i have a 1991 civic dx with the 4 speed automatic.

i'm coming from owning a 92 pontiac bonneville. i notice in this car the shifts are more defined, you can definitely feel them more.

i can also really feel at a stoplight, the 3-2 downshift. is this normal?

 

if you're talking about a jerky/shifting feeling in your Honda, yes that's normal. Most 88-91 civic/crx's (and 92+ civics) feel like that due to the lighter weight designed engine +transmission parts in contrast to a heavier Pontiac Bonneville.

 

also i should point out that i changed the transmission fluid (drain plug, god bless the japanese) ... 3.5L or so came out, is that the complete capacity? am i right in assuming there's no filter (it hasn't been mentioned in the haynes)?

it shifts through all gears and lockup works ok...

so i shouldn't worry about the downshift either? i'm sure it's the 3-2 downshift because you can feel a subtle 2-1 downshift after that. it doesn't feel like anything's broken it just feels more abrupt than in other cars.