Need Help with tranmisstion oil change??

[billh02000]

please help, I want to change my tranmisstion oil, how to I know what type, I'm called in for Honda dealer already, they told me that same as your engine oil?? IS THIS TRUE???? I don't think so.....this guy just answer very quitly......okey my car Model is CIVIC, MAKE is HONDA, YEAR is 92, CI, HATBACK...stick shift.....please give me some advice.....thanks first....

[GioLanh]

It's pretty easy to change oil in trans (just like in engine)
My advice is getting the oil from Honda dealer (Honda is very picky about their transmission/power steering fluids)
It has 2 plugs:
1 to drain on the lower bottom
1 to re-fill (higher)

[billh02000]

COLDWIND, Do you think this HONDA CIVIC tranmission oil is using the same as engine oil????? I just wondering.....:confused:

[AnhThu]

Transmittion oil is stated on the cans. It is different with engine oil :)

[billh02000]

ANH THU, sorry I just correcting my question, please re-read it. thanks

[GioLanh]

Bill, just go to a Honda dealer and tell them what U need. U will not go wrong with that :)

[Rice and Potatoes]

Ok... I work for American Honda for 15 year before I start computers so here it is...

Manual transmission can take regular motor oil, however Honda sells MTF (manual transmission fluid) that is almost the same things with two extra additives for viscosity. I've had many Honda's, my commuter car is a 98 civic 5spd and have used MTF everytime I've changed the fluid, that is what I reccomend for you to do as well. Todays syncro's on Honda's manual transmissions have much smaller/closer tolerances and must stay lubercated or they'll fry. You can safely use regular motor oil for any 5speed 1989 and older (On a Honda anyway).

[billh02000]

thanks rice and potatoes, that's alot of helped me, I will try to change it by mysefl, once again thank you, also thanks bro coldwind...

[GioLanh]

U're welcome Bill.
As I stated earlier, Accord 86+ and Civic 89+ are kinda picky about their trans fluid. Specially auto-trans or p/s fluid, U need to get it from dealer or risk to burn out your trans or p/s :)

[Rice and Potatoes]

FYI:

Honda service fluids

PS fluid-
Honda only...period.

Automatic trans:
Most any offering of a Dextron compliant ATF work fine

CVT transmission:
Honda only!! (Civic w/cvt transmission) also known as dual pump fluid this is a must or you can kiss you transmission goodbye!Models like the CRV also use this for the rear differiential.

Motor oil:
By application... most older models 2001and earlier use 5w30. Older yet, like 1989 and earlier use 10w40. Some models like the insight and some of the current Civics are using 0 weight oil, so if you have a newer model take notice of the required weight, especially if you live in a temperiate climate (above or below average temps)

JCN

[GioLanh]

Almost 100% correct :)

Except 1 thing:
"Automatic trans:
Most any offering of a Dextron compliant ATF work fine"

I have a friend who has a '97 Accord with Auto trans. He changed trans fluid in a trans shop (just for maintenance). His car was running fine b4 the fluid change. But after that, the car ran ok for few months and started slipping on gear shift. He brought it back to the trans shop and they told him that he needed to rebuild the trans. He brought it to the Honda dealer and had a final check. The dealer said the fluid (he had in) ruined the seals.

They told him that he should've gotten the trans fluid from Honda and changed it himself (very easy to do) ...
The fluids from Honda are not much more expensive than from an auto-part store and they're worth it :)

[Rice and Potatoes]

ok... clarification
Dextron compliant does not include type II fluids commonly used in chrysler, mitsu and kia/hyundai trans... but good point!! there is a difference, namely the lack of a silicone based softner agent that is used as a conditioner for rubber and poly based seal and o-rings. You're good!!

[GioLanh]

I know fairly well about Honda & Toyota :)

[at428]

Hi

My SUV is about to change the tranmission oil also (130K) :(, I take the advice from the ColdWind. Buy the tranmission oil from the dealer, and change it by myself some time next week.

--at428

[GioLanh]

Originally posted by at428
Hi

My SUV is about to change the tranmission oil also (130K) :(, I take the advice from the ColdWind. Buy the tranmission oil from the dealer, and change it by myself some time next week.

--at428

Hold a sec right there ... hehe ... I did not give U (at428) any advice now :)

If U want to ask some question about your SUV, U need to tell me again "YEAR, MAKE, MODEL" ... and what do U want to do with it?
130K mi is a lot ... did U buy it brand new? ... if not, how much miles did U buy it and did U ever change trans fluid or know when the last time the fluid changed?

