Manual Tranny Fluid Observations
1991 Civic Sedan owner here, 182k miles, original and only
owner. The owner's manual for this Honda prescribes either ordinary 10W-30 or 10W-40 (depending on expected ambient temperatures) for the manual transmission fluid (MTF), with a change interval of 2 years/60k miles, whichever comes first. Discussion here suggests that use of ordinary engine oil is no longer appropriate, due to changes in engine oil technology over the years. In addition, using instead OEM Honda MTF has been said, anecdotally and by one authoritative written source IIRC, to yield smoother shifting. Smoother shifting of course implies less wear as well. Last week I made the switch to OEM Honda MTF. I do think the shifting is smoother. Not by a lot, but I think what I perceive when shifting gears is more than a placebo effect. As a "BTW" when buying my MTF at the dealer's, I asked the dealer parts folks and one of the service writers whether I could increase the change interval. They said yes, suggesting I go to at least three years. Interest piqued, I figured more recent Honda Civic owner's manuals might add more insight. The 2004 and 2005 manuals give a change interval of 6 years/120k miles(!) for normal conditions; half these numbers for "severe driving conditions." Go back to 1998, and the interval listed is 6 years/90k miles for normal; 2 years/30k miles for severe. The OEM Honda MTF cost me about $12 total for two quarts, which completely changes out my Civic's MTF. Ordinary 10W-30 or 40, for good or bad, costs around $4 for two quarts right now. Per year cost ("normal conditions") of using OEM Honda MTF and the more recently recommended intervals: Just about exactly the same. Manual tranny design has not changed much, if at all, from 1991 to the present. A manual tranny is still mostly a collection of steel etc. gears and synchronizers etc. mounted on a mainshaft etc. that rotate in the MTF. Barring further evidence, ISTM the OEM Honda MTF is now for many older Civic owners the preferred route to go, both from a wear-and-tear standpoint and a cost per year standpoint, assuming the limiting factor is years and not miles for one's driving. |
Re: Manual Tranny Fluid Observations
Thanks for the observations. Contamination of manual transmission fluid
comes from two sources, wear of synchros, gears and bearings, and environmental water. There isn't much you can do about wear (except change the fluid!) but if you live in a wet, humid, cold or damp area then you should think about modifying maintenance intervals appropriately. If you ford a lot of streams, for example... Cheers. Earle "Elle" <honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote in message news:rRyPg.9022$v%4.8951@newsread1.news.pas.earthl ink.net... > 1991 Civic Sedan owner here, 182k miles, original and only > owner. The owner's manual for this Honda prescribes either > ordinary 10W-30 or 10W-40 (depending on expected ambient > temperatures) for the manual transmission fluid (MTF), with > a change interval of 2 years/60k miles, whichever comes > first. Discussion here suggests that use of ordinary engine > oil is no longer appropriate, due to changes in engine oil > technology over the years. In addition, using instead OEM > Honda MTF has been said, anecdotally and by one > authoritative written source IIRC, to yield smoother > shifting. Smoother shifting of course implies less wear as > well. > > Last week I made the switch to OEM Honda MTF. I do think the > shifting is smoother. Not by a lot, but I think what I > perceive when shifting gears is more than a placebo effect. > > As a "BTW" when buying my MTF at the dealer's, I asked the > dealer parts folks and one of the service writers whether I > could increase the change interval. They said yes, > suggesting I go to at least three years. > > Interest piqued, I figured more recent Honda Civic owner's > manuals might add more insight. The 2004 and 2005 manuals > give a change interval of 6 years/120k miles(!) for normal > conditions; half these numbers for "severe driving > conditions." Go back to 1998, and the interval listed is 6 > years/90k miles for normal; 2 years/30k miles for severe. > > The OEM Honda MTF cost me about $12 total for two quarts, > which completely changes out my Civic's MTF. Ordinary 10W-30 > or 40, for good or bad, costs around $4 for two quarts right > now. > > Per year cost ("normal conditions") of using OEM Honda MTF > and the more recently recommended intervals: Just about > exactly the same. > > Manual tranny design has not changed much, if at all, from > 1991 to the present. A manual tranny is still mostly a > collection of steel etc. gears and synchronizers etc. > mounted on a mainshaft etc. that rotate in the MTF. Barring > further evidence, ISTM the OEM Honda MTF is now for many > older Civic owners the preferred route to go, both from a > wear-and-tear standpoint and a cost per year standpoint, > assuming the limiting factor is years and not miles for > one's driving. > > |
