I have an '03 Accord i-4 and I'm used to doing my own maintanence on my other two cars ('94 Mustang GT and '95 Accent). I'm seeing warnings all over the manual and underhood stickers saying to use only geninue Honda fluids.

Are their fluids really unique, or can I confidently use other brands?

Specifically, what about Honda's Type 2 coolant? I like to keep a gallon of coolant to top the resevoir off...must I use Honda Type 2, or will other anti-freeze brands work equivalently?

Thanks,
Tim

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by timzak &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm seeing warnings all over the manual and underhood stickers saying to use only geninue Honda fluids.</TD></TR></TABLE>

If their are warnings I would use the honda stuff. Maybe just me though. Might void your warrenty if you don't.

 

uses all honda fluids except for motor oil.

 

other brands will work, but there's one Honda type that comes pre-mixed 50/50 w/ distilled water, so you won't have to do it. Just more convenient I guess.

 

whats up buddy
auto or manual&gt; auto use what mfg recommends manual i bet u it says to use motor oil 10w30 is whats recommended, coolant depends on the ingredients used by the mfg. this ones up to you. i've been using the green stuff for some time now no problems with my crx good luck

 

I think Honda coolant has a special formulation for aluminum block engines, that's why it's recommended you use it. I read this online somewhere.

 

in my opinion, i personally think when it comes to coolant, anything is fine

 

Thanks for the feedback. I've got free coupons for a carwash and oil change that I'm going to redeem at the dealer when my first oil change is due. I'll pick up a gallon of the coolant while I'm there to use for topping off. Better safe than sorry, i guess.

Thanks again.

 

What about tranny fluid? Ive heard a lot of good things about REdline. Does anyone have experience with that brand?

 

I had some time to kill at AutoZone so I looked at the lables on the different brands of anti-freeze. None listed any particular make of car or any specification numbers.
I didn't look, but in the past power steering and transmission fluid gave the manufacturers specification numbers that it met.
I don't think Honda tells what specification numbers are for these fluids - only that you should use HONDA fluid.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by enemy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I think Honda coolant has a special formulation for aluminum block engines, that's why it's recommended you use it.</TD></TR></TABLE>

thats pretty much the jist of it. it needs to be silicate free, or high silicate, one or the other, i always forget. I just use honda coolant and then I don't have to remember

I would also reccomend using their MTF/ATF as well

 

honda stuff is just like 10w40

 

I don't think the MTF is just 10w40. it definately had a slightly different smell to it than motor oil typically has. almost smelled like mineral oil

 

Manual trans Fluid is 10w30 DO not USE GEAR OIL; also Honda Coolant is just a mixture of 50 / 50 so no Mixing as far as I know there are not that Many Coolant manufactures out there.They buy the Coolant and Put there Label on it like most retailers do ; we use Havo automatic trans fluid unless car is new then it gets honda trans fluid, other than that the POWER steering fluid ya deffinatley always want to use Honda Brand.

 

i went to advance auto, and they told me to just use 10w30. I told them i was gonna check with the dealer.

I asked the dealer for some honda MTF and he said to just use 10w30 oil.

 

As long as you get a green basic coolant your ok... do NOT get dexacool or whatever its called (it is orange colored fluid).