Transmission and Differential Fluid Replacement

88EE488EE4 Band Wagon
in Engine & Drivetrain
Steps for changing transmission fluid:

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Comments

  • Eagle BeagleEagle Beagle familEE
    MANUAL TRANSMISSION FLUID CAPACITY
    2WD: 1.8L (1.6 lmp qt, 1.9 US qt)
    4WD: 2.3L (2.1 lmp qt, 2.4 US qt)
    Replace every 10,000 km/6,000 miles or 6 months.
    Use only SE of SF grade oil when adding or changing transmission oil.
    Use the proper viscosity oil for the climate in which you drive.


    AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID CAPACITY
    2.4L (2.1 LMP QT, 2.5 US qt)
    Replace every 10,000 km/6,000 miles or 6 months
    Use only DEXTRON or DEXTRON II automatic transmission fluid



    REAR DIFFERENTIAL FLUID CAPACITY
    0.65 L (0.6 lmp qt, 0.7 US qt)
    Replace every 10,000 km/6,000 miles or 6 months
    Recommended oil: HYPOID GEAR OIL (API GL5)
    Caution: if the oil level is low, check for possible leaks before adding oil.
    Do not overfill.


    Remove the oil filler bolt. Feel inside the bolt hole with your finger.
    If the oil is up to the bottom edge of the hole, the oil level is correct.
    If it is not, slowly add oil until it runs out of the hole, then reinstall
    the bolt and tighten it securely with a wrench.
  • heraldhamsterheraldhamster Wagonist
    always change with a proper weight lubricant. I recently swapped out the transaxle in our '88 with a synthetic (Redline) I had used in other manual transmissions. I used a 90w gear oil which is what most manuals & differentials take. I didn't pay attention to what I was supposed to use. it's now stiffer to shift in cold weather or after sitting overnight. just happens to be winter here now. sucks. altho' it does shift much better now once it's warmed.

    I will, however, get the appropriate weight synth oil and swap it out again soon. I like synths in trannys. they make a huge difference IMHO. unless there is a pre-existing problem. a different oil, dino or synth won't fix that.
  • SiWagonSiWagon Council Member
    As far as trans oil read the '"oil" section for current recommendations:
    viewtopic.php?f=7&t=103
  • Tatty90EE4Tatty90EE4 Wagonist
    I've tried searching, but I can't find a picture/diagram of where the drain and fill plugs are on the RT4wd Manual transmission. Does anybody have a pic/diagram they could post of where those plugs are at?

    Thanks in advance!
  • MotionMotion New Wagonist
    I looked up what i could on this subject, and couldn't really come to a conclusion. The nearest Honda dealer is a half hour away,, I can get Pennzoil synchromesh at auto-zone, is it ok to use that instead of Honda MTF? Also what weight oil should i use in the differential ? And the last question is it necessary to change out the washers when changing the fluids? If so is that something i can get at the hardware store, or is it an OEM only thing ?
  • JakerJaker familEE
    The crush washers are aluminum, so if you can find an aluminum washer in the right dimensions (remember the thickness is important) at your local hardware store, go ahead.

    Over the years, I've used pretty much every product that came along that was supposed to be "right" for the Honda transmissions, and I always end up back at the Honda MTL (manual transmission lubricant). It just works better. Less grinding of fast shifts, etc...

    The rear diff (non-Intrac) uses either SAE90 (above 41 degrees F) or SAE80 (below 41) Hypoid gear oil (API GL5).
  • CharbCharb Administrator
    Good info! Actually planning to do this myself here soon.
  • MotionMotion New Wagonist
    Thank you very much !! I went to the Honda dealer, got the right stuff and the washers, didnt want to take any chances.. Tomorrow my new clutch goes in, she gets a drink of some fresh tranny and diff fluids, and then its back on the road :) Only been driving her for about 2 weeks, i feel a long lasting friendship on the way though.
  • HaydzHaydz Moderator
    Merged the threads on trans and diff fluid.
  • rti intracrti intrac Senior Wagonist
    Is the recommended fluid for Intrac the same as the normal diffs?
  • HaydzHaydz Moderator
    "That is a good looking question." I never got around to changing the rear diff fluid.

