Rep Power: 812

Lately it's been getting cold here at nights and my car really seems to hate it. The engine makes this rattling noise and there is a noticable pause between switching gears. It seems alot slower when accelerating even when the car warms up. I didn't notice this as much until the weather started to get cold. Any ideas?

 
Rep Power: 295

let the car warm up

 
Rep Power: 812

Um I said it does this even when the engine is warmed up.

 
Rep Power: 0

get a turbo.. it likes the cold.

 
Rep Power: 0

meh... mine sucks in the cold too.. well, it runs good once it's started, but the problem is that even after sitting outside in 5C temps, it barely starts. My 25 year old piece of crap I had before this would start first try, every time, and based on what this car has done, it makes me nervous for the winter..

Also when I start it in colder than -20C temps, it makes a really loud 'whine', that sounds similar to the sound our trannys make when going in reverse fast..

soo..i'm thinkin civic's don't like cold, unless we just have bad luck :P

 
Rep Power: 0

could depend on the oil your using. try 5w if your using 10w

 
Rep Power: 0

im assuming since you said pause btw gear change you drive an auto. if you want to fix that, flush the tranny w/ mobil 1. i flushed the tranny fluid w/ mobil one at 3500 miles and the gear changes are rock solid.

 
Rep Power: 812

Sorry for being a noob, but is it easy to flush it myself? What would I do?

 
Rep Power: 0

well to flush by yourself will get about 70-80% of the old fluid out. you find out how many quarts are in the tranny fluid pan (under car) and just drain them. then you put the new stuff in. on my car you pour in the hole where the tranny dipstick is (GET A FUNNEL!!).

but i didnt wanna mix fluids, so... i took it to the subaru shop and had them hook it into a machine that flushes 98% of the old fluid out. i had to buy 16 quarts of mobil 1 atf, so that was a dent in the pocket, but 98% flush is really really good.

edit: you do have an auto correct?

 
Rep Power: 812

Yes I have an auto. So would if be okay to just drain once and fill up with the same honda fluid? I want to see if this helps first before spending alot of money on mobil. I'm assuming you bought so much because you have to refill and drain a few times. Is there a drain bolt or something, and how much do you pour back in?

 
Rep Power: 0

i bought so much because the flush machine takes 16 quarts to remove the old fluid from all the vains etc in the tranny. i used all 16 in one shot with the machine. for 16 qts of mobil1 atf it cost me bout 100 bucks from autobarn.com. i dont know how much yours drains if you just take the bolt off the pan, and thus dont know how much to put back in sorry.

 
Rep Power: 812

Well, I just drained the fluid and put more in to fill it. Took nearly 3 quarts and is just above full. Even at 17K, the fluid was very dark and old. I immediately noticed a difference in shifting. The gears are smoother and the car seems to get off the line faster.