DIY: Changing Manual Transmission Fluid

[JDMKraze]

How many kms do you have to change the tranny fluid?

[Demisedgabe]

3 qts. is too much, read further up ppl are putting 1.6-1.8 qts of tranny fluid.

You can change it out whenever you want. maybe not like right off the lot.

[sh33t_0f_p4p3r]

I think i ****** up, can somone with that has done this and has an intake pleae let me call them asap!!!!!!!!

[skycan]

Many members suggested their transmission was over-filled. How could that have happened ? Does it mean there is a different place that the transmission can be filled other than the fill hole.

[Zeuceone]

The tranny is assembled in japan. It could be that when they receive the trannies them fill them off the car on its side.

[ramsSi]

Man I glad my gramps taught me how to work on cars, it is very simple to cahnge the tranny fluid.

1. Know what your doing.
2. If you dont know then pay someone. J/k

Seriously.... 1. Just jack up the driverside of your car high enough to place a drain tub or whatever you have to use.

2. Take off the drain plug let all tranny fluid drain replace the plug.

3.Remove fill plug, use a funnel with a hose and fill the tranny till fluid come out that should be right a 2qts.

4. Replace the fill plug, remove the drain pan and drop your car because you are done.

[luke_xb]

OMG, I couldn't believe how much difference it made after i changed my MTF. My MTF was also overfilled by factory (Approx 2 qts from factory), and after i put in 1.5 qts of new honda MTF, my SI doesn't have any 3rd gear grind or pop problems anymore, and shifting is silky, silky smooth, and now i am able to shift in gears below 1300 rpm without any hesitations coming from the engine like before. I think all the Manual Tranny problem i experienced before was coming from the high pressure in the gear box created by overfilled MTF. If i knew this sooner i would've changed my MTF the first day i got my SI backed in Jan 07!!!! For anyone who hasn't done it yet, What are you waiting for???

[Oil Doc]

Originally Posted by ramsSi

Man I glad my gramps taught me how to work on cars, it is very simple to cahnge the tranny fluid.

1. Know what your doing.
2. If you dont know then pay someone. J/k

Seriously.... 1. Just jack up the driverside of your car high enough to place a drain tub or whatever you have to use.

2. Take off the drain plug let all tranny fluid drain replace the plug.

3.Remove fill plug, use a funnel with a hose and fill the tranny till fluid come out that should be right a 2qts.

4. Replace the fill plug, remove the drain pan and drop your car because you are done.

The car should be level and the proper amount of fluid should be put installed. In many cases, filling until it comes out is Over Filled and can cause transmission problems.

The use of a pump designed for the application greatly simplifies this maintenance procedure. If you are going to do it yourself, invest in the proper equipment to do the job right.

Doc

[jaxson]

Originally Posted by luke_xb

OMG, I couldn't believe how much difference it made after i changed my MTF. My MTF was also overfilled by factory (Approx 2 qts from factory), and after i put in 1.5 qts of new honda MTF, my SI doesn't have any 3rd gear grind or pop problems anymore, and shifting is silky, silky smooth, and now i am able to shift in gears below 1300 rpm without any hesitations coming from the engine like before. I think all the Manual Tranny problem i experienced before was coming from the high pressure in the gear box created by overfilled MTF. If i knew this sooner i would've changed my MTF the first day i got my SI backed in Jan 07!!!! For anyone who hasn't done it yet, What are you waiting for???

I kind of agree with you. Long story short, I switched to Amsoil at 5000 miles because of notchiness and noticed that my transmission was wayyyy over filled. After the swap, the shifting became better but when it got cold(around 10 degrees F), 2nd gear would pop out, grind and sometimes just not go in.
So I brought it to the dealership to see what they would do for me. They swapped in new honda mtf, not knowing I had amsoil in it. My car has been driving fine since. I did also buy the Ingalls ETD so that might have helped a little. I heard a lot of crappy stuff about the new honda mtf, but I honestly feel more comfortable using it since it's what Honda recommends and it drives fine. My transmission only grinds when it's not fully warmed. Plus I dont want any warranty issues, even though I know amsoil shouldnt void it, it gives the dealership something to less to fuss about if my transmission does fail in the future.

