Manual transmission oil change

[gerardog]

Hi everyone,
I am planning to change the tranny oil in my '89 Civic Si. What type of oil do you suggest? Is a 75w-90 viscosity ok?

thanks

[pauls81sc]

Originally Posted by gerardog

Hi everyone,
I am planning to change the tranny oil in my '89 Civic Si. What type of oil do you suggest? Is a 75w-90 viscosity ok?

thanks

First off, I hope you were kidding about the 75W.

But, just in case you weren't, here is a link that you will find invaluable.

http://www.binghamtonlife.com/manual/2gsm/default.htm

BTW, they recommend 10W-30 or 10W-40.

[4G4D Store]

I have a question about that - how do you get oil into the oil filler plug hole since it's on the side? What do you guys use?

[slammedcivicsi]

Originally Posted by 4G4D Store

I have a question about that - how do you get oil into the oil filler plug hole since it's on the side? What do you guys use?

put a hose in it....then run it to a funnel.....easy as pie.....Plus...Honda now has specially designed tranny oil.....its a way nicer lubricant....and its no more expensive then 10w30......I used to use 10w30.....but switched over to the Honda brand stuff.....it shifts way smoother since the swap over.

[4G4D Store]

Nice - might have to try that stuff next time I do mine. How often does honda say you should change the tranny old?

[krustindumm]

Honda > all others

some oils/gear lubes contain additives which can cause oxidation &/or break down the sincro rings. Also, the honda MTF already has friction additives for smoother shifts.

[1990civicdxhb]

10w-30 or 10w-40 oil,
with a API service of SF,SG!!!

but I would also like to try that honda stuff,
whats the exact product called?
(honda MTF?)

[Kunundrum]

I like GM Syncromesh MTF that stuff work good, had a small grind in 2nd and put that stuff in and it went away.

as for filling the tranny, I like using the Speed sensor hole, it's in the back of the transmission relatively easy to get to, just make sure you don't over fill it, 2L for D 2.5L for B.

Kun

[krustindumm]

for filling a D-series, pull the reverse switch, 100million times easier than the VSS hole. On the B-series I use the vent tube on the front of the transmission. Also, yes, the honda is called "Honda MTF"

[skotman]

the oil weight has to do with the climate temperature you're using it in. if you're in a frigid (cold) region, like alaska, you'd want a lighter oil, because the viscosity of cold 10w 30 would act like something much heavier. i chose 10w 30 and it seems to work fine. since you don't change transmission oil often, i splurged and bought some "high milage" pennzoil. (i usually buy the cheap off-brand stuff, cause i change it so often)

BEFORE YOU DRAIN YOUR TRANSMISSION OIL, take off the filler cap and look at the tiny hole you have to pump the oil into! make sure you have some sort of syrginge or pump and a thin tube to fit through the hole. i scoured my home for an hour before i figured out a method of getting oil back in there. for reference, the hole is roughly the size of a drinking straw. get a tubing that's no bigger around than that, and you'll do fine.

heh, unless, that is, i used the wrong hole.

[krustindumm]

Originally Posted by skotman

heh, unless, that is, i used the wrong hole.

you used the wrong hole, you fill through another hole untill oil comes out of the "fill" hole. it should be caled a level check hole, there is no way to fill through it.

[gerardog]

Thanks guys! I was aware that HONDA says to use light viscosity oils but I was wondering why all the tranny oils that are sold at auto stores have 75w-90 viscosity... are Honda tranny so different from other cars?

Anyways, here they don't sell HONDA MTF at the dealership, I guess I'll have to put in 10w-30 motor oil like last time... seemed to work ok for the last 140,000 miles

if you have any other suggestions I appreciate it.

P.S.

how do you post pics on here??

[Kunundrum]

No Honda Fluid, Use GM Syncrosmesh FLuid, works Good, got rid of the little grind I had in 2nd.

you can get it at any GM dealeship.

[krustindumm]

Originally Posted by gerardog

Anyways, here they don't sell HONDA MTF at the dealership, I guess I'll have to put in 10w-30 motor oil like last time... seemed to work ok for the last 140,000 miles

they have too, i can almost remember the part number, 08L92-900?


somthing like that anyway. Maybe ask for "manual transmission fluid"?

They have to have it, they have to use it for fluid changes, and i dont believe honda sells it bulk (they do for oil and ATF, but i have no records of MTF in bulk).