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1992 Accord DX 4 dr 5 speed MANUAL transaxle. Old owners manual recommends 30W or 20W-40 motor oil for the transaxle. Is there an updated lubricant that is right for this older car?
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All Honda manual transaxles use the Honda Manual Transmission Fluid (MTF) as the original factory fill. This oil is similar to a 10W-30 or 10W-40 viscosity engine oil, and this oil can be substituted temporarily. However, the manufacturer recommends the use of their MTF when changing the fluid.
Level Check
The transaxle fluid should be changed every 90,000 miles (144,000 km) or 6 years under normal driving conditions. In severe driving conditions the fluid should be changed every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or every 2 years, whichever occurs first.
Make sure the vehicle is on a level surface. If the vehicle is raised, make sure the vehicle is safely supported and level
NOTE: Do not confuse the drain plug with the fill plug. The fill plug is in the mid section of the transaxle. The drain plug is near the bottom of the transaxle.
The oil level is checked by removing the oil fill plug on the side of the transaxle. The transaxle fluid should just meet the lower threads of the transaxle fill hole.
Remove the oil level check bolt from the side of the transaxle. If oil runs out, or if oil can be felt near the threaded fill hole opening, reinstall and retighten the bolt to 33 ft. lbs. (45 Nm).
If the level needs to be topped off, pour oil in slowly until it begins to run out then, install and tighten the filler bolt to 33 ft. lbs. (45 Nm).
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Use only genuine Honda manual transaxle fluid (MTF)-it is specially formulated for use in Honda transaxles. If Honda MTF is not available, API SG/SJ 10W-30 or 10W-40 motor oil may be used as a temporary lubricant. However, motor oil will cause increased transaxle wear and shifting effort. Refill the transaxle with Honda MTF as soon as possible.
4T40E Automatic Transaxle CAUTION Removal of the fluid level screw when the transaxle fluid is hot may cause injury. Use care to avoid contact of the transaxle fluid to exhaust pipe.
The fluid level screw is intended to be used for diagnosing a transaxle fluid leak or resetting the transaxle fluid level after service that involves a loss of fluid.
The fluid level should be checked when the transaxle is near room temperature or at 104°F (40°C). To acquire this, left the car idle for 3-5 minutes with all of the accessories off.
Fig. 5: Location of the fluid level screw and the fill/vent cap needed to check the fluid for the 4T40E automatic transaxle
Apply the brake, then move the gear shift selector through all gear ranges, pausing three seconds in each range. Shift the lever into P.
Raise and safely support the vehicle.
Place a suitable drain pan under the check plug to catch any fluid that may drip out.
Remove the oil check plug. The oil level should be at the bottom of the oil check hole. Because the transaxle operates correctly over a range of fluid levels, fluid may or may not drain out of the screw hole when the screw is removed.
If fluid drains through the screw hole, the transaxle may have been overfilled. When fluid stops draining, then fluid level is correct and the check plug may be installed. If fluid does not drain through the screw hole, the transaxle fluid may have been low. Add fluid at the vent cap location in 1 pint increments until the oil level is at the bottom of the oil check hole.
Install the oil check plug/fluid level screw and tighten to 10 ft. lbs. (14 Nm).
Manual transmissions use gear oil, not automatic transmission fluid.
There will be a filler plug on the side of the gearbox. The gear oil should be filled up to the very bottom of the filler plug hole.
LEVEL CHECK
There's no dipstick on the manual transaxle. Fluid must be checked by removing the oil filler bolt on the side of the transaxle. The bolt is located by the right axle at approximately 9 o'clock when viewed over the right fender.
The vehicle must be level. If you're agile enough, the bolt may be removed with the car on the ground by working from the top. Some prefer to check the level from below. If this is the case, not only must the car be elevated and safely supported, it must be elevated and level, possibly requiring the installation of 4 jackstands. Just lifting the front yields an improper reading.
Once level, remove the bolt. The fluid level should be just to the bottom of the hole and may be felt with a finger. In the unlikely event that the fluid is low, oil should be added through the inspection hole. Adding oil is tricky since it must be conducted into a horizontal opening. Creative use of funnels and tubing is encouraged. Also, a common kitchen turkey baster may provide some help with this. When the oil is up to the correct level, reinstall the bolt and tighten it to 33 ft. lbs. (45 Nm). Do not overtighten the nut; the penalty could be a very expensive transaxle case.
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