Synthetic Manual Synchromesh Transmission Fluid Facts/Opinions

[jaxson]

Hey guys,

I have an 08 FA5 with 4500 miles on it. The weather has gotten colder lately and I noticed an increase in the transmission's notchiness even in normal driving conditions. I do get the occasional grind into second and third, but nothing significant. In fact, it's usually light enough for the passenger to not even hear it. I am fortunate to not have the 3rd gear pop out issue, "knock on wood", however I can tell going into 2nd and 3rd doesn't feel and sound as smooth as the other gears.

So I am deciding to switch to the Amsoil Syncromesh 5w-30 MTF. I've read over a dozen threads and heard many good things about it. However I want to start a thread where everyone's opinion/facts can be viewed without a hard search.

Therefore, can you post your

Car: (Si, Ex....etc)
Year:
Mileage before MTF swap:
Current Mileage:
Comments: (The good, the bad, warranty issues, price/quart, recommendations)

[J.S.]

Awesome idea! I'm gonna watch this thread 'cause I have an '06 EX coupe manual trans with 51 500km and I'm wondering everything you're wondering.

[GeezerSi]

Car: Si
Year: '07
Mileage before MTF swap: approx. 20,000
Current Mileage: almost 30,000
Comments: No issues whatsoever. Greatly improved shifting. Had a local shop do the work (they had a lift, and I'm lazy). Bought online, and don't remember how much it was -- you only need 2 quarts though.

[JoeFromPA]

Car: SI
Year: 06
Mileage before MTF swap: 15000
Current Mileage: 52000
Comments: AMSOIL MTF, I have never once experienced a 3rd gear pop-out or lock-out since I switched 37,000 miles and 2 winters ago. Shifting effort greatly improved. At 37,000 miles, I feel some slight notchiness returning and will swap some new AMSOIL MTF fluid in. I bought a 6-month AMSOIL membership, which gives you wholesale pricing. I bought 2 quarts of MTF and 4 gallons (16 quarts) of AMSOIL SSO 0w30 at the same time, which saved me about $50 over buying all that at retail pricing.

[racerx78]

Car: SI FA5
Year: 07
Mileage before MTF swap: 20K+
Current Mileage: 35K
Comments: Before i got my 3rd recall fixed i swapped to the new Honda MTF and for over 2mons all my symptoms with the 3rd gear were gone. I then swapped to Amsoil MTF and didn't notice any real difference. I also change the fluid every 5K miles or so with the engine oil. I'm trying to decide weather from this point forward if i should go with Amsoil or Redline MTF.

[slimfit]

Car: Si
Year: 06
Mileage before MTF swap:9k
Current Mileage:21k
Comments: Used Amsoil which completely fixed third gear issue and removed most of the notchyness. One thing I noticed is the tranny feels smother in colder weather. Very happy with Amsoil highly recommend it.

[jaxson]

I just bought my two quarts today....well see how it goes tomorrow after the swap.
Please keep posting...your information will help others alike and in the future.

[FG-JOE]

im gonna change my tranny fluid when its time for a oil change. like in 500 miles.

[Nomar06]

Car: Si FG2
Year: 06
Mileage before MTF swap: 10K or slightly less
Current Mileage: 39,8XX
Comments: Noticed some notchyness coming back since it is time to change the fluid. Will be changing to Amsoil again very very soon.

[jaxson]

Originally Posted by Nomar06

Car: Si FG2
Year: 06
Mileage before MTF swap: 10K or slightly less
Current Mileage: 39,8XX
Comments: Noticed some notchyness coming back since it is time to change the fluid. Will be changing to Amsoil again very very soon.

If you can, please update me or this thread when you change ur current amsoil. I want to see if amsoil is more solving the problem or just delaying the inevitable.

[Shertz]

this is my first manual - does the fluid really need to be changed out that often?
i've got 2500 now and will be switching to the amsoil once i get the first oil change i think, unless i read something strongly discouraging it

[JoeFromPA]

Jaxson - For me, it solved the problem (see my post). My car had, multiple times in the winter of 06/07, been locked out of 3rd gear or popped out of 3rd gear. It would occasionally lightly grind 2nd or 3rd. It has been 37,000 miles now....and not a single 3rd gear people has occured since (i've occasionally had very, very heavy notchiness in 2nd when cold, but no real grinds).

Bear in mind that when you drain and put in new fluid, you are not really getting all the old fluid out. So refreshing the AMSOIL fluid should actually provide a better feel than occured during the first fluid swap...as you get more of the original out, and the worn AMSOIL.

