Its in my si...do i use motor oil..that what i currently use but I forgot which oil wieght works the best. i just need to refill it to level again..when I flush it later ill put in some better fluid..what would you guys reccomend?

 

Valvoline 10W-30

 

I only use the Honda Manual Transmission fluid, but I have heard of a bunch of people using 10w30.

 

Honda MTF is the best for your synchros.

 

Most of the time I see people run 10-30,(owners manual even says to do it). Ive run redline MTF as well before too.... However, Ive heard of it being damaging to the synchros due to the fact that its too thin. Supposedly, to alleviate this dilemma, you can use Lucas heavy duty oil stabilizer(its supposed to be compatible w/all synthetic fluids according to a lucas rep I talked to the other day). But Id advise checking w/ a honda dealer to be on the safe side

 

This has been asked 2 times in the last week.

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=448668
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=446893

Use honda manual transmission fluid.

 

If you can't get MTF then use 10W 30 motor oil

 

Exactly. They're both pretty much the same. I work at a shop and all of the manuals say to use either Honda's MTF or just plain 'ol 10w-30. Oil is way cheaper..

 

Honda MTF

 

They are nothing alike. Honda MTF the only tranny fluid for your Honda

 

thanks for the replies..I got another dumb question will this my grindin problem?? my car only grinds from downshifting from 3rd to 2nd and only in rpms above 4k...it doesnt grind when upshifting from 1st to 2nd...Im just hoping my fluid is low and causeing this but im sure its mest up syncros

 

yup
recomended by auto parts, honda dealerships, myself and a lot of honda gurus...
MTF will not make any diff.... if u abuse of ur tranny... it will brake anyways!

 

Grinds are grinds---they will grind regardless. Iv'e tried various tranny oils, I personally use Quaker State higher mileage blend 10w-40--that is smoother than honda MTF and it's only 2 bucks a quart. Paying 8 dollars for a quart of oil that says honda on the outside is insane being it is pretty much the same thing. It's a ripoff.

 

i use honda mtf because that's what the factory and dealer puts in the car. i would'nt put tranny fluid in my crankcase so i don't see the logic in putting oil in the tranny.

 

standard motor oil is not basically the same thing as honda mtf. your synchros need a certian amount of friction to work correctly, if the oil's too slick you'll grind, if the oil provides too much friction, you'll wear out your tranny. honda mtf has friction modifiers in it which provide exactly the right amount of firction for the synchros to work. i've heard many times how a tranny that used to grind started working fine with mtf, the even happened to me with my old prelude. mtf will also allow for smoother gear shifts, higher speed gear shifts, and extended transmission life. you are correct, most dealerships will put standard motor oil in a transmission, they do it for cost reasons, but the first thing they'll usually do or recommend with a rough tranny if to put honda mtf in it.

i think the real benefits of using honda mtf start coming out when you start dealing with rough used transmissions as opposed to new transmission.


[Modified by serious, 12:52 PM 3/23/2003]

 

The logic is that's what they recommend, if you don't use Honda MTF. It's the same thing basically. Yes there are differences, hell, they're different colors and everything. But I work with these things EVERYDAY. Company's can't just write a manual and say it takes motor oil just b/c the think it'll work. Honda themselves have to verify everything, and give the okay that it will work.

I've seen everything go in manual transmissions, from engine oil, to regular DexronIII, to 75w-90 Synthetic gear oil. It all depends on the manufacturer.

I think that using Honda MTF is just a sense of false security. I can't point fingers, I use it myself. But I'll also say that I used to have regular 10w-30 oil and it felt exactly the same. Honda WOULD NOT put their approval on it if it weren't equivalent to their fluid.