Believe me, sometimes it better that U leave it alone, because (I know some stories) if U change it all the sudden, your transmission might slip.
I need more input to help U.

[at428]

ColdWind,

That ok right ColdWind? :) What does different it makes! Either I say listen to the CW or take advice from CW. I think take advice it make easy ;)

My SUV is 97 Nissan Pathfinder SE, it never change the transmission oil, that why I want to change it soon. Just changed the Timing Bell at 120K :(, last month I change the Spark plug, fuel filter.

For the transmission oil, I will get it from the dealer for sure. Yesterday go to one dealer but they don't have it, have to get it from an other dealer.

BTW. Seem like we have a lot of "car expert" Well!!! in VCB

--at428

[GioLanh]

Wowow ... 130K miles and U never changed trans fluid?
Is your SUV 4x4?
Do U have any problem with the shifts?

If not, my best advice to U is just leave the trans alone like it is. :)

[at428]

ColdWind

Mine SUV is 4X4 and I never change the transmission fluid since the day I bought it new. That why I want to change it, in the manual it says change the ATF every 30,000 miles. I think mine is way way over due.

Why you say leave the ATF alone?

--at428

[Rice and Potatoes]

I'm sure CW seen many times just as I have that people experience problems, sometimes major problems, after changing fluid that has never been changed and has many many miles on it. I know it sounds funny, but I have often seen people experience slipping, grinding and worse with the new fluid in, sort of like your transmission going into shock... the new fluid works old deposits loose and lubes up older seals leaving you open to possible clogs, leaks or slipping/burning of the fluid etc... so it really depends, see what CW say, just my observations.

[ntmt]

AT428,
I think u need to leave it alone. I have several Nissan, and i did not change any ATF for over 100k miles. One of my Nissan, Stanza, for whatever reason, i changed that ATF at 120k, it acts up since then, so just leave it alone, save u time, $$$$ and problems.

[GioLanh]

at428,
U bought it brand new and never changed the ATF fluid?
Hehe, I got nothing to say but shaking my head. Oops, I got something to say ... shame on you j/k :p

Seriously, U should definitely, positively leave it alone.
Rice & Potatoes already said most of what I want to say.
I like to add one more thing:
after so many miles running, small chipped-off metal particles got burned out really good in there and somehow became a good layer of silicon for your trans.
If U flush out those fluids and put in brand new fluid, the worn-out parts of the trans will show up like sore-thumb and things start acting up (like ntmt mentioned). The reason they want U to change the fluid as schedule is keep the trans parts runs lubricately and smoothly.

Let me give U another example, I don't know if U ever had a fish tank. U supposed to change water once a month or maybe 3 months, but if U never change water and your fish still lives, then U should not change it. Because if U change new water, your fish might die.

Unless your transmission is acting up now, then U want to change the fluid and put in some additive to see if it helps; otherwise, my advice is "NO" :)

[cis]

You need to bring your car to the dealer near your house. Otherwise, you will get some problem with the transmission later...:) :)


It not that expensive to bring to the dealer :)

[GioLanh]

Originally posted by cis
You need to bring your car to the dealer near your house. Otherwise, you will get some problem with the transmission later...:) :)
It not that expensive to bring to the dealer :)

I like to add one thing to this.
When U bring it to the dealer, make sure U tell them that U bought the car brand new and never changed the transmission fluid. Let see what they say.

I believe:
1) a good service advisor will tell them to leave it alone.
2) a so-so one will tell U that they change it but they cannot warrantee what happens to your trans after changing.
3) a bad one just blindly takes your car in without any comment.

[at428]

ColdWind, Rice and Potatoes, cis, ntmt ...

Thank you very much for your information, after read all the follow post and advice, I did bring the SUV to the dealer and ask to change the ATF, and the mechanic said that just leave it alone like you guy has said. (Then I did mention to the mechanic you guy said it the same :) ). Again thank you very much.

Have a nice day

--at428

ps. ma^'y bu+~a nay ba^.n qua' tro+`i, -da'ng nhe~ pha?i tra? lo+`i ngay. Nhu+ng ta.i vi` -dang -di la`m Jury duty, -de^'n cuo^'i tha'ng na`y mo+'i he^'t duty. :(

[GioLanh]

at428,
U better leave it alone ... a Pathfinder SE 4x4 trans will cost U around $2-3 G
U don't want that happen :)