Re: Manual Tranny Fluid Observations
Thanks for the observations. Contamination of manual transmission fluid
comes from two sources, wear of synchros, gears and bearings, and environmental water. There isn't much you can do about wear (except change the fluid!) but if you live in a wet, humid, cold or damp area then you should think about modifying maintenance intervals appropriately. If you ford a lot of streams, for example... Cheers. Earle "Elle" <honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote in message news:rRyPg.9022$v%4.8951@newsread1.news.pas.earthl ink.net... > 1991 Civic Sedan owner here, 182k miles, original and only > owner. The owner's manual for this Honda prescribes either > ordinary 10W-30 or 10W-40 (depending on expected ambient > temperatures) for the manual transmission fluid (MTF), with > a change interval of 2 years/60k miles, whichever comes > first. Discussion here suggests that use of ordinary engine > oil is no longer appropriate, due to changes in engine oil > technology over the years. In addition, using instead OEM > Honda MTF has been said, anecdotally and by one > authoritative written source IIRC, to yield smoother > shifting. Smoother shifting of course implies less wear as > well. > > Last week I made the switch to OEM Honda MTF. I do think the > shifting is smoother. Not by a lot, but I think what I > perceive when shifting gears is more than a placebo effect. > > As a "BTW" when buying my MTF at the dealer's, I asked the > dealer parts folks and one of the service writers whether I > could increase the change interval. They said yes, > suggesting I go to at least three years. > > Interest piqued, I figured more recent Honda Civic owner's > manuals might add more insight. The 2004 and 2005 manuals > give a change interval of 6 years/120k miles(!) for normal > conditions; half these numbers for "severe driving > conditions." Go back to 1998, and the interval listed is 6 > years/90k miles for normal; 2 years/30k miles for severe. > > The OEM Honda MTF cost me about $12 total for two quarts, > which completely changes out my Civic's MTF. Ordinary 10W-30 > or 40, for good or bad, costs around $4 for two quarts right > now. > > Per year cost ("normal conditions") of using OEM Honda MTF > and the more recently recommended intervals: Just about > exactly the same. > > Manual tranny design has not changed much, if at all, from > 1991 to the present. A manual tranny is still mostly a > collection of steel etc. gears and synchronizers etc. > mounted on a mainshaft etc. that rotate in the MTF. Barring > further evidence, ISTM the OEM Honda MTF is now for many > older Civic owners the preferred route to go, both from a > wear-and-tear standpoint and a cost per year standpoint, > assuming the limiting factor is years and not miles for > one's driving. > > |
Re: Manual Tranny Fluid Observations
Thanks for the observations. Contamination of manual transmission fluid
comes from two sources, wear of synchros, gears and bearings, and environmental water. There isn't much you can do about wear (except change the fluid!) but if you live in a wet, humid, cold or damp area then you should think about modifying maintenance intervals appropriately. If you ford a lot of streams, for example... Cheers. Earle "Elle" <honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote in message news:rRyPg.9022$v%4.8951@newsread1.news.pas.earthl ink.net... > 1991 Civic Sedan owner here, 182k miles, original and only > owner. The owner's manual for this Honda prescribes either > ordinary 10W-30 or 10W-40 (depending on expected ambient > temperatures) for the manual transmission fluid (MTF), with > a change interval of 2 years/60k miles, whichever comes > first. Discussion here