This question I am planning to ask Honda corporate (and never receive an answer for it):
"Could you please explain why 09 Civic manual says to replace ATF every 3 years (or 60 k at first time and 40 k thereafter)?
Why 07-08 Fit is having a different schedule (60 k first and 30 k thereafter) without mentioned how many years????"
What is the difference?
Are Fit owners belong to Honda underclass in terms of service schedule??
This discrepancy in manuals may lead to a good class action law suit!
I HAVE CONCERN ABOUT TWO THINGS:
Many sources (including Honda FSM) say that color change of the ATF is not important;
2012 to 2014 high end Hondas are having TC shudder due to deteriorated fluid; I looked on 2013 CRV with shudder after 100 k; the ATF STILL LOOKS red!!
The TSB, however, requests change of ATF and update software to reduce AFT operation temp (which perhaps meaning slower acceleration, harder shifts and loss in fuel economy)
So the aft can be bad despite its bright red color!! (or more likely incompetent transmission design)
So:
Have anyone send their old ATF for analyses after 60k miles change?

I am more interested in viscosity and shear characteristic changes on old vs new than anything else (because I am not familiar with friction modifiers

PS. 1980 Corolla had very simple 3 speed auto with no TC lockup and still made 25 mpg (with 1.8l, 70 Hp push rod engine fitted with AIR system pump and other power consuming emission items).
Too bad I never owned one!

 

You're hinting at a class action lawsuit because different cars with different transmissions have differing maintenance schedules? Really?

I have not heard of may Fit automatic transmissions dying prematurely, so it would seem that the maintenance schedule listed is perfectly adequate to keep the transmission happy for any reasonably expected life of the car. I'm really not sure what your concerns are here.

I'm likewise not sure what the 1980 Corolla fuel mileage has to do with anything.

 

I want to know if anyone sent old ATF sample to the lab (to see what properties are deteriorating).
Fit and Civic are having similar transmissions.
Honda claims that lock-up TC improves fuel economy; old Toyota proves otherwise and is free from TC shudder
Several forum members are changing ATF every 3 oil changes; I believe this is an overkill.
I notice that many cars are put into the mass production with design flaws.
For example, Honda denies the fact that many GD3 are leaking trough the cracks in the roof welds. 2001 Jazz did the same thing; thanks to the Jazz owner who pointed this leak out and provided guide how to fix it.

 

 

If you're worried, change the AT fluid. I did. Now I don't worry!

 

I've done it less than 2 years ago at B13 service at 61,000 or 8 years
The fluid was reddish-brown; it will look like Pepsi if I fill it in the bottle
When I did a change on my co-worker's 07 Ridgeline at same mileage, the fluid was exactly same as I drained from my car.
My concern is more about time vs mileage period which was mentioned for Civic and omitted in Fit's manual!

There are several discussions here about fluid color, however the 2013 CRV I mentioned above had nice bright red colored fluid AND bad TC shudder ( Honda calls it judder) at 103k freeway only driving (and probably no fluid change before).