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I have an 04 LX with the poopbox Honda like to call a 5-speed tranny. First and Third are occasionally virtually impossible to get into. It also likes to occasionally disagree with my gear selection and throw the shifter back. I've heard of other people having this problem, and I think I heard someone say that the redline tranny fluid fixes these problems. My only concern is that by draining out Honda's MTF and replacing it with Redline's I'd be voiding the warranty. The Honda dealer already claims there's nothing wrong with the tranny, I'd hate to give them a scapegoat when it does finally blow out. Any thoughts, suggestions?

 
Rep Power: 453

I know you are semi new, but search around first, this has been covered so many times before, and I dont doubt if this gets locked by a mod. But I would just recommend honda MTF. They wont really know if you use other fluids, but honda fluid will work the best.

 
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before checking your tranny fluid, check your engine bay to see if your intake is blocking the tranny cables ... had that happen to me before

 
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[QUOTE=streetglower]I know you are semi new, but search around first, this has been covered so many times before, and I dont doubt if this gets locked by a mod. QUOTE]

Thanks. I'm new to this site, not retarded. I did do a search on this website and looked through my owners manual. I couldn't find any answers to my questions. What I learned by doing a search is that: a.) I'm glad I don't have an auto and b.) redline makes some good tranny fluid. What I'd like to know is whether the redline fluid will void the warranty and will it correct the problems I've been having with my transmission. According to the owner's manual they (obviously) only recommend Honda MTF, or they say you could use 10w-30 but to change it the first chance you get. I know the law concerning warranties states that manufacturers can't void the warranty on parts that aren't covered under warranty (i.e. they can't void your warranty for using a different brand replacement filter since they don't replace it for free). My only concern is that redline's fluid is thicker which may give the dealerships all the evidence they need to void the warranty on the tranny. Also, I don't want to waste money on changing the fluid if it's not gonna fix the problem. Anyone else?

 
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Thanks for the advice. I looked just went out and looked around the tranny. I didn't see anything that was interfering with the cables. Thanks again.

 
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I got so tired of my 5 speed being notchy even after having honda change the fluid.
I put in some Moly grease. Took about 200 miles or so, but the damn thing shifts like greased snot now. I love it.
It's a "remedy" I have used on older Honda's as well.

But..... we all know Honda. It probably will void the warranty, even though the moly is actually improving the lubrication of the gears.

 
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Redline should not void your warranty. I doubt if they can even tell that it is Redline, if they drain your tranny.

 
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I can't belive that the 04's STILL have that problem. I don't think Honda has any intention to fix those $^$# cable shift trannys.

Yeah, mine shifts like butter, NOW, but I wonder how long it will last.

I agree with Ronin, though. Do a fluid change, It should improve.
Redline is very good.

 
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Yea honda will never know what fluid you put in there. Isnt like they have a machine to tell them what kind of fluid it is.

 
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I thought I read someone saying that it's a lot thicker than Honda MTF. I thought if that were true they might be able to tell when it drains out at half the speed of the regular stuff.

 
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dude.. im pretty sure we have synchromesh transmissions.. very very bad idea

 
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Why is it a bad idea? Yes, we have syncromesh trannys. By Moly grease, I am talking about a small tube of it into the transmission oil. I have run my last 5 speed honda over 250,000 miles like that without ANY shifting troubles at all.
In fact, the transmission used to scratch gears when I got it, prior to using moly.

It's just a few ounces in the oil. It works!

This is all I ever use, and I swear by it. Look here: http://www.forparts.com/fluids.htm

 
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yea but theres a reason why honda mtf, red line mtl, gm synchromesh dont contain any moly.

from red lines site
"How? They have the appropriate coefficient of friction for most manual transmission synchronizers (many gear oils, engine oils, and ATFs are too slippery for proper synchro engagement)."

if motor oil is too slippery.. its probably from anti wear additives like molybdenum.. which only has like 60ppm on average.. i cant even imagine how much a tube of that stuff has

 
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ctx66, I appreciate your concerns and you do have a valid point.
I read all that too, but my tranny still shifted like it had bad synchros. 24k on it, and it's a POS! And mind you, I absolutely do NOT abuse the car at all. It's my commute car, I keep it absolutely immaculate. It's part of my business. NO MODS!! So in desperation, AND because Honda claims that grinding 2nd is perfectly normal.... I used the moly trick. The car shifts absolutely perfectly. I guess we'll see what happens in the long term, but If I can keep the monkeys at Honda from touching my car and messing up something else, then that's what I'll do. I really just want a car that shifts properly. (Rant on)

It's a shame, I had many Honda's and this was my first brand new one. I figured that the car has improved a lot from the 80's...LOL. WRONG!
It got worse! The quality and workmanship of the DRIVETRAIN is absolutely not up to Honda's prior standards. I do plan to go back to an older civic or accord. At least I don't have to baby it every single day, wondering when the gearbox will die. Maybe soup up a CRX for my mid-life crisis... Hehehe. Yeah!! Always wanted a CRX.

I just don't understand how they screwed up such a solid design. 5 speed troubles??? In UNDER 100,000 miles??? You have to be kidding me. I drive sticks BECAUSE they are (usually) so rock-solid. I have had NO other problems whatsoever with the car. It starts, it runs strong, (for a vic) and has no blown shocks, rattles, etc. Count my blessings there. But damn.... how could anyone have possibly taken a good 5 speed transmission design and made it feel like it's made out of plastic????