suggests that use of ordinary engine > oil is no longer appropriate, due to changes in engine oil > technology over the years. In addition, using instead OEM > Honda MTF has been said, anecdotally and by one > authoritative written source IIRC, to yield smoother > shifting. Smoother shifting of course implies less wear as > well. > > Last week I made the switch to OEM Honda MTF. I do think the > shifting is smoother. Not by a lot, but I think what I > perceive when shifting gears is more than a placebo effect. > > As a "BTW" when buying my MTF at the dealer's, I asked the > dealer parts folks and one of the service writers whether I > could increase the change interval. They said yes, > suggesting I go to at least three years. > > Interest piqued, I figured more recent Honda Civic owner's > manuals might add more insight. The 2004 and 2005 manuals > give a change interval of 6 years/120k miles(!) for normal > conditions; half these numbers for "severe driving > conditions." Go back to 1998, and the interval listed is 6 > years/90k miles for normal; 2 years/30k miles for severe. > > The OEM Honda MTF cost me about $12 total for two quarts, > which completely changes out my Civic's MTF. Ordinary 10W-30 > or 40, for good or bad, costs around $4 for two quarts right > now. > > Per year cost ("normal conditions") of using OEM Honda MTF > and the more recently recommended intervals: Just about > exactly the same. > > Manual tranny design has not changed much, if at all, from > 1991 to the present. A manual tranny is still mostly a > collection of steel etc. gears and synchronizers etc. > mounted on a mainshaft etc. that rotate in the MTF. Barring > further evidence, ISTM the OEM Honda MTF is now for many > older Civic owners the preferred route to go, both from a > wear-and-tear standpoint and a cost per year standpoint, > assuming the limiting factor is years and not miles for > one's driving. > > |
Re: Manual Tranny Fluid Observations
My personal opinion for manual tranny lubricant is to use synthetic
since it is not exposed to combustion contaminents and take advantage of extended component as well as a significant difference with shifting especially during cold weather. Take a look at the RedLine site where synchronizer issues are discussed under transmission fluids. JT Elle wrote: > > 1991 Civic Sedan owner here, 182k miles, original and only > owner. The owner's manual for this Honda prescribes either > ordinary 10W-30 or 10W-40 (depending on expected ambient > temperatures) for the manual transmission fluid (MTF), with > a change interval of 2 years/60k miles, whichever comes > first. Discussion here suggests that use of ordinary engine > oil is no longer appropriate, due to changes in engine oil > technology over the years. In addition, using instead OEM > Honda MTF has been said, anecdotally and by one > authoritative written source IIRC, to yield smoother > shifting. Smoother shifting of course implies less wear as > well. > > Last week I made the switch to OEM Honda MTF. I do think the > shifting is smoother. Not by a lot, but I think what I > perceive when shifting gears is more than a placebo effect. > > As a "BTW" when buying my MTF at the dealer's, I asked the > dealer parts folks and one of the service writers whether I > could increase the change interval. They said yes, > suggesting I go to at least three years. > > Interest piqued, I figured more recent Honda Civic owner's > manuals might add more insight. The 2004 and 2005 manuals > give a change interval of 6 years/120k miles(!) for normal > conditions; half these numbers for "severe driving > conditions." Go back to 1998, and the interval listed is 6 > years/90k miles for normal; 2 years/30k miles for severe. > > The OEM Honda MTF cost me about $12 total for two quarts, > which completely changes out my Civic's MTF. Ordinary 10W-30 > or 40, for good or bad, costs around $4 for two quarts right > now. > > Per year cost ("normal conditions") of using OEM Honda MTF > and the more recently recommended intervals: Just about > exactly the same. > > Manual tranny design has not changed much, if at all, from > 1991 to the present. A manual tranny is still mostly a > collection of steel etc. gears and synchronizers etc. > mounted on a mainshaft etc. that rotate in the MTF. Barring > further evidence, ISTM the OEM Honda MTF is now for many > older Civic owners the preferred route to go, both from a > wear-and-tear standpoint and a cost per year standpoint, > assuming the limiting factor is years and not miles for > one's driving. |