[luke_xb]

I heard the Honda MTF is newly improved not too long ago, the new formula is suppose to perform better in cold weather & enhance shifting actions. In california where the weather is never too cold, it worked out perfectly for me, but i guess in colder weather states like PA, the oil can do so much under freezing point until it actually gets warmed up.

[Ta Fetty]

Just finished taking my car for a test drive after switching to Amsoil from Honda MTF. The gears are smoother than before, but there's still some notchyness from 3rd to 4th. I hope this smooth shifting will last for more than 20k. Will update as I add more miles..

[Oil Doc]

Originally Posted by Ta Fetty

Just finished taking my car for a test drive after switching to Amsoil from Honda MTF. The gears are smoother than before, but there's still some notchyness from 3rd to 4th. I hope this smooth shifting will last for more than 20k. Will update as I add more miles..

Also take note if the shifting smooths out after the tranny gets warmer with driving. Usually you will notice it being smoother as everything is designed to run at operating temp.

Doc

[Ta Fetty]

Originally Posted by Oil Doc

Also take note if the shifting smooths out after the tranny gets warmer with driving. Usually you will notice it being smoother as everything is designed to run at operating temp.

Doc

I will take that into account when I drive it today. Also, is it normal for the color of Honda MTF be almost black? When I drained my Honda MTF into a bucket, it looked very dirty and black.

[Zeuceone]

not with only 20k

[Oil Doc]

Originally Posted by Ta Fetty

I will take that into account when I drive it today. Also, is it normal for the color of Honda MTF be almost black? When I drained my Honda MTF into a bucket, it looked very dirty and black.

I have come across this in various vehicles at times.

Is it the norm ? Not usually..

It could always be the case was dirty to begin with or, it could be an assembly or machining problem.

I would probably recommend a couple changes for cheap insurance.

Doc

[soxfan143]

Hey Doc What Amsoil MTF is everyone using that they love it. I tried the Amsoil and it was terrible. Maybe I had the wrong stuff. And does Amsoil make a 5w-40 synthetic oil? If they do could you PM me a link to buy both? Thanks man. I want to give Amsoil another shot.

[ebdiam]

^ Why you wanna switch from redline to amsoil?

You convinced me to use redline mtl in my tranny and its still running smooth.

[EricTrainor]

2009 civic si, notchy and a little grind from 3rd now and agian, changed factory fluid out at 2311 miles it was black and smelled like GL5 not honda MTF, I put in amsoil, still a little notchy fixed the grind.

[Oil Doc]

Originally Posted by soxfan143

Hey Doc What Amsoil MTF is everyone using that they love it. I tried the Amsoil and it was terrible. Maybe I had the wrong stuff. And does Amsoil make a 5w-40 synthetic oil? If they do could you PM me a link to buy both? Thanks man. I want to give Amsoil another shot.

MTF is the product code...

AMSOIL does make a 5W-40 European oil... Why would you want to use it though ? If this is for a Honda, it will call for a 20 or 30 weight and I would recommend AMSOIL SSO 0W-30

Doc

[soxfan143]

Originally Posted by Oil Doc

MTF is the product code...

AMSOIL does make a 5W-40 European oil... Why would you want to use it though ? If this is for a Honda, it will call for a 20 or 30 weight and I would recommend AMSOIL SSO 0W-30

Doc

Because I'm turbo. And when I use the 5w-30 the turbo smokes a little and GReddy recommends 5w-40 oil with this car and their kit to protect the turbo seals and bushings. And I'm ALWAYS driving this car HARD and I just feel better with a heavier weight oil in the hot summer months that are coming up. But thanks for the response.