94 Civic: coolant drain/flush and thermostat

TeGGeR® wrote:
> Standards are upgraded over time. I think they're up to API standard SM at
> this point. All the standards are backwards-compatible, so you can use an
> SM in a 1970 car made for SD oil.

Right.

jim beam wrote:
> Abeness wrote:
>> My manuals (owner's and Helm) specify ordinary 10w-30 as well; it was
>> only after following a discussion of the synchromesh stuff here that I
>> got the idea that Honda manual tranny fluid might be better. I suppose
>> the way to find out would be to try both and see if I'm able to detect
>> any difference in feel or response.
>
>
> there was a whole long thread about this only a few months ago. there
> was an additive present in the old engine oils [molybdenum?] that is now
> absent for environmental reasons. this means you now need to use honda
> mtf for your transmission becuase it contains that additive and it helps
> your synchros last better.
>

That's the discussion I was referring to. Don't recall what the additive
was.

Elle wrote:
>>>"Abeness" > wrote
>>I suppose
>>the way to find out would be to try both and see if I'm able to detect
>>any difference in feel or response.
>
>
> Yes, I'm thinking about it... Unfortunately I just changed my manual tranny
> fluid a month ago, and it likely won't be due again for two more years.

That's kinda funny: it *will* be due in 2 years... ;-)

It does make it a slightly long-range planning test, doesn't it? Well, I
suppose the reality is that you've been using ordinary 10W-30 for the
last 10 years or more, and haven't had any noticeable problems. Maybe
you'll try the Honda stuff next go and discover that it feels the same.

I'm gonna give the Honda MTL stuff a shot my first time with this car.

"Abeness" > wrote
> Elle wrote:
> >>>"Abeness" > wrote
> >>I suppose
> >>the way to find out would be to try both and see if I'm able to detect
> >>any difference in feel or response.
> >
> >
> > Yes, I'm thinking about it... Unfortunately I just changed my manual
tranny
> > fluid a month ago, and it likely won't be due again for two more years.
>
> That's kinda funny: it *will* be due in 2 years... ;-)

I meant it is also due every 30k miles. I could hit 30k more miles in 1.5
years, say, but I likely won't.

> It does make it a slightly long-range planning test, doesn't it? Well, I
> suppose the reality is that you've been using ordinary 10W-30 for the
> last 10 years or more, and haven't had any noticeable problems. Maybe
> you'll try the Honda stuff next go and discover that it feels the same.
>
> I'm gonna give the Honda MTL stuff a shot my first time with this car.

I'd be interested in whether you notice a difference; and the cost of the
Honda MTL stuff.

Google reports say people do notice a difference, namely, better shifting.

Elle wrote:
> I meant it is also due every 30k miles. I could hit 30k more miles in 1.5
> years, say, but I likely won't.

Ahh. I would have thought that it would be more a function of time,
insofar as corrosion is concerned, but if the proper fluid is supposed
to be non-corrosive and doesn't degrade as much given that the engine
isn't hot for 30,000 miles, maybe not.

> I'd be interested in whether you notice a difference; and the cost of the
> Honda MTL stuff.
>
> Google reports say people do notice a difference, namely, better shifting.

My shifting feels perfectly smooth now, but I don't know what's in there
now. Could be Honda MTL for all I know. I'll try to remember to post
back. Have to do the coolant soon at the very least.

Abeness > wrote in :

> Elle wrote:
>> I meant it is also due every 30k miles. I could hit 30k more miles in
>> 1.5 years, say, but I likely won't.
>
> Ahh. I would have thought that it would be more a function of time,
> insofar as corrosion is concerned, but if the proper fluid is supposed
> to be non-corrosive and doesn't degrade as much given that the engine
> isn't hot for 30,000 miles, maybe not.
>
>> I'd be interested in whether you notice a difference; and the cost of
>> the Honda MTL stuff.
>>
>> Google reports say people do notice a difference, namely, better
>> shifting.
>
> My shifting feels perfectly smooth now, but I don't know what's in
> there now. Could be Honda MTL for all I know. I'll try to remember to
> post back. Have to do the coolant soon at the very least.
>


I started using MTL at about ten years of age (the car, I mean). I did not
notice any real difference in shifting. Canadian 10W-30 at that time may
have contained more zinc than US 10W-30, so there may have been less
difference than there would be now.

I still use Honda MTL though, and change it every year.

--
TeGGeR®

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/