Service manuals give 3 choices depending on outside temp. but the Honda dealer today has only one choice, and the viscosity isn't marked on it. I don't think the oil they use today is what was used in 1988. I don't think you can use a detergent oil either due to the foaming problem, is that right? Was the practice in '88 to use a non-detergent motor oil? or something else. If it was, where would you find a 20w40 non-detergent oil?

thanks

 

I'm looking in the '88 service manual, they say to change it every 30K miles (I did not know that), they give you a choice of:

30W
20W-40
10W-30
10W-40

SE or SF grade. So the book seems to be saying its a Detergent motor oil.

But if you want non-detergent, I'll bet they sell it at something like Grainger (Valvoline, Non Detergent, SAE 30, 1 Qt - Oils - Lubricants - Lubrication : Grainger Industrial Supply)

I think you'll have a long search looking for a multi-viscosity non-detergent oil.

 

I've always used the detergent oil (valvoline) in the 3rd gen manual trans that I've had. Never had a single issue with the internals.....

 

Honda MTF is supposed to be compatible with the older transmissions that were supposed to take engine oil. It's got the EP additives needed for newer cars, so it smells like gear oil, but it's got the viscosity you need.

 

^agreed. I sould have been clear, for my 3rd gen's with manual tran I use valvoline motor oil 10w-40. My only point is that there are many 3rd gen's running around with manual trans (at least in my driveway, I have two currently, the third I sold) that have never seen the Honda MTF and are doing ok with regular 10w-40. Since the car was designed to use this fluid I see this as a syn oil vs dino oil conversation.

I would NEVER use dino oil in a newer model that called for Honda MTF. You can always upgrade, not a good idea to down grade.

EDIT: This is almost like the new Z1 vs DW1 Honda ATF....an upgrade (?) but the old stuff works fine.

 

I appreciate all the help folks. The issue is cleared up for me.

thanks!