I have about 2300 miles on my 20001 S2K. The shifter seems to be more "vaque" in my ability to feel the gates amongst the different shift positions. Don't know how much worse it's gotten versus my getting use to it and getting pickier. Is this what posters mean when they describe "notchiness"? Is this normal and what are the solutions if any?
Thanks as always for everybody's help.

 

I think the best way to describe notchiness (in general) is that instead of one fluid motion, the movement feels like it also includes one or more starts and stops or jerks. Think of (and this may be too far out) traveling through a valley between two mountains (smooth) vs. traveling over several foothills between two mountains (notchy).

 

You have probably just gotten used to the car and pay less attention to the details of what you are doing. The notchiness is the actual effort it takes to put the lever into a particular gear. My MY2000 was very notchy (especially in the cold) until I put RedLine tranny fluid in her. My new MY2001 is better.

 

Sounds like replacing the Tranny fluid with Redline would be worthwhile? Even at 2300 miles?

 

I think so, too. But...I also think it voids the warranty. My MY2000 had 30000+ miles on her when I did it.

 

Does anyone know if it would void the warranty?

 

It only voids the warranty on the transmission! They would claim that the viscosity/lubrication wasn't per specification and caused damage. Good luck proving them wrong.

 

Just make sure you get the right one. Don't put GL5 in there because it will corrode the synchro rings. The one you want is a 75W-80 GL4 (sometimes written as 75W-85). Don't get the 75W-90 GL5 with extreme pressure additives.

I didn't get Redline, but a Castrol equivalent, and it made my shift a lot smoother. I'd say if your shift is already smooth you'd be wasting your time anyway.

 

can i just use just the oem honda transmission fuild instead of redline?

 

Does the shifting on a 2003 have to be perfectly smooth or does it depend on engine rpm, how fast you are shifting and whether you depressed the clutch all the way down?