Post your Automatic Transmission tips and tricks.

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Arkaign
I guess richer people might look down on the Civic

I wouldn't say that we look down on it (I wouldn't say that we're "rich" either, people who like cars tend to have almost no cash on hand because it all gets spent on cars). The Civic is a great car. The old Accord I had remains my fondest car memory. When the transmission borked at 205,000 miles I had it rebuilt rather than get rid of the car (in retrospect a poor decision because the car rusted in half about two years later). I still miss that car though.

ZV

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Eli
lol..

I'm not going to be pouring any 3rd party products into my transmission, kthx. I know better.

The transmission seems to shift pretty nicely. I'd just like to extend its life. I honestly don't know a whole lot about them, although if I apply my general mechanical knowledge and common sense, I can figure things out.

I don't think the "problem" I had with first was a problem at all, it was just as ZV described... The transmission really likes to stay in second if you're still moving at 10-15mph... If you give it too much gas, it will downshift to 1st. This tends to be fairly violent, since its such a low gear and you're giving it gas while already moving.

I should probably have it flushed, since I don't know when it was last done.. and I need a reference point for future changes.

I think I'd like to get an aftermarket oil cooler, though. Maybe even install a transmission fluid temperature gauge. That'd be kinda neat.

Needs a tachometer too.... grumble

But yeah.. I guess I'll just keep it in Drive.

Someone with your mechanical background won't have a problem putting in a transmission cooler. I'd suggest routing a thermostat and bypass too though, because just like your engine, it's bad to have the fluid take too long to get to operating temperature.

Oh, and you'll get used to it wanting to stay in 2nd. My old Accord did that and after a while I was used to it.

ZV

 

[Eli]

Hmm, yeah, never thought about that. I assume I would be able to get the necessary hardware at the same time I pick up the transmission cooler?

Ironically, I'm pretty sure that the transmission has shifted more smoothly and consistently on the warmer days we've had lately(~80º).

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: Eli
lol..

I'm not going to be pouring any 3rd party products into my transmission, kthx. I know better.

The transmission seems to shift pretty nicely. I'd just like to extend its life. I honestly don't know a whole lot about them, although if I apply my general mechanical knowledge and common sense, I can figure things out.

I don't think the "problem" I had with first was a problem at all, it was just as ZV described... The transmission really likes to stay in second if you're still moving at 10-15mph... If you give it too much gas, it will downshift to 1st. This tends to be fairly violent, since its such a low gear and you're giving it gas while already moving.

I should probably have it flushed, since I don't know when it was last done.. and I need a reference point for future changes.

I think I'd like to get an aftermarket oil cooler, though. Maybe even install a transmission fluid temperature gauge. That'd be kinda neat.

Needs a tachometer too.... grumble

But yeah.. I guess I'll just keep it in Drive.

Say what you will, but that '3rd party product' cost me $15 and got that tranny at least 90k more miles of smooth operation.

In your case though, being as you have such low miles compared to my Civic's 200k-290k, you should look at every other normal possibility first. Your car is also under warranty through your financing right?

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Eli
Hmm, yeah, never thought about that. I assume I would be able to get the necessary hardware at the same time I pick up the transmission cooler?

Some coolers have built-in thermostats and bypasses. This one, for example has internal viscosity-controlled bypasses that perform the same function as a thermostat and help ensure that the fluid gets to operating temp in normal time.

ZV