Transaxle problems
#1
06-06-2011, 01:22 PM
Transaxle problems
My first officer met another couple who towed a Fit with their motorhome. My FO persuaded me that we needed one when it was time to trade cars.
We leased a new 09 Fit Sport in Missoula, MT., Feb. 09.
We now have about 20K miles on the odometer. Car has been towed approximately 10 K miles. Mileage does not rack up when towing.
Last Friday while pulling into a space at Colorado Springs KOA, the escort signaled me to stop about 30 feet short of our spot. He told me the front wheels locked up on the turn. Sure enough there were skid marks where the car started the left turn. Unhooked the car from the RV, drove it. Fit did fine going forward, in reverse it bucked and shook until several yards were traveled in reverse, then ran nomally.
We always follow the owner's manual on towing prep. The FO always goes to the rear of the car for a light check we do prior to rolling out on a trip. She also goes to the point where the Fit attached to the RV, rechecks the tranny is in neutral, watches to see that the front wheels roll and the steering is free when I do a short jog with the RV. We use a written check list. I am a retired pilot and aircraft mechanic.
We had the Fit towed to the Colorado Springs Honda Dealer. We are waiting a diagnosis and repair. I think the differential portion of the transaxle dropped or broke something internally.
Any one else ever have this problem?
Lee
We leased a new 09 Fit Sport in Missoula, MT., Feb. 09.
We now have about 20K miles on the odometer. Car has been towed approximately 10 K miles. Mileage does not rack up when towing.
Last Friday while pulling into a space at Colorado Springs KOA, the escort signaled me to stop about 30 feet short of our spot. He told me the front wheels locked up on the turn. Sure enough there were skid marks where the car started the left turn. Unhooked the car from the RV, drove it. Fit did fine going forward, in reverse it bucked and shook until several yards were traveled in reverse, then ran nomally.
We always follow the owner's manual on towing prep. The FO always goes to the rear of the car for a light check we do prior to rolling out on a trip. She also goes to the point where the Fit attached to the RV, rechecks the tranny is in neutral, watches to see that the front wheels roll and the steering is free when I do a short jog with the RV. We use a written check list. I am a retired pilot and aircraft mechanic.
We had the Fit towed to the Colorado Springs Honda Dealer. We are waiting a diagnosis and repair. I think the differential portion of the transaxle dropped or broke something internally.
Any one else ever have this problem?
Lee
#2
06-09-2011, 02:51 PM
transaxle problems
I spent some time 6/8/11 talking to parts and the tech who diagnosed the fit transaxle problem.
Stealership did not want to repair under warranty. Told me Fit Sport cannot be towed four flat behind an RV. I replied that owners manual specifically devotes a section which tells one how to prep for flat four towing. I always follow the procedure. It is simple. After a few hours they agreed Honda would repair under warranty. This was 6/7/11.
Are they incompetent?
Trying to force me to pay? They can charge me more labor and parts price than Honda Warranty will probably pay.
Anyway, the result of my personal visit was that I was able to confirm the part will arrive this week. (Maybe)
The tech told me he did not remove powertrain, but just did a preliminary diagnosis that backed up 100% what I told my service writer. He did not remove the power train to diagnose. Is this a new procedure? Perhaps this failure is a lot more common than "they" will admit? He then called "Honda Tech Line". They told him that several Fits had had same problem. They "think" it is caused by towing on snowed on, slick roads, and inadvertently backing up. I know you cannot back up any vehicle using a towbar arrangement. That might work for a FEW feet, ONLY. I have seen others try to do that. I have never done that. The tech noted that I did have the prep for four down or flat towing page dog eared. YEP! I always used their check list.
I think Honda does not know what causes the transaxle to fail while towing four down. I suspect that they have not issued a service bulletin or a notice to owners because of the cost and or Fed involvement. I also suspect they will eventually prohibit flat four or four down towing on future model.
That will require use of a dolly or a trailer.
