93 Civic auto fluid change/flush - advice please

bb1boy · Post by **bb1boy** » Fri May 15, 2015 1:18 pm

Yo @oilman, (or any other knowledgeable souls,) can you help me please?

I want to change the fluid in my 1993 Civic auto 'box (it's done 70k)- the questions I have are:

1, Does it need specific fluid, or will any ATF work?
2, Should I flush it, or is this likely to awaken some gremlins? ..see recent, "oil flush now banging", thread.
3, Are there any 'box preservation additives I should use/avoid as well?

Many thanks
Adam

Post by **Vtecmec** » Fri May 15, 2015 1:45 pm

Use Honda ATF, I've read a few horror stories regarding anything else. It is expensive though.

There is a procedure somewhere on the internet, as when you drop the oil, it'll only release half of the fluid (the rest is in the box and torque convertor). So the process is something like drop the oil, refill, start it up, run through each gear for 30 seconds with your foot on the brake, then turn it off and drop the oil and refill again.

Having had 3 Honda autos, if its changing gear ok with no major issues, just drop it once and refill. Then repeat in 5-10k.

I would not add any additives.

oilman · Post by **oilman** » Fri May 15, 2015 1:50 pm

Hi Adam

The best options are the Red Line D4 or Fuchs ATF6000, although the others are fine as cheaper alternatives.

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/c-771-dexron-iii.aspx

When you drain the ATF, you'll only get a few litres out, not the whole capacity of the box and torque converter. You'll then need to fill up what you can, so you're not changing all of the fluid. There are ways of changing the lot, but I think that involves a pump forcing the oil through, putting more strain on the box and potentially leading to problems.

I don't advise the use of oil additives, they can ruin the oil and lead to problems.

Cheers

Tim

bb1boy · Post by **bb1boy** » Fri May 15, 2015 2:11 pm

Brilliant, thanks for the advice, guys!

It shifts gear ok, bit of a jolt between 2nd and 3rd when hard accelerating - but having never owned an auto, I don't know what is classed as normal behaviour.

Sorry, but this now opens up a few more questions..

How much juice do I need to buy?

Do I need to match what is in there already if i'm only replacing roughly half of it, or will a mix of fluids be ok?

Post by **Vtecmec** » Fri May 15, 2015 2:31 pm

Going from memory, I think the box takes about 5-6 lites in its entirety and 2-3 for a single drop. The owners manual can be found online with the exact figures.

P.S. I'm pretty sure Dextron is not recommended.

oilman · Post by **oilman** » Fri May 15, 2015 3:24 pm

It's a bit odd in my databases, I thought it would be a Honda Z1 ATF, but they are listing Dexron II or III.

Cheers

Tim

Post by **Vtecmec** » Fri May 15, 2015 3:41 pm

Yes, the service manual states Dextron 2 as a top up in an emergency, but thats a get you home thing and your supposed to swap it out ASAP after that.

There are plenty of mixed views when it comes to the Honda auto box fluids, for which Honda reinvented the wheel when designing the box as GM had patented the crap out of the technology.

bb1boy · Post by **bb1boy** » Fri May 15, 2015 3:42 pm

The plot thickens..

oilman · Post by **oilman** » Fri May 15, 2015 4:05 pm

Just checked another database and they have taken the simple option and haven't given ATF recommendations.

Cheers

Tim

bb1boy · Post by **bb1boy** » Fri May 15, 2015 4:23 pm

So should I phone Honda for a definitive answer?