[mx3_ryder]

Anyone running Maxlife atf in the 7th gen?
Just made the switch as I was having horrible tc shudder and with only 1 drain and fill so far since yesterday my shudder is no more!!
Will be performing the next drain and fill in a couple days and the 3rd this weekend and will drop 3 quarts every other oil change after that.
Wanted to hear others success stories with making the switch to Maxlife.
I will post back with results when I do the final drain and fill.

 

[jakenickle]

Genuine OEM Honda DW-1 or bust. It's not expensive or hard to acquire. And specifically made for our transmissions. I suppose Valvoline isn't the worst, but why settle for anything but the best? Just my opinion.. Do you have the i4 or v6? if the v6, don't forget to change the filter!! DIY instructions can be found all over this site.

 

[mc1114]

I'm also a believer in OEM ATF

 

[jimijam]

Wanted to hear others success stories with making the switch to Maxlife.

This is something you should have asked BEFORE making that switch. Hope you aren't in a hurry because you'll find few "success stories" with that fluid here. :wavebye:

 

[mx3_ryder]

So in other words you're saying I should get myself some DW-1? For what reason is that other than it says Honda and you're a "firm believer"in oem atf.

 

[BLCKFLSH]

Anyone running Maxlife atf in the 7th gen?
Just made the switch as I was having horrible tc shudder and with only 1 drain and fill so far since yesterday my shudder is no more!!
Will be performing the next drain and fill in a couple days and the 3rd this weekend and will drop 3 quarts every other oil change after that.
Wanted to hear others success stories with making the switch to Maxlife.
I will post back with results when I do the final drain and fill.

Have you entertained the thought that a drain and fill with DW-1 would have solved the issues? How much does the Maxlife atf cost per quart? Are you really saving anything? What engine does your car have?
PS: Put your car details in your signature, so you don't have to repeat it and so everyone is not guessing.

 

[t-rd]

You should NEVER use any other ATF fluid.

Hit up tl.acurazine.net and find people who experimented with Redline fluid on the 3rd gen TL which has the same transmission as 7th gen Accord V6. Only later to find out that transmission is flaring between gear shifts, then dudes started mixing Redline D6 with D4 to add friction modifier, but this requires a crazy amount of drain and fill to get it to the right percentage. It was a 60+ page read so enjoy or switch back to DW-1 NOW.

 

[mx3_ryder]

So what's going to happen if I continue to run the maxlife atf?

 

[jimijam]

So in other words you're saying I should get myself some DW-1? For what reason is that other than it says Honda and you're a "firm believer"in oem atf.

How you get those "other words" from what I posted is a miracle. I told you what you needed to hear, which is that you should have asked this BEFORE you used the fluid, NOT after. I mean seriously man, who does this? I know today's Facebook generation is all about seeking approval to make themselves feel better, but come on man. And there are few "success stories" here or any other Honda or Acura forum about the fluid you selected. But I digress, so allow me..

Spend a few hours on the interweb and read about Honda's AT problems on the V6s and see just how many recommendations within those finding lead you to the ATF you bought vs the OEM Honda fluid.

97 of 100 (or more) here will tell you Honda DW1 only. Guess you are one in the three which is simply marvelous. Will your tranny blow up tomorrow because you used it? Probably not. What will happen to it after prolonged use? I don't care. But if something does happen to it, just figure that $6 savings on three quarts and using what you wanted to use was worth it.

All manufacturers try to sell you on using their own labeled stuff and have it done at their shop. However, Honda is one of the only ones that has come out and specifically stated (in writing) to their own technicians not to use anything other than Honda ATF....not "we recommend", not "we suggest", not "or compatible fluid", but NOTHING other than Honda fluid.

Valvoline isn't a miracle fluid and it is does not meet the exact specs your transmission calls for by the engineers that designed it. If you don't believe me, pull up the MSDS on your fluid and compare it with the MSDS for the Honda fluid then ask yourself what does that mean? When you determine you don't know what that means, ask yourself if the Valvoline is better, why haven't I been reading about it all all those transmission problems links I researched earlier?

Good luck on your research and good luck with your car.

 

[Drew03Accord]

So in other words you're saying I should get myself some DW-1? For what reason is that other than it says Honda and you're a "firm believer"in oem atf.

I'm intrigued. I say keep using it. We haven't had any test guinea pigs around here for Maxlife, so I'm curious to see where this ends up. Thanks for being a brave soul and please keep reporting back on how it's going.

 

[t-rd]

Go ahead and keep using it and see what happens. I already told you about the 60+ page Redline racing fluid experimental run on tl.acurazine.net, and some of those ended up with a slipping transmission + replacements.

 

[jakenickle]

So what's going to happen if I continue to run the maxlife atf?

This: :thmsup:

 

[Drew03Accord]

In support of OP, I have to say that If I chose to use another brand of ATF, it would be Valvoline Maxlife. I'm a member of other car forums and spend much time on Bitog. I see a LOT of good things about it. Valvoline also seems confident that it will work in non CVT Honda Trannys and I believe them. I will keep using DW-1 because it has performed outstandingly and I'm confident in it, but I don't think this guy's tranny will blow up. I believe he will be okay.

http://www.valvoline.com/valint/international/english/static_document/MaxLife_ATF_Rev_2013.08.08.pdf

 

[mx3_ryder]

I have a hard time believing I'm the only one running maxlife atf, but you all can take your negative comments and put em where the sun don't shine.
Every forum has one you... jimijam, haha... Would love to see a pdf of that Honda DW-1 MSDS. Plenty of members over @ Oddesy have had success which I solely based my decision on. I'll be the guinea pig here for the 97% Accord non-oem atf haters.
Here we go... 06 ACCORD EX 5AT, 106,000 miles, atf filter and pressure switches replaced and running Valvoline Maxlife ATF.

