I have a 2003 Accord EX V6 manual transmission with 96,000 miles.

I'm experiencing loud and jumpy shuddering in low gears, mostly after it has been driven for a while (sometimes less than 30 mins).
It seems to happen in the colder months. Stop and go traffic causes it to appear non-stop.
It's worse in first gear, bad in 2nd, sometimes appears in 3rd but when I'm cruising on the highway there's no problem.

According to the book it's too soon to change the transmission fluid (120,000 miles or 6 years) was wondering if changing the clutch fluid would help! HELP!

 

Does it shudder when you're engaging/disengaging the clutch? If so, changing the fluid could help. Does it shudder while it's in gear, no clutch action? If so, look at your RPMs. My car gives out nasty shudders if I almost stall it while driving slowly. That's normal for a manual transmission, especially in stop and go traffic if you let it coast down below 1000 rpms. If that's the case, try giving it some gas and "feathering" the clutch to get some speed, but not fully engaging it, and coast with the clutch in until you need to speed up.

Transmission fluid could be low, theres a filler hole and a drain hole on the passenger side of the transmission. Fluid level should be level with the bottom of the filler hole. And, it will never hurt a transmission to change the fluid more often than is recommended, it costs less than $20 to do!

 

Yes it shudders when I'm engaging/disengaging the clutch....shudders so bad sometimes it makes me feel like a new driver bunny hopping along the road (been driving stick for 20 years).
Thanks for your suggestions Finch I will look into it.

 

Shuddering when you engage the clutch sounds like the clutch itself is chattering. Thats very similar to brakes shuddering. Replace the clutch like you would have to replace rotors.

Fresh fluids (clutch or tranny) wont help. Just like fresh brake fluid doesnt help for warped rotors.

 

Comon New Members Please look where your posting your questions...

WheelBrokerAng [&:]