I do not know if a manual transmission Fit can be towed with all four wheels down on the pavement. (Flat tow or four down, are same things)
OWNERS OF '09 HONDA FIT SPORT BEWARE IF YOU TOW IT WITH ALL FOUR WHEELS ON THE PAVEMENT.
Lee
Stealership did not want to repair under warranty. Told me Fit Sport cannot be towed four flat behind an RV. I replied that owners manual specifically devotes a section which tells one how to prep for flat four towing. I always follow the procedure. It is simple. After a few hours they agreed Honda would repair under warranty. This was 6/7/11.
Are they incompetent?
Trying to force me to pay? They can charge me more labor and parts price than Honda Warranty will probably pay.
Anyway, the result of my personal visit was that I was able to confirm the part will arrive this week. (Maybe)
The tech told me he did not remove powertrain, but just did a preliminary diagnosis that backed up 100% what I told my service writer. He did not remove the power train to diagnose. Is this a new procedure? Perhaps this failure is a lot more common than "they" will admit? He then called "Honda Tech Line". They told him that several Fits had had same problem. They "think" it is caused by towing on snowed on, slick roads, and inadvertently backing up. I know you cannot back up any vehicle using a towbar arrangement. That might work for a FEW feet, ONLY. I have seen others try to do that. I have never done that. The tech noted that I did have the prep for four down or flat towing page dog eared. YEP! I always used their check list.
I think Honda does not know what causes the transaxle to fail while towing four down. I suspect that they have not issued a service bulletin or a notice to owners because of the cost and or Fed involvement. I also suspect they will eventually prohibit flat four or four down towing on future model.
That will require use of a dolly or a trailer.
I do not know if a manual transmission Fit can be towed with all four wheels down on the pavement. (Flat tow or four down, are same things)
OWNERS OF '09 HONDA FIT SPORT BEWARE IF YOU TOW IT WITH ALL FOUR WHEELS ON THE PAVEMENT.
Lee
Last edited by leeines; 06-09-2011 at 03:08 PM. Reason: Software caused the initial reply post to disappear.
#3
06-09-2011, 09:25 PM
Why is this posted under "Eco-Fit?"
I, personally am weary of towing anything flat. At minimum, for me, would be the front wheel dolly. But, I'd actually prefer a full trailer bed (overkill for sure).
How often do you go in reverse while towing the Fit? Maybe it moved at such an angle or impacted something that bent or damaged something in the steering that doesn't require removal of the part in question to diagnose.
As for mileage not racking up while towing... you are racking up mileage, just because the odo isn't on to keep track doesn't mean all those miles rolling around isn't taking its toll on the axle and few other bits.
10k miles is 20% of the traditional replacement cycle of struts. 10k miles can be the whole lifetime some poor tires... or, at best, 20% of long wearing tires. 10k miles is more than 25% of the power train warranty... now, the importance of that isn't whether or not you get warranty service, but knowing FOR YOURSELF how much wear and tear you have put onto the car. These are a few of the things that are subjected to wear and tear while towing.
I, personally am weary of towing anything flat. At minimum, for me, would be the front wheel dolly. But, I'd actually prefer a full trailer bed (overkill for sure).
How often do you go in reverse while towing the Fit? Maybe it moved at such an angle or impacted something that bent or damaged something in the steering that doesn't require removal of the part in question to diagnose.
As for mileage not racking up while towing... you are racking up mileage, just because the odo isn't on to keep track doesn't mean all those miles rolling around isn't taking its toll on the axle and few other bits.
10k miles is 20% of the traditional replacement cycle of struts. 10k miles can be the whole lifetime some poor tires... or, at best, 20% of long wearing tires. 10k miles is more than 25% of the power train warranty... now, the importance of that isn't whether or not you get warranty service, but knowing FOR YOURSELF how much wear and tear you have put onto the car. These are a few of the things that are subjected to wear and tear while towing.
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