Reliable or not... I'm NOT buying another "NEW" Honda. This idiotic cable shift manual is a BAD idea. I hope they go back to the direct linkage tranny.
I'm ranting, I guess I have gotten spoiled by so many smooth, positive shifting gearboxes. THIS is just a totally new concept for me. Maybe I should mention that I am now *cough* 40 *cough* so I'm no amateur. I have had all sorts of cars, and none EVER had sticky transmissions, much less from the FACTORY!! I have always done all my own work, and rebuilt automatics, sticks, and motors. But this is B.S.

Having said all that... whew!! I would drive the civic from Los Angeles to Florida. I have no doubt it'll make it. I just really hate the apprehension that I "MAY" grind a gear at any time just by normal driving. And THIS is what Honda claims is NORMAL?????? Sorry guys. If Honda does ONE thing to the 7th gen, fix the damn transmissions. Come to think of it.... the Moly (in MY case) worked so well, could these transmissions possibly have the wrong viscosity oil in the tranny to begin with???
Maybe what works on paper is not doing so well in the real world?

OK, rant off.

 
Rep Power: 282

I completely agree with Tinman about this Honda transmission...utter crap. My 71' Datsun's transmission is still rock solid at over 200k. It grinds less, meshes smoother, and even shifts quicker than the brand new Honda. I worry more about my 03 Honda transmission!

 
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My '02 was kinda notchy at first. Then about 14K miles later everything started to feel smoother. Been fine ever since.. I'm at over 25K miles now and running smooth. My point? Maybe it needs a little more time to break in...

 
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I'm at 24k and changed the fluid once already....feels exactly the same as when new. Maybe we got bum trannies?

 
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I've just about had it with this horse poop of a tranny. The rest of the car seems to be fine, but the fear that I might not be able to transfer power to the wheels in the near future downplays the rest of the car's strong features. I never thought I'd say this, but... *gulp*... maybe I should've bought a Chevy... ... Dear Honda Motor Co., thanks for driving me to this point. My sister bought a brand new 04 Silverado at the same time I got my Civic, and she has not had a single (NOT EVEN A SLIGHT) problem with that truck...AND IT'S A FREAKIN' CHEVY!!! She gets a real kick out of asking how many times my car's been in for repairs since she last saw me...

 
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At the RSX forum, there is a petition thread regarding the 2nd gear grind and notchy shifting. It seems it's a major problem with them as well. Alas, my brother's 04 Accord V6, 6speed also grinds gears. Put in a small tube of moly, and it now shifts fine.

Odd, huh?

At this rate, Honda better do something about this. If enough people complain and DON'T buy another honda, then they will have to listen. Overall it's still a great car, but they all seem to have problems with the "Cable Shift" transmissions.
Way to go, Honda. Saved a buck or two per gearbox, did ya?

The point is, WE should not have to invent ways to make a new car run properly.

 
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Especially since we're not the ones with an engineering degree!!


...well, at least I don't have one.

 
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i owned a 2000 civic si, and now a 2003 civic.. both 5speeds.. both shifted perfect. do you guys beat on your cars or somethin?

 
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I don't think I do. I've had at least 4 other manual tranny cars and never had any problems with those. I've also had Hondas with well over 150K miles on them and never had a single problem with those trannies. I think you just got lucky with your 03... I'm envious.

 
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I totally don't beat on my car at all. I even shift slowly. This is my work car, and as I said, it's kept in immaculate shape, inside and out. No, it always had shift problems. Unfortunately, the test drive did not make this obvious. Next time I buy any car, I'm hanging out on the forums first to look for trends.

I think you got lucky. Count your blessings.

 
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Well, I finally found some MTL at Super Autobacs and changed out the fluid in my tranny today. I've only driven about 15 miles so far but already there's a big improvement. The tranny now feels slick as butter, gear engagement is always smooth and precise. Maybe I should send the 1/2 quart that I have left over to Honda and save them several millions from trying to figure out where they went wrong with the new transmissions. Thanks to everyone who posted feedback with this little problem of mine.

 
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Which fluid did you use??

 
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I went with Redline's MTL.

 
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My tranny works great and I used the honda fluid. I have an auto, but it still shifts smooth at 72k miles.

 
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mtl is ok, nothin special so far. hopefully once it gets cold out ill notice a bigger difference

 
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Hey I have the same problems. Ever since I drove it off the lot with only 2 miles on it. It won't go into reverse some times. I'll be at a light in N and when it changes try to shift into 1st and it wont go. Like there is something blocking it. So I shift into 3rd then back to 1st and it goes in. I took my car in for service the first week i had it and they told me that it was fine and shifting into 3rd then first is normal? Never heard of that crap on a brand new car? Oh yeah and it jumps out 1st too. Last weekend I was taking off at this light and it jumped out and kinda slipped out of my hand and I grinded the hell out of 2nd. I was pissed. Then other times it shifts so smooth. It's like driving another car. I love it when it's like that. I'm scared to take it back to honda because now i have all these mods and they'll prolly blame that instead of admitting it is their problem.
I only have 3k miles maybe it's not broken in yet. I dunno, but I just wish it was smooth all the time. Maybe I'll try that redline fluid.
Later

 
Rep Power: 285

do you guys push the clutch in all the way when you shift? had to ask..