# Honda ATF **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [June 22, 2013, 7:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/honda-atf/79977 "2013-06-22T19:21:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![casper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b4bc9f/32.png) [@casper](https://community.cartalk.com/u/casper)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2013, 7:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/honda-atf/79977/1 "2013-06-22T19:21:42Z")
When did Honda start specing DW-1 for replacing ATF Z-1? I’m assuming that it’s formulated more for the newer trannys. Is it safe to use on an 02 Civic? Why even stop production of a known reliable fluid with so many existing transmissions? ---
**Author:** ![missileman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/missileman/32/1366_2.png) [@missileman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/missileman)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2013, 7:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/honda-atf/79977/2 "2013-06-22T19:40:12Z")
I would use the transmission fluid specified for your Civic. I agree with you because I have never seen the need to replace a perfectly safe and effective engine coolant with Dex-Cool. ---
**Author:** ![Big\_Marc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9d8465/32.png) [@Big\_Marc](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Big_Marc)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2013, 8:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/honda-atf/79977/3 "2013-06-22T20:24:06Z")
i’m not seeing anything listed other then z-1 for your civic its not a cvt is it? ---
**Author:** ![Goldwing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@Goldwing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Goldwing)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2013, 8:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/honda-atf/79977/4 "2013-06-22T20:25:41Z")
Honda changed their ATF fluid about 1-2 years ago. The new stuff is ok for older Honda’s too. ---
**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2013, 12:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/honda-atf/79977/5 "2013-06-23T00:53:15Z")
The DW-1 is actually better than the Z-1 for older transmissions. It helps with the problem of shifting when cold and it mixes with the Z-1. I used it for the last fluid change in our 97 Accord and I could feel a small improvement, even though I only did one drain and refill. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2013, 12:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/honda-atf/79977/6 "2013-06-23T00:53:44Z")
Just call the dealer for sure but our 08 called for the old stuff and our 2012 calls for the new stuff, so changed somewhere in there. From what I have read though the new stuff should be fully compatable backwards and is a replacement for the old. Only use the Honda stuff. There are enough transmission problems without adding fluid to them.