Re: Manual Tranny Fluid Observations
My personal opinion for manual tranny lubricant is to use synthetic
since it is not exposed to combustion contaminents and take advantage of extended component as well as a significant difference with shifting especially during cold weather. Take a look at the RedLine site where synchronizer issues are discussed under transmission fluids. JT Elle wrote: > > 1991 Civic Sedan owner here, 182k miles, original and only > owner. The owner's manual for this Honda prescribes either > ordinary 10W-30 or 10W-40 (depending on expected ambient > temperatures) for the manual transmission fluid (MTF), with > a change interval of 2 years/60k miles, whichever comes > first. Discussion here suggests that use of ordinary engine > oil is no longer appropriate, due to changes in engine oil > technology over the years. In addition, using instead OEM > Honda MTF has been said, anecdotally and by one > authoritative written source IIRC, to yield smoother > shifting. Smoother shifting of course implies less wear as > well. > > Last week I made the switch to OEM Honda MTF. I do think the > shifting is smoother. Not by a lot, but I think what I > perceive when shifting gears is more than a placebo effect. > > As a "BTW" when buying my MTF at the dealer's, I asked the > dealer parts folks and one of the service writers whether I > could increase the change interval. They said yes, > suggesting I go to at least three years. > > Interest piqued, I figured more recent Honda Civic owner's > manuals might add more insight. The 2004 and 2005 manuals > give a change interval of 6 years/120k miles(!) for normal > conditions; half these numbers for "severe driving > conditions." Go back to 1998, and the interval listed is 6 > years/90k miles for normal; 2 years/30k miles for severe. > > The OEM Honda MTF cost me about $12 total for two quarts, > which completely changes out my Civic's MTF. Ordinary 10W-30 > or 40, for good or bad, costs around $4 for two quarts right > now. > > Per year cost ("normal conditions") of using OEM Honda MTF > and the more recently recommended intervals: Just about > exactly the same. > > Manual tranny design has not changed much, if at all, from > 1991 to the present. A manual tranny is still mostly a > collection of steel etc. gears and synchronizers etc. > mounted on a mainshaft etc. that rotate in the MTF. Barring > further evidence, ISTM the OEM Honda MTF is now for many > older Civic owners the preferred route to go, both from a > wear-and-tear standpoint and a cost per year standpoint, > assuming the limiting factor is years and not miles for > one's driving. |
Re: Manual Tranny Fluid Observations
My personal opinion for manual tranny lubricant is to use synthetic
since it is not exposed to combustion contaminents and take advantage of extended component as well as a significant difference with shifting especially during cold weather. Take a look at the RedLine site where synchronizer issues are discussed under transmission fluids. JT Elle wrote: > > 1991 Civic Sedan owner here, 182k miles, original and only > owner. The owner's manual for this Honda prescribes either > ordinary 10W-30 or 10W-40 (depending on expected ambient > temperatures) for the manual transmission fluid (MTF), with > a change interval of 2 years/60k miles, whichever comes > first. Discussion here suggests that use of ordinary engine > oil is no longer appropriate, due to changes in engine oil > technology over the years. In addition, using instead OEM > Honda MTF has been said, anecdotally and by one > authoritative written source IIRC, to yield smoother > shifting. Smoother shifting of course implies less wear as > well. > > Last week I made the switch to OEM Honda MTF. I do think the > shifting is smoother. Not by a lot, but I think what I > perceive when shifting gears is more than a placebo effect. > > As a "BTW" when buying my MTF at the dealer's, I asked the > dealer parts folks and one of the service writers whether I > could increase the change interval. They said yes, > suggesting I go to at least three years. > > Interest piqued, I figured more recent Honda Civic owner's > manuals might add more insight. The 2004 and 