What's the definitive answer on what fluid to use? I just changed the fluid on my Mom's 2002 Accord, and used Z-1 as per the owner's manual. She also has a '91 Accord EX-R and the owner's manual states Dexron II (I assume Dexron III would be fine as well). Dexron is cheap, Z-1 is not. Is the owner's manual right, or was there some sort of mistake all those years ago?

While I was at the dealer, I asked the part's guy and he thought Z-1 was spec'd. I mentioned the owner's manual Dexron recommendation, but he thought it was sometime around '88 that Z-1 was introduced. Just as an aside, he said the Z-1 is Dexron based, but has some added 'stuff' that Honda specifies for it's trannies.

Cheers.

 

I have used Dexrong II and III, but switched several years ago to the Honda ATF. You don't use a lot of this fluid w/ changes at 30K intervals so the cost difference is not really punitive. I would suggest checking ebay for lowest price on the Honda ATF-Z71. See following typical search result.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/3-Qua...spagenameZWD1V

good luck

 

Yes the Z-1 is compatible with dexron, but it does have different additives that make it worth a few extra bucks every few years.
You won't get varnish build up on the shift valve pistons, and Z-1 has super small molecules to help lube the shift valves.

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