Dexron III ATF question

An auto supply told me that my 91 Accord 4 cyl auto trans can use the
Dexron III ATF in place of the Dexron II that the manual calls for.
Is the auto parts store correct? Just wanted to be sure before I ever
put the stuff in the car.

 

Yes, he is correct. Dexron III is backwords compatible, so it is good for
any car recommending Dexron III or under.

 

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frnak,

The Dextron III is a suitable Temporary Substitute for real HONDA tranny
fluid. Your owner's manual is very clear that you should use the real
thing. If you're stranded in Armpit, Albetra, or maybe Eyebrow,
Saskatchewan, you can use the Dextron III, or use it to flush your
tranny. Real Honda tranny fluid has all kinds of additives that are
necessary to give you tranny the happy long life (and half-decent
shifting) that Honda the Honda technical Gurus have 'forseen'.

IOW you tranny will have a Happier New Year with OEM tranny fluid.

'Curly'

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Appreciate the feedback on this. I should add that the Dexron III is
actually labelled something like Dexron III Mercon (sp???) that the
auto supply guy said could be used in the 1991 Honda Accord.

 

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frankg,

Your Honda tranny is about as different from a Chrysler tranny as a
Chrysler tranny is from a motorcycle gearbox. The Mercon (Dextron III)
will work, but it won't work as well, or for as long.

Your choice. :-(

'Curly'

===============

 

Quite frankly, an auto manufacturer would have to be practicing idiocy
to step outside the bounds of internationally accepted specifications
for performance/fluids.

That said, it is my firm belief that the only beneficiary of using
marque labeled fluids is the dealer/manufacturer. In virtually every
case, far better aftermarket products exist.

 

If it's speced for DEXRON II/MERCON then shouldn't it operate it's full
operating period using DEXRONII/MERCON? DEXRON and MERCON are GM and FORD
specs yet they are supposedly equivalent. DEXRON III in the aftermarket is
labeled DEXRON III/MERCON. It meets the MERCON spec. and his car is speced
to run with MERCON (DEXRON II/MERCON). DEXRON III is supposed to meet the
requirements of DEXRON II according to manufacturers. Why spend $4.75 a
bottle for Honda fluid when you can get the fluid the Honda transmission is
speced for at $1.60 a bottle?

 

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Aron,

Read the FINE manual. It says you can use Dextron III if you HAVE TO,
temporarilly, but you SHOULD use real Honda ATF.

I Said: If you don't really care if it shifts crappy, and you don't care
how long it lasts USE WHATEVER YOU WANT. If your comfort and peace of
mind aren't worth an extra $20, do whatever you like.

Spend the $20 on a tow-rope instead.

'Curly'

======================

 

The Honda fluid probably has some extra friction modifiers that make
it shift a little smoother. If someone were to complain about hard
shifting with Dexron, it's probably the first thing I'd change. That
being said, my Integra can use Honda Premium ATF or Dexron. Says so
in the service manual.. I use Dextron III and drain and fill it semi
frequently. I haven't had any problems and don't find the shifting is
notably harsher.

If Dexron were not acceptable, I don't think Honda would have listed
it as an option in their manuals.

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