01 Accord transmission?

[tuper]

Hello, new poster (fixing to post ALL my car issues in appropriate spots, beware! LOL!)

I am driving an 01 Accord Coupe as a trial from a family member before I decide to purchase. I am hoping to upgrade from my 91 Celica that has some strange transmission issues. Having said that, I am worried about the Accord's tranny, and I guess I am being paranoid!

When changing into 3rd gear, the car sometimes "surges" into it. It usually happens when I first start driving it, perhaps the second or third time it changes into the gear after being started up and driven. It's not for very long, perhaps half a second, and it's not a lunging type of surge, but I guess I am a bit gunshy right now. Don't want to trade one set of tranny issues for another.

It has 130,000 miles on it. My family member bought it off of someone else. They have owned it for about 2 years, but didn't drive it very often at all. I need it for a daily commuter (2+ hours a day.) I am not sure if the transmission has ever been serviced (fluid changed, etc.)

Since I don't actually own the vehicle, I don't want to pour a ton of money into it yet. I am female (yes, stereotypes apply, lol) but I do have a BF who is somewhat car savvy. I guess I just want to know if this is something I need to worry about, and what the best way to check it out is. Thanks in advance!

[DeltaP]

Have you checked the fluid level once warmed up? Is the fluid fresh or have a burned,nasty smell? Honda uses a special fluid designation,should not be substituted or mixed with conventional ATF fluid. Honda uses ATF-Z1 or now called DW-1.

[tuper]

Thanks! I have not checked the fluid myself, but it just had the oil changed at a changing place....they normally check that, right? LOL! I will have to check it. If it is old and burned, should it be changed? I am scared to do anything with the transmission since most people say you can't change the fluid once it gets to a certain mileage if it hasn't been changed all along. (And I've never owned a "new" or low mileage car, so I wouldn't know what the proper servicing time frame is on them anyway! LOL!)

[DeltaP]

How many of these ya got? Same advice as for the Celica. Just make sure you or whoever does it uses the proper fluid. Asian trannys are real particular on using the proper OEM fluid designation.

[tuper]

LOL! I have 4 vehicles at the moment in my possession, only own 3, am selling one and purchasing the other, and the one is my son's car. I have a truck as my hauler and work toy. Hopefully the Accord one will replace the Celica. (I promise I'm not loaded or presumptuous. HAHA! My son bought the Taurus with his own money, it's just in my name for insurance purposes. And the fact that he's a minor. And I drive it more because he refuses to......a 17 year old homebody BOY, imagine that! LOL!)

THANK YOU for the advice! Truly! I am a car dunce, but trying to learn. We had nothing but Dodge and Chrystler growing up (Dad was a computer designer for Chrystler when I was a kid).....these foriegn cars are more of a mystery to me than ever. If I could afford it, I would just trade in and upgrade any time any of them gave me issues. LOL!