Got 30000 miles on 03civic. Should i change manual transmission fluid or i can put more miles on my car before i change it ?

Also, now it has started the same problem again. when its cold and when i start my car in the morning, i hear rattling noise, cant figure it out where its coming from. any idea what it could be ? i had this problem last year but it disappeared when the weather changed but now when its geting cold. i seee the problem coming again.

please advise

 

At 30k miles, I would change it already. I recommend changing it every 10k-15k depending on how you drive.

 

in the manual it is stated for 110K. can i do this job by myself ? i would like to do this since dealer is going to rip me off for this. if i can, how can i do this and how much of a fluid and what type of fluid do i need.
thankx

 

You can easily do it yourself. Stick with Honda MTF.

 

Yes, change the fluid now. Do it yourself. It's as easy as changing oil.

 

can you change your oil?

if so you can change your tranny fluid. it's the same thing ... loosen the drain plug, replace it and the washer with new ones, and fill it up with fluid. on the side of the tranny is the fill bolt. you loosen that, and use a transmission funnel to fill it. when the fluid comes out of the hole, it's filled.

iF you SEARCH i'm sure you could find dozens of threads with nice little pictures.

or you could buy and read a helms MANUAL if you're serious about doing the work on your car yourself. http://www.helminc.com

i change my fluid every 3 oil changes. you'll need 3 quarts of honda mtf, and a new crush washer from the dealer. i replace the drain plug if they have it in stock, if not i don't bother.

oh and that noise is probably a heat shield on your exhaust falling off.

 

what about Redline fluid. Can i use other brand of synthetic oil ?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by return_2020 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">in the manual it is stated for 110K. </TD></TR></TABLE>

why not wait to 110k?

 

as a cerified honda mechanic it's supposed to be changed at 30k is the major service for the car at that mileage. check the exhaust for the noise.

 

what specific thing you want me to check for the exhaust ???

 

go to the honda dealership and buy the manual trans fluid in the quart bottles it should take about 3.5 quarts you should be fine open the drain and let it out tightened the plug then open the filler plug and add the fluid and let it go until the fluid starts to run out then wait a minute and close it up then your fine.

 

all down your exhaust system there are metal plates to sheild the heat. they come loose sometimes.

get under there and have a look. it's most likely the one on your catalytic converter or muffler.

 

all the mechanics except honda are recommanding me to change trans fluid at 60k, does this make sense ?

 

all the more reason to have any work done at the dealer if you're not gonna do it yourself. They (honda techs) would be the ones that know what they are talking about.

tommy

 

Its basically like an oil change but make sure to replace that washer!! I reused mine just once and it leaked...


Putting the fluid in can be tricky because of the holes location - I use a $7 pump i got at kragen

 

Is the washer you have to replace for the filler plug or the drain plug? I've been thinking of doing of this because my clutch feels a little mushy. THanks

EDIT: Nevermind, answered my own question. Can you just pick up the plug and washer at a Honda dealership?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Chester Rumble &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Is the washer you have to replace for the filler plug or the drain plug? I've been thinking of doing of this because my clutch feels a little mushy. THanks

EDIT: Nevermind, answered my own question. Can you just pick up the plug and washer at a Honda dealership?</TD></TR></TABLE>How did you ever come to the conclusion that the way your clutch feels determines when it's time to change the transmission fluid?

FYI, you don't need to replace the plugs...just the crush washer and when you remove the plugs you will then realize which one needs the washer.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vtecgod &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">as a cerified honda mechanic it's supposed to be changed at 30k is the major service for the car at that mileage. check the exhaust for the noise.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah but aren't the 03 (and up) Civic/Accord "maintenence free with the exception of spark plugs and engine oil until 110k miles" (as indicated by the Honda factory). I don't remember it saying anything about transmission fluid.

But that's all verbatim. I would change my tranny oil every 15k miles- Not because I'm using some scientific approach as to when the best time is, but just because the procedure is inexpensive, easy, and can be done without getting a spec of dirt or oil on you.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by return_2020 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">what about Redline fluid. Can i use other brand of synthetic oil ? </TD></TR></TABLE>

For tranny fluid use ONLY Honda MTF... No redline, no Mobil1 no nothing... Honda MTF...

And I would not change it until say 50K...

But if you are **** about your car, change it now... it can't hurt, it can only HELP... if you do it the right way of course...