My second time trying this (in my GD and now my GE)

I was turned on to this by our admin here JDM Chris

Similar to my GD, my GE was not shifting smoothly (like the syncros were sluggish) particularly as the weather turned colder. One again, Pennzoil Syncromesh Fluid solved the issue. (also sold as GM Performance Syncromesh, also available in a FM version)

It seems if you Google, many car forums have had threads about this. I have read about 2 hours on it, and really nothing negative about it. It's safe for yellow metals, and I would go so far to say at least 2/3rd's of the people who have tried it really like it.

One additional item........
I think changing the MT fluid more often than the book says is a good idea.
While MT fluid is not exposed to combustion contaminents,
I think it wears out because it is constantly milled between the gears.

1.6 qts $7-9ish per qt at Autozone. So if you want to give it a try, the cost is minor.

It is the same wt as the Honda fluid (about like 30 wt motor oil) Do not use any 75-90 wt fluid in a Honda MT

 

I may try this in the future when I change my trans fluid.

When I drove an STi, there was a popular cocktail of fluids that included syncromesh, and the cocktail worked quite well for the 6mt.

 

actually the best one might be the GM version Friction Modified (GM Syncromesh FM)

I have googled "Honda GM Syncromesh" and you get 0ver 40 pages of hits. Guys have been using this back to 2004 if not further back than that. And many have over 100K miles with it no issues.

But sounds like you have heard of it as it seems to be widely discussed on Acura, Subie Mitsu and other forums as well.

 

Tork,

Could you please explain on what is the difference between a regular Syncromesh tranny fluid to the one that is "friction modified".

Thanks!

 

How is this changed? Is it the traditional fill it up with the pump until it starts seeping out of the fill plug? What interval does Honda recommend? Too lazy to find my manual lol, im at 25,000 right now so I might just do this soon with my next oil change.

 

You can google this and probably read for at least 6 hours.
Guys rave on I'd say the most about GM Syncromesh FM. A close second is GM Syncromesh which many claim is the same as Pennzoil Syncromesh. Anything else I could not recommend as nothing else seems to have 1/10th as much written about it. There are even posts where Acura and Honda Dealers have used it to solve customer complaints about notchy shifting. As to exactly how the FM is different chemically I do not know.

Hey my friend! Not sure on the book but 25K in my mind could be due.
If your car shifts perfectly, stick with the honda fluid. If it is notchy try the Syncromesh. Mine was notchy and balky, now it shifts like Butta!!!!

 

I ran this in an old Jetta GLI I had, definitely seemed to make a difference. I've also had a lot of success with the BG version of this, Synchroshift, really good stuff actually!

 

Oh qbkilla,

Changing it? lower one I think is the indented square where a 3/8ths ratchet fits, the other is a 17mm I think. I'd use 2 new crush washers.
I used a transfer pump on my GD. My GE has so much room on top because of the tiny battery and the PRM I just stuck a 2' 1/4 ID hose on the Pennz nipple, I just fed it in from the top.

Oh temperature may be part of the issue as you are 40-50 deg warmer than me this time of year. Where the Honda MT fluid sucked the worst for me for me was in the colder temps

 

Man, its been cold as shit here in FL this past month, we broke records every other day for low temperature. Although it was probably much colder up there. One week it was in the high 30's and this past week has been around high 40's.

The shifting isnt too bad but I feel there is room for improvement. My oil change is due in about 2 weeks so I might as well do this as well, cant hurt. Ill probably have to fill it up through the bottom, maybe ill make a DIY if I get bored.

 

great write up. +rep (if that means anything anymore)

after driving a few different GD's and GE's i've come to the conclusion that my shifts aren't as smooth as others - 1st, clutch in, click-hesitation-click, 2nd, wtf.. 50k miles in bumper to bumper traffic is probably the cause... eugh

i'm going to change my trans fluid on my next oil change as well

 

thanks for this info! I'm due for a MT fluid drain-and-fill. I'll probably go with GM Synchromesh FM.

How many quarts will I need? Also, does the dealer have the crush washers? or can I find these at my local auto parts store?

 

Most people I have talked to do not know about the drain plug crush washer. Here is the part number: 90471-PX4-000

The fill plug crush washer is the same as the oil plug drain crush washer.

 

Hi I just got a 2010 sport MT other day and when I down shift into 2nd it grinds some before dropping into gear. Will this help with this issue? Other then that when taken off from dead stops there's no grind even in 2nd.

 

What helped not to grind gears is a weighted shift knob.

To me it made a big difference in not grinding the gears.

 

Definitely change your gearbox oil. At least for the piece of mind. I noticed my shifter was super worn out and was causing bad gear engagement. It's all plastic and wears out quickly. Even my new OEM one feels squishy.

 

yeah i changed the oil the other day with the pennzoil synchromesh but still grinds when I downshfit to 2nd from a certain speed anyway. If im going at a slow speed it gose in with no grinding. I try not to use 2nd to much other then from take off. But some times I have to slow down then speed up again and need to be in 2nd.

 

Get a weighted shift knob.

It made a big difference in shifting gears.

I haven't grinded my gears since I got a weighted shift knob.

 

 

sounds like a little blip of the throttle before down shifting (double clutching) is what’s needed. Watch some YouTube.

 

Sounds like you've been watching some Fast & Furious movies 🤣 "watch some YouTube" lol!