What Type of Gear Oil Do I Use on My 1997 Civic?
One of the more enduring models of passenger vehicle is the Honda Civic, introduced in the United States in 1973. The 1997 Honda Civic gear oil is the transmission oil used in the vehicle. The manufacturer recommends certain types of transmission oil for the different types of transmissions installed on the Civic. However, you may be able to substitute the recommended gear oils with other brands found at your local auto-parts store.
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Gear Oil
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The Civic gear oil, like all gear oils, lubricates and cools the gear system within the transmission. Another part of the job of a gear oil is to prevent carry wear debris away from the moving parts of the transmission. The gear oil offers the transmission protection from temperature and pressure, limiting the possibility of the gears pitting, scoring or sustaining other wear that damages the Civic transmission. The 1997 Civic uses different gear oils for the different transmissions installed on the automobile. Ensure that you use a proper substitute if you decide not to use the manufacturer's recommended transmission fluids.
Manual Transmission
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The manual transmission gear oil is more like a hydraulic fluid. A Civic with a manual transmission uses a Genuine Honda manual transmission fluid (MTF), according the manufacturer's recommendation. Amsoil has a substitute manual transmission fluid called Synthetic Manual Synchromesh Transmission Fluid. The synthetic 5W-30 MTF reduces friction, wear and heat build up, according to Amsoil.
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Automatic Transmission
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The automatic transmission in the Civic uses the Genuine Premium Formula automatic transmission fluid (ATF). A substitute gear oil can be found at auto-parts stores. The Lucas Multi-vehicle ATF is a suitable replacement, but must not be used in a Civic with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Lucas gear oil is a blend of conventional oil and synthetic. Another ATF substitute is the Coastal Multi-vehicle Mercon V synthetic blend.
CVT Transmission
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The 1997 Honda Civic also offered a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT is an automatic transmission that uses belts and pulleys inside the transmission to transmit power throughout the gears. A Civic with a CVT requires gear oil made specifically for this type of transmission. The service manual recommends Genuine Honda CVT fluid. At the tiime of publication, Valvoline produced a substitute for the Genuine Honda CVT, the Max Life DEX/MERC.
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