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!

 

Honda ATF only!!

And yes, a tranny flush (complete flush) should fix this.

 

Dexron III is okay for driving to and from the Honda dealership to get Honda ATF.

Seriously, Honda ATF with Dexron III ONLY for emergencies.

 

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!

 

How much does a flush cost? Ballpark.

I'm thinking about getting one myself

 

I think its about $160 canadian, or something like that here. In your money I dont know what that is because i'm not sure of the exchange rate. I'm guessing about $120?

 

Yeah, it's not cheap. Filter EXPENSIVE for our cars and Dealer only part. (have a friend who owns a tranny shop).

 

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.

 

Yeah, it'll feel like a whole new car.

 

i will get mine flushed when i change the timing belt... it prob hasn't ever been done on the car... im just afraid to flush it cause the tranny is fine.. i heard horror stories where problems came up after they flushed the tranny fluid

 

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.

 

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

 

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...

 

My fluid level is fine. I checked it twice this past month, and the dealer checked it last time I went in to get new fog light bulbs (those little biatches are expensive at $27 CAD each!). They said it looked okay. When I bought the car, the inspection report said shift quality was "Good". I believe since then it has degenerated into "Marginal" or "Poor" if it were to be checked again by them. I know my transmission on this car and how it used to be. It definately lost some edge. Oh yeah, and the fluid is no longer a clean red. It's the colour of rotten cherries!

 

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.

 

It's not if it wasn't doing it BEFORE! Which it wasn't. I still havent' got my tax return back yet. When I do this thing is going in for the flush.

 

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

 

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

Now I hope my transmission can make it to the 400 000 mark some day. This car is rock solid!