Hey, guys (and girls).

So, I just purchased a 2007 Honda Fit Base, auto transmission. I've never owned such a new car (my last vehicle was a 1991 Corolla that I had for like seven years, previous cars have been around that age) so my experience with newer vehicles is pretty low. I believe that it is a 5-speed auto rather than the CVT because I can see on the tach (and very much feel, which is the issue) the car shifting.

I love the car. Here's the issue: It shifts hard, and strangely. On my 91 Corolla, the auto tranny was so smooth that you had to concentrate to tell if/when the car was shifting at all. On my Fit, however, it does a few odd things.

1: Shifts are hard, not smooth -- sometimes enough to be even a bit jerky. Sometimes, when it's shifting up, I can almost feel it "disengage," it'll not do much of anything for a split second, and then it will shift with a perceptible jerk. Under fairly mid-heavy acceleration, shifts smooth out, though not to Corolla levels. With gentle acceleration, shifts are more jerky. Pedal-to-the-floor, shifts are jerky. It's like it's got a "sweet spot" where it likes to shift well and everything else just isn't quite right.

2: From a dead standstill, the car will sometimes take a second to get going. Pedal down, it'll feel "mushy" and sort of wallow about for a split-second, and then it jerks into gear and takes off. Car still moves immediately with pedal down, but it moves slowly -- jerk -- fast. Hopefully it makes sense what I'm trying to say here.

3: Car doesn't coast smoothly -- you let off the gas (say, from 35 mph or so) and it will coast for a minute and then abruptly shift into what feels like perhaps first or second gear, causing the car to de-accelerate uncomfortably quickly.

A/T fluid is clean and at the proper level, I already checked that.

I would really appreciate thoughts on this one -- I sunk a lot of money, more money than I've ever spent on a car, into this vehicle because I know they're one of the best cars you can buy. I just want to make sure it's not doing something weird. If this is just how the car is, I'm fine with that -- I realize that the Corolla was a lot smoother than some cars -- but I just want to make sure there's nothing wrong with the Fit.

 

dogbert: sorry for your troubles. As a new 2007 owner myself, I can attest to some of what you are experiencing. However, reading your whole note, it doesn't sound very promising for your transmission. As a Pontiac "Corolla-Vibe" owner myself, I can say that the 5 speed Fit is a bit disappointing on shifts. It is not the smoothest, but under normal operation, it is not as troublesome as what you have described. My Fit needs to come to a complete stop (at stop signs) or it will jerk between first and second gears. That is the only real "issue" I have had with my tranny. As for other possible issues, depending on your mileage, the spark plugs and coil packs will need to be replaced in the 100,000 mile range. These cars also require a periodic valve adjustments. All members here have experienced engine shuddering in their car's performance should they fail to keep the intake and exhaust valve clearances adjusted to the proper gap. If it is studdering and shuddering sensations you are getting, then it could be either plugs and/or valves. If it is definitely clunking due to hard shifts, I'll let the experts on this page walk you through some scenarios (ie: transmission solenoid).

 

Honda AT fluid always will look clean, never smells burnt. Do you have any service history??? How many miles?

Recommend a drain & fill three times with Honda DW-1 ATF. You will need 10 quarts.

 

Basically everything you described is exactly how my 2008 5sp auto with 65k miles is. I took it to Honda and they said that "everything is working as designed" but my battery tie downs were completely loose causing a thud when coming to a stop so they put new tie-downs on. Honestly i think the car acts jerky because its so light, When i have the car loaded with friends or a bunch of stuff that weighs the car down it seems to shift beautifully. But again everything to described about your fit is EXACTLY how my fit acts... probably just how they are.

 

On the GD3, I don't believe the CVT was an option here in the US, only for other markets. We got the 5-sp manual or conventional AT.

 

65k. The AT fluid was changed at the dealership I bought the car from. The car was always regularly serviced.

It might be my imagination, but I drove it today and it seemed like it might actually be a bit smoother than before. Either that, or I'm just adjusting to it.

Is it possible to drain/fill the AT fluid yourself?

 

Yes you can DIY. There are threads on two methods.

One pull the plug and drain and refill about 3 quarts.

The other disconnect trans fluid line going into radiator and drain most of the fluid.

Take your pick but use only the Correct honda fluid.