I have Honda Civic 2005 sedan. It's 1.5 year old and has 48K Km on it (30K miles) . In my scheduled maintenance yesterday, the mechanic told me the tranmission fluid is dirty and need to be replaced even though the manual says under serve driving, the transmission fuild should be replaced every 96K km (60K miles) or every 3 years.
Why is it getting dirty so quickly? The only reason I can think of is how I shift to neutrual. Occasionally I shift my gear to neutral when coming to full stop at stop lights (to reduce the stress on my back having to press the brake ).
I also do that once a while when driving downhill on highway (and move back to D when I reach the bottom... I do feel the transition is not smooth... the car slow down a bit as transmission is re-engaged). Rarely I also shift to N when I have to slow down quickly.
Am I killing my automatic tranmission by shifting in and out of N like this? Is there any other reasons why it is dirty so quickly?
2007-03-20 03:17:08 · 10 answers · asked by Astro newbie 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I can't believe how many people who have answered this question think that shifting from D to Neutral and back is a problem. NO IT IS NOT. get a second opinion here. or check it yourself. should be red any brown not good.
2007-03-20 07:27:03 · answer #1 · answered by Sundew 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure, under the circumstances, that I would completely trust someone that told me that my transmission fluid needed to be changed after such a short time. It is difficult to see the fluid on a dip stick to tell how much fluid is in the transmission,
much less tell if it is dirty. Maybe I'm just cynical but I think I would get a second opinion... I am almost of the opinion that (honest mechanic) could very well be an oxymoron.
...Good Luck...
2007-03-20 04:07:54 · answer #2 · answered by Ret68 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An automatic transmission is so you don't have to do this. STEP AWAY FROM THE SHIFTER.
this can be detrimental to the transmission but ALL fluids get dirty.
Drive it around without jacking with the shifter and see if it shifts normally. I have had folks tell me a shop owner that I need an air filter change (when I was on Vacation) I told the guy nah don't worry about it as I knew it was new. He went on a rant about how I can damage my engine and on a long trip like I was on it could cost thousands.....I was a lucky one who knows his car and I said. I just replaced it at my shop in Kansas City before the trip. let me see it. He brought out an old dirty filter and I actually stepped back and said GEEZ. until I realized it wasn't one that fit my car....That was a 10 minute lube place, I ripped the kid a new A and put him at the center of shops like mine getting a bad rap due to A's like him.
I contacted their corporate offices and told them. Hope they did something. SO buyer beware, know what your car's maintenance should be. and talk to it, open the hood and get familiar with it. it WILL save you money
2007-03-20 03:27:41 · answer #3 · answered by Uncle Red 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes you are killing the tranny. Leave it in drive that transmission knows what to do. Yes get the tranny fluid changed and yes stop putting it into neutral. I know what you mean I have a bad back too. Just coast to a stop and the heck with the ones behind you, plus you will save gas if you coast to a stop in stead of drive and put the car in neutral for a stop. That's fine for a manual to go into neutral for stopping(that will save wear on the clutch) but not an auto.
2007-03-20 04:06:16 · answer #4 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
By constantly shifting from drive to neutral, your clutch bands are constantly grabbing and releasing, which is not good. This is probably what is causing your dirty fluid. The bands are wearing, and contaminating your fluid. This is normal for higher mileage cars, but you are wearing your's out prematurely. I would suggest a back brace or similar back support device while driving, so you do not have to keep shifting in and out of drive.
2007-03-20 03:28:05 · answer #5 · answered by Fitron 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You have an AUTOMATIC transmission and you're causing irreversible damage the way you're using it. Coasting in neutral is grossly unsafe as you are not taking advantage of engine braking, especially on a hill. What's more, in some localities coasting is illegal. No matter what your manual says, have the fluid and filter screen changed immediately and stop driving your car this way.
2007-03-20 03:58:19 · answer #6 · answered by Arthur O 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is not good for your automatic transmission to shift in and out of nuetral while moving. It can cause overheating and burning up the trans. It can cause color change in the fluid due to overheating. It shouldn't be dirty at that mileage though.
2007-03-23 19:50:37 · answer #7 · answered by luke42134 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The mechanic is just trying to make some money. You're not hurting the transmission putting it into neutral. You will hurt the windshield by shifting into neutral going down hills when you overheat the brakes, hit a tree and smack into it with your face.
2007-03-20 05:38:26 · answer #8 · answered by Nomadd 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
dont shift in and out,, the auto trans is a pump...as u shift the pump goes on and off..fluid goes one way than another...change the fluid and filter.
2007-03-20 03:22:32 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
shifting to netural, downhill or approching stop is NOT GOOD. you are killing your tranny. if pressing on brake pedal is to hard for you to do, you should not be driving
2007-03-20 03:26:51 · answer #10 · answered by franksr57 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