Honda Fluids

[1776]

This is my first Honda - 2010 Pilot LX 4wd. Every fluid mentioned in the manual says it MUST BE the Honda fluid - atf, coolant, brake, etc. I have never owned a car before that was that specific as to brand. Certainly, other fluids of the same designations must be just the same. What is so special about Honda Fluids other than Honda wanting to make a few bucks?

Sometimes you are somewhere and need to add fluids and there is not a Honda parts department near by or open. It seems kind of extreme to say in the manual if you add XYZ Brand of fluid instead of Original Honda Brand you are going to need to drain the system and replace it afterward.

I just sold off a 97 Chevy still in great condition to buy the Pilot. That car never saw the dealer again from the day I took delivery. Now it seems I have a car that is chained to Honda Service forever.

[N_Jay]

Yep!

One of those little annoyances.

Honda seems to put a lot of engineering into their designs right down to engineered fluids.

There are getting to be more Honda compatible fluids on the market, but many here still don't completely trust other brands yet.

Others here will argue that it is just a profit thing, but the past history of destroyed water pumps and engines from the wrong coolant, and shift problems from the wrong ATF would indicate otherwise.

Given the life of the fluids, I don't find it to be a major issue.

I believe Honda was the first with 10 year factory fill coolant life.

ATF is only 4 quarts every 30,000 miles or so.

Brake fluid is a bottles or so every 3 years.

[1776]

As long as nothing starts leaking when I am on the road, I guess I am ok then.

Still...

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by 1776
As long as nothing starts leaking when I am on the road, I guess I am ok then.

Still...

If something starts leaking it probably has to get fixed, so I would not worry that whoever is fixing it will have plenty of time to find the right fluids, or you can change them back later.

Although we have had lots of people mention the fluids issue, I don't think I recall anyone getting stuck anywhere.

[jl_ss]

Originally posted by 1776
As long as nothing starts leaking when I am on the road, I guess I am ok then.

Still...

I own a 2004 Chevy truck with 38K miles on it that never gets used as a truck. If I had to worry about easy access to parts on the road, I would have had to be carrying around or near a bunch of stuff that has failed including: front transfer case gears/bearings, a front hub, 3 intermediate steering shafts, a new drivers seat back, rear spring supports, a new window control wiring harness (my rear passenger window would go down when I set the emergency brake - turns out the brake arm rubbed through the harness - it was amusing for a while until I wanted to park on a hill in the rain), front stabilizer bushings. There is more but you probably get the picture.

With 90K on our 2005 Pilot, I have never been stranded because a Honda fluid was not available. In fact, besides a rock hitting the windshield requiring it to be replaced, it has not needed anything above normal maintenance.

[Sportymonk]

There are Honda compatible fluids but I stick with Honda fluids. Honda does allow for on the road use of other fluids. A fluid that is close to the specs of Honda (like the latest generation of brake fluid) can be used but they caution to flush and replace with Honda fluids as soon as possible.

Generally speaking, there aren't a lot of fluids that if they have to be replaced, the mechanic can't go get them. Transmission and brakes fluids are two that I wouldn't think you would have much you could do with on a trip that wouldn't require a trip to the mechanic.

Hey not ALL fluids have to be Honda. Windshield washer fluid can be anything.

[ctobio]

All but the brake fluid are indeed Honda specific. The brake fluid, however, is just DoT-3. Anything that conforms to DoT-3 or 4 will be fine.

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by ctobio
All but the brake fluid are indeed Honda specific. The brake fluid, however, is just DOT-3. Anything that conforms to DOT-3 or 4 will be fine.

Any DOT-3 or DOT-4 fluid is fine if you are changing the fluid, but I would not routinely mix Brake Fluid and expect to maintain its boiling point and longevity.

Pull the MSDS on a few different brands of DOT-3 and DOT-4 fluids and you will see that different manufacturers have different formulations.

Yes they are "compatible", but that does not make a random mixture as good as what any of the companies have tested.

[eneal1081]

I have been a Honda owner for 16 years, and I share your concern for the Honda OEM parts/fluids/service being more costly. The way I deal with it is by using OEM parts/fluids and doing the service myself when possible. I believe that Honda generally uses unique premium fluids, but more importantly, they engineer their systems around them. From what I read here and elsewhere, substituting alternative fluids is short-sighted many times.
So, I guess my rookie advice is to look around this website for little maintenance tricks that will keep you out of the shop. Then, make friends at the Honda parts counter. They have always been friendly and helpful to me even though they are helping to cut out their biggest profit center, which is service.

[ctobio]

Originally posted by N_Jay


Any DOT-3 or DOT-4 fluid is fine if you are changing the fluid, but I would not routinely mix Brake Fluid and expect to maintain its boiling point and longevity.

Pull the MSDS on a few different brands of DOT-3 and DOT-4 fluids and you will see that different manufacturers have different formulations.

Yes they are "compatible", but that does not make a random mixture as good as what any of the companies have tested.

Suitable for topping off, really. Then again, if you need to top off your brake fluid, you have a problem- either leaking hydraulics, or brake pads worn down to nothing. You should NEVER need to add brake fluid to a properly functioning system. Those aforementioned situations are good moments to flush out the system anyhow.

By design, you are supposed to be able to add DoT-3 or DoT-4 to any system requiring DoT-3, and DoT-4 to any system requiring DoT-4, without negative consequences. It is less than optimal, but then again, so is the reason why your fluid is low.

[belundy]

1776, I'd encourage you to search the forum on this topic and read the plethora comments over the years on the topic of Honda fluids. It's highly entertaining and occasionally informative. You will note the dearth of empirical evidence for causing "damage" or even detectable performance degradation by using aftermarket fluids from reputable vendors (valvoline, pennzoil, castrol...) that are marked "recommended for Honda, Acura Z-1...".

You may find some horror stories about gross misapplications, like using Ford "F", leaving Dexron in for 30,000 miles (although Honda in writing okays it for short term use,) or Dexron in the Power Steering system.

In short,I don't think anyone would disagree that if you have a nearby and agreeable Honda dealer, then by all means buy their radiator, PS, tranny and VTM fluids. Otherwise, you commit no mortal sin, nor is there any *documented and traceable* harm, that I've read of or experienced in 20 years, to do*informed* substitution.

Buying brake, windshield washer fluid from Honda is (for me) overkill, as all have excellent aftermarket offerings as well.

As always, read the label for specific application.

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by ctobio
Suitable for topping off, really. Then again, if you need to top off your brake fluid, you have a problem- either leaking hydraulics, or brake pads worn down to nothing. You should NEVER need to add brake fluid to a properly functioning system. Those aforementioned situations are good moments to flush out the system anyhow.

Yep, but some people top up as the pads wear, and sometimes the low fluid light is a bit too sensitive.

Originally posted by ctobio
By design, you are supposed to be able to add DoT-3 or DoT-4 to any system requiring DoT-3, and DoT-4 to any system requiring DoT-4, without negative consequences. It is less than optimal, but then again, so is the reason why your fluid is low.

Yep, but who wants minimum quality?

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by belundy
1776, I'd encourage you to search the forum on this topic and read the plethora comments over the years on the topic of Honda fluids. It's highly entertaining and occasionally informative.

I am not sure which is funnier, those who would rather follow the recommendation blindly, or those who think they have enough "evidence" not to?

[belundy]

bait taken, thank you N_Jay. Had a bet going....

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by belundy
bait taken, thank you N_Jay. Had a bet going....

Glad to be of assistance.

Most people are not so excited to be trolls, but whatever floats your boat.