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New user, I bought a 2005 civic LX sedan 1.7L 55K miles Automatic from a freind's Mom. Going thru paperwork I found she had just done a oil change and tranny flush 3 to 4 hundred miles ago from the "OIL DOCTOR". They used ATF7176 which I found googling it is a Mopar tranny fluid. I see that Honda uses ATF-Z1. Question! Is this going to be a problem, and if so will replacing it now back to ATF-Z1 solve a potential problem. Any help on this matter would be gratefully appreciated. Thanks in advance, girouard

 
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damage is already done, both by using the wrong fluid and by flushing. auto trans should never be flushed, only drain/fill changing 1/3rd of the total capacity. this ensures deposits are not loosened, which can clog the internal filter. i wouldnt be surprised if the trans is dead in a year or two. i would just do what you can and put back the Z1, hoping for the best. i hate to be negative, but that is the reality.

 
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Gearbox is absolutely correct, hopefully your transmission hasn't been completely destroyed but it likely has. Is it slipping gears?

 
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Damage= Humongous.
The fluid specified for your Civic is what should be used, transmissions are acctually extremley sensitive. Even an incorrect level will cause problems as for the wrong fluid? The metals in the fluid are gonna destroy your transmission. Drain the whole thing, clean the filter and fill it with the correct, do do this properlly you change the whole fluid and make sure there is never less than half the amount of fluid in there, (fill while you drain.) yup. crazy sounding I know. But its the safest, and most healthy method of changing transmission fluid. Good luck pal

 
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I've never heard of filling while you drain and I can't see how that would be of an benefit, the transmissions sensitive, but not that sensitive.

The filter is not accessible in 7g civics, replacing it is impossible without a complete rebuild.

 
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Yah the filter is the drain plug, which you simply clean. The reason that is beneficial is because the system is never empty, and the metals introduced to the transmission are done so progressivley.

 
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Thats the magnetic drain plug, the filter is a different part inside the transmission that fluid flows through.

The difference between the changing the fluid the normal way, drain then fill, and your way would be a couple minutes of the transmission without any fluid in the system. Thats not enough to have any effect on the system since the engine isn't running and the fluid isn't circulating. Also, with this method whats preventing the fluid your adding from just draining out through the bottom while you do the change.

 
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Wow i had no idea tranny's were so delicate. what are the deposits that gearbox mentioned?

 
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Mostly small pieces of metal thats sheared off the gears and particles of the clutches that have been shed as they wear out. Transmission fluid has a detergent property that helps to prevent the deposits from building up to much, but over time it looses some of it's effectiveness, so when you do a complete fluid change the improved detergent properties break free every bit of the deposits at once and plug the internal filter.

 
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wow man, i wonder how long it took for auto makers to find that out. the more i read here, the more i realize how much i have to learn about cars. but damn its interesting

 
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and the honda trans fluid doesnt last very long either, not more than a year under normal conditions. i would be doing at least one drain and fill each year. and even then the trans has defective parts so over time the clutch material will break down and you will have slipping then failure when the pump dies. its unfortunate, but even with very good maintenance these 01-05 autos barely last 100k miles. some only last 10k.

 
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in 2006 honda started including external trans fluid filters on all their auto trans civics ($20 cost). wouldve saved alot of older trans if they realized this sooner.

 
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I have a 02 civic auto, didnt change the tranny fluid until 100k miles, then put in mobil 1 synthetic @ 150k and just changed it again at 180k. Currently have 184k on it and running strong. Never had any problems, noticed it shifts smoother after I started using synthetic. Doesnt mean it wont crap the bed today but thats just my experience.

 
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Thanks gearbox, mindbomber, and all that contributed for the straightforward answer. I guess I'll be keeping my fingers crossed. The manual said if a different kind of fluid was used to replace it with the correct fluid ASAP and run a short time and repeat the process 3 times. I guess I,ll try that. (Sorry for not responding sooner, not sure how to manuever on this forum.)

 
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It takes a bit of practice to navigate the forum, the easiest way to link back to your own thread would be by going to usercp and looking at subscribed threads.

Here's a DIY on how to do the change, basically you'll need to do this 3 times with 30 minutes of driving in between.
https://www.civicforums.com/forums/1...id-change.html

 
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Well just chiming back in. This has been bugging me. I called OIL DOCTOR about they're procedure and method. 2005 Honda civic 1.7 L automatic. Ref. from the receipt. They said they don't actually flush per say, they drain and simply pour thru atf fluid, an atf treatment, and a trans. system cleaner and let it drain. Then refill with vehicle specific trans. fluid. I ?ed the atf 7176 on the receipt and was told that's how it prints out on all. He said they use a ATF ZLK which is specific to honda civic, accord and some crv's. I mentioned manual calls for ATF-Z1 he said its the same. I bought 10 Qts of atf -z1 and began the 3 drain and fill and drive method as per manual hoping for the best. I have'nt found anything online about ATF ZLK Fluid. So after all that does anyone have an opinion on this fluid (ATF ZLK) or what I've decided to do with the 3 drain fill and drive method. PS, I'm only putting the car on the road Thurs. so I've only done 1 drain and fill so far. Now if all this seems OK should I be considering a regular drain and fill schedule. Thanks in advance for any educated responses. There appears to be some qualified respondants. Any help is appreciated. girouard

 
Rep Power: 244

girouard,
Do not worry to much since you switched back to the ATF-Z1. I am driving the 04 which I believed Honda should, at least, get the "may be improved version" transmission into 04-05 Civic.

I used my car for delivery for 4 1/2 years. I am pretty sure if something happen to the transmission, mine trans probably be the next. However, I did change the transmission fluid frequently when I used it for delivery, every year just like gearbox mentioned.

 
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random repair shops really dont care what they use, but usually its the cheapest available so they make money on the markup. i know all the tricks, i used to be a parts delivery driver. every shop would order the cheapest junk oil filters and parts we had, sometimes only $1 for a filter, then they would charge $10 to the customer. same with fluids, they would get the store brand and use it in every car. sears bought $100 worth of junk rotors and pads for this truck, then charge the customer $1200 for a premium brake job. it made me sick and one of the biggest reasons i do the work myself or if i cant, i buy the parts myself and tell them to use it. then i make sure the parts are actually on the car before leaving, and the old ones are in the box.

 
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gearbox, talking about Honda dealer.

I do have a recent story to tell. Because of the Winter, I brought by car to the dealer to get the brake fluid replaced. It's been 7 years already. I can feel it brake better.

However, the brake fluid was not the main story. I got the oil changed done also because it's too cold outside. After I got home, I read thru the receipt. I found that....

They used A02 filter (A02 filter, the FRAM made) for their oil change. But, when I bought the filter from the service department. They will sell the A01 (Filtech or Toyo Roki) I don't think that dealers have the Roki anymore. The last time I saw was 4 years ago. I love the A01 Filtech filter. But, I don't mind about the A02 FRAM since I will change the oil again this Spring together with the DW-1 : D