Author Topic: Manual Gearbox oil specification advice please (Read 5070 times)

Darryl · « **on:** April 11, 2019, 05:04:46 PM »

Hi, I've just bought a 2005 Honda 1.4 Jazz for my wife and I am in the process of servicing it fully.

I've done the plugs (

, oil and filter, air filter and would like to change the gearbox oil as the car has done 95k .

It would appear from reading on the forum that people insist on using Honda gearbox oil.

I honestly have no problem whatsoever in buying this if there is a legitimate reason ie no other oil manufacturer does Honda's specific requirement but I honestly cannot see this being the case.

My question:-

What specification oil does the manual gearbox require and has anyone else used a non Honda branded oil of the correct spec without adverse effects.

At present the gearbox is absolutely perfect with no untoward noises and very slick changes.

Thanks in advance

culzean · « **Reply #1 on:** April 11, 2019, 06:06:12 PM »

https://www.opieoils.co.uk/c-670-75w-80-gear-oil.aspx

any of these depending on your pocket, but I have used Castrol syntrans V-FE 75-80 in all our Honda cars including MK1, MK2 and Civics. When you think about it paying a bit extra for somethings that lasts 70,000 miles makes sense. You would think with 75-80 viscosity that they would be fairly thick oils, but they are pretty much as runny as engine oil, in fact Honda service guy once told me it is OK to use a good quality engine oil in MT, but I always use an oil specifically made for gears as gear oils have all sorts of high pressure additives to prevent wear on gear teeth.

I always slacken off the fill plug before I take the drain plug out, they can both get very tight after 70,000 miles and maybe 10 years + without being disturbed but if you drain the oil and find you cannot get the fill plug out you are in a bit of a spot ...

I would not use anything but Honda oil if I had a CVT because the oils are special formulation for the gearbox, they need a very fine balance of friction and lubrication for the various bits inside the box, but for a manual gearbox there are plenty of good quality high pressure oils.

Jocko · « **Reply #2 on:** April 11, 2019, 06:19:50 PM »

My gearbox was rebuilt, just over a year ago, and the transmission specialist used his fully synthetic bulk gear oil to refill it. No problems so far!

Darryl · « **Reply #3 on:** April 11, 2019, 06:52:38 PM »

Thankyou both for your replies and advice.

I will buy some Castrol syntrans V-FE 75-80 and put that in remembering fill plug loosened first.

Jimster · « **Reply #4 on:** April 11, 2019, 08:33:36 PM »

Comma make a fully synthetic MTF which is speced as a direct replacement for Honda mtf. Put it in our Jazz a month or so ago and all's fine. Bought a 5l bottle from Opie oils for just over £30 so I could do both of our vehicles

https://www.commaoil.com/commercial-vehicles/products/view/549