What $4,000 of failed Honda transmission looks like.
As an owner of two high mileage Hondas, I’ve unfortunately learned a lot about their transmissions. I am currently replacing both transmissions (again!) as I write this. It’s number three for both of them. ARG.
I’m determined to avoid this in the future, and after talking with some very smart transmission folks, I now recommend the following regimen for your Honda:
1- Have a transmission shop install a heavy duty transmission cooler + an inline filter. Honda transmissions have a filter built in, but you have to remove the entire transmission to replace it. Which means nobody does. Even if you change the fluid every 30,000 miles (as Honda recommends and few people do), you’re running clean fluid through a dirty filter. Duh. Installing an inline (and thus, external) filter means you can change it easily.
The other issue is heat. The transmission does have a meager cooler, but if you’re driving in the mountains or hauling anything heavy (like when we go camping in said mountains), the transmission will overheat and cook the pressure plates, causing a ‘slipping’ feeling and executing your transmission. Adding a big cooler (looks like a mini radiator and works the same way) will manage this.
2- Run synthetic Mobil One motor oil. This isn’t related to your transmission, but it allows you to perform oil changes at 15,000 mile intervals. That’s important because you will now…
3- Change your transmission fluid AND transmission filter every 15,000 miles, when you change your oil + filter. Now you only need to remember every 15,000 miles, you change both your oil and transmission fluids, and both filters. (make sure you always use Mobil One, otherwise you will destroy your motor).
The new maintenance costs more (figure $100 each time), but you do it less often and your drive train will last basically forever.
Honestly, I can’t answer if this will avoid another failure, but my bet is it will eliminate the disposable nature of Honda transmissions.
