simons2k

A question for our sibling vechicles. Honda cars that have auto transmissions use Honda ATF. The owner's manual for my wife's MY2003 CRV says to use Honda ATF, however, "if Honda ATF isn't available you may use Dexron III as a temporary replacement. Continued use of non Honda ATF may affect shift quality."

Has anyone experienced this to be true?

I just bought some Dexron III for "topping off" purposes.

When the fluid needs to be changed I was planning to just use Dexron III for replacement.

wickerbill

Why not use the Honda stuff if that's what they recommend? I know that a Prelude I used to have had a leaky power steering rack because the previous owner put in ATF fluid instead of Honda power steering fluid and it made the seals leak. He may have saved a few dollars in fluid cost, but ended up ruining a $400 part in the process.

Bret

I just helped change the transmission fluid on a friend's '01 Prelude. We went to five different auto parts stores searching for an equivalent to the Honda ATF but couldn't find one. He ended up getting it at the dealership for about $4 per quart. We drained and filled three times (per the instruction manual) and ended up using nine quarts for a total of about $36. If there is a less expensive alternative that says on the container that it IS a direct replacement for Honda ATF, then my friend would sure like to know.

simons2k

Honda power steering fluid must be used for Honda's p/s units. You just can't dump any p/s fluid in. That I know.

If the manual says that Dexron III is ok for a temp. replacement then I figure I can get away with it for a short period.

I remember putting 10w-40 motor oil in gearboxes of Accords, Integras, Civics ('90s models) and just left it in with no problems ever. (owners manuals says ok to use)

It does make sense just to go and get Honda ATF for the change interval.