 

[GolftangoV2]

I honestly think Maxlife is perfectly fine. I've been a big advocate of Honda fluid, but Maxlife is just as good, if not better.

Over on the Mazda 5 forums, this is what most switch out to vs the crappy Mazda V fluid. Much better/smoother shifts and doesn't break down as quick as V.

 

[Coach Steve]

So what's going to happen if I continue to run the maxlife atf?

Nobody knows - and that's the problem with using it. You may be fine but you may be shortening the life of your transmission. Due to the costs associated with rebuilding/replacing it - even with a used one, do you want to take the chance just to find out?

As jimijam stated above, Honda specifically instructs their techs in writing not to use an
other kind/type of fluid than DW-1.

The following page is taken directly from the shop manual. Look at the 3rd entry in the list.

As you can tell by the emotions attached to the replies you've received, the AT issue in our Accords is no laughing matter and due to the potential for failure looming inside each one still in service and the costs associated with that happening - in addition to the actual price of the repair/replacement - AND the fact that in many cases there is no warning whatsoever when they decide to fail..... well.... let's just say it's the Holy Grail of the problems with this car and everyone approaches it as such.

You're obviously free to put whatever you want in your car - you know this. However, if you opt to use something other than what is directed by the manufacturer and recommended by those who own the vehicle in question, and it fails in a month or two or 6.... you won't find any sympathy or dare I say it.... help, from anyone here. That's kinda just how it goes with things like that I suppose.

Good luck!

 

[jakenickle]

I have a hard time believing I'm the only one running maxlife atf, but you all can take your negative comments and put em where the sun don't shine.
Every forum has one you... jimijam, haha... Would love to see a pdf of that Honda DW-1 MSDS. Plenty of members over @ Oddesy have had success which I solely based my decision on. I'll be the guinea pig here for the 97% Accord non-oem atf haters.
Here we go... 06 ACCORD EX 5AT, 106,000 miles, atf filter and pressure switches replaced and running Valvoline Maxlife ATF.

Hey man, i'd just like to clarify; i didn't really see many negative comments so far on this posting.. i've seen it get way worse lol, where guys ask for 'honest opinions' and then go on rants about how mean people are when they hear the honesty. But i digress..
Basically, most of the people on this forum are older, more conservative, but very very knowledgable (i am generalizing). Almost all of the members on this site, at least the ones that care and give out help and check threads every day, will stick to OEM Honda. We're not haters. We aren't saying that your Valvoline won't work, just that it is not recommended. -not from us, from Honda. DW-1 is a cheap and basically guaranteed quality product. I would conduct more research if i were you. The transmissions are kind of important..



Oh, and here's your DW-1 MSDS sheet. I'm actually really proud of finding it, just for you! :thmsup:
http://www.worldpac.com/tagged/HONDA_DW-1_ATF_08200-9008_OES_(USA)_and_CA66844_OES_(Canada).pdf

 

[t-rd]

It's free country, use what you want.

But the first thing you said was "I'm having this horrible tc shudder." I'll tell you that torque converter does not shudder on new DW-1 fluid. So it there is something wrong? Maybe, maybe not. It's your choice. You can continue letting it shudder.

 

[mobiless2]

I've been using Mobil1 ATF on my 7th Gen since 80k with no issues, I'm at 262K. My 8th Gen got it's first drain & fill @ 30k with no issues, now at 134k.

 

[Drew03Accord]

I can say with confidence that my 2003 Accord has had the most reliable tranny of any car I've ever owned. I'm now at 169K and I've never felt a single shift that worried me, or felt out of place. I've never used anything other than Honda ATF. That's me and I drive an i4.

But then, there is info such as this...

http://www.carcomplaints.com/Honda/Accord/2003/


"CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2003 Honda Accord suffers from widespread transmission failure & problems with the stereo backlight failing. We recommend avoiding this model year like the plague.

The transmission begins slipping & eventually has to be replaced, typically soon after 90,000 miles & with a repair cost of over $2,000. Transmission failure has been a huge problem for the Accord & several other Honda models all through the early 2000s model years. Honda extended the transmission warranty to 93 months/109k miles for the 2000-2001 Accord as a class action lawsuit settlement, but owners of other Accord model years with transmission problems are out of luck."

As you said in another thread, Coach, the Accord has dropped to second most unreliable, after a long reign. It gained that title due to a single, consistent fault. Finally outdone by the 2002 Explorer... and this ain't the first or last model that's had it's tranny issues. Not exactly confidence inspiring if you ask me. So... I'm not in awe of Honda's transmission engineering and as such, I'm not going to rate them experts on ATF either. For YEARS, they kept screwing up a major component in an otherwise bullet-proof package. Furthermore, it's in their best intere$t to tell you to use ONLY Honda brand brake fluid, PS fluid, Antifreeze, ATF. Isn't it strange that most other Japanese brands aren't so stringent? Take Toyota, for example. You can use Maxlife, or just about any other brand without a peep from them. Same goes for the other fluids. Makes you wonder, does it not? That's why I can't fault a person for wanting to try something else.