montenek

before you read this please keep in mind I'm a girl and I'm only learning so don't call idiot
I have an auto EK civic and the gear changes are somewhat clunky in both drive modes (D3 and D4). The car sort of "kicks" into gear, especially into second and third most times shifting up. It also revs up slightly before going back into second whilst decelerating. I have no idea about the history of the car, I assume the trans has never been serviced.
Any tips? Does it really need a service or is it just a civic thing? The fluid is at the appropriate level, if slightly dark but not burnt in appearance.

Former User

3 drain-refill cycles with Honda or Honda-recommended ATF - then go from there.

CEL codes?

95accordCE6

how many miles are on it? ...if the mileage is close to 150k and the fluid hasnt been flushed (which you dont know) i would recommend against getting it flushed now, however if you do have to add fluid for any reason use only Honda fluid, more generic fluids dont have the appropriate additives for our cars

tony_2018

It could be the clutch 2nd/3rd gear clutch pack but yes do the drain and fill with oem honda fluid, drain/fill one weekend and then the next weekend do another and than do another weekend. You want to fully flush out all old fluid and by doing it this way you can get the fluid that is in the torque converter, its what build hydraulic pressure get that transmission moving. I'm keeping the answers simple so that you can understand.

JoeSatov

Girls have hands too...grab a wrench...

crazyhouse2011

P-M-B,93EXsedan

Dont buy generic aftermarket fluid. New OEM fluid isn't much better. Buy racing transmission fluid, its better.

NotARaCist

iTrader: (1)

This is painfully wrong. Ignore it. Use only Honda OEM ATF.

P-M-B,93EXsedan

I just dont see how the new fluids are viable compared to the older ones, when the transmissions have steadily gotten worse. I'm not about to try it to prove with an experiment, but most honda-enthusiasts IV spoken to have told me about bad experiences using the newer ATF in their older transmissions. To the point where they helped me find old fluid for sale. One guy has multiple bottles of fluid that's years and years old because he's tried putting newer Honda ATF in and the transmission didnt seem to like it.

tony_2018

A complete drain of old fluid and than new fluid is necessary. If it wasn't done properly than he might have some mixed fluid still in the tranny. Also there is a certain time to check the fluid checking when cold is not the right way to check transmission fluid. I've used the new Honda transmission fluid and had no ill effects. I simply wanted to try out amsoil and see how it works. Still in progress but no ill effects yet.

P-M-B,93EXsedan

I was thinking about trying amsoil too, but IV been looking more toward racing ATF & MTF for my cars instead, cuz redline them too much

tony_2018

Back on topic, my point is I've used the new Honda DW1 fluid with no ill effects.

P-M-B,93EXsedan

that's cool and lucky

tony_2018

Its not luck when I've done it on another older car, infact 2 older cars. 95 integra sedan which had 150k miles and another civic which had 130k miles. Both automatics,

Mr. Bojangles

How the **** does this guy have almost 400 posts and has only been here a month?

tlarimer

iTrader: (3)

I'm pushing 300K on the original auto trans in my 99 Civic Lx and did the switch to the new Honda ATF around 200K, still shifts great. Those that "encounter" issues switching from the old to the new fluid had an existing issue.

I have yet to see anybody provide concrete proof that the new fluid is not backwards compatible as stated by Honda. FYI, Honda will put the new fluid in if you have it serviced at the dealer, there is no choice to use the old fluid.

tony_2018

By posting, either formative or just plain random thoughts.