Honda changed my '06 6MT MTF

[Tim G]

Just a FYI,

I have had some occasional issues getting my car in to 3rd gear like some others on this board. Took my '06 Accord Sedan with 6 speed in to the local Honda dealer this week with 37k on the clock. I asked if they would change the MTF under the power train warranty. When I went to pick up the car they said they changed it as a "good faith" measure since I was just over the 36k basic warranty. I asked why it wouldn't be just covered under the power train warranty, but didn't really get an answer. Anyway, I dropped my car off the night before and put the following message, typed out, in the drop box with my key.

"Car occasionally does not want shift easily into third gear, while shifting normally. Problem is more noticeable when car is cold. I have noticed that other owners with Accord 6-speeds and Acura TL 6-speeds have reported the same problem on the internet on the Honda Accord forums (driveaccord.net) and Acura forums (acurazine.com). I have stapled just a couple of pages from the discussions concerning this problem. I have also stapled a page from the “Acura Service News” showing that there is a new manual transmission fluid that is supposed to improve shifting and has already been added to ’07 Acura TL’s with manual transmissions. I am assuming the same has been done for ’07 model Honda Accords with manual transmissions(?). I am wondering if my fluid might be able to be replaced with this new fluid (Honda: P/N 08798-9031) under the power train warranty. Also, some owners have noted that this has not completely fixed their problem and the best fix for this problem is the Friction Modified GM synchromesh and are having dealers replace the fluid under warranty and continue to honor their power train warranty with the non-Honda fluid in the transmission. Please advise. Thank you, "


I am assuming they put in the new Honda fluid, I forgot to even ask, I just assumed they did since they went to the trouble to change the fluid and I included part numbers and pictures of the bottles of the new fluid. The car shifts better, I shifted many times more than necessary on the way home just to test things out and didn't have a problem getting into third. Just thought I would share.

-Tim

P.S. Thanks to Albert Honda GMC and Buick in Columbia, MO for working with me on this.

[ypsibird]

Sounds like you have a pretty good dealer. That was a good move to include a copy of the Service News. Hopefully the new Honda fluid will help you. I had the same problem with my car and put the new fluid in. It did help, but only for a few months. Maybe you'll have better luck than me. I put the GM friction modified fluid in 10-2-07 and my transmission has been perfect ever since. I'm still crossing my fingers that it will be a permanent fix. I don't want to have to keep changing transmission fluid repeatedly. I've never had to change my transmission fluid in any of my other cars.

[psyshack]

They are also having the same problem in the 6MT Si. Looks like Honda has stumbled on to yet another great transmission design.

Sounds like your service dept has a straight up bone in the back.... :)

[stevencrosbie]

You have a good service department.

I paid to have the tranny fluid in my old TL replace. Great tranny except for the 3rd gear and sometimes a grind into second.

[chanke4252]

Well, given that the fluid is supposed to be changed at I think 30k intervals, I don't see how it could be covered under a warranty in any way. I have read that changing the fluid helps people's 3rd gear issues, although it always seems to be a temporary fix with any of the honda fluids. Only with the Syncromesh "friction modified" fluid have I heard about anyone having any long-term success. I recently put this fluid in mine at 29k, and while I cannot comment on long-term results, it sure is a lot smoother than it was prior to the change. We'll see where it stands at 15k down the road though and whether or not the 3rd gear issue comes back.

[namegoeshere]

I was just reading about this the other day over at AcuraZine (http://www.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=382010).

Another tranny issue perhaps?

Way to go Honda. :thmsup:

[chanke4252]

This has been something that has been known about for a while. It is nothing new at all, though is present in apparently all of honda's 6spds. Most people don't have huge problems with it, though some have a bunch of problems. That article kind of blows it out of proportion a bit though. But, as stated in that thread as well, gm syncromesh friction modified is a fix that has worked for a lot of people, do it.

[ezshift5]

[QUOTE=ypsibird;197656] I put the GM friction modified fluid in 10-2-07 and my transmission has been perfect ever since. I'm still crossing my fingers that it will be a permanent fix. I don't want to have to keep changing transmission fluid repeatedly. I've never had to change my transmission fluid in any of my other cars.[/QUOTE


...amen brother!! Have you put on 5k or so miles since October? I plan to pick up three quarts soon from the Chev dlr at El Camino/Fulton (Sac'to).


GM Part Number is 12377916, right?


Info such as yours make this site really shine.


best, ez...

[Tim G]

Well, given that the fluid is supposed to be changed at I think 30k intervals, I don't see how it could be covered under a warranty in any way. I have read that changing the fluid helps people's 3rd gear issues, although it always seems to be a temporary fix with any of the honda fluids. Only with the Syncromesh "friction modified" fluid have I heard about anyone having any long-term success. I recently put this fluid in mine at 29k, and while I cannot comment on long-term results, it sure is a lot smoother than it was prior to the change. We'll see where it stands at 15k down the road though and whether or not the 3rd gear issue comes back.


