psychoboy

You might have found out by now that Honda has basically discontinued their ATF-Z1 automatic transmission fluid.

For future automatic transmission use, they've released ATF-DW1.

You might not have realized that the SH-AWD rear differentials ALSO came filled with ATF-Z1 until mid way through the 2010 model year.

All 2011 SH-AWDs come with Honda's new fluid, DPSF, which replaces ATF-Z1 for the rear differential.

While it has a part number similar to Honda's Dual Pump Fluid II (used in the CRV and Element), it is an entirely different fluid.

Retail prices are about the same for all these, typically less than $10 a qt.

Older MDXs (non SH-AWD) will continue to use the VTM-4 fluid that they (and Ridgelines and Pilots) have always used.


Not all your local Acura dealers know this, some of them may want to put DW1 into your diff, others might want to put DPSF into your transmission. If you have your Acura serviced at a Honda dealer, they don't have the DPSF in the Honda lineup, and probably wouldn't think or know to look it up. They cannot use Dual Pump Fluid II, and they might not have any ATF-Z1 left.



the more you know....

99blackcivicSi

most parts guys when the pull the service check acura net as most honda dealers have ways of getting on there as well i know i do personally as a tech, and they also call acura for it, i know for a fact we stock some acura items for general services and repairs as we are a large dealer and have a lot of acura customers.

Honda_Enjineer

I have been switching my '06 Pilot over to the new synthetic tranny fluid (to the extent that you can with each change).

No problems and it also seems to shift better.

Bob