So i had to replace my radiator last week... i lost quite a bit of transmission fluid so in a hurry i picked up some Castrol Import Multi-Vehicle transmission fluid( i know manual says Honda fluid only) so i figured id try it since it specifically said it would work in Honda vehicles. first day it shifted so much smoother. today pulling out of school it would not go into first gear, i even pulled the shifter into "1" and still in 2nd. and throughout the drive home the tranny acted confused and held the gears long and hesitated some . so i pulled over and restarted the car and then it worked fine. i got home and immediately ordered 3q of Honda ATF. My question is, scince this happened, did i do transmission damage or will the new ATF solve this. And how far should i drive like this cause i have to work tomorrow

 

You need to keep an eye on it.

Was the D4 light blinking or staying on even though the car was in P? Either way it wouldn't hurt to have it scanned for any stored codes (many places will do this for free).

Next, did you recheck the fluid level in the trans?

 

No D4 light, only when in D4, and yes when i changed it i drove it around and came back and checked it and it was fine . ill check it agian when i come back from advance auto parts. Also my 2nd gear is slipping pretty bad when its cold from 2nd to 3rd, will this go away when i change fluid?

 

I would still have a parts store check for codes - there are some that will not "trip" the D4 light.

IMHO, the delayed cold shift is a classic issue when non Honda trans fluid is used.

When you change the fluid, check the throttle control cable (this is the cable that runs from the throttle body and the trans). I'm wondering if it got "moved" during the rad change?

 

Since you can only do a drain-and-fill on these transmission at 2-3 quarts each time, I would suggest changing it 3-4 times at one week intervals, to get as much of the old fluid out as possible. (and the nice new fluid can't hurt your transmission, either)

 

ok, the fluid should be here Monday or Tuesday and i will go to the parts store and get it checked out. is it fine to drive to and from school?

 

Again, check the level in the trans.....Honda's are a bit funny IMO on checking the fluid level. I think the book says to check the level when the trans is hot and within one minute of shutting off the engine. If the level is fine....btw while you are pulling the stick the throttle control cable connection to the trans is right there to the pass side of the car....then just be easy on it but allow a little extra time for the drive. Also check the "lines" from the trans to the rad.

PS- you can buy Honda trans fluid from carquest for $7.99 a quart? Not sure what the online price + shipping is but something to think about......heck the local dealer might be cheaper?

 

Well what if i accidentally reversed the lines to the transmission cooler i don't think i did cause i took pictures before i took it out. and the stuff i bought was 13 a qt on amazon cause i called advance and they didn't have it. but o well ha ha, i could drive 45 min. to the Honda dealer if its worth it? all the lines are fine

 

Shouldn't really matter on the lines into and out of the cooler/rad. Again I'm asking about the throttle control cable that runs from the TB to the "lever" on the trans......it has an adjustment and if that cable was moved and not put back properly then "issues" could happen.

If you are nice at the dealer, take a print out of another online dealers price they might match it....if not, you can buy it all day lone from carquest for $7.99 a quart. I've had to do that more than once when I swore I had X quarts left and then found out I was one-two off.

 

Well i just changed out the old/ new castrol to Honda atf and we are all good. the cable wasn't moved and i don't think it needs adjustment right now... but the stuff i changed out was the same color(brown) as the old old fluid. Aint it supposed to still be reddish?