[Allen]

Well I encountered some transmission problems today. My tranny was doing some pretty screwed up things while shifting between 1st and 2nd. It would go into netural before shifting into 2nd. The only way to get into 2nd was if I floored the gas, then it would jump into 2nd gear. It didn't just happen once, but everytime it shifted!

I figured the problem was with my tranny fluid, which was at least 7000km overdue for a change. While at the Jiffy Lube getting it changed they recommended that they add some sort of Transmission reconditioner or something. They said it would recondition the transmission and seal any fluid leaks. I told them to go ahead with it because I figured that I'm pretty had on my tranny and it could use a reconditioning. After the fact I remembered that on this page in the maintenance section it mentioned not to add any thing like this to the tranny fluid because it will do more harm than good. My question is: does this stuff actually work to improve the transmission? I assume it does because my transmission was no longer acting stupid after the fluid change.
What kind of damage (if any) will this stuff do in the long term to my tranny?

Thanks... Al

 

[GuillermoXR5i]

Ripped off.......

Dude, sounds like you most likely got ripped off. Working on cars is what I do for a living and I can tell you additives are a phony (with the exception of injector cleaners....and even they aren't all that). The problem with your tranny was probably that it was low on fluid and that it was overdue for a filter/fluid change. They charged you for the service that a little bit of ATF costs you (maybe $1). Hate to tell you, but I see people getting jacked all the time.

If someone notices "differences" by using additives, it's all in their head.

 

[Zach]

I had almost the exact same problem when my tranny died. It started shifting funny like that, I added some fluid because it was leaking, and it was ok for a while, until 2nd gear stripped and few of the clutches burnt out. And BTW, in the Haynes manual it says that there is no service interval for changing the ATX fluid, only if it gets dirty.

 

[XR5TopazBri]

My tranny is the same way... I've got a leak on it that will be fixed soon... but it performs really screwy when the fluid is low (that's how I know it is time to top off). I've changed the fluid twice on mine now, as well as the filter. There is no interval for the change specified in the Haynes manual or the factory owners manual... i never even thought to change it until after changing the fluid in my roommmates Neon... the factory manual specified it at $40K miles.

 

[Allen]

Well my fluid wasn't too low before the change, but it looked really dark and smelt burnt. I wqas under the understanding that you were supposed to change the fluid whenever it started to smell burnt. Plus it was still the original fluid, and now it's running close to 100,000km. I just hope the tranny doesn't die on me!

While we're on the topic I thought I'd mention that ever since I can remember my car has shifted really rough when it is not warmed up. For about the first 5km of driving the car after it has been sitting overnight it shifts really jerky. It's not smooth at all, instead of sliding into the next gear it just dumps right into it. Once the car warms up though it's fine... you don't even notice the gear changes under light acceleration. Is this normal?

Thanks: Allen

 

[GuillermoXR5i]

Repl

That's normal for a used ATX. I wouldn't worry unless the cold shifts become excessively harsh. Basically one thing you can do is drive extra soft and smooth until it warms up. Using a synthetic ATF (also will be new fluid) most likely will help with that too. It's simple to do an ATX fluid/gasket/filter change. Don't forget to clean off the magnet that attracts small metal particles.

 

[Guest]

You should flush the tranny every 30k miles if you use regular ATF. Once it smells burnt, damage has beed done(clutches are glazed) A tranny cooler and regular flushes are your best defense.