what kind of things would you start to notice if you havent changed your tranny fluid in a long time? not that im in that situation or anything......

 

stiff gearing ..little grinding ..etc

 

whining when cold, improved shifting quality after a long drive

 

Change it anyway lol.

 

IS it true that you should only replace trans fluid with honda factory or it will grind?

 

for the older D series SOHC's, the Honda manual recommends just using 10-30 motor oil. For the B series...they recommend using Honda MTF.

I am assuming the newer D and K series now recommend Honda ATF or MTF.

 

I have been using 10w-40 oil my D/5sp for the last 5 years.

 

Two things can happen to the fluid. It can smell slightly burned. Or it can be dirty. I assume it's dirty and doesn't smell.

Just change it now. I don't have a manual in front of me but I assume there is a filter to change in the transmission pan. I'd change it if there is.

The big thing that happens is that not changing the fluid puts a little more wear on the parts. I just gave my brother a 1992 Accord with 172k on it. I got it from a friend at 150k. I never changed the fluid and I don't think he did either. It shifts fine.

 

what about the clutch fluid and where on a 96-98 civic do you change that?

 

Does anyone know how to check the tranny oil of a B16?