My manual states tranny fluid should be changed at 60k. If the fluid is causing my problems and Honda corrected the problem with a new type of fluid in '07 models, then yes, I feel it is their responsibility. I got rid of my maintenance intensive DSMs (turbo eagle talons) and dumped a ton of money for a nice car with a warranty, I expect it to perform well. I have put Snychromesh in both of my DSMs because they had shifting issues as well (a well known fix in the DSM world too), although with over 100k miles, I didn't expect the dealer to cover that one.

[stevencrosbie]

EZ,

This is the part number:

GMSM-FM # 12377916

Make sure to get the FM=friction modified fluid.

[ypsibird]

[QUOTE=ypsibird;197656] I put the GM friction modified fluid in 10-2-07 and my transmission has been perfect ever since. I'm still crossing my fingers that it will be a permanent fix. I don't want to have to keep changing transmission fluid repeatedly. I've never had to change my transmission fluid in any of my other cars.[/QUOTE


...amen brother!! Have you put on 5k or so miles since October? I plan to pick up three quarts soon from the Chev dlr at El Camino/Fulton (Sac'to).


GM Part Number is 12377916, right?

As stevencrosbie pointed out you've the the # right. I've only driven about 3,000 miles since the change. I don't drive a lot of miles anymore, especially in the winter. However, most people seemed to experience the problem mostly when the car was cold and it's certainly cold here in Michigan all winter long. I've never even had a hint of a 3rd gear balk since I changed to the GM fluid.

I've been reading a few peoples comments about when the MT fluid needs to be changed and they seem to be different than what I thought. I'm not saying they're wrong. Apparently the 03 - 05 has a specific schedule to change it and the 06 - 07 goes by the maintenance minder. And of course, there's always a severe usage consideration. I'll post what I find after a bit more research. I didn't find anything in my owners manual as to when to change the fluid, but that's probably because it's a maintenance minder item. I think it's time to pull out my Helms service manual.

[ezshift5]

...believe my OM indicates 120k 6M gear oil change interval......


At any rate, sure appreciate your notes, 'bird.

.....plus the lively folks at AcuraZine are both humorous AND informative.

Here's what I mean:

....Originally Posted by bmaczo6
It has been an issue since 04 to the present 08 models. There is no particular series of VIN's that it is limited to. It is luck of the draw as to whether you will have the problem or not.

Virtually every owner that has it happens tells the same story.
1) It happens intermittently
2) They thought they were doing something wrong.
3) It happens more often when the engine is cold.
4) When they took it to the dealer the dealer could not duplicate the problem.
5) They come to this forum for help and start a thread asking if anyone has every experienced this problem?
6) Everyone tells them how common it is and to do a search.
7) Several posts will tell the OP to use GM Friction Modified fluid and they will never have the problem again.
8) Owner asks if there will be any warranty issues if they use GM fluid.
9) After several more posts the Owner will ask where they can get the fluid and how hard it is to change it.
10) The new owner finally listens to all of the knowledgeable people on this forum, changes to the GM fluid and lives happily ever after.

11) The satisfied TL owner with a transmission that shifts the way it is supposed to waits for a new owner to experience the same problem and when they post a new thread they will tell the new owner to do a search and use GM fluid.


all the best, ez....

[cnisenbaum]

My dealer says there is is now a HONDA technical service bulletin for the 3rd gear problem in the 6th speed and involved upgrading the tranny fluid to the new version. Hope this isn't old news.

[aprayiii]

I just changed my fluid in November for a 2nd time. My experience is that the new formula is better but still only lasts about a year and then needs to be changed again. I also have a great dealer who changed the fluid under warranty.
I have also noticed that initially the fluid makes a "little" improvement but after a month or more it makes a "big" difference. Right now after 3 months or so shift quality is excellent.
Al

[abmn]

Its been snake oil for me. From the feel of the shifter, either i've got a messed up synchro in 2nd or the shift fork is bent. The "NEW LUBE" made it feel like something changed, but in the end it was clearly just in my head. My gear box needs replaced, end of story.

If only the turds that I gave 30 grand to thought the misdesign was somehow their fault ... they can't seem to comprehend this elaborate "warranty" thing I keep blabbering on about.....

[Conundrum]

I'll agree with the 1 year comment...after about a year mine started having issues in 3rd again. I was also running a comptech short shift adapter during that time...if it has anything to do with it.

Since then, I've also installed the corsport bushings for the shift cables (at the tranny), and its helped a lot, since I know where 3rd "is" a little better, so it slips less...however it still does happen from time to time. I'll probably have them change the fluid out again once summer rolls around and I am driving more/driving the car harder.