AMG

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Change my oil every 2000-2500 miles, but it has never crossed my mind to change my transmission fluid. I have owned three hondas (my latest a dc2) and have only changed my tranny fluid on my 2nd car (92eh/jdm gsr swap) when we performed the swap.

So how often should one change their transmission fluid and does this have an impact on the life of the tranny?

Thanks Guys

EDIT: This question is directed towards daily driven cars. (Not track cars)

gsrious

change change change... you'll notice that it is much smoother afterwards(depends on the type of driving conditions that you do)... its really not hard to change it out at all.

LightningSpeed

changed mine today, LS wit 140,xxxk miles, shifts are alot smoother! worth it

Backk InTheDA

I think they recommend every 40k miles?

Uncle Willie

Every 30,000 miles with Honda MTF. Some will do it sooner but mine and others people cars that i have done are always clean if it is right at 30000. I know that the fluid has broken down and wont lubricate as well; thats why i change it. Just because it is clean, doesnt mean it is still good. Trust me...Change it


EDIT: Bullit you finally changed ur avatar.

BrooX

Change it Always better safe then sorry.

TRE_

Honda reccomends that you change it in 30k mile intervals. ATF needs to be replaced more frequently than MTF does. No doubt that it will feel a lot smoother after you change it, but its not something that needs to be done all the time.

98IntegraLSNonVtec

I recommend changing it with GM Syncromesh FM works well to stop grinding and shifts are smoother...gear still sticks a little though normally at lower speeds.

AMG

Sounds Good. About time to change the ol' oil again, so Ill go ahead and do the tranny as well.

jBj

Yea def worth to change it, i changed mine a while back and the fluid was burnt, felt better afterwards.
Just make sure when you are refilling it your car isnt on a slant, cause then the fill hole will leak sooner, causing you to think its full.

AMG

*Update*

Just changed today.

The shifting feels different, but not sure if its better.

<U>However, Two Things:</U>

First, I went to autozone to get a tube to filter the fluid into the transmission and the guy wanted to know what I needed it for. He then proceeded to tell me that my car (all integras) have a dipstick on the tranny and I should fill it there. I kindly told him that the manual transmissions of integras dont have dipsticks and you have to fill it until it overflows. He disagreed and said he was 100% positive that it had a dipstick and that he only knew of one car (mercedes sl 500) that didnt have a dipstick. I was like whatever man and didnt want to argue with him in his store, so I told him to just get the tube.

So are integras (maybe hondas in general) one of the few that are done this way or is the guy a complete idiot?

Second, The fluid looked pretty clean comming out of the tranny. Would it look discolored like oil if it were dirty and hadnt been changed in a long time?

jBj

The guys an idiot, our manual trannies do not have dipsticks, unfortunately our way to check levels is to pop the filler plug. My auto accord does have a dipstick.

When I drained my tranny the fluid was quite dark and dirty. Even if you didnt HAVE to change your fluid, oh well, you did, and its done.

Dogginator

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by _HondAddicT_ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">*First, I went to autozone to get a tube to filter the fluid into the transmission and the guy wanted to know what I needed it for. He then proceeded to tell me that my car (all integras) have a dipstick on the tranny and I should fill it there. I kindly told him that the manual transmissions of integras dont have dipsticks and you have to fill it until it overflows. He disagreed and said he was 100% positive that it had a dipstick and that he only knew of one car (mercedes sl 500) that didnt have a dipstick. I was like whatever man and didnt want to argue with him in his store, so I told him to just get the tube.

So are integras (maybe hondas in general) one of the few that are done this way or is the guy a complete idiot?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I agree. He is a moron.

BTW: You should check the level of your transmission fluid periodically to ensure that you do not have fluid leaking. Taking the time to check the fluid level is far better than destroying a transmission.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by _HondAddicT_ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Second, The fluid looked pretty clean comming out of the tranny. Would it look discolored like oil if it were dirty and hadnt been changed in a long time?


</TD></TR></TABLE>

MTF is not engine oil. Its friction components degrade over time, but it isn't actively sequestering acidic byproducts from combustion and oxides like engine oil.

djtony5

Well actually you could fill up the fluid through the top of the tranny. Just remove the vss and there you go.

debogsr

gosh ive changed mine so often nowadays. It does feel nice when you change it though.

loudassVTEC

I don't know about anyone else, but I like to change my tranny fluid every other oil change, or 6000 miles. Only reason being the fact that I bang gears all the time, and I race it a lot, and I powershift, so I change it more frequently. Just my .02 cents

Dogginator

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by djtony5 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Well actually you could fill up the fluid through the top of the tranny. Just remove the vss and there you go.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Other than by premeasuring the fluid, how would you know when the transmission is full?

theBird

^^When you are changing the fluid you know it's "full" when it begins to flow out of the check/fill hole. So the correct level is at the bottom edge of the hole.

