I have an '01 civic auto trans with approximately 166,500 kms. Over the last 3 weeks (since the weather has been getting colder....in Canada anyway) I have noticed that the car is "over-revving" between 2nd and 3rd gear (40-60 kph). This only seems to happen when the car is cold (for about 5 mins or so). After that, the over-revving stops. I think that the increased reving is happening after the gear switches. It bounces up fairly high, depending on how much pressure is put on the gas pedal. All other gears seem to work normally. The car runs as quiet as hell, and gear shifting is pretty smooth. No clunking or grinding noises at all. I have not checked the trans fluid is a while, and it was changed about 20,000 km ago. Since I drive on the highway to a from work (stop and go), I use D3 quit a bit. Don't know what this all adds up to, if anything......

Any thoughts?

the civic ecu is programmed to rev the engine higher in the cold, ive always noticed that since ive gotten my car, i think the manual also states that it revs higher in the cold until the car warms up. so i dont think its a problem. you could always check your transmission fluid. also what do you mean by over reving? do you mean hitting the redline? cuz the car will cut off fuel if you over rev the engine into the redline zone.

always remember your shift points are different when the engine and trans fluid are cold. its usually a longer shift or later shift.

By "over-reving", I mean that the engine RPMs seem to go 200-300 RPM past the usual shift point (between 2nd and 3rd gear) until the engine warms up. I checked the transmission fluid and it seems fine. I guess I just never really paid attention to it before during past cold weather. Thanks for the info.

im starting to experience that sudden slipp during 2nd sometimes third. i have a ex 2001 auto civic with 66k. it only slips when cold but goes away when the engine is warmed up.

well i heard lots of bad things about auto trannys here on this forum so im kinda scared! hopefully this only happens during the winter time..... i live in cali so its mostly warm down here

are you sure you arent mistaking the "slip" as a long and late shift?

More then likely thats what it is because the engine is cold.

i don't think it really matters whether you use D3 or D (A/T) while driving in stop-and-go traffic

That could be. The engine acceleration is normal approaching the 3000 RPM mark. However, just before the gear change the engine sound changes from a constant acceleration, and turns into a louder whining sound (as if the trans downshifted). It is at this point the RPM needle surges upward 200-400 RPM. Then the gear changes. Anyone with an auto trans will know what I mean (i.e. similar to dropping into D3 while driving, the RPMs surge and the engine makes a high pitched whine).

This stops happening after the engine temp reaches normal.

i had that problem, and my tranny went bad after about a year or 2.

To Everyone......my Tranny Just Went Out... First Started Slipping 200-300 Rpm, Then A Whole 1000 Rpm, Then Now It Wont Even Move When Accelerating

Take Your Cars To The Dealership. I Just Hope That Its Covered By Warranty. I Have A 01 Ex Auto With 66k....

yup if it starts revving when you expect it to shift, its slipping. give it a week or two and bye bye tranny.

a week or two? damn my tranny must be hella good if its been doing it for 6+ MONTHS!!! man i gatta get this fixed, same exact problem as mine.....right when its about to shift (2nd/3rd) the engine yellllllllllllllls and then it shifts. but unlike yours, mine happens even if if the engine is hot. i did notice that when its cold it happens more but even when its hot....same ****. i'm tryin to get mine fixed now and ill let you kno what i do with it.....might even sell the car the way it is and get a gsr or rsx

your tranny is about to go out.TRADE IT IN!!!!!

So did anybody find out what is wrong with there transmission? I have the 2nd-3rd gear over rev too. I just dropped mine off today to see what's up with it. I let you know what it is when I find out.

there is a factory defective part that is too weak and eventually fails.

well, my transmission failed last wednesday. Its been at Honda since then. I was suppose to have it back today but the guy calls and says that the new transmission he installed was also bad. Seem a little odd to you guys? Shouldn't that be a clue that something is seriously wrong? Seems with all the occurences of failed transmissions with the 2k1 that they would be doing something about it. Maybe i'm just stupid

all 01 trannys suck, doesn't matter if its an auto or stick. I had a 5speed that had f*cked up internal noise, then third and fifth popped out , then I had no more fifth. now I got an 02 ex 5 speed in there which will be gone when I do the k20a2 swap come spring. I bet the 06 trannys will suck to because its the first year of the new gen. and just like ours itll probaly have all the kinks of a new gen car.

i drove the 8thgen auto and it felt like it was about to die as i was driving. very soft and sloppy shifting.

I have a 2002 Civic EX with 220k kms and my tranny has been doing this for about 3 years now....reving an additional 1000-1500 rpm during shift between 2nd & 3rd. But it only does it ONCE when the engine is first started.......then shifting is normal.

I also noticed sudden down-shifting from OD to D while braking.....doesn't happen all of the time. This has also been happening since I bought the car, which is approx 5 years ago with 55k kms.

BTW....I drive my car like I stole it!! It doesn't have much power so the pedal gets pretty lite......'ol girl LUVS it!!

the downshift when you press the brake is normal, it happens more if you are going downhill. its the grade-logic control they added. if it doesnt slip when the engine warms up, you still have some time before it breaks.