    I put Honda MTF in the transmission.
  • rti intracrti intrac Senior Wagonist
    I've done the transmission fluid but not the diff. Ill have to do some research and find out
  • dukevonDANKdukevonDANK Wagonist
    I know you guys may think I'm crazy, but I'm running GM Synchromesh with friction modifier #12377916. I read about it on Honda tech from a thread from 2000. They say to use it for LSD's or guys that drive their cars hard, OR if you are developing a grind. I have been using it in my '91 Si hatch(w/SiR swap w/ y1 tranny) since '05 and love it. I just put it in my '91 RT4WD, but I don't drive her as hard for obvious reasons (its stock).
  • CharbCharb Administrator
    dukevonDANK wrote:
    I know you guys may think I'm crazy, but I'm running GM Synchromesh with friction modifier #12377916. I read about it on Honda tech from a thread from 2000. They say to use it for LSD's or guys that drive their cars hard, OR if you are developing a grind. I have been using it in my '91 Si hatch(w/SiR swap w/ y1 tranny) since '05 and love it. I just put it in my '91 RT4WD, but I don't drive her as hard for obvious reasons (its stock).

    Ya, but you live in Florida.

    Not the same for us in cold climates.
  • dukevonDANKdukevonDANK Wagonist
    Heck, I think the guy I got my info from is up in Michigan. I should ask him if he uses different stuff in winter.
  • dukevonDANKdukevonDANK Wagonist
    Dude said this stuff is the shit despite temps.
    Or you could run Golden Spectro dirt bike crank case oil, like the guys did in the RealTime acuras.
    Both are about $14 a quart. Unless you have a hook up at GM for the synchomesh (cost is $8).
  • GeNXGeNX Wagonist
    The temp thing throws me off. Normally it's over 41F but many days in the winter it's <41F so do you get under your car on a freezing morning to change the fluid? Then the next day we get a warm wind from the jet stream and it's 50F. What a crappy range to choose from. :o
  • dukevonDANKdukevonDANK Wagonist
    I promise, if you can find the GM synchomesh with friction additive, you'll thank me.
  • markymayhemmarkymayhem Band Wagon
    Whoa! Is the change interval for auto tranny oil REALLy 6k miles? Every other oil change, then? or for me, every oil change? I have a hard time swallowing that....
  • SiWagonSiWagon Council Member
    The auto oil change interval is incorrect & the manual oil type is outdated.See my link above for the correct answer.

    Those intervals must be Eagle Beagle's own oil change intervals.
  • The_HeadThe_Head familEE
    Even if the interval were correct, the amount is so small. 2.5 quarts seems like nothing to me. My truck will take almost 18. 2.5 quarts seems almost like it is not enough though. ATF is the life blood in an auto. If you burn it up... Not sure how hot the fluid gets in these little D15B2 autos though. I do know they are lockup transmissions, which helps keep fluid temp down.
  • saveacivicsaveacivic New Wagonist
    schweet, thanks for that. was going to look it up in a few days and there it was!
  • GeNXGeNX Wagonist
    so I found honda GL-5 SAE 80W-90 online. Would that be ok in the rear Diff? It's not strait 80 or 90. Honda dealer said they have it in bulk for mechanics and don't sell any to the public.
  • dukevonDANKdukevonDANK Wagonist
    I love the retro pic
  • RealTimeTurbo4wdRealTimeTurbo4wd Band Wagon
    I use Redline Lightweight Shockproof on both the diff and tranny. An epic oil who exceedes Hondas specifications on both.
  • VIPwryannVIPwryann Wagonist
    RealTimeTurbo4wd wrote:
    I use Redline Lightweight Shockproof on both the diff and tranny. An epic oil who exceedes Hondas specifications on both.



    Its funny I have never used the shock proof RedLine oil?? I have heard it works every well from friends that have used it in very high HP DSM's. What weight of shock proof are you using??

    I have always used the RedLine 5w-30 engine oil in the GearBox
  • ludemanludeman Wagonist
    i need to change my rear diff fluid this week. it gets so cold here, we have been seeing -30 degrees F the last week and its been scaring me to drive it. wat does someone recommend for it being so cold? i feel like 80w is still thick.

    on the tranny fluid my prelude calls for 10w30/40 motor oil only 2 quarts. what i have found to work the best is a quart or 10w30 synthetic and a quart of synthetic lucas oil stabilizer. for some reason it just loved that combo
  • kenbarlskenbarls Band Wagon
    88EE4 wrote:
    Steps for changing transmission fluid:

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    Hey mate. it is very useful post. Do you have a clear copy of it? The images are blur.
  • SiWagonSiWagon Council Member
    ludeman wrote:
    the tranny fluid my prelude calls for 10w30/40 motor oil only 2 quarts. what i have found to work the best is a quart or 10w30 synthetic and a quart of synthetic lucas oil stabilizer. for some reason it just loved that combo

    Read the Oil section:
    +++SiWagon TIP: Keep that Tranny.PLUS Tips & Specs.
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