I’ve been lucky (knock on wood) so far with my 98’ and automatic. I was able to come into a large supply of genuine Honda ATF and I’ve changed it every 7-10k miles and no issues yet. I’m at 245k and despite the few oil leaks here and there from the usual suspects I’ve managed to have it not ruin the enjoyable experience of owning these cars.

Pros: no issues, long-term reliability

Vehicle: Honda Prelude

Mileage: 245000 km

OEM Honda › Automatic transmission fluid

sublimelbz 29 Jun 2023, 16:08

Rating 5.0

Shift quality:
Engagement:

I had two ACCORD w/ over 300,000mi +. I change the automatic transmission fluid every 20-30k miles with Honda genuine fluid.

Pros: long lasting, reliable

Vehicle: Honda Accord

LIQUI MOLY › Automatic transmission fluid

Klaus_Von_Richter 7 Jan 2022, 14:46

Rating 4.5

Shift quality:

I use Liqui Moly Top Tec 1800. It meets the same approvals for ZF lifeguard 6.

Pros: meets approvals, good quality

Vehicle: BMW X5

Mobil › Automatic transmission fluid

OlYeller01 7 Mar 2021, 19:44

Rating 5.0

Shift quality:

I replaced the stock fluid with Mobil 1 full synthetic ATF in my ‘07 GT and it shifted much nicer post change.

Pros: shifted much nicer

Vehicle: Ford Mustang

VALVOLINE › Automatic transmission fluid

Stangy 11 Jan 2020, 16:58

Rating 4.5

Shift quality:
Smell:

The MaxLife product is FANTASTIC! I have been using it for a while with nothing but good things to say. The only thing is (like most ATF) it absolutely stanks!

Pros: Fantastic product, good experience

Cons: it absolutely stanks

Vehicle: Nissan

VALVOLINE › Automatic transmission fluid

SNS1938 31 Dec 2016, 15:48

Rating 5.0

Shift quality:

Trans, I have the Auto, and use the $17 / gallon Valvoline from Walmart. It's much cheaper than VW, and I change it more frequently than VW suggest.

Pros: much cheaper than VW

ZF › Automatic transmission fluid

steveskinr 2 Feb 2015, 01:43

Rating 5.0

Shift quality:
Engagement:

In consultation with ZF and my local VW dealer I did the following. I had my shop drop the pan and put in VW's equivalent of Lifeguard 8 in two of my V8s. No problems before or after.

Pros: no problems

OEM Volkswagen › Automatic transmission fluid

LFZ 17 Oct 2011, 17:20

Rating 5.0

I have a 2000 MKIV jetta with a 2.0 and automatic trans. I have never changed the trans fluid in that thing and it has 280,000+ miles...still runs strong. I have seen some guys change their tranny fluid suspecting they needed it and it only caused more problems. When VW says it's lifetime fluid...it's lifetime fluid.

Pros: lasts over 280,000 miles, still runs strong

Vehicle: Volkswagen Jetta

Mileage: 450616 km

Mobil › Automatic transmission fluid

herb2k 4 Jan 2010, 20:03

Rating 1.0

Shift quality:
Smell:

Mobil-1 Multivehicle Semi Synthetic ATF: Notice a bit of a vibration in the brake pedal when the transission disengages (example: putting it in N while idling), or if it's shifting during a turn. Also I can smell ATF at times in the cabin and forward engine bay area, probably vapours coming through the top vent on the tranny casing. No leaks coming from the pan or bell housing though.

Cons: vibration in brake pedal, smell ATF in cabin

Vehicle: Volkswagen

Mileage: 6000 km