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Thread: 5spd tranny oil?

  1. #1
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    5spd tranny oil?

    what type of oil is best for a 5spd manual transmission..honda book says se or sf engine oil,.,.what is se and sf? i have some castrol synthec left over from my oil change was thinking about putting some of that in there cause it seems alittle low
    89 accord lx..carb
    259,000+ miles



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    Re: 5spd tranny oil?

    Last Time I changed mine, I used Castrol GTX 10W40
    2004-2011?

  3. #3
    3Geez Veteran ghettogeddy's Avatar
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    Re: 5spd tranny oil?

    Quote Originally Posted by mark_salad_bar
    what type of oil is best for a 5spd manual transmission..honda book says se or sf engine oil,.,.what is se and sf? i have some castrol synthec left over from my oil change was thinking about putting some of that in there cause it seems alittle low
    well i wouldn't mix old oil with new synthetic oil

  4. #4
    3Geez Veteran lostforawhile's Avatar
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    Re: 5spd tranny oil?

    I just use regular old 10w30 motor oil. you can just use the store brand oil from autozone or whatever if you want. it's not nearly as critical as in your engine. all your transmission is doing is throwing it around in there. it's not subjected to the same combustion byproducts as engine oil is. when I put my rebuilt one in I might try some trickshift manual transmission oil. any modern 1030 detergent motor oil will meet hondas specs,those specs are 20 years old and even the cheapest oil will meet those specs today.

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    Re: 5spd tranny oil?

    cool thanks..i guess ill use some regular oil
    89 accord lx..carb
    259,000+ miles

  6. #6
    3Geez Veteran russiankid's Avatar
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    Re: 5spd tranny oil?

    I use Honda MTF. Works great. To me it seems the shifts are smoother, like when putting it into gear.
    Sam


    1989 Accord LX: Sold with 208k-now somewhere around 230k with new owner

    Current:
    2014 Elantra Sport 6MT
    2000 Montero Sport 4x4 (beater, trail rig)

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    3Geez Veteran MessyHonda's Avatar
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    Re: 5spd tranny oil?

    yeah any regular 10w30 will do....replace all of it i think it was like 2 quarts

    1989 Honda Accord LX-i
    B18c1 swap since 7/2011
    175whp and 132tq
    Redzone tuned

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    3Geez Veteran russiankid's Avatar
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    Re: 5spd tranny oil?

    Quote Originally Posted by MessyHonda
    yeah any regular 10w30 will do....replace all of it i think it was like 2 quarts
    It's almost 2 quarts, or was it 3?
    Sam


    1989 Accord LX: Sold with 208k-now somewhere around 230k with new owner

    Current:
    2014 Elantra Sport 6MT
    2000 Montero Sport 4x4 (beater, trail rig)

  9. #9
    3Geez Veteran MessyHonda's Avatar
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    Re: 5spd tranny oil?

    Quote Originally Posted by russiankid
    It's almost 2 quarts, or was it 3?


    i think it was 2

    1989 Honda Accord LX-i
    B18c1 swap since 7/2011
    175whp and 132tq
    Redzone tuned

  10. #10
    LX User 89l_x_i's Avatar
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    Re: 5spd tranny oil?

    Last time i put 2.5 i think thats what the manual calls for.
    Coming soon, wheels, drop, carbon fiber and if i ever decide, paint.

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    3Geez Veteran lostforawhile's Avatar
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    Re: 5spd tranny oil?

    you are supposed to fill it until oil just begins to run out the fill hole. you should be able to stick your finger in the fill hole and feel the oil level.

  12. #12
    LX User Versanick's Avatar
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    Re: 5spd tranny oil?

    if you use some Lucas tranny oil stuff, it quiets down grinding a little bit.

    it worked for me.

  13. #13

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    Re: 5spd tranny oil?

    Quote Originally Posted by Versanick
    if you use some Lucas tranny oil stuff, it quiets down grinding a little bit.

    it worked for me.
    i wouldn't put any additive in there. it wasn't designed for thicker oil lucal will make it thicker.
    if your tranny grinds, the syncros are done.

    get regular mobil 10w30 or 10w40 or Honda MTF.


    PS. if you raise the passenger side very high, you can put 1/2 extra to keep 5th gear lubricated at all times.
    Alex.

  14. #14
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    Re: 5spd tranny oil?

    Honda used to recommend motor oil back in the SF/SG grade days. But one reason they came out with MTF is because modern motor oils no longer have the proper additives (AW/AF) for a good gear lubrication. While you can likely get by with any motor oil as our transmissions are fairly robust (...well except for that 5th gear issue!!!!) I would advise using Honda MTF or if you really want to be nice to it, drive it hard, or live in a cold climate, use Redline MTL.
    I've been using Redline for around 10 years in mine. It works great in our transmissions. My transmission has never been opened up and still shifts and runs perfect. Oh, and no leaks either.

  15. #15
    3Geez Veteran MessyHonda's Avatar
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    Re: 5spd tranny oil?

    yeah about how many miles do we have to change out our oil.....i havent done mine since i got the car....maybe is time for some....

    1989 Honda Accord LX-i
    B18c1 swap since 7/2011
    175whp and 132tq
    Redzone tuned

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    Re: 5spd tranny oil?

    Quote Originally Posted by MessyHonda
    yeah about how many miles do we have to change out our oil.....i havent done mine since i got the car....maybe is time for some....

    Every 25,000 Miles is Optimal
    2004-2011?

  17. #17
    3Geez Veteran MessyHonda's Avatar
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    Re: 5spd tranny oil?

    Quote Originally Posted by forrest89sei
    Every 25,000 Miles is Optimal

    ok ima see if i can change it soon cuz my 5th gear makes noise at low speeds.

    1989 Honda Accord LX-i
    B18c1 swap since 7/2011
    175whp and 132tq
    Redzone tuned

  18. #18
    3Geez Veteran AccordEpicenter's Avatar
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    Re: 5spd tranny oil?

    use honda MTF instead of 10w30 etc. If you do use 10w30 use dino oil, no synthetics. If the tranny has a notchy shift go to mtf, if that doesnt help, go to GM syncromesh FM
    429whp 362wtq A20 TURBO. A20T>*

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