Changed the MTF today.....creative method

First of all, I was SHOCKED to find Amsoil Synth MTF at NAPA for $14 / bottle! My Si has about 8K miles on it and the shifting has been satisfactory, but not optimally smooth. I have short ramps only at the house, so I drove the front up, took the plate off, loosened the drain plug (of course I made sure I loosened the fill plug first) and drained. Since I was sure I had to get the car level for a good drain, I rolled it off the ramps manually. Only a few drops of MTF came out after getting it level. I think next time I'll finish the job on the ramps itself since the drain plug is at the rear of the transmission anyway. I did have to jack the driver's side up again to be able to get the drain plug back in hand tight Lowered it back down, filled it up and drove it back up the ramps to tighten the plug to specs and put the cover plate back on.

Transmission is noticeably smoother, but I'm a skeptic for a couple of days. Placebo effect makes people believe something is better sometimes.... I'll check back in a few days to update again.

"Only a few drops of MTF came out after getting it level. I think next time I'll finish the job on the ramps itself since the drain plug is at the rear of the transmission anyway."

Good to know. Thanks.
Your transmission may feel even better after the new fluid works it's way in after some miles.
I changed mine recently in the Mazda2. Always tricks to learn.

etcsthorne said:

Placebo effect makes people believe something is better sometimes

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That's literally 95% of the posts I see here lol. "Just did this thing which should have zero effect but holy cow does my car feel amazing!"

REBELXSi said:

That's literally 95% of the posts I see here lol. "Just did this thing which should have zero effect but holy cow does my car feel amazing!"

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Well, I gotta say shifting is remarkably smoother, less notchy, etc.... after about 150 miles with Amsoil in it. Now, it could be (as others have said) that simply putting ANY new MTF in it would produce similar results.....not sure about that. However, I have to say I'm quite pleased with the way it shifts now and it adds enjoyment to my ownership experience. A small investment of about 30 bucks and an hour's worth of time.....great return on investment.

etcsthorne said:

Well, I gotta say shifting is remarkably smoother, less notchy, etc.... after about 150 miles with Amsoil in it. Now, it could be (as others have said) that simply putting ANY new MTF in it would produce similar results.....not sure about that. However, I have to say I'm quite pleased with the way it shifts now and it adds enjoyment to my ownership experience. A small investment of about 30 bucks and an hour's worth of time.....great return on investment.

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Well. I can tell you this much. I had my fluid changed for new Honda MTF when my clutch was swapped out. Didn't notice a difference of any sort. I plan on switching over the Amsoil next time after all the good reports.

Amsoil sucks in cold weather....just saying... in the summer no issues.

I feel like the best way to really test this is asking a friend to test drive the car and not tell him shit. Then ask him if the transmission felt any different to find out if the mtf did anything

Gotch said:

Amsoil sucks in cold weather....just saying... in the summer no issues.

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I agree that the Honda mtf feels better than amsoil in the winter. During the summer they feel the same. So I think the Honda mtf is a better all around mtf.

mvela said:

I agree that the Honda mtf feels better than amsoil in the winter. During the summer they feel the same. So I think the Honda mtf is a better all around mtf.

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If the Honda MTF is changed once a year the buttery smoothness is maintained. If it gets stupid cold up here I’ll switch from the current Amsoil.

Gotch said:

If the Honda MTF is changed once a year the buttery smoothness is maintained. If it gets stupid cold up here I’ll switch from the current Amsoil.

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Yup once a year or every 20k miles should keep the transmission feeling just fine. If the transmission hasn’t been feeling right since it was new, there is no magic transmission fluid that is going to fix that. I just tried the amsoil since it was being praised so much. But I can honestly say the Honda mtf felt better overall. So I’m just gonna change mine every third engine oil change and I’m sure the transmission will last for a long long time.