Thanks mahout. I just use CVTF only. Thinking to change to Red-line but do not know is there any positive feedback from Malaysian Fit/Jazz owner. To be safe, just use CVTF. If I deep pocket, may try HMMF.

 

Let me summarize what I think you are asking.

1. You have an automatic transmission FIT.

2. You are asking about cooling the Automatic Transmission Fluid.

3. You may be considering adding an Automatic Transmission Fluid cooler.

Please tell me if the above three statements are correct.

 

Definitely correct

 

In response to your answers to my previous posting, here are my opinions.

A transmission cooler, while probably unnecessary, definitely won't hurt anything.

As extra insurance against overheating the Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF), I have installed transmission coolers on motorhomes (caravans), and trucks (lorries) which are towing or hauling heavy loads. In the case of a small vehicle like the Fit/Jazz, I do not to feel it is necessary unless you plan on towing a trailer.

That said, you are not in a cold weather country so possible over cooling of the ATF is not an issue. Also transmission coolers are not very expensive or difficult to install.

If I was worried about it, I would change the ATF and use some brand of Synthetic fluid. Synthetic fluids will stand up better to over heating.

If after that you are still worried about it, then go ahead and install an ATF cooler.

These are my opinions and I'm sure you will find different ones here.

 

Thank you n9cv, might as well I don't need to install ATF cooler as well. Just change the gearbox oil according to service schedule, I think is just good enough.

By the way, how frequent you change your gearbox oil? According to Honda Malaysia, it must be changed every 100K km. But most of Fit/Jazz owners recommend me to change every 20K - 30K km to ensure the CVT gearbox always in good condition.

 

Adding an automatic transmission external cooler IN ADDITION to still using the radiator for heat reduction will give the best results if you drive hard. It will not get too cold while still connected to the radiator but will add some transmission fluid heat reduction at the same time.

Are you using the latest Honda Cvt fluid? It is the best and the use of other brand fluid MAY cause problems in a Cvt.

 

Thank you for the advice. Never use any gearbox oil except than Honda CVTF.

 

I'm doing my best not to get too detailed because I know that English is not your first or primary language and I know I can not write in your language which I believe is Malay. I spent almost a year in your area working for an oil company in the 1980's. I'll try to keep all of the technical jargon out of this note.

There are lots of components in ATF. There are detergents, surfactants, anti-wear additives, and anti-foaming agents just to name a few.

ATF's primary job is to act as a hydraulic transport medium similar to the fluid in your brake system or a hydraulic jack.

The two biggest problems with ATF over time is the loss of the additives like the anti-foam agent, and the breakdown of the chemical chains of the base oil which reduces the viscosity (thickness).

When the additives go away you loose the protection they provided.

The second biggest failure is in the base oil. The base oil is damaged by heat. It only takes one major overheating event to damage the base oil and break down the chemical chains. The hotter the oil gets the more break down that will occur.

From my petrol-chemical engineering background, I would say that ATF could be changed at the 60,000 miles (100,000 kms) but that number can vary widely.

When most people change their ATF they only change what is in the transmission pan and they are only draining about 1/2 of the total fluid. So any new oil is mixed with the remaining old fluid.

I would suggest that you follow Honda's recommendation on ATF change intervals. I would also suggest that you replace the fluid with a synthetic brand of ATF of your choice. Make sure you buy a fluid of the same type. There are several types available. The I'm not recommending a particular brand because I worked in the petroleum industry for many, many years and my opinions would be very biased.

My recommendation of synthetic ATF is because most synthetics break down at a higher temperature. You should have a much lower risk of oil and transmission failure in the future using a synthetic ATF.

If I used too many large English words and you did not understand, feel free to post again and ask what I meant. I'll gladly re-word it and post again. You can also Private Message me it you want.

Good luck and just follow Honda's change recommendations. That is what I do.

 

Except the OP has stated multiple times he has a CVT.

You cannot use ATF (Dexron III) in a CVT.

But thanks for playing.

 

In trying to keep it simple and to not overload you with information, I did not try to discuss the various types of ATF available in the previous posting. There are may types including the most popular Dexron versions and Type F versions. Many companies now make a single product that meets both Type F and the various Dexron versions. I believe we are still on the Dexron VI specification which GM released in about 2005.

In any case, you do not want any of these. You do want ATF meeting Honda's CVT specifications. There are several companies marketing ATF fluid they claim meets Honda's CVT specs. Redline, Eneos (from Japan), and BG are a few that come to mind. I read an article in one of the Petroleum industry magazines a few years back that one of the major oil companies was also going to sell a Honda CVT fluid under their name. Since I do not have or work with a CVT, I have never checked out any of the above companies' products.

If it were me, since you only need a few quarts/liters I would just buy the correct ATF fluid direct from Honda. It will cost a little more but you will know that you have the correct stuff.

 

Thank you very much n9cv. It is loud & clear explanation. Good job. My Fit/Jazz is going to reach 116,000km soon. And, it is also reaching the service schedule as well. Last time I did change my gearbox oil was early of 2012. If I not mistaken the mileage was 80,000km.

 

I'm happy to help.

Due to varying driving conditions from car to car, my usual recommendation is to follow the Honda service reminder and the Honda schedule. There are little things you can do do upgrade or change things a bit but when it doubt, just follow the Honda service reminder.

Good luck and enjoy your Honda Jazz.