2005 manuals > give a change interval of 6 years/120k miles(!) for normal > conditions; half these numbers for "severe driving > conditions." Go back to 1998, and the interval listed is 6 > years/90k miles for normal; 2 years/30k miles for severe. > > The OEM Honda MTF cost me about $12 total for two quarts, > which completely changes out my Civic's MTF. Ordinary 10W-30 > or 40, for good or bad, costs around $4 for two quarts right > now. > > Per year cost ("normal conditions") of using OEM Honda MTF > and the more recently recommended intervals: Just about > exactly the same. > > Manual tranny design has not changed much, if at all, from > 1991 to the present. A manual tranny is still mostly a > collection of steel etc. gears and synchronizers etc. > mounted on a mainshaft etc. that rotate in the MTF. Barring > further evidence, ISTM the OEM Honda MTF is now for many > older Civic owners the preferred route to go, both from a > wear-and-tear standpoint and a cost per year standpoint, > assuming the limiting factor is years and not miles for > one's driving. |
Re: Manual Tranny Fluid Observations
JT, good point. The OEM Honda MTF container unfortunately
does not say whether it's synthetic or not. All it says is that it's so superior that one can increase the time between MTF changes. Earle, unfortunately and unintentionally, right now each year I end up driving through a few of what are in effect serious creekbeds. Having also recently replaced that flimsy little boot at the end of the shift rod linkage (just as it enters the tranny casing), I can believe water ingress at that point, for one, could occur on these "high rain" days where the roads flood where I am. I should probably keep count. "Grumpy AuContraire" <Grumpster@GrumpyvilleNOT.com> wrote > My personal opinion for manual tranny lubricant is to use > synthetic > since it is not exposed to combustion contaminents and > take advantage of > extended component as well as a significant difference > with shifting > especially during cold weather. > > Take a look at the RedLine site where synchronizer issues > are discussed > under transmission fluids. |
Re: Manual Tranny Fluid Observations
JT, good point. The OEM Honda MTF container unfortunately
does not say whether it's synthetic or not. All it says is that it's so superior that one can increase the time between MTF changes. Earle, unfortunately and unintentionally, right now each year I end up driving through a few of what are in effect serious creekbeds. Having also recently replaced that flimsy little boot at the end of the shift rod linkage (just as it enters the tranny casing), I can believe water ingress at that point, for one, could occur on these "high rain" days where the roads flood where I am. I should probably keep count. "Grumpy AuContraire" <Grumpster@GrumpyvilleNOT.com> wrote > My personal opinion for manual tranny lubricant is to use > synthetic > since it is not exposed to combustion contaminents and > take advantage of > extended component as well as a significant difference > with shifting > especially during cold weather. > > Take a look at the RedLine site where synchronizer issues > are discussed > under transmission fluids. |
Re: Manual Tranny Fluid Observations
JT, good point. The OEM Honda MTF container unfortunately
does not say whether it's synthetic or not. All it says is that it's so superior that one can increase the time between MTF changes. Earle, unfortunately and unintentionally, right now each year I end up driving through a few of what are in effect serious creekbeds. Having also recently replaced that flimsy little boot at the end of the shift rod linkage (just as it enters the tranny casing), I can believe water ingress at that point, for one, could occur on these "high rain" days where the roads flood where I am. I should probably keep count. "Grumpy AuContraire" <Grumpster@GrumpyvilleNOT.com> wrote > My personal opinion for manual tranny lubricant is to use > synthetic > since it is not exposed to combustion contaminents and > take advantage of > extended component as well as a significant difference > with shifting > especially during cold weather. > > Take a look at the RedLine site where synchronizer issues > are discussed > under transmission fluids. |
Re: Manual Tranny Fluid Observations
Water in the tranny will show up as "milky" fluid. I have a Jeep. I know.
