Hi everyone,
I have 2002 Honda Civic EX which I took to Pep Boys about a month ago to do one of those complimentary "before trip everything check". They put oil in my car, water, break fluid, and most importantly Transmission Fluid. Then the next day before my trip, my transmission began to slip, then the car wouldn't go forward or backward at all. For some weird reason then I was able to drive my car without insident to another pep boys where I told them what had happened at the other pep boys. The mechanic told me they are not allowed to even touch the transmission, much less put fluids on it, and that he very seriously doubted the other mechanic had put a different transmission fluid on my car. Then I took my car home with a slipping transmission. I had to have my car towed and my transmission rebuild because the transmission fluid had different viscosity.

I'm thinking of filing a claim against Pep Boys or something like that...I read somewhere that you are only supposed to put Honda ATF becuase Hondas act weird with other ATFs.

Can anyone give me some advise on this? Was the mechanic right to put fluid on my transmission? He showed me that it needed fluid, added some, and then showed me that the transmission had enough fluid.

Unfortunately I don't have proof of this because it was all free (except it cost me $1600 to have the transmission rebuild) and so there was no receipt from pep boys.

 

i would get in contact with a lawyer (advise) and if he thinks there is a claim have them get a copy of the video recordings of that day. EVERY PB i have seen or know ppl that work in one they all have video of work area.

HOWEVER if you ok'd the tech to put fluid in the car then you maybe kinda sunk

 

I am a teen away in college...I had no idea transmissions were so delicate. I trusted the mechanic to do what was right for my car (seeing as he supposedly knows his job). He told me my transmission needed fluid, I trusted he knew what to do about that. I didn't tell him explicitly to put fluid on it or ok'd it. He showed me the little bar and said "needs fluid", went away, brought fluid and filled it.

 

ok than you may have a case, as loose as it may be. honda trans are not delicate they just dont like the normal mercon/dex 4-6 that 99% of cars will take. they are fluid "picky". i would maybe try and call the district/area manager DIRECTLY and talk with him do not talk to any of the morons that work behind a counter. you may have to call corp pep boys to get his name and number

 

most people don't know that you check the transmission fluid in a Honda with the motor OFF. if you check it while its running, as every other car has you do, the readings will be incorrect. so it maybe possible that he over filled it. which is just as bad if not worse as having a low fluid condition. overfilled transmissions allow the fluid to aerate, foam up and overheat. and yes, Honda transmissions are very picky when it comes to fluid type. bad situation overall, could be just a coincidence as well....