based formulation outperformed a commercial oil based on severely hydroprocessed mineral oil. Superior deposit and wear results were found for the PAO-based engine oil. Double-length VW 1431 turbo diesel tests demonstrated the superior thermal-oxidative stability of the PAO-based formulation.
"Durability of an optimized PAO-based synthetic formulation compared with a commercial high quality mineral oil was also measured. Chassis rolls testing was done at 55 and at 85 mph with 15,000 mile (24,123 km) oil drains intervals. Wear for the engine having the PAO-based formulation was essentially nil.
The engine run on the commercial mineral oil formulation showed several wear parameters that exceeded factory limits. Final proof of performance was evaluated using over-the-road extended drain vehicles tests. In recent extended drain fleet testing studies, PAO-based fully formulated full synthetic oil outperformed mineral oil by having better viscosity control, less oil consumption and better end-of-test vehicle engine ratings.
"An added benefit from using synthetic oils over mineral oils (including hydrocracked oils) is the improved performance in regard to filter plugging. Goyal has shown that overall filter life was improved using synthetic oils. The synthetic oils tested showed no filter plugging in extended drain over-the-road tests running up to 25,000 miles (40,000 km).
"Synthetic fluids, such as poly(a-olefin)/ester blends, offer a number of inherent performance advantages over conventional petroleum-based oils for the formulation of modern automotive engine oils. Another important feature that must be considered in automotive crankcase applications is low-temperature performance. The most widely recognized property benefit of PAO-based fluids is excellent low temperature performance.
Tables 12 and 13 compare the low temperature characteristics of base fluid PAOs with HVI and VHVI mineral oils of comparable viscosity. Highly refined mineral oil stocks are improved over conventional mineral oils’ however, they suffer in low temperature performance even with the addition of pour point depressants. The cold crank simulation test is of vital interest to any car owner who has ever lived in a cold climate.
The advantage of a PAO-based formulation in the crankcase is immediate and obvious on a cold winter morning – it is the difference between being able to start the car and not. The superior low temperature operation of synthetic automotive
lubricants in automotive engine oils, gear oils and automatic transmission fluid formulations has been demonstrated."
For more information about "Synthetic Lubricants and High-Performance Functional Fluids"
So, I'd have to say, in this case, it's better to be safe with the factory fluid.
--- Bror Jace
my model has a manufacturer recommendation to use 5w30, and that is what i use. i believe, according to the temperature range in your area, you may use any of the recommended grade oil, like SJ. I have been using any oil, lately wal-mart brand oil, because it is cheap and is within the recommended specification. But if you feel comfortable with a brand name such as valvoline, it is fine. A very small price to pay for your mental satisfaction. Why I did not change to a synthetic oil? My believe is that synthetic oil is definitely better than conventional oil. The viscosity holds longer. But I want to change my oil more frequently because a lot of engine dirt always floats with the oil. If you check the oil after draining, you shall find tiny metal particles in the oil. I feel that if i change oil more frequently, that dirt level will remain lower. I am no expert in this field, just my common sense and gut feeling.
I had my front brake pads changed at 95,000, 180,000 and 230,000 miles. The rear brake shoes were changed once around 190,000. The right cv boot was changes once around 180,000 miles or so. The left cv boot is fine so far. The original muffler and alternator is still holding. Please let me know whatever your feelings are about all these.
Syed
The people I talked to told me the brand at the time (Mobil 1? Redline?) but it was a while ago and since I don't drive automatics, the information didn't stick with me well enough to cite accurately.
As for Honda fluids in general, try to use a non-Honda power steering fluid in your power steering resevoir. But, be forewarned that most manufacturers of the FLUID say not to use theirs in Hondas.
Many cooling systems (Honda was first but others are following suit) cannot take a diet of the regular coolants. The particulates ruin the seals and you can cause some fairly expensive damage if you try it.
Sure, it's natural to really wonder whether Honda's recommendations are pure BS ... but there are good reasons for at least some of them.
--- Bror Jace
Other than this being a great money-making proposal for Honda, I don't really understand why this should be.
Doesn't Honda publish technical specifications that maintanence fluids must meet? I've seen Ford, GM, Chrysler specs referenced in their service manuals. It would seem Honda would publish such specs, and then non-Honda suppliers could test and certify that their fuids meet or exceed these specs???????
Another observation - does Honda own a refinery and/or chemical plant anywhere? I bet not. If they do not own them, they then must be giving specs that a refinery/chem plant must meet for their Honda branded fluids. And also any additional additives they blend. Or does Honda have a super-secret small lab or chemical plant somewhere that concocts these special additives?
Who has some of the Honda fluids? Read the container closely. If it says 'Made/Packaged FOR Honda' someone else makes it, not Honda......
I used to own 96 Accord and used non Honda fluid (but not synthetics though). Accord had
96K miles and tranny was fine. Also, why not use Acura fluid (or in my case use Lexus brand)?
I've also been using Valvoline Synpower DOT4 synthetic brake fluid in my '95 Civic since 1998 and this stuff is great. I have had no fade, even with occasional moderate-to-heavy breaking and the stuff is JUST starting to discolor. I'll flush the system again next year. DOT5 silicone fluid is the stuff to avoid like the plague.
Bolivar, you are right that Honda buys their own fluids but finding their source is a real ordeal. Good luck in your quest and report back to us when you get some info, OK?
Remember that Honda was one of the first to really stress the use of their own fluids, but in trying to squeeze more and more performance out of designs, ALL auto makers are getting really picky about what the owner can use in their cars. Fords, GMs, VW, etc ...
After all, there is a lot of cheap junk out there!!
--- Bror Jace
I will be approaching 24mos on the oem brake fluid (which I assume is Poly Glycol DOT-3), and do not intend to use the Genuine Honda Fluid. I have used Castrol LMA (preferring to stick to the Poly Glycol TYPE) on previous cars on 24mo intervals.
I'm glad to hear it's compatible with the Honda system. I'll be taking a closer look at the SynPower.
Thanks for the post.
gsleve, what brand fluid is that, Motul? That stuff has the best reputation among serious high-performance guys.
--- Bror Jace
Clean off the plug-it is magnetized. Fill the critter to the amount specified in the owners manual and you are good to go. I change my ATF every 30K. Waited till 70K before the first change and got a check engine light, tranny. The atf was a little brown.