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Hello all! I'm a very infrequent poster, but I believe in sharing experiences for others to benefit from.

Car in detail: 2002 LX with AT. No mods. Replaced the ECM 2k ago (I've posted the details on this forum, so check if you'd like).

Lately, when driving my wife's trusty Civic (she's all about the new CR-V these days and ignoring her Civic) I've been noticing a shudder when coming to a stop. It has been pretty consistent when warm and is augmented by a shudder going into gear when cold. My immediate thought was transmission fluid level. After a check the level was okay, but the issue continued, for a trip or 6, so I decided to go further.

The last transmission service of any kind was done by me at 62k miles in 2009 (so... 52k miles on current fluid), which was a simple, 1x drain/replace using Castrol Import Multi-Vehicle ATF. Previous to 2007 the car was unknown to me.

Today:

• I drove around the neighborhood to warm everything up.
• Put car on jack stands with front wheels removed and parking brake on, rear wheels chocked.
• Drained fluid, refilled with fresh fluid (same as above), started car and ran through ALL gears. I would focus on the primary D going up into 3rd gear (50 mph+ as indicated)
• Repeat 2x
• Final fill with fresh fluid. Run through gears on jack stands. Third time with fresh fluid.
• Install wheels and take for a test drive

The end result of the test drive is that the shudder is gone. Drivetrain feels to shift smoothly and normally and is now currently completely unremarkable. I do not have any questions, just sharing my experience in case someone else will find it helpful.

 
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Thanks for sharing. Good on you for not doing a tranny flush, too. That can do more harm than good

 
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Hey man. My first stop was here to research fluid changes. The overwhelming consensus that I read was that Honda does not do powered flushes, but multi-stage fluid replacements on the lift. Not having a lift, I mimicked the advice as best I could: Jack stands, e-brake, rear wheels chocked, and front wheels off for safety. It makes sense to add new fluid and then to make the system work to push out as much old fluid as possible. Works well!