Hello all from the great state of NC. My accord has lost 1st gear. Its it safe to constantly take off in 2nd and once its moving shift uo to drive. Havent changed the fluid yet,doing that this weekend.

I ask the guy at the auto parts store did he have any fluid that was compatible with the Honda fluid,He showed me their house brand but Im hesitate to buy it until yall respond.

 

I'd stick with Honda fluid - it's kinda special. I'm a clutch-pedal guy, but read enough threads about flaky shifting with Dexron fluid.

Now then...
How is the fluid level on the dipstick? You know to check it with the engine warmed up and TURNED OFF. Many other car types want you to check it with the engine idling.

How is the fluid itself? Dirty? Smell burned? How long since drain/fill of ATF?

Does your "D" lamp flash? That's your transmission's version of a check-engine light...

 

No flashing D,,no check engine light. I just bought the car from a friend. He said he never had the fluid changed. 60k when he bought it and 148 now. The fluid doesn't smell burnt but it is brown. When I take off in second it pulls fine and shifts smoothly into 3 and 4(D) Ive checked the fluid with it off and on,,doesn't seem to make a difference

 

Anyone,,

 

If you're asking whether driving will further damage the transmission, I doubt there's anyone here can answer definitively.

Get fluid changed w/ Honda ATF, perhaps 3 successive changes (change fluid drive a few miles, and repeat) to remove more aged fluid.

Fluid changes are about all you can do to help.

good luck

 

Thanks Texashonda,,,I did change the fluid to DW-1. I only done it once,,Next week Ill do it twice more...Heres what its doing now,,The car will take off in second and when I move it to drive,It works fine. When I first crank the car and put it in drive it will take off in first and go through the gears ONCE. When I come to a complete stop it will not engage so I put it in 2nd and go. Also this seems a little weird to me,,I can take off in 2nd and then pull it down into first and it engages,,Ill push it up to drive and it will shift in 2 if Im not accelerating hard,,Once it hits 2 it work fine.

 

Based on the service manual, the probable cause(s) are:

• 1st accumulator defective
• 1st gears worn or damaged
• 1st clutch defective

 

I really appreciate the help,,,

 

When I can get it into first it doesn't slip