While I haven't experienced any 1-2 grinds, my transmission was a little notchy. I only have 4000 miles on my car (and one DE event), but I decided to change my fluid with Honda MTF. Now, my transmission shifts like butter. It was a notable improvement on the 1-2 shift, and the rest are better as well. I decided not to use synthetic in the transmission due to some problems with it in other cars in the past. Also, after hearing that many have changed their differential fluid early and it had been kind of nasty looking, I decided to do that as well. That fluid looked to be in good shape, with only minor metal shavings on the magnetic drain plug. I was going to use Mobile 1, but it is a 75W-90, and the manual recommends a 90W. So, I settled on Valvoline Durablend 80W-90.

So, if you are experienceing any nothiness in your transmission, you might want to try a fluid change. Just wanted to pass this information along.

 

Did you do these fluid changes yourself? How dificult was it and what is needed besides the fluids.
Andy

 

Changed my engine/tranny fluid over the weekend to...big difference in the tranny fluid change.

Andy: Changing the tranny fluid is easier than changing engine oil....there are two plugs on the drivers side of the tranny pull the lower one to drain...put it back in...go out and ger 2 quarts of honda mtf...also get a $4 hand pump from autozone or checker...and then pump the fluid into the upper hole...stop pumping when it starts coming out...(About half way through the second quart)

 

Yes, I did them myself. You need a 3/8" drive ratchet for the drain plug (it's a square drive) and a 17mm socet for the fill plug. I didn't use a pump - I used some clear tubing and a funnel. I snaed the hose down from the engine compartment and inserted it into the fill hole. I had my wife poor the fluid into the funnel until the fluid ran out of the fill hole. Very little mess. Just make sure that you replace the crush washers on all of the plugs.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Cyber Logic
[B]Changed my engine/tranny fluid over the weekend to...big difference in the tranny fluid change.

Andy:

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ITR
[B]

Thanks for the information...
I want to change my tranny fluid soon too.

 

What I did was build some ramps out of 2x10s - I "stair stepped" them by having one approximatly 3 ft long on the bottom, 2 ft long in the middle and 1 ft long on the top (and cutting 45 degree angles on the leading edges). I put a wood stop on the top board, just to keep me from driving off the ramps. For the rear, I cut 3 pieces of 2x10s about 16" long and screwed them together (I built 2 of these - one for each side). I drove the car on the ramps in front, then raised the rear with a hydraulic jack until I could slip the rear blocks under the tires. The whole car was raised (level) the thickness of 2x10s (about 5 1/4"). Worked really well and was safe.