Lubricants Shmoobricants..... On and Off Topic Rant

Normally I don't get into these topics(BS factor is too high) but there are exceptions. It doesn't have anything to do with "how" the trans operates, it is the materials used in the clutch disc and seals. Using the wrong fluid can cause them to deteriorate or delaminate from the metal part of the disc. All of the dexron type fluids are "supposed" to be backwards compatible but not the other way. Dexron fluids are not always compatible with the materials used in older transmissions and can cause serious( read expensive) damage. Lamar

I take your point well and just find it amazing that a large national company almost sounded clueless. I'm going to send an inquiry to RedLine. They always reply in detail.

JT

The amazing part is they are clueless. There is no such thing as "customer service" any more it is just dodge and evade so hire some one who doesn't have a clue, doesn't want a clue and couldn't use a clue if you emailed it to them. Normal business practice these days. Lamar

I did send an inquiry to RedLine and in the past, they have provided detailed responses so we will see...

JT

Here's the answer that I got from RedLine:

"Thank you for contacting Red Line Oil, in your Honda automatic transaxle I would recommend the D4ATF, a suitable replacement for the original Dexron ATF used.

I used to work in a Honda shop when those Civics were new, that was a few years ago now! One of my buddies has a Studebaker, though we are trying to convince him to get a Model A."

Needless to say, I clued him in regarding Model A(s)...

JT

I learned somethings when I rebuilt the tranny in my wife's 99 Town & Country a few months ago. One, it doesn't mater if the tranny design is good or not if whoever rebuilt it didn't put all the parts back and if they used a flat snap ring were a tapered one goes. The previous owner had it rebuilt shortly before he sold it to us. Two, which fluid it uses depends on how the tranny operates as well as the compatibility of the fluid with the materials inside the tranny. The ATF+4 has a special additive because the Chrysler tranny is designed to slip a little when it shifts. This is the way the gear changes are made without you feeling the shift, just seeing the rpm change on the tach. Does the store have a book with listings like some have for oil flters, air filters, etc., with a listing for tranny fluids? Have you called anyone in your area that rebuilds transmissions or talked to a mechanic at the Honda dealers? They should be able to tell you which fluid to use and which to stay away from.

Terry Brandli

Good points...

The Honda tranny in my car appears to be "old school" as is much of the car. Since Honda (at the time) recommended Dexron only, I (hopefully) figured that later versions of this brand were backward compatible.

I have had the "new-to-me" Castrol Dexron IV in since early September and am not experiencing any specific problems but the fluid that was replaced looked pretty nasty. Now, I feel that it is time to change it again with the "right" stuff whatever that may be.

BTW, my Honda expert has worked mainly on this brand for over thirty years. I'm sure that between all of the info that I gather that a good decision will be made. I really love that little car, the gas mileage it gets, the reliability and the basic simpleness of the design. It really is not hard to work on at all and is a gawd send in this age of high gas prices.

But, the 1983 model year is my cut off point as after that they (along with everyone else) got "Check Engine" lights and a host of other electronic gadgets.

I like living in the past...

JT

Almost a good answer.(G) I'm not knowlegeable about redline products but it was a creditable response at least, that is points for them. Lamar