CVT fluid change

Ehetleos · 12-05-2010, 05:19 AM

A friend of the Greek hybrid forum took his I2 for the second service and them guys down the Honda dealer also changed the CVT fluid.
They put 3 litres of Honda ATF-Z1 in his car but inspecting the cans our guy saw that it was clearly stated on the label that that particular fluid goes for all Honda auto trannies BUT NOT in the CVT engines!!!
He started a situation but the mechanic said that that is what the official Greek importer tells them to use for the car. They could not present any official written directive, just a plain pricelist!
I read somewhere that the Honda ATF-Z1 was used in the first Civic Hybrids in the US but i am not sure whether they were CVTs equiped with auto trannies.
Anyone with experience on the matter?
Is my friend's I2's CVT under any risk?
The manual clearly states Honda CVTF fluid only, no?
?

**Jayemtee** · 12-05-2010, 06:13 AM

The service manual is very specific about using CVTF. It specifies P/N 08200-9006 and says "Always use Honda CVTF. Using a non Honda CVTF can affect shift quality."

In reality, the ATF would probably work. The question is how well it would work. If the car is under warranty and the reciept says they used ATF-Z1, that might give your friend some comfort if something goes wrong. Is there another dealer that you could talk to? There is a possibility that it works just fine and makes the car get better mileage.

Personally, I would rather have Honda CVTF, even if it meant changing it myself every week or two until I thought the ATF was flushed out.

Keep us updated, as this is interesting. If they leave the ATF in, I would want to see the magnetic drain plug the next time the fluid is changed.

Ehetleos · 12-06-2010, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayemtee

In reality, the ATF would probably work.

Quite true, my friend. Actually it did for older Honda hybrids...
The problem is that the label clearly states that it should not be used for CVTs.
I cannot recall if the first Civic hybrids were auto tranny-CVTs. If they were, it worked well for them, hence no apparent problem (one might say).
I am realy puzzled...

joecvt · 12-06-2010, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ehetleos

I read somewhere that the Honda ATF-Z1 was used in the first Civic Hybrids in the US but i am not sure whether they were CVTs equiped with auto trannies.

By default, a CVT IS considered an automatic transmission....

There are no manual transmission cars based on the CVT design.....It sort of defeats the purpose.

It is important to have the actual approved CVT fluid during replacement. Honda re-introduced the CVT fluid that should be used. Do a search on "Honda reintroduces" and you will find much reading material on this topic. Here is a good thread to start out with:

Honda reintroduces CVT specific ATF

JoeCVT = Just your average CVT owner

Ehetleos · 12-06-2010, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joecvt

By default, a CVT IS considered an automatic transmission....

There are no manual transmission cars based on the CVT design.....It sort of defeats the purpose.

Apologies for my ignorance, Joe.
You never stop to learn throughout life, do you?
Cheers on that.

Hitech · 12-07-2010, 08:09 AM

FWIW I used Dexron fluid for changes on my 2006 for the first 150K miles I then noticed a slight "jutter" when starting our from a dead stop. I changed to Honda CTV fluid and the jutter stopped after first 10 miles. There is some "magic" in that can.

Ehetleos · 12-09-2010, 03:03 PM

Alright!
The guy got an official Honda reply today stating that ATF was wrongly used and only CVTF should be accepted in his I2 CVT chamber.
They (Honda) will conduct their corporate network garage in question to ask them a few questions!
Will keep you posted.

nursemike · 12-10-2010, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ehetleos

A friend of the Greek hybrid forum took his I2 for the second service and them guys down the Honda dealer also changed the CVT fluid.
They put 3 litres of Honda ATF-Z1 in his car but inspecting the cans our guy saw that it was clearly stated on the label that that particular fluid goes for all Honda auto trannies BUT NOT in the CVT engines!!!
He started a situation but the mechanic said that that is what the official Greek importer tells them to use for the car. They could not present any official written directive, just a plain pricelist!
I read somewhere that the Honda ATF-Z1 was used in the first Civic Hybrids in the US but i am not sure whether they were CVTs equiped with auto trannies.
Anyone with experience on the matter?
Is my friend's I2's CVT under any risk?
The manual clearly states Honda CVTF fluid only, no?
?

The 1st gen CVTs also were known to have issues. Not to finger the ATF-Z1 fluid solely, but the later-generation CVTs do perform better with CVTF in addition to a few changes. Hopefully he'll make them completely drain the trans, which can be done as part of a procedure to flush debris out of the system and is in the Honda service manual (this is different from a problem-ridden "power flush" and more of a "circulation of new CVT fluid to empty the old. Given the cost of CVTF per quart, it's obviously pretty expensive. Address the issue with Honda corporate and let them deal with the dealer's incompetence.

Relic · 02-02-2011, 02:27 PM

Posted in wrong forum, sorry.

Cobb · 02-03-2011, 11:13 AM

Id change it and the filter. The filter is the accumulator thing inline with the coolant hoses near the bottom of the engine bay. I changed mines and the fluid twice. Its about 3 qts, not much at all and unlike the automatics, we do not have a torque converter that holds another gallon or 2.