Gearbox and Diff Fluids
I bought my S2000 at the end of last year. I'm not sure when the gearbox and diff fluids were last changed, or which brand has been used, so I'm looking to change them in the near future. I had a look in the technical stickies about UK forum favourite oils etc and there are some suggestions for engine oil, but in relation to the gearbox/diff the only info is concerning the correct grade to use.
So, what brand does everyone use, or has used in the past? Which ones do you favour or which ones have you found not as good? I'm looking for some advice and/or suggestions for the gearbox and diff, not engine oil as I'm sure that has already been done to death!
So, what brand does everyone use, or has used in the past? Which ones do you favour or which ones have you found not as good? I'm looking for some advice and/or suggestions for the gearbox and diff, not engine oil as I'm sure that has already been done to death!
Dozens of notes on this. Gearbox uses Honda manual gearbox oil or one of several favorites. Differential requires hypoid gear oil. Honda differential oil will ruin it, our cars have a different differential system. Nothing specific about the UK or US here. 
-- Chuck

-- Chuck
Honda differential fluid will ruin? I'm sure Honda hg03 is for the s2000?!
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The SAE 90 spec from the last decade may be too thin as it was modified after the S2000 was built. Many here have bumped the spec up to SAE 110 which matches the "old" 90 or a multi-grade with 110 in the middle of the range.
From my owner's manual (and, no doubt yours
):
Emphasis added. Note the change in the SAE spec. Honda specifies Honda Gearbox oil but not Honda differential oil. No doubt because it ain't hypoid gear old. New Honda oil may work -- verify it's the right stuff. Did I mention we need Hypoid Gear Oil?
I recall a couple of messages here earlier this year when Honda differential oil was used by a dealer or Honda "expert.". Ruined the differentials.
A quick Google search shows the Honda HG03 is a hypoid gear oil and is labeled as such. It is not labeled as Honda Differential Oil. Don't know the viscosity of it though.

-- Chuck
From my owner's manual (and, no doubt yours
):
Use an SAE 90 viscosity hypoid gear oil, API service classified GL5 or GL6 only.
I recall a couple of messages here earlier this year when Honda differential oil was used by a dealer or Honda "expert.". Ruined the differentials.A quick Google search shows the Honda HG03 is a hypoid gear oil and is labeled as such. It is not labeled as Honda Differential Oil. Don't know the viscosity of it though.
Genuine Honda HG0-3 S2000 Shaft Oil 1 Litre. Mineral lubricating oil for mechanical transmissions formulated with high quality solvent refined base oils asnd special Extreme Pressure additives. Used in hypoid differentials under very heavy duty conditions and should be used in all transmissions that require EP transmission oils.

-- Chuck
Last edited by Chuck S; Jul 17, 2017 at 02:54 AM. Reason: HGO-3 info added
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