Dogginator

AGreed. I'm just trying to understand this VSS hole fill technique. Is the normal fill plug removed to check the level in that case?

AMG

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by loudassVTEC &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I don't know about anyone else, but I like to change my tranny fluid every other oil change, or 6000 miles. Only reason being the fact that I bang gears all the time, and I race it a lot, and I powershift, so I change it more frequently. Just my .02 cents</TD></TR></TABLE>
IMO your smart by changing it every other oil change b/c how relativley easy and painless it is. Some might call it ****, but so is changing your oil every 1800-2000 miles (which I do) .

ProjectLSVTEG

I do mine about every 15,000 miles, mainly because I am paranoid when it comes to preventative maintenance, plus I work in a shop so i can use a lift, and I get cost on fluid

Honda's recommended oem maintenece schedule from HondaAutomotiveParts.com;

Lube / Oil & Filter Change: Severe service - Every 3,750 miles or 3 months
Why? The oil and filter collects contaminants that will damage your engine if they are not removed regularly.

Battery: Every 7,500 miles or 12 months
Why? Battery terminals will corrode, causing a poor connection between the battery post and cable. An improper charge to the battery and a no start condition will result.

Cooling System: Every 45,000 / 75,000 / 105,000 miles
Why? The cooling system service prevents corrosion, which causes the cooling system to malfunction or fail.

Rotate Tires: Every 7,500 miles or 12 months
Why? To obtain maximum tire mileage and performance.

Transmission: Every 15,000 miles or 12 months
Why? The transmission oil collects contaminants that can damage your transmission.

Valve Adjustment: Every 15,000 miles or 12 months (most engines)
Why? Proper valve clearance is critical to maintain engine performance and fuel economy.

Air Filter: Every 30,000 miles or 24 months
Why? The air filter will become dirty, restricting air flow. This causes a loss of fuel economy and engine performance.

Spark Plug: Every 30,000 miles or 24 months (except platinum) - Every 105,000 miles or 84 months (platinum plug models)
Why? Spark plug electrodes will corrode and cause a loss of fuel economy and engine performance if not replaced.

Brake Fluid Replacement: Every 30,000 miles or 36 months
Why? Brake fluid is a hydroscopic fluid, which absorbs moisture and will lead to premature failure of various brake system components.

Brake Inspection (Front / Rear): Every 7,500 miles or 6 months
Why? Brake linings need to be checked for cracking, glazing, contamination and wear.

Timing Belt Replacement: Every 90,000 miles or 72 months (1996 and older) - Every 105,000 miles or 84 months (1997 and newer)
Why? Belts will wear and/or crack. This will result in belt breakage and engine damage.

Parking Brake Adjustment: Every 7,500 miles or 6 months
Why? Brake linings wear and cables will stretch causing the brake to malfunction.

Component Performance: Every 15,000 miles or 12 months
Why? Preventative maintenance / safety; all fluid levels, brake hoses and lines, exhaust system, suspension components, driveshaft boots, fuel lines & connections, cooling system hoses & connections, tie rod ends, steering gear box & boots.

lVlemphizStylez

im one of those that fill through the vss hole simply cause its easier...

AMG

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by djtony5 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Well actually you could fill up the fluid through the top of the tranny. Just remove the vss and there you go.</TD></TR></TABLE>

So is this also an accurate way to check the fluid level as opposed to the check fill bolt?

TRE_

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by _HondAddicT_ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
IMO your smart by changing it every other oil change b/c how relativley easy and painless it is. Some might call it ****, but so is changing your oil every 1800-2000 miles (which I do) . </TD></TR></TABLE>

I wouldnt call it ****, more like excessive. Changing your tranny fluid every other oil change is just plain STUPID. Theres absolutley no reason to change the MTF that much, unless of course you like wasting money. You may think youre being nice to your tranny by doing so, but changing it that often provides no benefits whatsoever.

As for filling the fluid through the VSS, how is that easier? They make little 4 dollar pumps that you screw on to each quart and fill through the "FILL HOLE", using the VSS hole is almost as retarded as changing your MTF every 6 months.

You Know I Got SOL!

the owner of spoon sports says that it's imperative to change your tranny oil everytime you change your oil.. well thats of course if you race all the time..