How to tell if Tranny fluid is Honda Fluid.

[volvophile]

Hi All,
Im currently looking at a few 05 EX-Ls in Colorado Springs, a couple are at non-Honda dealers that service the vehicles prior to sale.

I notice the Honda Liturature is pretty specific on using the Honda Tranny Fluid, that you can use dextron, but only untill you can get your hands on the Honda stuff, yada yada yada........

1st question: is this for real?
2nd question: Is there a way to tell the Honda stuff from the dextron stuff by looking at it? like a different color, or it smells like bunny farts or something like that?

Thanks,
Dave.

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by volvophile
Hi All,
Im currently looking at a few 05 EX-Ls in Colorado Springs, a couple are at non-Honda dealers that service the vehicles prior to sale.

I notice the Honda Liturature is pretty specific on using the Honda Tranny Fluid, that you can use dextron, but only untill you can get your hands on the Honda stuff, yada yada yada........

1st question: is this for real?
2nd question: Is there a way to tell the Honda stuff from the dextron stuff by looking at it? like a different color, or it smells like bunny farts or something like that?

Thanks,
Dave.

Yes it is important

If you are not sure, get it changed for safety.

[gilberttribe]

No, you cannot tell by looking at it. You could get it analyzed and compare it to unused transmission oil, but you still wouldn't know for certain. If you are concerned about it, the best approach is to change it as mentioned above. I only use Honda transmission oil, but I wouldn't be concerned with other oils that meet the specification as long as the shifting didn't feel abnormal.

[humanoid]

You'd better use Honda branded VTM-4 fluid as well or your rear diff will be toast if you leave regular diff fluid in there too long.