Hi guys

I put on almost 8000 glorious VTEC miles on my 02 Spa yellow in 3 months
However the tranny feels still notchy during 2-3rd shift.
No my tranny is not grinding it's just.. not smooth.

Last time I went to the dealer I was told that the tranny was still in the break-in process. After seeing 8000 miles on the odometer I suppose the tranny is fully broken in by now

What should I do?? Go to the dealer and ask them to at least change my tranny fluid??

 

If you have been very careful during your break-in, there's only a couple possible solutions that I know of. The first one, you mentioned already -- change the transmission fluid. As Woodwork, a Honda enginer who works on the gearbox issue has advised me... for some strange reason it does seem to correct the problem in some but not all cars. I personally have 8,000 miles and plan to do it in the spring when it comes out of it's winter cave. The only other suggestion has to do with how you shift, and this approach has helped me. Rather than force the gearshift from 2nd to 3rd, I let the natural spring action center the shifter before upshifting. This too, came at Woodwork suggestion. I found it extremely helpful to wait that extra fraction of a second and essentially wait for the mechanism to center it self before shifting. I also will admit I don't do this 100% of the time. With all the technology and syncro's etc. in this tranny, I found it strange that I had to re-train myself how to shift a stick but I can adapt to enjoy the car to it's fullest.

 

Changing the tranny fluid worked for me. Just as well get your differential fluid changed at the same time. Had mine done after I performed my second oil change at 8000 miles. Strange, but true this seemed to smooth out a vibration problem I was having at 75 to 85 mph. Thought it was tire balance, but after that fluid change everything was smoother.
Local dealer here charged ~$95 to do both. My recommendation use Honda fluids only.

 

I've noticed that from time to time in my 02 as well when shifting from 2nd to 3rd,not really bad,just sometimes she kinda "chunks" into gear,no grinding.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by peterpan
[B]Hi guys

I put on almost 8000 glorious VTEC miles on my 02 Spa yellow in 3 months

 

Does it happen during warm up or all the time?

I've driven three '02s (two test drives plus my '02 Spa) and all three had/have the notchy 2-3 shift when cold. Once warmed up (three temp bars), it was no longer noticeable. If it is only happening when the car is cold, I would not worry about it.

Jimbo

 

I also recommend changing the tranny fluid. I did after only 3500 miles (after a track event), and was amazed at how smooth the shifts became. I used Honda MTF after not having much luck with synthetics in other cars.

 

I think the clunks are just due to the direct shift linkage and are not a concern. It really is just feedback from the transmission as you put the car into gear.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Bruinlax
[B]

I can't believe I've found a rival in milaege.

 

I've had the pleasure of driving several S2000's from '00 - '02 and many of these cars feel completely different. I had my tranny replaced with the '02 and it did feel notchy for a couple hundred miles but it is now the smoothest shifting car I've ever owned. I drove another '00 model recently with an original tranny and found it nearly impossible while cold to get first gear without going to second and back to first
Be thankful your tranny doesn't grind like some earlier models.