Well, it took the dealer over a week to complete the repairs, but it was over the Christmas and New Year's holidays and I had a 2008 TSX loaner, so no biggee.

The new transmission seems to be very smooth, with no issues yet (only drove it for 1 day though). I did note that the long pause before the tranny engages when shifting from park/reverse to drive is now gone or almost unnoticeable.

One strange thing is that the car cranks harder and starts faster. I wouldn't think that would be a result of replacing the tranny. I double checked, and the battery looks like the one I had in there, i.e. it isn't new. I guess they could have thrown a used one in there, as I know mine was getting close to needing replacement (the dealership told me I should replace it ASAP about 6 months ago).

Hopefully my mileage will return to where it was before the tranny started acting up and my avg mpg dropped from 25+ to less than 17.

I still need to check to see if I have full warrantly coverage on the new tranny up to 7 yrs/109K, or if I just get the 12 months/12K warranty. I would assume I get 7/109K.

 

u get the 7/109, the 12month/12k warranty is just a warranty for any work they do...the 7 year one is a recall, which would override the 1yr warranty..

 

not correct

the unit itself carries 12/12 PLUS
the CAR has a Transmission Warranty Extension to 7+9 months or 109k

the recall was to install an external oil jet kit which is not the same as extended warranty on unit

 

get the battery tested at any auto parts store and replce if needed
The car runs better- mileage? may improve with full power to the ignition etc

 

they had to remove the starter and battery and any good tech would clean the terminals, thats why its starting better

 

Very interesting. In Aug 05 I had mine replaces at 49995 miles.
I had the same battery issue. It had been cranking fine before the replacement.
I checked and cleaned the terminals etc with no affect. I ended up
putting a new battery in and have had no problems since.

I still have the momentary pause shifting from park to drive that the
original tranny had. It is irritating but I have learned to live with it.
The replacement had had 25K put on it and if it holds up I will be
pleased. It appears to engage drive twice. Once right away and
then a second time before fully in gear. The pause is 1 - 2 seconds.

The other thing about the tranny that drives me nuts is that it drags.
It does not freewheel when lifting off the throttle like other automatics
I have owned. It causes me to have to toe in to the throttle to get
to a turn or light ahead where I should be able to simply coast.
It seems like that would impact fuels usage. It does this most noticably
in 3rd gear most likely because 4th and 5th are tall enough to dampen
the load. As the car slows to less than 20 mph the tranny seems
to release and coast freely. At 30 mph or so I have to keep hitting
the throttle.

I have an old Camry and new Lexus (with CVT) and they will coast forever.

If it weren't for the marvelous engine I would have sold it long ago.
It's amazing to have a car with such a smooth responsive efficient and
reliable engine mated to a terrible transmission.

/Steve