Z-Max in Transmission
Thread Starter
Registered!!
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0 
Z-Max in Transmission
Hey guys. I am sorry to resurrect this topic. I know it has been beaten to death in the past. I have done a bunch of searching and most posts go back 10+ years and none really focus on Transmission.
So, I wanted to see what you guys thought. I need to do a drain and flush on my 01 LX. It has 158,281 miles and the fluid has NEVER been changed. Yes, I now know it should have been done every 30K miles or so. I am a bit behind :-(. Because of this, I am going to do a 3 x D+F on it. I have been reading posts and watching videos on it (I have my breaker bar ready). I definitely plan to get "Honda DW-1 Automatic Transmission Fluid, 1 quart, Pack of 12" from Amazon ($92.03 w/Free Shipping).
I am happy to say that it has no transmission problems. Everything seems to be working just fine.
I know that OEM Honda ATF is the only way to go, so I am not even going to bother starting that discussion again. But, what about Z-Max? I have a bottle of Z-Max Transmission additive that I would like to add. They get me with their fancy commercials and I feel like it would help my transmission last longer. I am okay even if it does nothing and adds no benefit. But, I definitely do not want it to screw things up. With all of the discussion on the OEM formula vs off-brand, am I essentially taking Honda ATF and converting it to something else with the Z-Max?
Thanks!
So, I wanted to see what you guys thought. I need to do a drain and flush on my 01 LX. It has 158,281 miles and the fluid has NEVER been changed. Yes, I now know it should have been done every 30K miles or so. I am a bit behind :-(. Because of this, I am going to do a 3 x D+F on it. I have been reading posts and watching videos on it (I have my breaker bar ready). I definitely plan to get "Honda DW-1 Automatic Transmission Fluid, 1 quart, Pack of 12" from Amazon ($92.03 w/Free Shipping).
I am happy to say that it has no transmission problems. Everything seems to be working just fine.
I know that OEM Honda ATF is the only way to go, so I am not even going to bother starting that discussion again. But, what about Z-Max? I have a bottle of Z-Max Transmission additive that I would like to add. They get me with their fancy commercials and I feel like it would help my transmission last longer. I am okay even if it does nothing and adds no benefit. But, I definitely do not want it to screw things up. With all of the discussion on the OEM formula vs off-brand, am I essentially taking Honda ATF and converting it to something else with the Z-Max?
Thanks!
Registered!!
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 425
Likes: 1
Rep Power: 209 
Re: Z-Max in Transmission
I am not a fan of most additives. I feel that if you use good quality fluids most additives do nothing. I looked at the Z-Max website and it doesn't sound like it will not hurt anything.
I'm curious, if you plan on doing a 3x drain and refill and adding Z-Max, how will you know if any change is due to new ATF or the Z-Max?
I'm curious, if you plan on doing a 3x drain and refill and adding Z-Max, how will you know if any change is due to new ATF or the Z-Max?
Thread Starter
Registered!!
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0 Re: Z-Max in Transmission
Hey guys, thanks for the input. I think I will skip the Z-Max (i.e. Snake Oil).
@pjb3, The transmission seems fine. I am having no trouble with it. I have just never changed it, so I feel like I should do it. So, I am actually expecting no change with the 3 x drain and flush.
Thanks again all!
@pjb3, The transmission seems fine. I am having no trouble with it. I have just never changed it, so I feel like I should do it. So, I am actually expecting no change with the 3 x drain and flush.
Thanks again all!
