# Honda automatic transmission fluid **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [June 19, 2009, 5:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/honda-automatic-transmission-fluid/32091 "2009-06-19T17:34:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![rocketman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@rocketman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rocketman)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 5:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/honda-automatic-transmission-fluid/32091/1 "2009-06-19T17:34:56Z")
OK . . . I’ve been changing the fluid on our ‘95 Civic since 25k, I siphon out a quart or so (the most I can get) about every third oil change and re-fill with fresh Honda Transmission fluid. I was at the parts store this morning and the parts guy said I can use DEXTRON II. I didn’t believe him, so I can home and checked the Pwners’ manual. It says DEXTRON II is ok. What would you use? Rocketman ---
**Author:** ![rocketman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@rocketman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rocketman)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 5:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/honda-automatic-transmission-fluid/32091/2 "2009-06-19T17:38:54Z")
BTW . . . every 25 or 30k I have it professionally serviced, not just my siphon and replace method. Rocketman ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 5:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/honda-automatic-transmission-fluid/32091/3 "2009-06-19T17:40:35Z")
I would bet "Honda Automatic Transmission fluid IS Dextron II ATF… ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 5:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/honda-automatic-transmission-fluid/32091/4 "2009-06-19T17:50:00Z")
Almost every vehicle I’ve owned since the 80’s say something like that. Use OUR fluid/part or equivalent. My Toyota says to use Toyota Oil (5w-30)…Then goes on to say…or as a substitute…use a oil that’s approved for Toyota vehicles. ---
**Author:** ![Ron-man](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/ron-man/32/739_2.png) [@Ron-man](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Ron-man)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 5:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/honda-automatic-transmission-fluid/32091/5 "2009-06-19T17:54:56Z")
I would use whichever is cheaper. If you were going 60,000 miles between changes and doing nothing in between, I might be inclined to spend a little more on Honda fluid. But since you are taking extra care of your transmission, regular Dextron II should be fine. ---
**Author:** ![transman618](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/transman618/32/24_2.png) [@transman618](https://community.cartalk.com/u/transman618)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 6:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/honda-automatic-transmission-fluid/32091/6 "2009-06-19T18:22:50Z")
USE THE HONDA FLUID… You can use the Dex in a pinch and I mean just to get you off the road type of thing but for regular services, stay with the Honda fluid. transman ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 6:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/honda-automatic-transmission-fluid/32091/7 "2009-06-19T18:44:54Z")
Honda automatics need all the help they can get so maybe Transman is right…I’d have a little alter in the back corner of my garage, two cans of Honda-Matic fluid on either side of a little Buddha incense burner…Anything is worth a try… ---
**Author:** ![rocketman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@rocketman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rocketman)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 8:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/honda-automatic-transmission-fluid/32091/8 "2009-06-19T20:14:46Z")
I was hoping you would check-in transman . . . I’ll go with the Honda fluid. Thanks! Rocketman ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 8:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/honda-automatic-transmission-fluid/32091/9 "2009-06-19T20:56:59Z")
> Honda automatics need all the help they can get so maybe Transman is right. Honda only had a 3 year period of problematic transmissions. Wife had a Honda of this era…well over 250k miles and still going strong. Girl we sold it to expects to get it through 3 more years of college…And it should EASILY. I don’t think Honda had any special fluid until about 2001. Before that they were using Dextron II. That’s what I used every time I changed the fluid on my wifes Accord. ---
**Author:** ![transman618](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/transman618/32/24_2.png) [@transman618](https://community.cartalk.com/u/transman618)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 9:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/honda-automatic-transmission-fluid/32091/10 "2009-06-19T21:09:27Z")
There is one thing that I have learned over the years building Honda automatics, and I have built a ton of them. I always use Honda clutches and steels. I’ll buy my regular overhaul kits from my supplier but I will toss the clutches and steels and replace them with genuine Honda clutches and steels. Also, I always use Honda fluid. I learned that from an old man years ago. transman