10,000 Mile Oil Changes:

My wife lovez Hondas
I get that. Besides the Civic I also have a Honda push mower and Honda snow blower. I neglect both of them and after sitting 1/2 year, generally start first pull.

I’ve had the mower since 09 and just now need to do some repairs to it. Otherwise it’s only needed maintenance stuff. The blower I’ve had longer than that and so far just wear items needing replaced.
 
Here's an example of how I approach things like differential fluids.

The Ford specification is WSL-M2C192-A and GL-5, but this doesn't tell you much other than it is rated for clutch-type positraction units. The Ford recommended service interval according to Ford publications is 100,000 miles on the diff fluid. If the system is sealed and no water or debris enters the differential, then this is probably OK.

However, the basic specs for differential lubricant doesn't even scratch the surface of what is required in a heavy duty differential. When I originally built the differential in my Mustang, I used Royal Purple 75w-140 simply because I had it on hand. Here's a shot of the Ford Racing 4.30:1 Gears at installation:

Gear Install  1.jpg

Gear Install 2.jpg


Royal Purple ONLY meets API GL-5 or GL-4!!!!

At 8,000 miles, I changed the lubricant to Red Line, again because I had it on hand. Redline is a little better, meeting API GL-5, GL-6, MT-1, MIL-L-2105E and Chrysler spec MS-9763.

However, the best quality lubricants meet and/or exceed far more stringent qualifications. There are only FOUR compaies producing a hypoid/amboid axle lubricant that exceeds ALL of the following specifications:

  • API GL-5, MT-1 Limited Slip, Extreme Pressure Hypoid Gears
  • MIL PRF-2105E, MIL-PRF-2105D, Mack GO-G, GO-H, GO-J, GO-J Plus
  • Mack GO-J PLUS
  • SAE J2360
  • Eaton Roadranger E500
  • Scania STO 1:0
  • ZF TE-ML 07A/08
  • Dana SHAES 429 Rev. A, DANA SHAES 256 Rev. C
  • Meritor O-76N
  • MB-Approval 235.8
  • International TMS-6816
  • ZF TE-ML 05B/16F/21B
  • ZF TE-ML 12B
  • Voith Turbo 132.00374401 / 132.00374402
  • U.S. Steel Specification 224
  • Ford WSL-M2C192-A (75W140)
  • Meritor 0-76M (75W140)
The one I chose was Ultra1Plus 75w-140 Synthetic made in Houston Texas. This lubricant cost $40.00 for (3) litres ($13.30 per litre) and exceeds all the specifications listed above.

Amsoil cost $22.00/litre, RedLine is $17.95/quart and Royal Purple is $23.99/quart and yet they do not surpass these specification.

Meritor 0-76M alone requires a lubricant that can go a whopping 300,000 miles between changes.

These high quality lubricants are essential to long life of gear driven units....

My runner-up was

TRIAX Synergy Gear MAX 75W-140 GL-5, PAO Synthetic Long-Drain Axle,​

 
Im racking up a lot of miles on this daily commute. The Mustang just runs and drives fantastically. Seems like any small effort that i invest into it pays huge dividends...ones that you can actually feel.
They are good cars. Don't have but about $4,000 to 4,500 in mine. I beat on mine daily..never underestimate the right cam-right heads-intake-exhaust & tuned right with right rear gear for your particular application on a 4.6 mod. ..all the audi's & vw's, chargers , hondas ect where we live always run on up on me, think they got me everytime..not in 1/8-1/4- ,maybe even half mile. Thats just where i am geared..3000 rpm to 6750 out of corners.went back to 3.73 with 5 speed.stang 12 21.jpg
 
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They are good cars. Don't have but about $4,000 to 4,500 in mine. I beat on mine daily..never underestimate the right cam-right heads-intake-exhaust & tuned right with right rear gear for your particular application on a 4.6 mod. ..all the audi's & vw's, chargers , hondas ect where we live always run on up on me, think they got me everytime..not in 1/8-1/4- ,maybe even half mile. Thats just where i am geared..3000 rpm to 6750 out of corners.went back to 3.73 with 5 speed.View attachment 86842

Im super happy with mine. A really fun car.

Lowered 2.5" on Ford Racing Gymkhana Springs, its very nimble and neutral through the corners....
 
Cant wait to put the Hoosier tires on the GT & finally hook it up. ! Not bad now with the M/T 315's on rear ..always slide in 2nd gear shift a bit, but thats the fun lol
 
These Cosmo Mucho Machos are the best tires I've used thus far....including Pirelli and Continental.

They are the quietest of any I've used and have very good wet traction in corners.

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When our Honda is ready for tires again, I'm gonna use Cosmos on it too....
 
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When i changed the power steering fluid, i noticed a non-replaceable screen/filter in the bottom of the reservoir.

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I used a vaccum pot to remove all of the old fluid.

There was no metal in the fluid, so the contaminants were likely from not cleaning around the cap before removing it to check fluid levels.

I took my time and cleaned the reservoir because a replacement was not available at the moment....

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Filled the system with the correct/specified MerconV made by ConocoPhillips.

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This is the reformulated version of Mercon V and its a much quieter fluid than the previous version. Very slick feeling in the gearbox.
 
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These Cosmo Mucho Machos are the best tires I've used thus far....including Pirelli and Continental.

They are the quietest of any I've used and have very good wet traction in corners.

View attachment 86985

View attachment 86984

When our Honda is ready for tires again, I'm gonna use Cosmos on it too....
Ran these guys on my wife’s Toyota Solara and my Civic. Got an amazing amount of miles out of them. Did great in rain and actually didn’t do too bad in snow.

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A very good tire.
I’d worn out the set on the civic about the same time I retired in 10/2020. Figuring I wasn’t going to be doing 15k a year anymore put the least expensive tire on I could find. Boy was I right. In two years I’ve barely added 2k to the clock. Last time I filled the tank was Aug. 23. I still have over 1/4 tank.
 
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