93 Accord Auto Transmission Problem (maybe)

[edrhathaway]

Hi All...I just got this accord (140k miles). Runs great, seems to be in pretty good condition, but I notice the transmission changes a little "hard". That is, it seems to be delayed on changing gears and when it does it jumps a bit into the next gear...not a smooth gentle change.

This may be due to age, or it could be a sign of a problem...just wanted to get feedback from some others.

Also, can anyone else out there tell me what their RPMs are at 60mph in 4th and 3rd. I was playing around with the tranny and I'm thinking the RPMs are higher than they should. At 60 in 4th i'm turning about 2400, and in 3rd she jumps way up to around 3700.

thanks all,
Ed

[cbeck]

I've always driven a 5 spd. but the rpms sound about right for an accord...

As far as the shifting is concerned, first check the fluid level (low would provide your symptoms), if that's good, I wouldn't know what else to suggest other that pull codes.

[jeffcoslacker]

Honda auto's gear changes are abrupt, and have high set points, compared with most other cars, and is usually a little disconcerting to a person not used to it when they first drive one.

I bet it's fine. I told my mom that before she bought her '94, and even as we were driving in it a few days ago she commented aboutit, saying "I'm sure glad you told me about how these shift before I got it, or I'd think there was something wrong."

See, she lives in the country, and to get out on the highway has to do a holeshot from a stop sign into the highway, and you're blind to the right because of the hill, so if you're turning left, you gotta stand on it. Lotta times there's a semi running up on you at 70 mph, and you find yourself right in front of him.

It is neck-snapping when she accelerates onto the road from there. When I'm driving it, it redlines and chirps the tires on the 1-2 upshift

Personally, if I drove a Honda auto that had smooth, subtle gear changes, THAT would concern me.

[TR3-2001SE]

My 97 is at 2300 rpm at 60 so it looks like that is OK. Sounds like you need to start changing the auto transmission fluid. I change out mine every 15,000 which only changes half the fluid. Cheap insurance with these Honda transmissions. Use the Honda fluid as most think it is the best for our transmissions. I changed mine 4 times when I first purchased it at 113,000 about every 1000 miles until if looked clean to me. It is an easy job as the drain plug is easy to get to and a funnel gets the new stuff in the dipstick hole.