Hard Shifting Transmission
#1
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Hard Shifting Transmission
Quite suddenly, over the last week or two, my transmission started to shift harshly. Especially the 1-2 upshift, but downshifts are hard too in any gear. I haven't had a tranny fluid change in at least 30 000km, is this the problem? Or is my transmission on its way out? My car has 184 000km on it, or 115 000mi. This seems a bit early for a 1st gen trasmission to die.
If I do change the fluid, should I just drain and refill or should I get a flush? And is Dexron III okay, or the Honda transmission fluid only? My friend suggested using half of that Lucas oil transmission fluid additive, but I said no, that it will probably do nothing or do bad things. Anything you guys know would really be a help! Thanks!
If I do change the fluid, should I just drain and refill or should I get a flush? And is Dexron III okay, or the Honda transmission fluid only? My friend suggested using half of that Lucas oil transmission fluid additive, but I said no, that it will probably do nothing or do bad things. Anything you guys know would really be a help! Thanks!
#2
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Honda ATF only!!
And yes, a tranny flush (complete flush) should fix this.
And yes, a tranny flush (complete flush) should fix this.
#4
Registered Abuser of VTEC
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Thanks guys, both of you. I had a BIG feeling that it was Honda ATF ONLY! That just cleared up my suspicions. After all, our first gens have to last a long time!
#6
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Originally Posted by WBroylesH
How much does a flush cost? Ballpark.
I'm thinking about getting one myself
I'm thinking about getting one myself
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#8
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Yeah, getting my tranny done at the dealer was well up over $100. It wasn't cheap, but it had probably never been done in 125,000 miles, they said the fluid came out looking horrible when they did their flush (however it is they do it), and the refilled it. It made an amazing difference in my tranny, definately worth the money.
#9
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Yeah, it'll feel like a whole new car.
#11
98 3.2 Flamenco Black
If you just drain, fill, every 10,000~12,000 miles, you should be able to maintain the quality of the Honda ATF. Keep it smelling fresh (no burnt smell) and pinkish looking. I used to have the "clung" when shifting....but not anymore, specially on a fresh start....
A complete Flush is not necessary, IMHO.
A complete Flush is not necessary, IMHO.
#12
youngTL, have you had a chance to check your transmission fluid level?
I had a complete flush done from a dealer about 3 months ago for around $110 and yes, it feels like a whole new car
I had a complete flush done from a dealer about 3 months ago for around $110 and yes, it feels like a whole new car
![Smile](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#13
Maybe I should do a tranny flush...
How many quarts of tranny fluid does a 96 3.2TL take? I know I had to add some tranny fluid once but I didn't put in Honda ATF.:-( Better get that out of my system...
How many quarts of tranny fluid does a 96 3.2TL take? I know I had to add some tranny fluid once but I didn't put in Honda ATF.:-( Better get that out of my system...
#14
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Originally Posted by barracuda
youngTL, have you had a chance to check your transmission fluid level?
I had a complete flush done from a dealer about 3 months ago for around $110 and yes, it feels like a whole new car![Smile](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
I had a complete flush done from a dealer about 3 months ago for around $110 and yes, it feels like a whole new car
![Smile](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
![ugh](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/ugh.gif)
#15
TL no more!
Up until the recent Hondas, all Honda and Acura cars that I've driven have hard shifting trannies. My '96 has it, so does our '90 Accord. My uncle had a '90 Legend and it had the hard shifting tranny too, also my aunt's '95 Accord, and my cousin's '89 Accord. The only Honda cars that I've driven with smooth shifting trannies are our '98 Accord EX-V6, our brand new '05 Odyssey and my girlfriend's '99 Civic EX.
So with that, when you say that we have hard shifting trannies, I would say it's normal, IMO.
So with that, when you say that we have hard shifting trannies, I would say it's normal, IMO.
#16
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Originally Posted by WolfpackBill
Up until the recent Hondas, all Honda and Acura cars that I've driven have hard shifting trannies. My '96 has it, so does our '90 Accord. My uncle had a '90 Legend and it had the hard shifting tranny too, also my aunt's '95 Accord, and my cousin's '89 Accord. The only Honda cars that I've driven with smooth shifting trannies are our '98 Accord EX-V6, our brand new '05 Odyssey and my girlfriend's '99 Civic EX.
So with that, when you say that we have hard shifting trannies, I would say it's normal, IMO.
So with that, when you say that we have hard shifting trannies, I would say it's normal, IMO.
#17
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Originally Posted by Cornflake
Dealer only part. (have a friend who owns a tranny shop).
not true
i got my from this place where they only have import parts and they dont even sell to the public. you have to have a shop
#18
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OK guys, I'm pleased to report that a tranny flush fixed my problems! It shifts like new now! I mean almost, there is still some harshness on downshifts, but nothing too weird. Upshifts are ghostlike, I can't even tell they're happening. Oh yes, and they washed my car and replaced my wipers for free ![Big Grin](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Now I hope my transmission can make it to the 400 000 mark some day. This car is rock solid!
![Big Grin](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Now I hope my transmission can make it to the 400 000 mark some day. This car is rock solid!
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