How are Honda manual transmissions?

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Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Hondas used to use rod linkages, but that ended years ago.
AFAIK, it's been cable shift linkages since '92 or so.
Too bad, since the old rod operated transmissions were awesomely light and smooth in operation, while the later cable shifters were greatly inferior although still okay.


Actually the Civic/Integra use the rod linkage until 2000/2002
 
Originally Posted By: dparm
Except that GM synchromesh is not the same as what Honda calls for. In my Integra days people loved that stuff but I always stuck with the Honda MTF.

10W-30 motor oil. Those were the days.

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Originally Posted By: dparm
Except that GM synchromesh is not the same as what Honda calls for. In my Integra days people loved that stuff but I always stuck with the Honda MTF.


Honda has a tsb that states to use the FM version of it in the 7th gen V6 6MT Accord to help with 3rd gear grind. Now it's labeled under the AC Delco name.
 
This thread is making me feel better about getting my GTI over an Si. When you get so focused on the potential issues of your own car over the long term it's nice to be reminded that the other option had problems as well.
 
I have a 2007 Honda Accord 4 door, V6 6MT. The shifter is a delight - actually a bit better than my 2000 BMW 528i 5MT.

But it hasn't been trouble free. The first transmission was replaced under 500 km because it jumped out of 1st and 2nd gear with a throttle lift. It would jump out of gear 2 or 3 times in a block in stop and go traffic. It was defective on delivery.

The second transmission has been better than the first but it used to jump out of 1st gear on a throttle lift at low speeds from time to time on a long steep hill (stop and go traffic, just creeping along). The dealer tried a lot of stuff (realignment, new linkage, hi tech fluids, and all) but it still did it. In the end I concluded they couldn't fix it. The reason it doesn't do it now is I don't go down that hill in 1st gear anymore!

Aside from that, the transmission has been fine. It has just over 100,000 km (62,000 miles).

I bought the V6 6MT because I wanted a V6 with a manual. I do prefer a manual.

In retrospect an I4 5MT may have been the smarter choice for longevity. But I do enjoy the V6 6MT - powerful and silky smooth.

Ecotourist
 
I suppose they're good transmissions. The only other frame of reference I have is with the 4-speed that was in my '65 3/4 ton GMC pickup.

With 436k miles on it, the 5-speed in my Legend feels a bit notchy from 2-3 and from 4-5.

It also requires double clutching from 3-2 and 2-1 if I'm in a hurry.

I'm sure some of this is due to linkage wear as well.

Been running Redline MTL for a long while now. Big improvement over the 10w30/10w-40 engine oil that the owners/sevice manual calls for.
 
Originally Posted By: paulo57509
I suppose they're good transmissions. The only other frame of reference I have is with the 4-speed that was in my '65 3/4 ton GMC pickup.

With 436k miles on it, the 5-speed in my Legend feels a bit notchy from 2-3 and from 4-5.

It also requires double clutching from 3-2 and 2-1 if I'm in a hurry.

I'm sure some of this is due to linkage wear as well.

Been running Redline MTL for a long while now. Big improvement over the 10w30/10w-40 engine oil that the owners/sevice manual calls for.

Honda MTF has been back-spec'ed for any Honda manual transmission.
 
Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Hondas used to use rod linkages, but that ended years ago.
AFAIK, it's been cable shift linkages since '92 or so.


Right about that.
I broke an '02 NSX shifter linkage within the first kilometer of driving it. I'm pretty quick with the lever, I DO NOT screw around. No gentle granny shifting, it's all 100% business. Apparently a little too much business for the ol' network of cables
lol.gif
The longitudinal link slipped off it's rubber bushing and I was stuck in 3rd for a while. Got home, raised it, unbolted that little plastic "fake aluminum" cover, remounted the linkage onto the bushing and was back in business. Good thing that C32 could handle 3rd gear at highways speeds with no issue
wink.gif
 
Originally Posted By: mclasser
A relative is looking into a 2014 Accord with a 6-speed. Although the other option is a CVT and not an automatic, Honda's shaky transmission history has left him a little gun shy.


She will get a lot better gas mileage with a MT than CVT regardless if its all city driving (which can be tedious if you have an MT, but that's subjective).
 
ive driven a lot of manual cars and acura/honda has the best ones in the industry hands down.

They are very reliable. If you encounter a bad one its because of idiots abusing them or driving them incorrectly. I have 150k on acura clutch and transmission and still shifts perfectly. I change my fluid every 30-50k with amsoil mtf.
 
I've lost faith in Honda at this point. Nothing innovative is coming from the company. The Earthdreams GDI seems to still be "uncertain" in terms of longevity because it took Honda so long to release their version of GDI. There's still no implemtation of Earthdreams into the Civic. It looks like the Fit will be the next to get Earthdreams. Honda makes no sense.

I was a diehard Honda enthusiast back when their cars had performance to them. My last Honda was a 2011 CR-Z. The manual transmission was junk.... It wouldn't go into first at a stop light intermittently which was at times dangerous. I would have to either double clutch or go into 2nd and then first.

The Mazda 3 manual is hands down the smoothest that I've driven thus far. Subaru was the notchiest.

I think part of the problem with Honda manual transmissions is their 10w30 MTF fluid weight. Too thin to have good longevity
 
Earthdreams GDI rocks, and so does its new 6 speed MT. I may only be at 1800 miles but its a super slick shifter. The clutch is excellent. By far the easiest manual i've ever driven.

If used oil analysis are any indication, the EarthDreams GDI will hold up as good as any of them. So i hope!
 
Originally Posted By: garlicbreadman
I change my fluid every 30-50k with amsoil mtf.

Which Amsoil MTF is safe to use in Hondas?
Also I would think a CVT would perform better in the city, or stop/go, because it always keeps the engine near 1500 rpm (most efficient). MT does not.
 
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