I'm helping my kids maintain their Hondas. I recently swapped out the ATF in my daughter's Fit with genuine Honda DW-1 ATF for about $135 for 12 quarts (drain, refill, repeat).

My daughter in law also has a fit and I'm going to change the ATF. Now I'm tempted to use Aisin DW-1 equivalent for about $75 for 12 quarts.

Has anyone used Aisin? I know Aisin is a major supplier for Japanese brands and they even build transmissions for Honda. I also believe Idemitsu makes Honda's DW-1, and it's about $100 for 12 quarts.

My DIL says she's not concerned about $135 for Honda vs $75 with Aisin.

Should I just go with Honda?

I’d have to look it up myself, but I’m a big ‘cross-referencer’. None of these big companies have their own refinery, yes they have specs, some may call for certain additives.

A few months ago I went through all the fluids in a used Civic I bought, CVT fluid, the rest. Some googling often brings one to mechanical forums, there you figure out a loose consensus.

Just like with oil, there’s always much more going on that just the fluid used, change interval, driving style, and overall care factors in also.

In my younger days, I would always buy the "K-Mart Equivalent" of automotive oils and fluids and call it good. Never had a problem.

Now I am not so tight for money, I tend to look at it more from a cost per mile perspective. Spread that $60 difference over say 20,000 miles and decide how important that is to you.

As Sourdough44 said:

quote:

Some googling often brings one to mechanical forums, there you figure out a loose consensus.

Automotive forums are great for getting practical information. Just be sure not to overly rely on one know-it-all "guru". Get a consensus.

Manus don’t make fluids. They contract out with whatever oil company to make it for them and slap their name on it. I have a Honda. I don’t use Honda branded fluids nor Aisin. I use Amsoil in everything. Engine oil, transmission, transfer case, all of it. Amsoil makes it easy. Punch in your year, make, model, and engine. I put their fluids into every vehicle at 1000 miles post break in. Do oil changes after I figure out OCI and change things like transmission, transfer cases, and diffs every 20k after that.

Here’s a big one that maybe a few haven’t heard about, Warren Oil Co. They many oils & fluids that have various labels by the time they make the shelf, Super-Tech, and many others.


https://www.warrenoil.com/product-list

4MUL8R usually has the correct answer to this type of question.

I would go with Honda. Why, because your daughter stated she doesn't care about the price. IF something goes sideways with the transmission next year, she will always question why you didn't use Honda fluid.

There are many reasons to remain a loyal Honda fluid purchaser.

OEMs do not slap their name on the fluid du jour.

I have been in meetings with Honda and trust me, the level of testing required for OEM approval is far greater than typical. Honda is also very risk intolerant and will not risk the Honda name.

Is Aisin an OEM Tier 1 supplier? Yes. Is Aisin a quality supplier? Yes. Is there a fluid equivalence? It depends. Many OEMs have specific and confidential tests, accessible only to the OEM. Try as you might, you will NOT get access to these tests unless you are chosen and approved through many other tests.

Peace of mind and knowing that your choice is as good as the OEM requires for me is worth $50.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:
4MUL8R usually has the correct answer to this type of question.

Good answer!