Hi
I searched, but i could not find enough info on the topic.
So, I have a 94 Accord EX on 145k miles auto transmission, works fine except the fact that the transmission shifts harshly at high RPM. Now its time for a flush and the mechanic suggests adding an Additive from "DuraLube" -Advanced transmission treatment , or smth like that. He claims it will make shifting softer, but i'm concerned if this will shorten transmission life(as i read on some forums) and i intend to keep the car probably till 180-190k miles.
Any info will be greatly appreciated!!!

 

Well my auto tranny was shifting kinda harshly so I decided to do a tranny flush. I got about 16 quarts of Honda ATF and flushed the tranny with that. Since then it shifts perfectly. IF I were were you I'd go that route.

 

if you go to http://www.bobistheoilguy.com you'll find out the honda accord auto trannys, from around 90-02 are pretty weak. take good care of them

a flush is great maintence for the tranny. now if you just drain the tranny, all you will get out of it is 3 quarts. I do that every 30k, and a flush like every 90k. works great for me so far, 185k now. I still get small metal shards on the magentic drain plug, but I guess the idiotic neutral drops I did as a kid caught up with me.

good luck. btw, use honda ATF, only 3 bucks a quart and works well, dont use aftermarekt syntethic.

 

STOP let me explain a little fact...the honda trans [pre 98] does seem to shift hard when compared to a GM mush shift. The reason is the honda trans shifts under positive pressure and the engineers idea is that the faster the clutch plates engage, the less wear occurs.
So, if your trans doesn't mush shift, it is normal. You should feel a 'surge' or kick'....but the other extreme, the trans BANG shifting is bad too. BOB is the oil guy is a moron, hondas best auto trans are 90-97
If you want the trans to live a good life drive NORMALLY and change the trans fluid every 30k miles.
As far as additives I have used GM LSD additive in my personal hondas They sell a little 4? oz bottle at the honda dealer that is supposed to go into the rear diffs on the passports.

 

i used to have a 89 accord that had a bad axle seal and let some dirt in the tranny..well theres no trans filter-just a magnetic drain plug so all the dirt scored my aluminum shifting spools. oil was full of nonmagnetic aluminum and ruined it. the main symptom of scored spools is that your trans wont shift outa 1st gear when its cold even tho your in D4. after ten minutes of driving itll shift to second and 10 min after that it works fine. if your trans starts doin this start it cold put in d4 and pull the ebrake to stall it. come back in 15 min and if it works fine your spools are shot. its called thermal expansion. honda should use filters cause anything nonmagnetic is gonna ruin it. change trans oil once a year to be safe

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hondadude &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> You should feel a 'surge' or kick'....</TD></TR></TABLE>that's exactly what it is. I guess i'll stay away from additives and use Honda recommended tran. oil.
Thanks all !

 

And if you are due for a flush here's the easy drill:
Provided by another forum member. I cannot remember his name and he WILL flame me ! (apparently it's copyrighted...........not)

Honda Auto Trans Flush 1 case (12 qrts) Honda ATF aprox $50. 1 new drain bolt washer $1.

1) Put the front of the car up on jackstands with the wheels off the ground. Put a large container under drain plug.
2) Remove the transmission drain plug (3/8" drive ratchet works fine). Let transmission drain and wipe sludge off drain plug.
3) Reinstall drain plug and snug (not tighten). Fill transmission with three quarts of ATF.
4) Start engine and shift into drive. Gently accelerate and let transmission upshift through the gears (don't go over 50 MPH).
5) Step on brakes and bring speedo to 0.
6) Shift into reverse and accelerate to 20 MPH.
7) Bring speedo back to 0 with brakes. Shift to park and shut off engine.
8) Repeat steps 2 through 7 TWO MORE TIMES.
9) Drain the transmission once more. Reinstall drain plug and tighten firmly (don't forget to reinstall crush washer).
10) Remove jackstands and put vehicle on level ground.
11) Fill transmission with 2 1/2 quarts of ATF. Start engine. Shift to drive, then reverse, then put back in park and shut off engine.
12) Check transmission fluid level. Top off if needed to bring fluid level to the top of the crosshatch marks on the dipstick.

 

honda dude....

The trannys are pretty weak, if you disagree thats fine. but bobistheoilguy.com,(thats fine if you think hes a moron, but have you used the site???) is best forum online for UOAs on engine oil/tranny oil/diff oil. blackstone analysis are very helpfull...and im sure you've done many honda dude...

But your tranny is fine, just take care of it with the above info, all the

 

I would not put any additives in it( sometimes all these places want to do is take your money and dont care about your car.) I would take it to the honda dealer and say you want a tranny flush at least you know it is done right.

 

The majority of dealerships do not power flush and use the method I listed 2 postings back. DIY and $ave.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by alotawatts &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The majority of dealerships do not power flush and use the method I listed 2 postings back. DIY and $ave.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Is this **** necessary. I changed my stuff every 15k. 50 bucks is a lot of money, not to be a cheap ***.

I got a question

I use ramps to change my oil and tranny fluid

do you think all fo the oil/tran fluid get's out or does some stay in

Are ramps good or ?

 

Using ramps to drain the oil is fine. To drain the tranny though, it will only drain about 1/4 of the total fluid. Flush is the best option.

 

how often do you flush your tranny fluid? I've never done this. I've only changed it at 30k and then two other times (45k and 60k).

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sj993 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">a flush is great maintence for the tranny. now if you just drain the tranny, all you will get out of it is 3 quarts. I do that every 30k, and a flush like every 90k. works great for me so far, 185k now. I still get small metal shards on the magentic drain plug, but I guess the idiotic neutral drops I did as a kid caught up with me.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I thought the fliud should be changed every 30k too but, that **** get's mad dirty every 15k.

If I changed it every 15k, do you think I could get away without doing the flushes?

I know the average driver doesn't do this stuff prolly cuz they dont' know. I myself just found out about the tranny fluid flush.

 

carbnjunkie, go sniff some more of your namesake.
10 years at the dealership
8 years at a honda specialist independent
6 years at an "asian" import shop
By way of testing I'm still an 80% factory qualified tech.
You want to stand and try to tell me I'm clueless?
Think about it child; your buddy Bob is selling something , isn't he.
Flames, slams, and goads, such as yours are the reason top techs stay away from this website.
Been all around the world baby, punks like you don't scare me.

 

Yeah, every 15K is fine. I only did a flush because I was worried about the tranny.

 

well, im glad some good info came from this thread. geez, no wonder everyone makes fun of the honda crowd- honda dude, go get a education and learn how to read a blackstone report.


Modified by carbnjunkie at 12:57 PM 2/22/2005