DIY: Changing Manual Transmission Fluid

[Rallyecivic]

Finally got the time to do this task.
I got stuck on the 3/8 ratchet for drain plug. I was like I don't have a square socket! then found u dont use one.
Letting it drain right now, praying it will be smooth shifting.

Thanks a ton for the DIY.

[arcteryx]

If I got my SI in Oct-2008, does it already have synthetic in it? When did Honda switch to synthetic MTF?

[SteveOFG2]

Originally Posted by fryrice

now do i need 3 bottles? cuz i heard from people that dealer charges soo much is because they use the extra bottle to flush out the transmission with a new bottle. then they use the 2 bottles to fill it.

you realy dont have to do that either way DIY is way cheaper than going to a dealer u can buy 4 qt. and still pay mayb an 1/8 of the price.....the Si tranny only need 1.7 qt. So if u wanna "flush" ur trannny. raise it up (car has to be evenly balanced at all 4 corners), drain, fill, go for a nice ride, lift, drain, and fill then your done take sum time but u get the same deal the dleaer does but like i said much cheaper and u get to say that u didnt jus sit on ur ass on ur day off

[SteveOFG2]

Originally Posted by arcteryx

If I got my SI in Oct-2008, does it already have synthetic in it? When did Honda switch to synthetic MTF?

either way after 10-15K MILES u should change it anyway. So then i believe the all the new honda MTF with the white caps is synthetic

[asdf]

Anyone know if the 5spd and 6spd take the same amount fluid and same torque specs? I'm looking at the manual and it only shows for 5spd...guessing they are the same or it would have a seprate chapter for 6spd?

[2point]

Originally Posted by SteveOFG2

you realy dont have to do that either way DIY is way cheaper than going to a dealer u can buy 4 qt. and still pay mayb an 1/8 of the price.....the Si tranny only need 1.7 qt. So if u wanna "flush" ur trannny. raise it up (car has to be evenly balanced at all 4 corners), drain, fill, go for a nice ride, lift, drain, and fill then your done take sum time but u get the same deal the dleaer does but like i said much cheaper and u get to say that u didnt jus sit on ur ass on ur day off

I noticed with the rear, very slightly lower than the front, I had oil coming out the fill hole from the very rescent Honda fill. It was a very clear fluid so I'm not sure it was synthetic or not. With only like 1,800 miles on it, it was UBBER clear and the shifting wasn't that great.

I measured the oil that came out and it was about 5-6oz short of 2 quarts. so about 1.8x quarts.

I lifted the rear end to be slightly higher than the front. Slammed 2 full quarts down the cars throat, had a clean oil pan under the car, measured how much spilled out and it came to the same amount that I got from the Honda drain. 4 oz spilled out so 1.875quart in.

had I not fumbled getting the fill bolt screwed in, I could have had more oil in there.

Now running GM Synchromesh Friction Modified (semi synthetic)

Feels better than Honda fluid
Shifts better at redline
offers more room for error
performed better at AutoX via last weekend

[fryrice]

Originally Posted by SteveOFG2

you realy dont have to do that either way DIY is way cheaper than going to a dealer u can buy 4 qt. and still pay mayb an 1/8 of the price.....the Si tranny only need 1.7 qt. So if u wanna "flush" ur trannny. raise it up (car has to be evenly balanced at all 4 corners), drain, fill, go for a nice ride, lift, drain, and fill then your done take sum time but u get the same deal the dleaer does but like i said much cheaper and u get to say that u didnt jus sit on ur ass on ur day off

Thank you steve! now where do u guys recommend getting the honda mtf? (green label). directly from honda? or crsx? (free shipping)

[2point]

honda parts department if you have one close. Sometimes hard to get there durring the week before they close down if you have a normal day job.. .

[fryrice]

okay...and i am correct right? look for the green label which is synthetic right?

[2point]

Originally Posted by SteveOFG2

either way after 10-15K MILES u should change it anyway. So then i believe the all the new honda MTF with the white caps is synthetic

Originally Posted by fryrice

okay...and i am correct right? look for the green label which is synthetic right?

no, white cap = synthetic(I think)

I have no idea if honda put synthetic or regular MTF in my car at the last oil change. I don't beleive it said on the receipt. None the less. The fluid wasn't shifting any better anyways.

Beware for a large price tag though.

when I went to go get GM synchromesh FM, they had a hard time finding it at one dealer and I said try brining up the 09 Cobalt SS. That car uses like $24/qt synthetic tranny fluid

imagine changing that every 20K miles

[gLong]

hey where do i get the gm synchromesh? i had a dsm before my civic and i remember i could never find the mtf

[fryrice]

just bought 2 bottle of the honda mtf for $14 and it is the white cap/green label...it will say new formula and improve

[2point]

Originally Posted by gLong

hey where do i get the gm synchromesh? i had a dsm before my civic and i remember i could never find the mtf

GM dealers or AC delco.

ACDelco | Car Care Products, Car Care Tips, Auto Care, Lubricants

click the drop down box and select either
1.) synchromesh transmission fluid: non synthetic
part 10-4006 GM P# I think 88900333

or what I run

2,) Synchromesh MANUAL transmission FLuid
part 10-4014 GM P# I think is 88900399





NOTE: running fluid other than Honda OEM fluid can raise an eyebrow at the Dealers. If you still have factory warranty, fill at your own risk. This fluid is a thinner viscosity and is more clear in color than Honda OEM fluid.

I'm pretty sure the Honda Dealer put their synthetic in my car 2,000 miles ago. It did not give as good as feel as I'm getting with GM synchromesh Friction modified. No more granny shifting at ALL rpms anymore

[MarkLovin]

Originally Posted by fryrice

just bought 2 bottle of the honda mtf for $14 and it is the white cap/green label...it will say new formula and improve

hey, did you get the Honda MTF from your local Honda Dealership? or did you get it online? also, if did you have to ask for the new formula?

[Parasin]

I just did this today, and the improvement in shifting and responsiveness is extremely noticeable. Also, the problem with shifting into 3rd gear seems to have stopped!!

I would definitely recommend people to do this, it's just as easy as changing your oil, seriously. Also, autozone sells handpumps that have a long ass tubing which makes it very easy to pump the oil, (or whatever you are putting in your tranny), and at the end of it there is an adapter which actually goes into the filler hole. This helped me prevent a HUGE amount of spillage. I didn't even have to stay under the car to pump it, I put the adapter in the filler hole, scooted out from under the car, sat next to it, pumped it until I saw that fluid began to drip out. Unplugged the adapter, put the filler bolt on, and done.

[Parasin]

Also, I used Royal Purple 10w-30 Synthetic oil in my tranny, as it says you are allowed to use motor oil in the owners manual.

[Parasin]

I have read that using anything other than the specified honda mtf, however it also says that you are allowed to use motor oil, ^^ my previous post says what i used, is my transmission going to be ok using this? Or should I do a flush and put Honda-MTF in it??

[Cam06 SI]

what wieght do you guys use when you change your tranny fluid? i am looking at a couple different options. at 37k and want to drive something different

[Cam06 SI]

manual gear oil if i wasnt clear...

[chugiboi]

This DIY is a pain to do it especially if you don't have access to one of those shop hydraulic jack.