I need help deciding what to do with my automatic transmission fluid. I have a 92 Accord that shift hard, meaning every shift is very much felt. Right now I am using DexIII fluid and am torn between switching to Honda Z1 or AMSOIL ATF. I've heard of both of these fluids resolving hard shifting. Some people say Honda Z1 isn't all that great but nobody seems to have anything bad to say about AMSOIL ATF. Now for the great question that vexes us all...What should I do? Thanks for any thoughts.

 

I would recommend the Z1 since it has an additive to maintain the seals. A common practice around here is to use all Honda fluids except oil. When you change the ATF check and see how many shavings are on the magnetic drain plug. Generally, if the plug is full and you still have shavings in the fluid itself you probably have bigger problems on you hands.

 

Not saying this is the case for all, but when I put Z1 in my Accord I got a bad gear grind on acceleration, right now Im using AMSOIL and my tranny is smooth. another issue I had was it was hunting between 4th and overdrive, it has not done that since I put the AMSOIL in either. but this is just my personal experience.

 

honda ATF FTW!

sweet. got to use hte other one.

 

you might want to chk the motor mounts and also the throttle cable adjustment at the tranny ,,and yes use Honda ATF-Z1 tranny fluid

 

I put in Amsoil ATF in my wife's '03 Accord. Just drained and fill at 50k miles. I didnt think it would do much, but shifter is amazingly smooth now. Can't feel when it shifts... kinda like a cvt tranny. I'm impressed. I'm also trying out the Amsoil 0-20 oil and EA filter. So far we're at 6 months and 6k miles...and so far so good. Only thing to watch out for is to keep an eye on the oil level. I had to top it off once already. I wonder if it's because the oil is 0-20?

I'm going to change the engine oil at a 15k interval. I'm still not comfortable w/ the claimed 25k yet.