Problems with out 04 V-6 transmission please help

[04vuev6]

We are worried about out transmission...it is a 04 vue v6 with the honda engine/tranny....

The car just doesnt shift smoothly kinda jerky and sometimes when driving through out subdivision like 25 MPH you can hear/feel vibrations ...

it is annoying and feels like the trans is gonna break

the car has 89000 miles.....we bought it at 63k miles and it has kinda been shifting weird since we got it but it is worse now....

I highly doubt the trans fluid has ever been changed, i know we have not....

can I take it to a shop and have that done?

also do others have this problem with this trans?

thanks if u need any other info please ask

[Tom92SCm]

Definitely get the fluid changed. The Honda transmission seems to be super tempormental with its fluid.

[04vuev6]

Definitely get the fluid changed. The Honda transmission seems to be super tempormental with its fluid.

Ok...can I get the Z1 fluid from autozone or a place like that or do I have to go to a honda dealership?


also to put the new fluid back into the trans I can do that through the dipstick using a tube?? also should I measure how much comes out and put exactly that much back in?

thanks

[far2grumpy]

None of my local parts houses could get Z-1 (Advance, Auto-zone, etc). I recall the Honda dealer wanted almost $9.75 per quart and Saturn dealer had it for around $7.50 per quart ... so make a few calls.

There is a fill port on top of transmission ... I've attached extract from service manual to give you a few ideas of scope.

[vue04]

Yes you should get the fluid changed every 30K. When I changed my trans fluid at 50K it was dark brown and the magnetic drain plug has so much fine particles it looked like a porcupine.

As for the fluid, Castrol makes a Honda Z-1 that Auto Zone and the major parts store sell. Even Wal-Mart has it, costs about $4.50. The Honda Z-1 costs aound $7.99 for a quart. The Vue takes 4.2 quarts.

The secret of getting a complete flush is to drain and fill 3 times. Basically, drain, refill and drive for 5-10 miles and repeat twice for a total of 3 fluid changes. The transmission holds about 8-11 quarts and the 3-peat makes sure all the fine debris is out. Why is it important? The fine debris clogs the electronic solenoids and delays shifting. That means a major overhaul is necessary to replace parts or clean out the gunk.

The best advice is change the trans fluid every 30K at the minimum, some mechanics change it every year or 10-12K miles since it's cheap insurance and compared to a $1,500 trans job.

BTW I have 82K and no problems with the Vue, knock on wood.

Good Luck!

[vue04]

One more thing, I would refill through the dipstick tube with a plastic tube and funnel. The drain hole is a 3/8 "square" head, so it's easy as long as you have a breaker bar if the first time changing as it's most likely tight. The actual filler port is hard to get to unscrew and may prevent frequent changes.

[Ritz]

One more thing, I would refill through the dipstick tube with a plastic tube and funnel. The drain hole is a 3/8 "square" head, so it's easy as long as you have a breaker bar if the first time changing as it's most likely tight. The actual filler port is hard to get to unscrew and may prevent frequent changes.

Filling it from the top isn't bad. I was able to remove the fill plug with a long extension without even removing the intake tube. Then I just left the fill plug off and filled through the rubber breathing tube that has the plastic white cap by the battery. You need to remove the fill plug or it takes forever and a day to fill since it must periodically purge the air inside. With the fill cap off, it only takes a few minutes to fill. (Or just use the actual fill hole...you'll need to remove the intake tube and find a long funnel)

Cheers,

[AVUEtoRemember]

It has been mentioned you need to drain and fill the transmission 3 times to make sure the fluid is fully changed. Does this mean you need to buy over 12 quarts of ATF Z-1? So for example if the fluid is $8 a quart, it would cost approx. $96 to do a full change?

[col_dude190]

To do a proper change where almost all of the old fluid has been removed you need to drain and refill 3 times, with driving between each fill. While it may cost $96 for a fill, that is far cheaper than having the whole tranny or torque converter replaced because its fluid was not changed often enough.

[AVUEtoRemember]

Ok thanks. I just wanted to make sure I understood. Would it be a lot more than $100 at the Saturn dealer for the ATF change?

