So, Honda seems to want their ATF to have high levels of Magnesium and Zinc, and a low level of Phosphorus - which is apparently unavailable in any formula of aftermarket ATF (as shown in the full chart).

 

Maybe all that extra calcium and magnesium in DW-1 needs to be extracted and used for human consumption instead of it clogging up Honda shift solenoids. 😆😂🤣

 

a Honda ATF enthusiast

Hmm, can't think of anyone offhand.

Give me a minute....

 

Check out the differences in Magnesium, Phosphorus and Zinc.

 

But seriously, I wonder what the intended purpose of those additives is. There must be some rationale.

 

Or the Magnesium is present in DW-1 because of it not being refined as a full synthetic ATF would be.

 

But which one has the most riboflavin?

 

 

This photo is from an Odyssey thread from 8 years ago. These bottles are 1ltr in Canada. Obviously not from the same manufacturer of the US version.

DW-1 ATF vs MaxLife

Several years ago there were many threads on ATF and most recommended to only use Honda Z1 ATF. I see that things have changed. Any opinions on the new DW-1 ATF compared to other Honda compatible ATFs such as MaxLife, Amzoil, etc. I just bought a case of DW-1 and am looking into putting...

www.odyclub.com

 

And just to throw more fuel on this fire, I believe terms like "synthetic," "Full Synthetic," "semi-synthetic," are all just marketing terms carrying ZERO legal weight. There was a lawsuit years back when Mobil sued Castrol for making certain claims. As a part of that, it became clear that all of these terms of devoid of any real world meaning. It's whatever the manufacturer wants it to mean.

 

It's the full synthetic term that can be loosely used. To use the term, you'd think every component should be synthesized, so you'd think, some more than others. But this subject has been talked about in volumes. The Amsoil crowd claims to be the only true full synthetic out there.
Nothing grey about semi synthetic (semi blend). If it says that, it's likely mostly conventional.
Is DW-1 full synthetic? I don't believe so, based on the back of the US version of a DW-1 bottle.

Keep in mind that DW-1 is made in several places around the world.

Never think that there isn't counterfeit DW-1 out there...

 

Synthetic oil still contains petroleum so…..

Just curious if you ended up finding out that DW-1 was full synthetic, what would your argument be for why it is so terrible?

 

Technically no. Once something is synthesized from petroleum, it's no longer petroleum. Adding a chemical to petroleum to change it's characteristics, the result would be that it contains petroleum oil. That's about as simple as I can explain it. 👨‍🔬
I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

 

I guess I don't understand the chart on the first post. Maybe the zinc, the magnesium and others are good for the trans and phosporus is not. As I remember, phosporus is pretty abrasive?

It would be good to have context with the chart.

 

Good Thread off with some good data, then a few posts by some of the rival gangs on here LOL.

Since I started doing d&f, I've been using VML. My 2 pilots shift so well, etc., I don't care what a chart says- it's still my go to ATF for them.

 

Have to agree with nail Grease here. My 2004 was starting to have the clunky shift changes back around 60K many years ago. It had had a change only once with DW1 from the local stealership. I flushed with VML and do so every 30K and it has not missed a beat since. Not to mention the stuff is cheap to pick up from my local Wally World.

 

Maybe you'd like to participate in the ATF user poll. 😁👍🏻

Full Synthetic Valvoline MaxLife ATF or DW-1? POLL

Didn't see a poll for this. This poll is for 5 or 6-speed transmission owners. If you can swear by the quality of another fluid, tell us what and why. Be nice. Enjoy.

www.piloteers.org

 

Although I don't care how others maintain or don't maintain their vehicles, I do find it funny that certain people on this forum are smarter than the Honda engineers that designed their vehicles.
If literally thousands of Honda engineers and PhD's in chemical engineering think that DW-1 is the best fluid for my vehicle, that's what I am going to go with.
Personally, I have a Acura Master Tech who is NSX Certified work on my vehicles and if he follows the factory recommendations that is good enough for me.