Jumped in the car I don't get to drive much and noticed what seemed like a wheel out of balance when I accelerated from a stop. The feeling stopped when I reached about 15 to 20 MPH. We are at 37,000 miles so I thought it must be time to service the transmission. (Its a 2003 Accord, V6, automatic transmission.) I check the owners manuale and it says to change the fluid at 120,000 miles.That seems like a long time on ATF. Can you realy go thatmany miles before service without damage? I'm still wondering about the funny feeling in the steering wheel too?

 

When people are shopping for cars they consider the cost of maint. as reported in all the "listings".
However all those listings only include maint costs thru 100k miles. So if Ford says their cars don't need a tune up till 100k miles, Honda came back with T-belts can go till 105k miles, Thereby NOT included in maint costs of ownership, even though for 20 years we changed T-belts at 90k miles.
It's all about a money game that has been driven by consumers; if you are serious about keeping the car in great shape, change the trans fluid every 30k miles.
As far as the vibration, drive the car thru a smooth parking lot at idle speed and see if you feel the steering wheel move a little as the tires rotate; it could be a broken belt on one of the tires.

 

the vibration isnt the transmission, if you are feeling it in the steering wheel have your suspension checked out, you could also have a bad tire or an out of balance tire. typically you'll want to keep your atf changed every 30-50,000 miles depending on how hard and how frequently you drive.

 

Thanks I'll do some more checking on my tires and change my fluid. I don't have a manual but from what I gather it looks like you drain the tranny add fluid drive a bit and drain againtwo moretimes then drain and refill a final time. Is this correct? I'm used to American cars, dropping the pan change the filter etc....
Last question is using Honda ATF-Z1 required? Thanks again.

 

I think you have a good plan. YES, stick with the Honda fluid and continue to change it at the same interval or less.

 

2 drain and refills with a short drive between should be good.
The total trans holds around 7 quarts; each drain and refill will be 3 quarts.
And yes honda Z-1 ATF is top shelf stuff