I have a 2007 Honda Fit Base, 5 speed automatic with ~188,200 miles. The car has run well enough the past few years I’ve had it, but it has its quirks. Lately I feel like it has started to intermittently shift rough enough to worry me, esp. a rough/juddery downshift.
The dealer changed the trans fluid (12 qts cleanout) 6 months ago. Fluid has always been red. The jerky up-shift hasn’t changed much since then, but downshift sometimes feels more worrying. I took it back to the dealer this weekend. They looked at the fluid and the computer, and told me there are no codes, so there’s no problem. I still don’t feel right.
Currently it is NOT slipping, but it sometimes struggles to shift up or down. (*No CEL, RPM surges about ~100 on downshift with noticeable jerks, and caps at 3k on upshift unless you really floor it for a few seconds. Idles steady at ~800-1.2k, drives at ~2-2.5k. Feels bogged down and underpowered at 30-40mph, with or without AC on. Stays in gear after shifting.)
I’m considering draining some fluid/dumping in a bottle of Lubegard ATF Protectant as a last resort before going into a tranny shop. First I wanted to get a second opinion to see if you agree with that, or to try something else.
List of things I’ve tried already:
- Reset TCM (with tool, and by unplugging battery)
- New OE transmission fluid
- Cleaned throttle body (idle is normal)
- New plugs and coils
- Checked MAP
- Checked TPS live data
- Checked fuel trim (LT -6%, ST -0.8%)
- Cleaned fuel system (MPG rated 33, performs 29 avg.)
- Clean air filters
- Tested O2 sensors
- Checked cat temp
- Fresh oil
- New oil pressure switch
- New brakes
Things I have NOT tried:
- Open transmission (torque converter, shift solenoids, valves, etc.,)
- Replace fuel pump/filter
- Transmission filter (no tranny noise)
- Replace any relays/switches (ex: throttle)
- Diag for a vacuum leak/exhaust leak
- Idle/EGR valve, cam/crank sensor, distributor, etc.
- Other?
Do you think it’s time to start dumping in a tranny additive? Lubegard ATF Protectant is my first choice bc I don’t think it’s bad enough yet to go for Lucas.
Any issue with this additive on Hondas/this transmission? (For some reason, Shudder Fixx is not compatible with this tranny, but the ATF Protectant is.)
Fluid No. # 60902
Thank you for any helpful input 🙂
Those are the signs of a transmission on it's way out. A second hand automatic transmission should run you $1500 after installation.
@motorcycleman please copy + paste your response as ‘Your Answer’, below. Thanks.
Well what the heck lube guard doesn't make a good product but odds are the train is just wearing out internally and it's on its last legs anyways
Sorry to revive a dead thread, but for others searching: I found the solution. Turns out trying the same thing twice doesn't always make you crazy! It wasn't the tranny after all (though I'm sure it is still getting old.)
I decided to dump another bottle of Gumout in (since it'd been 7,000 miles since I last cleaned it out.) Wasn't expecting it to fix the problem but then - lo and behold, the very next morning, the problem is now totally gone. I let it ride a few days and the issue hasn't come back. Smooth buttery shifts and no jerky downshift when breaking.
No idea what kind of computer nonsense causes it a rough downshift due to a dirty fuel system, but I don't argue with results. Could be the fuel pump or an injector is going, but for now its working. If anyone comes up on a similar problem, try dumping in a bottle of cleaner to see if that works. My $4 gamble worked out, guess I'll be doing it more often now 😛