When the auto transmission finally shifts into first gear, when slowing down to a stop, the rpm kinda surges when it shifts into the first gear and I can actually 'feel' the surge also. Its feels like a light push.

What is happening ? Is this what is called slipping ? Is it hard shifting ?

It became less prominent after I topped up the ATF a little bit. I did a drain and refill (not the complete 3x drain or flush) at 30-40k, then one at 65k and recently another at 78k. So I dont think the fluid is in very bad shape or something, but then I havent done the complete refill.

 

get it checked out at your honda dealer and if it is trans related you may get some assistance with HOA as long as you got your service records. You might have trouble since you didn't follow the maint schedule as recommneded by honda.


with my 1994 LX the previous owner followed the schedule and I changed my fluid once a year for the last 4 years I have put 55K on the car so it is an average of 14K/year for me between fluid changes.

I have a 1998 LX coupe and this is how the trans went out

Started the car up let it warm up. Drive off, come to a stop sign, accellerate away and as soon as the car hit 2nd, it was like 2nd was not there. I put the selector into 1st and grabbed it gave the car enough gas to get to 3rd. Once the trans was in 3rd, it would operate normally. When coming to a stop, it would jerk very hard or just slip and re-engage with a very hard jerk and tire chirp.


Modified by YeuEmMaiMai at 10:15 AM 1/8/2006

 

I was thinking of taking it to the dealer too.

But besides that are there any transmission "experts" in the Twin Ctiies that I could trust this thing with ? Who know what they are doing.

BTW, what are the most common causes of auto transmission failure (slipping, etc..) ?

My driving style is somewhat agressive but I have never abused the car or the transmission, and I believe I have taken good care and maintenance overall too. Only rarely it would have seen hard acceleration or redline. Well if that was not the case it probably would not have seen the 80k mile mark anyway, isnt it ?

 

I took my car to Kennedy trans and it cost me about 2.1K The problem is that the 2nd gear cclutch pack does not get proper lubrication and that causes 2nd gear to go. Also some trans have bad bearings and that is more costly to repair.