DIY: Changing Manual Transmission Fluid

[skiddy]

I just did this yesterday on 4 jackstands. Swapped out the crappy OEM stuff with Amsoil.

So far there is a noticibile difference. I was having trouble with 2nd and 3rd mostly. 2nd is now near perfect, and 3rd is A LOT better. 3rd still feels notchy sometimes, but it definitely helps. If you're having problems with the 'feel' of your shifts, spend $24 and get this done!! It's worth it!

[chanman]

is this the stuff everyone is using?
also i was wondering if anyone has tried putting the lucas oil stabilizer it
it while doing the change

[racerex]

^ Yeah, get 2 quarts (mine took around 1-3/4 quarts with the car dead level). I would also suggest that you pick up a cheapo fluid pump. I got this $9 pump from PelicanParts.com (search Sta-Lube Fluid Oil Pump....or part # SL4344). You just drop the pump into the quart of Amsoil and pump the fluid straight into the fill plug........makes for nice, easy and mess free fill.

[BATANG CITY JAIL]

***update..
its been 3+ months now..i still did not missed my 3rd gear not even once..

[eieiou22]

Man, I'm a little worried now. I just changed out my MTF ('06 Si), and I could only fill a little over a quart (1.1L maybe) before fluid came out of the fill hole. My car was pretty level length-wise (nose-to-rear). I used ramps, but my slanted parking lot compensated for that. My car my have been *slightly* tilted to the left. The only thing I can think of is that it wasn't fully drained. But since my car was slightly tilted to the left (from the driver's perspective), and the drain bolt is on the left side, it should have been fully drained. Help please? I don't want to ruin my transmission because of this! Thanks.

[letsgoflyers81]

Originally Posted by eieiou22

Man, I'm a little worried now. I just changed out my MTF ('06 Si), and I could only fill a little over a quart (1.1L maybe) before fluid came out of the fill hole. My car was pretty level length-wise (nose-to-rear). I used ramps, but my slanted parking lot compensated for that. My car my have been *slightly* tilted to the left. The only thing I can think of is that it wasn't fully drained. But since my car was slightly tilted to the left (from the driver's perspective), and the drain bolt is on the left side, it should have been fully drained. Help please? I don't want to ruin my transmission because of this! Thanks.

You can try changing the MTF again but do it on a perfectly level surface and use four jackstands or something, do make sure there's no angle at all. I got about 1.75 liters into my transmission when I changed the fluid.

[racerex]

Originally Posted by letsgoflyers81

You can try changing the MTF again but do it on a perfectly level surface and use four jackstands or something, do make sure there's no angle at all. I got about 1.75 liters into my transmission when I changed the fluid.

^^^^^ +1 It's such an easy job, just do it again. Mine took around 1.75 dead level on jackstands (I even checked it front to rear and left to right with a 2' level to be sure.....okay, I'm a little extreme).

[eieiou22]

It looks like I've gained access to a lift later today. Assuming I'm a little low on MTF right now, will driving the car 15 - 20 miles hurt the transmission? Thanks for your help guys.

[wixxer]

Today, I got my MTF changed with Amsoil MTF... It's great. However, the guys who did it used 1.5 quarts. I also didn't get it done at a Honda dealer so I don't know if they changed the crush washer.... Do you guys think my car will be ok?

[Tom1222]

Originally Posted by chanman

is this the stuff everyone is using?
also i was wondering if anyone has tried putting the lucas oil stabilizer it
it while doing the change

Dont use additives. Most of them are snake oils and will interfere with the formulation of the already very well made product. Go to BobtheOilguy and read some of the posts and tests they have made over the years and you will see that Lucas stuff isn't all that great. Their oil treatment actually does foam up at higher rpms so I would advise against it.

[Ruthless909]

I just got my MTF changed to Amsoil .... I can tell the difference already, It didn't take all 2qts to fill it back up... I still have about 8ozs left, should I be worried that my trans is low on fluid??

[Zeuceone]

it doesnt take the two quarts. it takes like 1.4 or so.

[Tom1222]

Mine took about 1 3/4 quarts. When I unscrewed the top fill screw on level ground it gushed out like crazy. Makes me believe that it was overfilled from the factory. With the little pump thingy I was able to put in about 1 3/4 quarts. I used Royal Purple Synchromax. Haven't taken it out yet for a spin. Will see what happens tomorrow.

[Zeuceone]

thye do come overfilled from the factory.

[Ruthless909]

Took my FA5 for a spirited drive tonight .... All I gotta say is I F*cking love it , no more notchy 2nd or grinding 3rd!!

Amsoil

[eieiou22]

I previously posted about only being able to get in 1 L of MTF after draining it. I used a different pump today (Sta-Lube instead of my original suction gun), and the thinner tip allowed me to get in almost another full liter. So, I've basically driven 80 miles with low MTF. How bad is that for my transmission?

Other than being worried about the long-term damage to my transmission because of the low MTF, this is the best thing I could have done to my car. Each gear grabs so much smoother now. 2nd no longer "farts" into gear. I've never really had a problem with 3rd, but it doesn't feel mushy anymore. 6th is also a lot easier to shift into. I used Honda's new MTF.

[Tom1222]

Originally Posted by eieiou22

I previously posted about only being able to get in 1 L of MTF after draining it. I used a different pump today (Sta-Lube instead of my original suction gun), and the thinner tip allowed me to get in almost another full liter. So, I've basically driven 80 miles with low MTF. How bad is that for my transmission?

Other than being worried about the long-term damage to my transmission because of the low MTF, this is the best thing I could have done to my car. Each gear grabs so much smoother now. 2nd no longer "farts" into gear. I've never really had a problem with 3rd, but it doesn't feel mushy anymore. 6th is also a lot easier to shift into. I used Honda's new MTF.

You should be okay. As long as there was some lubrication in the gear box there shouldn't be any damage. How much was the Honda stuff? I am using Royal Purple and I just looked on their site and they don't recommend it for Hondas or any sort. It is compatible with GM Snycromesh so I thought it would be okay for Hondas. I may need to change it again

[eieiou22]

I got mine for $6.70 a quart. Another dealership had them for $5.70 a quart. Make sure they give you the one with a green label and white cap. They first tried to sell me the older stuff with a red cap.

[Tom1222]

Originally Posted by eieiou22

I got mine for $6.70 a quart. Another dealership had them for $5.70 a quart. Make sure they give you the one with a green label and white cap. They first tried to sell me the older stuff with a red cap.

Thanks! I will make sure it has a Green Label and White cap.

[Rownan]

I'm going to be replacing my trans fluid soon, I used to use Redline synthetic fluids in my Nissan transmission, liked it a lot.. Sounds like everyone is using Amsoil though, is there any particular reason?