I have done a 1x drain and fill with DW-1 every 15k miles. Currently at 116k miles with no issues.

Orhers on this forum swear by Valvoline Maxlife. Personally I think it’s more a function of how often you change it versus what you change it with ( as long as meets or exceeds DW-1 spec).

If you are planning to do a flush check your manual. For 2005 3x drain and fill ( driving a few miles between each one) is a Honda tranny flush.

 

And welcome to the forum,

 

Also fwiw it shifts and drives fine.

 

Also what about the transfer case oil Hypoid gl5? I don’t know if I trust using non Honda fluid in the tranny as that is a BIG repair if it goes awry. I know the VTM4 has to be Honda as I believe they are the only ones that make it. Thanks

 

Also what about the transfer case oil Hypoid gl5?

Valvoline™ High Performance Gear Oil : Product Catalog - Valvoline™

 

Also what about the transfer case oil Hypoid gl5? I don’t know if I trust using non Honda fluid in the tranny as that is a BIG repair if it goes awry. I know the VTM4 has to be Honda as I believe they are the only ones that make it. Thanks

 

My question would be why not use OEM fluids? Is the cost difference really worth it in the long run?

 

I am a Valvoline MaxLife fan. I have several vehicles using it with great success. My greatest success is my 2012 V6 5-speed Honda Crosstour. I began using MaxLife ATF in it at 103k miles. It now has 230k and still going strong. It's just under $18 a gallon at Wal-Mart. I wouldn't think twice, MaxLife.

 

For the transfer case I’d just use an aftermarket GL5 gear oil of the specified weight.

 

Und eef you vant zee really gut shtuff, zen get zis:
https://products.liqui-moly.com/hypoid-gear-oil-gl5-sae-80w-90-1.html

 

I use Maxlife in the Sonata and Pilot, Valvoline full synthetic Dex6 in the Traverse since Maxlife doesn't give me the warm and fuzzies for that certification. For the gear oil I go with M1 full synthetic, 75W90 is what's available off the shelf so that's what I get. VTM-4 is the only fluid that touches the rear diff.

 

For the Hypoid gear oil, I just used the Walmart stuff five years ago. Been fine.

For the VTM-4, use only OEM Honda VTM-4 fluid.

For the transmission, spoiler alert...

Spoiler: Click here for BIG spoiler!

Yup, Valvoline Maxlife ATF

 

For the Hypoid gear oil, I just used the Walmart stuff five years ago. Been fine.

For the VTM-4, use only OEM Honda VTM-4 fluid.

For the transmission, spoiler alert...

Spoiler: Click here for BIG spoiler!

Yup, Valvoline Maxlife ATF

I think you are the only person who uses that spoiler feature... you must really love it... It's the simple things, right?

 

Ok. Thanks for the input. Just still scary not using Honda DW-1. I suppose if it don’t work I can just drain and fill several times eh

 

I'm just the opposite. I want to get every drop of DW-1 out of my transmissions for the fear that I got the conventional blend. DW-1 has failed me before.
If your vehicle was mine, I would buy 3 jugs of MaxLife and drain, fill, and drive. Repeat for a total of 3 times to get as much DW-1 out as I can. Then every 30k miles.

 

I don't think anyone will fault you (well I'm probably wrong every forum has people that will belittle you because you do something different than them) for using DW-1. My feeling is that DW-1 is not synthetic and is manufactured by multiple vendors, so I could be getting a really good bottle or a really poor bottle. Maxlife has a long history of being successful in DW-1 applications and is consistently manufactured as a full synthetic product by one manufacturer. Plus I can use it in 2 of my 3 vehicles so it's one less product I have to stock.

 

I wouldn't change the rear end oil if your Pilot is nice and quiet when you make slow turns like coming out your driveway or parking spot. I changed my oil when I first got it after seeing the leasing company hadn't changed it since 45,000 mile service and it now had 96,000 miles. I used the recommended Honda Oil and made all the slow figure 8 turns to get the oil to work into the tight clutches in the rear end. No matter what it was very noisy for 4 months, just now getting bearable. I took it back to the dealer the day after the oil change and he did the same figure 8's and then said it it doesn't make noise don't touch it! It doesn't get hot and that thick oil doesn't need changing every 15,000 as the manual says. It is a money making deal for Honda.

 

Is your dealer willing to put that in writing and replace rear diffs that aren't functioning right?

The rear diff clutches need fresh fluid to operate properly. The rear diff works frequently on this vehicle so it's not OK to extend the interval if you live in a warm climate. Knowing what I know about these diffs my recommendation is to follow the factory interval or your maintenance minder system.

 

The 2005 Honda owners manual states VTM-4 fluid changes at 15k miles, 30k miles, then every 30k miles for “normal operating conditions.” The “severe operating conditions” change interval is every 15k miles. Severe includes Canadians and those who regularly operate their Pilots at 90F degrees ambient and above.

I’m not sure how the maintenance minder system (2006 and beyond Pilots) factors the weather into the calculation for when service is required, but the 2005 maintenance schedule is a good reference point.

For the chattering in the rear differential, if you used a fluid pump that previously pumped non VTM-4 fluid that may have contaminated the fluid. I have read that on numerous posts in this forum over the years. Your VTM-4 fluid pump should be dedicated to this fluid only. I have performed six VTM-4 drain and fills, over the years with a dedicated fluid pump, and the rear differential has never chattered.

 

No matter what you use just make sure its a good quality brand...

 

In terms of shifting quality the Redline was the best, then Honda then Valvoline. But my wallet prefers Valvoline.

 

What are your thoughts on shift quality with non Honda fluid?

 

MaxLife ATF will improve your transmissions performance. Smoother more responsive shifts.
It's a thinner ATF than DW-1. It will revive a sluggish, slipping, growling, shuddering transmission.
Be sure to jack up your rear drivers side to drain out an extra .4 qt of that old DW-1. I let it drip until it stops.

 

I didn't notice a difference between the factory fill DW-1 and the MaxLife in my '15 at ~40k miles. I did a second drain and fill at ~50k and still no change. But it never shifted bad to begin with.

 

I just change the ATF every second oil change now. Since Valvoline Maxlife ATF is both reasonably priced and great quality, not only does it shift well but it provides peace of mind and cheap insurance for a transmission that could be described as the Achilles' heel of Pilots.

 

Thanks for the tips. I think I’ll go maxlife. Again no shifting issues at this point. Thanks for the extra drain and every other oil change tips

 

While we’re on the subject of fluids thoughts on power steering fluid? OEM or aftermarket. Gonna change it too

 

I only use OEM power steering fluid. I don't know of a reliable aftermarket. Maybe someone will have a success story on the subject.

 

I recently summoned my courage and swallowed my pride, and headed off to the dealership to pick up 3 bottles of OEM Honda power steering fluid.

If you're surreptitious and speedy enough, you can get a fleeting whiff of new car smell and cop a gawk at the stiletto-heeled sales associate's gams without being suckered into buying a new vehicle.

How much power steering fluid?

 

without being suckered into buying a new vehicle.

How much power steering fluid?

I drive up in my rebuilt 2012 Crosstour EX-L, wearing my oil stained mechanic cloths. I tell how much my car cost me and how much I spent, show pictures before and after. They avoid me like the plague now. They don't even get up out of their chairs for me as they whisper to each other. I got an unabated straight shot to the parts counter. ?‍?

 

Anyone ever use Castrol’s high mileage tranny fluid?

 

I don’t recall anyone ever using that. Does the bottle label state it meets or exceeds DW-1 specs?

 

Yes.
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