2003AP1

So I have been on here pretty much all night looking at diff fluid topics.
I just bought my car which is a 2003 AP1 two weekends ago and it has just under 29k miles. When it rolls over to 30k I want to change the differential fluid and motor oil. I guess I will wait till 60k to do the tranny fluid?

Anyway I will be using Honda MTF Fluid to do the tranny, and 10w-30 Mobil Synthetic for the motor oil with a Honda filter. (I assume synthetic is ok for the S, I use it on my Civic as well)

I like to stick with OEM fluids besides OEM motor oil because it is way overpriced and it typically sucks. I use OEM brake fluid, coolant, tranny fluid, on both of my cars.

I did some reading and just when I was about to purchase some VTM-4 from my dealer, I realised how big of a screw up that would have been.

So this brings me to a few diffrential questions which searching the oil journal and forums has not answered for me.

1) What is the weight of the OEM diff fluid, from my understanding it is a 90w fluid is this true? If so I see alot of people using 75w like Mobil 1 why is this?

2) I am not going to ask what the best fluid is since there are so many like Redline, Mobile One, Montul, Amsoil and the one I read alot about LE 607 Almasol. Is this my only option as a 90w oil or are their others? I hear this provides the best results under hot conditions, and I really only plan to drive this car in the summer as my Civic is my daily driver would this be my best bet?

3) Is it ok to put synthetic oils inside the diff or should I just stick to regular non synthetic oils?

4) Lastly I hear people using 90w Honda Marine oil, and even Honda ATF fluid in their rear diffs is this safe?

Thank You Guys for taking the time to read this and helping a fellow S2ker out, I am enjoying the car, and as of tonight enjoying learning more about my car on this forum. -Tom

trbod00

use something like mobil 1 90wt or amsoil 90wt. pretty much any known good brand 90 wt thats gl-5

INDYMAC

Short but sweet:

Congrats and welcome to s2ki!

Brake and clutch fluid can be replaced with Honda DOT 3. Some like to use DOT 4 for track purposes (brakes), but needs to be changed more frequently.

M1 10W-30 engine oil (synthetic) is very popular here, but results in higher oil consumption for some AP1 owners. M1 10W-30 EP or AMSOIL ATM 10W-30 might be a better choice.

Honda MTF works well for most here, but some find AMSOIL MTF, Redline MTL and GMSMFM to work well too. When to change is very subjective (somewhere between 5-10K until the shifting becomes notchy again).

M1 75W-90 has to be the most popular gear oil for the diff here and it shows well on a UOA that I've seen. LE 1605 replaced LE 607 a couple of years ago. It is SAE 110 and is more like what Honda had in mind when it recommended SAE 90 for the diff. It is an outstanding choice if you live in a temperate climate. AMSOIL has a 75W-110 gear oil that might be a great choice for you too, but I haven't seen it tested yet.

Change your PCV valve, clean your throttle body and change your air filter. Check your throttle linkage too, right after you check for spring spacers still installed from the factory.

Use only 91 octane or higher premium fuel and enjoy your new car!

redlineracing

Another Oil/Trans/Diff debate? FWIW.....here's what I do to ALL my cars.

Change Oil & Filter every 5K
Baster out Brake & Clutch fluid every 5k(use Prestone Dot4)
Clean & Re-oil K&N every 5k
Change Trans & Diff Every 15k
Change Coolant every 24 mos(Prestone)

I use Penn Plat 5-30 in all cars
I use Wix Oil Filters in all cars(S2K=#51334)
Trans=Honda MTF
Diff in all Cars=Amsoil Severe Gear 75-90

As always,IMO
\rlr
Carolina

takeshi

As stated above, it's your judgment call to make. I replace both tranny and diff fluids every 15K.

They're using 75W-90 which is 90 at high temp.

I'm currently using Amsoil all around (engine, tranny, diff). I'd suggest giving them a shot sometime. Again, very subjective matter. Go with the ATM motor oil if you decide to try it out.

I'm using synthetics for both.

2003AP1

Ok guys thanks for the replys I think I am going to go with some Mobil-1 75w-90 (GL5) do they only make this synthetic or do I have a choice to choose a non synthetic as well?

Also looks like I have to upgrade my tool box lol I dont have 23 and 24 mm sizes, nor do I have a pump to do it.

wisdom

I use Amsoil SG 75W-110 for the diff.

2003AP1

Would it be a bad idea to use this gear oil? Its relatively cheap, and its made by Honda. It is a Hypoid Gear oil, is the same weight, and it is GL5. Thanks.


http://www.directlineparts.com/produ...pid=4578&str=0

nartnailuj

I also would like to know

Billman250

That is not made for ring/pinion automotive setups.

Mobil1 75w90 will protect the dif under major drifting and clutch dumps for 100k miles and beyond. Trust me