Hi guys,

I am going to install a new (remanufactured) transaxle. What type of oil should I use?

It is a bone stock 1991 honda civic ef hatch

The manual says to use regular engine oil. Since I will be using the car in Michigan, looking from the chart, 10W40 will be the right oil.

And I happen to have some walmart supertech 10w-40 oil (cheapest oil you can find) available...

This is a new transmission, and I want it to last for years to come...

So what will be my best options? Can I trust the manual?

1. Use the cheapest walmart supertech conventional 10w-40 oil
2. Buy some better synthetic 10w-40 oil (Mobil 1?)
3. Don't trust manual. Buy some gear oil from Autozone

What would you do?

 

Trust manual, you get what you pay for, gear oil is usually in the neighborhood of 75W90 or something like that (a far cry from 10W40).

You should also specify your vehicle info.

 

Honda mtf

 

Honda MTF.. Donly bother with motor oil at all. Even in Michigan

 

Yeah I was going to say.... Why not use Honda MTF?? I just replaced my trans fluid a couple months ago. Gear shifts feel very good.

 

Honda MTL only way to go, google it. Engine only is what Honda used originally, they now recommend MTL.

 

Honda MTF, went through a couple transmissions real quick with just 5w30 motor oil.

 

I'd just call a Honda dealer and ask what their manual says. It is likely MTF. Despite this, I've used 10w30 dino oil in mine for a couple years and it feels better than 90% of the transmissions I've driven in Hondas. The 10% would be new Hondas like my Fit that shift super smooth... because it is new.

 

actually its almost the same...




I have used motor oil without a problem on the transmissions that the manual recommended it for. I have used gear oil and syncromesh as well. They cost a lot more and did the same job. I now use Torco MTF because the M-Factory diff I have now recommends using it. Motor oil is fine, Honda engineers are pretty bright people...

 

Just get the damn HONDA MTF fluid and call it a wrap, please. You all seem to unnecessarily complicate the issue for no reason than to keyboard fap over what you can find on google.

For goodness sakes.

 

 

Had no idea the weights were a separate grading scale, good info.

 

Yeah its weird and annoying but it makes sense when you consider operating temperatures.

 

I’ve been using api standard compliant 10w40 shell
helix semi synthetic. is that ok or might my engine mess up down the road?

I know 5w30, 0w30 or 10w30 is preferable, but I guess 10w40 is acceptable too?

thanks

 

As was stated numerous times in this very old thread - use Honda MTF.
The only way you will know if you have undue wear on the transmission is a teardown.
The viscosity chart is in the first post - you do not have to guess.

 

There are numerous opinions and conflicting info on what lubricant to use in a manual Honda transmission. I used Walmart brand 10W-30 for over 15 years in all my transmissions, with the occasional use of GM Synchromesh. I'm now using Honda MTF, but some industry professionals say it's too thin and not good for older transmissions. Honestly....you'll probably be fine running 10W-40, but I'm not a professional, and just a guy on a forum with an opinion.

 

some industry professionals = some other guy on the internet.

theres only one honda person who claims to be a guru advocating to continue to use some outdated lubricant, just because the original manual 30 years ago says so.

engine oil has moved on, honda moved on. just use the appropriate oil, thats why honda makes and only specifies MTF in all their manual transmissions for the past 25 years.




that being said, its unclear to me this noob necrobumping this thread is even talking about transmissions...

 

True...I missed that.