[sequoiasoon]

Yes, and I still have some out in the garage. I probably should just pour it into the recycling tank next time I go.
It had 19k miles on it when I got it. That would just be crazy if somehow my 2017 Pilot had an ATF change before 19k, and then managed to make it look like black syrup before I got it. Ok you got me, I'll give you that one. 🙄

Except for that guy 🙋‍♂️ who bought (leased) his new 2019 EX-L new and at first drain and fill had some REALLY DARK fluid and had done many just family trips and 1-2 lightweight short towing with utility trailer. I had dealer do D&F on tranny and rear differential when it came up on MM. I have done at least 2 D&F with DW-1 the first time when I installed my tranny cooler. I need to check in my book in truck for actual dates and mileage. Currently it is at 34k .

Link to thread with pictures of DW1 at 20k

 

[The Todd]

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.

 

[AussieTX]

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.

 

[Nail Grease]

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

 

[cintocrunch]

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.

Joined 11/13/03... this is an OG right here! @xGS predates this user by only a month... 🍻

 

[xGS]

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.

What we'll never know is how the transmission would have performed if it had been "flushed" with DW1 at 60K and every 30K thereafter.

 

[aggrex]

What we'll never know is how the transmission would have performed if it had been "flushed" with DW1 at 60K and every 30K thereafter.

If I recall correctly your dealer approved BG fortified DW1 ATF track record has been good for you. Besides monies saved or spent did your Pilot follow a similar maintenance schedule?

 

[Nail Grease]

What we'll never know is how the transmission would have performed if it had been "flushed" with DW1 at 60K and every 30K thereafter.

Well we have many examples of where that didn't go so well staying on DW-1. Here's another great example where DIYing with VML is a perfectly fine alternative. No fears.

 

[xGS]

If I recall correctly your dealer approved BG fortified DW1 ATF track record has been good for you. Besides monies saved or spent did your Pilot follow a similar maintenance schedule?

The Honda/Acura dealer group, whose service department I've been using for almost 35 years, likes to use the various BG products. I can't say how well my vehicles would have performed without them. The ATF in my Pilot gets changed (1 D&F) with Honda ATF + BG about every 30K miles. As yet, there has been no need to seek out alternate products.

 

[xGS]

Well we have many examples of where that didn't go so well staying on DW-1. Here's another great example where DIYing with VML is a perfectly fine alternative. No fears.

What percentage of the total Pilot population do those "many examples" constitute?
Again with the "fear".

 

[Nail Grease]

I can't say how well my vehicles would have performed without them.

Well will never know since the ATF is not pure virgin DW-1.

The ATF in my Pilot gets changed (1 D&F) with Honda ATF + BG about every 30K miles. As yet, there has been no need to seek out alternate products.

Glad it's working for you. Good account of how BG can save a transmission. 😁👍🏻

 

[Nail Grease]

What percentage of the total Pilot population do those "many examples" constitute?
Again with the "fear".

For a percentage, the best I got is the Valvoline MaxLife DW-1 user poll.
Full Synthetic Valvoline MaxLife ATF or DW-1? POLL
But you know how it is, few come to the forum unless they are seeking answers to a problem. In this case, it's not like we see people giving raving reviews here for the factory fluid.

 

[sequoiasoon]

For a percentage, the best I got is the Valvoline MaxLife DW-1 user poll.
Full Synthetic Valvoline MaxLife ATF or DW-1? POLL
But you know how it is, few come to the forum unless they are seeking answers to a problem. In this case, it's not like we see people giving raving reviews here for the factory fluid.

And from the 's advocate just because it's that kind of day. What would be the brand and version of ATF "CURRENTLY" in the Nail Grease Pilot? I do recall some cases of Amalie (better than it has to be) and a couple others. The VML was swapped out due to not being happy with the shift qualities at least in the '16 Pilot.

 

[AussieTX]

What we'll never know is how the transmission would have performed if it had been "flushed" with DW1 at 60K and every 30K thereafter.

Well I look at it this way.... The Pilot was new with their fluid and I then had THEM change it once with their fluid at the correct interval (30K I think it was).
Problems started occurring some 30K later and some research online recommended another change with an extended flush.
Yes I could have gone back to the stealership and paid $$$ with fingers crossed they do it correctly (or even do it at all) OR, do it myself knowing it was done well beyond recommendations.
I bought 5 or 6 gallons of VML and did the "dump, fill and run" about 5 or maybe 6 times. Problems resolved.
Now had I done this with DW1 would I have had the same outcome? Possibly but I also would have been out of pocket considerably more $$ for that particular tranny fluid.
Moral of this story....If you're cheap like me and know what your doing, performing a flush and refill with VML on a 2004 Pilot can help with transmission shifting issue and save you money.
I'm not a Dr. nor play one on TV so take my advise at your own risk.

 

[Nail Grease]

And from the 's advocate just because it's that kind of day. What would be the brand and version of ATF "CURRENTLY" in the Nail Grease Pilot? I do recall some cases of Amalie (better than it has to be) and a couple others. The VML was swapped out due to not being happy with the shift qualities at least in the '16 Pilot.

If I had to do it over again, I would have stayed on MaxLife. The slightly higher viscosity of Amalie Universal Synthetic didn't make any significant difference in the shifting characteristic. The Mrs isn't complaining about how it shifts, so all is good to me.

 

[AcuraOwner]

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.
View attachment 155112
Keep in mind that DW-1 is made in several places around the world.
View attachment 155115
View attachment 155114
View attachment 155113
Never think that there isn't counterfeit DW-1 out there...
View attachment 155116

You probably should have highlighted the first bullet point on the bottle of Honda fluid and leave it at that.
* Honda Genuine ATF DW-1 is the only automatic transmission fluid approved by Honda for use in Honda cars and trucks*

 

[AcuraOwner]

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.

 

[Nail Grease]

You probably should have highlighted the first bullet point on the bottle of Honda fluid and leave it at that.
* Honda Genuine ATF DW-1 is the only automatic transmission fluid approved by Honda for use in Honda cars and trucks*

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.

Simply put...
I fell into using Valvoline MaxLife ATF (VML), it's what the guy at the auto parts store handed to me when I said I need transmission fluid for my Honda. That was many years ago on a vehicle that I no longer own. My current experience with VML is all positive. My 2012 Honda Crosstour was switched to VML at 101k miles. It currently has 282k miles. It has has several drain and fills with VML, some intervals as long as 40k, but the most recent drain and fills have been every 30k. I've never had a single transmission problem and still has all original shift solenoids. I have no problem about anyone staying on Honda's recommended DW-1 ATF, that's their choice. I do have a problem with anyone causing fear among Honda owners. My vehicles transmission has proved Valvoline MaxLife ATF is safe and I trust the creators of the product. I believe it is extending the life of my transmission.