Joe

[jaxson]

Thanks for your insight Joe. Im just not sure if its necessary for my 08 Si, which is why I hope this thread can help me and possibly other's determine. I bought mine in May 08 and it supposedly got honda's updated MTF according to my .....7075 VIN, which prob explained why I havent gotten any 3rd gear pop out or resistance that most ppl have mentioned. I just have notchiness going into second and I hear a metal on metal sound, like "chhweeekkk," going into 3rd. I dont think it's necessarily a grind, but it def sounds diff than the other gears going in. It's esp noticeable in the cold mornings, but then again I heard this is an issue with most front wheel drive cars. I just dont know what's normal and what's not.

Anyone have specs on the new honda mtf....?

[Prankster77]

Originally Posted by jaxson

Thanks for your insight Joe. Im just not sure if its necessary for my 08 Si, which is why I hope this thread can help me and possibly other's determine. I bought mine in May 08 and it supposedly got honda's updated MTF according to my .....7075 VIN, which prob explained why I havent gotten any 3rd gear pop out or resistance that most ppl have mentioned. I just have notchiness going into second and I hear a metal on metal sound, like "chhweeekkk," going into 3rd. I dont think it's necessarily a grind, but it def sounds diff than the other gears going in. It's esp noticeable in the cold mornings, but then again I heard this is an issue with most front wheel drive cars. I just dont know what's normal and what's not.

Anyone have specs on the new honda mtf....?

I have an 08 with the same issue, no pop out but 2nd and 3rd scratch often especially when the car is cold. I have some Amsoil MTF sitting in the garage but i havent had a chance to put it in yet. I migh go do that soon.

[Nomar06]

I had the notchyness with the stock fluid then I changed it to the Amsoil and the notchyness went away. It is coming back now due to the fact that the fluid is "worn/old" (if you wanna call it that) Amsoild says to change every 30K.

I have always had the noise that you get going into 2nd and somtimes 3rd. Ive only had the 3rd pop-out 3 or 4 times of owning the car.



Anyone know how long it takes to get the fluid shipped to your place with reg. shipping? I cant remember. Anyone buy the fluid from a local store?

[jaxson]

I guess my concern is should I risk giving Honda an excuse to reject any possible future transmission warranty problems, to fix somethign that is not broken, atleast as of now. Or should i just change my mtf and prevent any future damage. Eeverytime we feel notchiness or hear a clunk, that's somethign wearing right?

[JoeFromPA]

AMSOIL MTF is not something a local AMSOIL dealer will USUALLY stock (told to me by my local dealer). If I may recommend a course of action....if you want to enjoy the AMSOIL experience, get a $10 6-month AMSOIL preferred customer membership. Then buy 2 quarts of AMSOIL MTF and ~4 gallons of AMSOIL SSO 0w30. Then run your oil changes for a minimum of 10,000 miles (10,000 on SSO is a piece of cake if you do moderate driving...i.e. 15,000 miles a year and mostly driving with the engine warmed up plenty).

Jaxson - Is that you in your picture? You look familiar. I live in West Chester and work near Willow Grove. If you are nearby, you are welcome to drive my 06 SI with 52,000 miles and mostly worn out AMSOIL MTF

Joe

[jaxson]

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

AMSOIL MTF is not something a local AMSOIL dealer will USUALLY stock (told to me by my local dealer). If I may recommend a course of action....if you want to enjoy the AMSOIL experience, get a $10 6-month AMSOIL preferred customer membership. Then buy 2 quarts of AMSOIL MTF and ~4 gallons of AMSOIL SSO 0w30. Then run your oil changes for a minimum of 10,000 miles (10,000 on SSO is a piece of cake if you do moderate driving...i.e. 15,000 miles a year and mostly driving with the engine warmed up plenty).

Jaxson - Is that you in your picture? You look familiar. I live in West Chester and work near Willow Grove. If you are nearby, you are welcome to drive my 06 SI with 52,000 miles and mostly worn out AMSOIL MTF

Joe

I appreciate the offer..I'll let you know. Yea, that's me. Where did you goto highschool? I live in center city, philadelphia, but a close friend of mine lives in jenkintown, which next to Willow Grove. So its a good chance I ran into you.

[w00t692]

Guys can you please follow the form factor? i'm seeing posts of people talking about returning notchiness but i can't tell what mileage or how long because you're ignoring it.

[Nomar06]

Originally Posted by w00t692

Guys can you please follow the form factor? i'm seeing posts of people talking about returning notchiness but i can't tell what mileage or how long because you're ignoring it.

0-10k miles i had notchyness...changed to amsoil at 10K.
10K to 39k no notchyness due to using Amsoil(feel like butter, lol)
At 39K started feeling notchyness due to Amsoil needing replacement.


Hope the helps.