2005 Honda Odyssey - Shifts Hard, Downshifts Hard

[rexolio]

Hi... just bought a very nice 2005 Honda Odyssey with 86,000 miles on it. Great condition and a great deal ($4000 under Blue Book).

Before we bought it, we took it to a mechanic we trusted who did a thorough test and also had a friend who has the same van drive it and everything checks out as being in great condition.

After driving it for a few days, there's some things we're not used to. It seems to shift a little harder/faster than the 2000 Town & Country we had been driving. My buddy who has the same van says his drives the same way and still runs strong (they bought it new and swear its the best car they've ever had).

I've ridden in a few hondas and they do seem to shift a little quicker with less transition between the gears, so I assume this is typical? Again, transmission and everything checked out. Guess I'm just looking for someone else to reassure me.

Lastly, the downshift sometimes seems rather hard... even a bit more alarming than the upshifting. Everything seems to be consistent except for the occasional downshift that just seems a bit too rough (no noises, no grinding - hard to explain).

Not used to a 5-speed automatic. Between 40 and 50 mph, which is the speed we travel most on the way to work and school, it seems to have a hard time making up its mind which gear it wants to be in, and that takes some getting used to. Is that normal too? Okay to put it into D3 at those speeds and just drive it like that?

Appreciate any feedback. We love the van... this is really the only thing we notice that is strange to us, and we just want to make sure it's typical or normal (as much as anyone can tell us from what I've described here).

[BullShifter]

We haven't heard any major trans issues like the previous ody's had. You can't compare a Honda to a Chrysler pile.

[rexolio]

Originally Posted by BullShifter

We haven't heard any major trans issues like the previous ody's had. You can't compare a Honda to a Chrysler pile.

Thanks, Bullshifter... I feel better!

[cherryelky305]

typically, as those transmissions begin to fail we see more slugish shifts and a lack of shifting. with that said, other things could be causing a harsh shift, but without driving it and running pressure tests, and seeing the data against specs that honda calls out its impossible to tell if anything is wrong.

I would usually recommend changing the trans fluid (dont flush it, just drain and fill) every 30-40K miles, honda usually says every 60K.

the truth is that most people simply never change it, they see the car running fine and see no reason to follow the techs suggestions to change the fluid. then when the trans finally dies at 140K miles on the factory fluid they want it replaced under warrenty.

[Ez Dino]

with 86000 miles and recently purchase it ,you should flush the transmission fluid used the
recommend fluid for this transmission . fluid make a lot difference , unless there is a problem in the transmission

[webbch]

Is it a "firm" shift, or a "rough, jerky" shift? I've come to appreciate a good firm shift. Smooth shifts worry me that I'm wearing out the clutches in the transmission... :-)