;^) Earle "Elle" <honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote in message news:z9HPg.13439$bM.204@newsread4.news.pas.earthli nk.net... > JT, good point. The OEM Honda MTF container unfortunately > does not say whether it's synthetic or not. All it says is > that it's so superior that one can increase the time between > MTF changes. > > Earle, unfortunately and unintentionally, right now each > year I end up driving through a few of what are in effect > serious creekbeds. Having also recently replaced that flimsy > little boot at the end of the shift rod linkage (just as it > enters the tranny casing), I can believe water ingress at > that point, for one, could occur on these "high rain" days > where the roads flood where I am. I should probably keep > count. > > "Grumpy AuContraire" <Grumpster@GrumpyvilleNOT.com> wrote > > My personal opinion for manual tranny lubricant is to use > > synthetic > > since it is not exposed to combustion contaminents and > > take advantage of > > extended component as well as a significant difference > > with shifting > > especially during cold weather. > > > > Take a look at the RedLine site where synchronizer issues > > are discussed > > under transmission fluids. > > |
Re: Manual Tranny Fluid Observations
Water in the tranny will show up as "milky" fluid. I have a Jeep. I know.
;^) Earle "Elle" <honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote in message news:z9HPg.13439$bM.204@newsread4.news.pas.earthli nk.net... > JT, good point. The OEM Honda MTF container unfortunately > does not say whether it's synthetic or not. All it says is > that it's so superior that one can increase the time between > MTF changes. > > Earle, unfortunately and unintentionally, right now each > year I end up driving through a few of what are in effect > serious creekbeds. Having also recently replaced that flimsy > little boot at the end of the shift rod linkage (just as it > enters the tranny casing), I can believe water ingress at > that point, for one, could occur on these "high rain" days > where the roads flood where I am. I should probably keep > count. > > "Grumpy AuContraire" <Grumpster@GrumpyvilleNOT.com> wrote > > My personal opinion for manual tranny lubricant is to use > > synthetic > > since it is not exposed to combustion contaminents and > > take advantage of > > extended component as well as a significant difference > > with shifting > > especially during cold weather. > > > > Take a look at the RedLine site where synchronizer issues > > are discussed > > under transmission fluids. > > |
Re: Manual Tranny Fluid Observations
Water in the tranny will show up as "milky" fluid. I have a Jeep. I know.
;^) Earle "Elle" <honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote in message news:z9HPg.13439$bM.204@newsread4.news.pas.earthli nk.net... > JT, good point. The OEM Honda MTF container unfortunately > does not say whether it's synthetic or not. All it says is > that it's so superior that one can increase the time between > MTF changes. > > Earle, unfortunately and unintentionally, right now each > year I end up driving through a few of what are in effect > serious creekbeds. Having also recently replaced that flimsy > little boot at the end of the shift rod linkage (just as it > enters the tranny casing), I can believe water ingress at > that point, for one, could occur on these "high rain" days > where the roads flood where I am. I should probably keep > count. > > "Grumpy AuContraire" <Grumpster@GrumpyvilleNOT.com> wrote > > My personal opinion for manual tranny lubricant is to use > > synthetic > > since it is not exposed to combustion contaminents and > > take advantage of > > extended component as well as a significant difference > > with shifting > > especially during cold weather. > > > > Take a look at the RedLine site where synchronizer issues > > are discussed > > under transmission fluids. > > |
Re: Manual Tranny Fluid Observations
"Earle Horton" <anglocapitalista@usa.com> wrote in
news:450f455c$0$24313$a82e2bb9@reader.athenanews.c om: > Water in the tranny will show up as "milky" fluid. I have a Jeep. I > know. ;^) Water in ANY oil that is churned in operation will result in a milky emulsion. -- TeGGeR® The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ www.tegger.com/hondafaq/ |
Re: Manual Tranny Fluid Observations
"Earle Horton" <anglocapitalista@usa.com> wrote in
news:450f455c$0$24313$a82e2bb9@reader.athenanews.c om: > Water in the tranny will show up as "milky" fluid. I have a Jeep. I > know. ;^) Water in ANY oil that is churned in operation will result in a milky emulsion. -- TeGGeR® The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ www.tegger.com/hondafaq/ |
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