[MigL]

I'm at just over 60000Km and contemplating a tranny fluid change. Just wondering, has anyone used synthetic fluid such as Mobil 1 atf or Amsoil atf? I previously used Mobil in my Jeep Grand Cherokee and that was the last time I needed to change fluid for about 6yrs. Is the tranny partial to honda fluid or will it take the synthetic without acting up?

[RLVUE05NAZ]

Far2Grumpy, my thanks for posting instructions from your service manual. It was easier than I thought it would be. Took a picture of the drain plug and was pretty shocked to find how much steel shavings was on it. Drained close to 4.5 qts and will repeat this process again in a few days. Noted the drained fluid was pretty dark, almost brown with nary a hint of red. I'll be probably changing out fluid at 24K intervals from this point on. The most difficult part was getting the drain and fill plugs loose, a 10" - 1/2 drive extension and breaker bar made quick work of the fill plug, the drain plug was really torqued down but it eventually came off with some leverage. It took awhile to figure out how to remove the intake and found to start from the air filter end first. My next change should be alot faster.

BTW, my 05 VUE Redline has 49K on it and has been dead nuts reliable and great to drive. Hope to keep it a long time.

[1saxman]

Just some common sense math on the 'drain and fill three times'. Let's say you get about half the oil on every drain, about 4.5 qts. You refill with 4.5 qts. of new oil - you now have a 1:1 ratio of new oil:old oil. Then, you do it again; the 4.5 qts. you drain contains 2.25 qts. of the expensive oil you just put in. You refill with another 4.5 qts. of new oil - you now have a 3:1 ratio, or 6.75 qts. of new and 2.25 qts. of old. Then, you drain it again. This time, the 4.5 qts you drained contains 3 parts new oil and 1 part old, or another 3.38 qts. of new fluid and 1.13 qts. of old. Now, you fill it for the third time with 4.5 qts. of new - now you have 7.87 qts. of new and 1.12 qts. of old, for a 7:1 ratio. Not bad, but now you will be taking at least 5.62 qts. of expensive new Z1 Transmission fluid to the oil dump with the old oil. You had to use 13.5 qts. of new oil, of which you will be throwing away almost half, and you still have 1.12 qts. of old oil in the mix.
I can't help but think how much better it is to just take it in for a total trans fluid exchange which changes out every drop for new. Now, with that said, doing a drain/fill once a year is excellent maintenance after you get rid of all the old fluid in the initial fluid exchange.

[chillin05VUE]

Just some common sense math on the 'drain and fill three times'. Let's say you get about half the oil on every drain, about 4.5 qts. You refill with 4.5 qts. of new oil - you now have a 1:1 ratio of new oil:old oil. Then, you do it again; the 4.5 qts. you drain contains 2.25 qts. of the expensive oil you just put in. You refill with another 4.5 qts. of new oil - you now have a 3:1 ratio, or 6.75 qts. of new and 2.25 qts. of old. Then, you drain it again. This time, the 4.5 qts you drained contains 3 parts new oil and 1 part old, or another 3.38 qts. of new fluid and 1.13 qts. of old. Now, you fill it for the third time with 4.5 qts. of new - now you have 7.87 qts. of new and 1.12 qts. of old, for a 7:1 ratio. Not bad, but now you will be taking at least 5.62 qts. of expensive new Z1 Transmission fluid to the oil dump with the old oil. You had to use 13.5 qts. of new oil, of which you will be throwing away almost half, and you still have 1.12 qts. of old oil in the mix.
I can't help but think how much better it is to just take it in for a total trans fluid exchange which changes out every drop for new. Now, with that said, doing a drain/fill once a year is excellent maintenance after you get rid of all the old fluid in the initial fluid exchange.

This is very confusing. But after reading it, drinking a beer, reading it again, drinking another beer and then reading it again, it makes since. Yes, one of my eyeballs fell out but I got it. Going in for a complete flush is a lot easier and cheaper then draining and refilling 3 times.

[04moranjames89]

you know what? when i first got my 04 vue v6 3.5l and i read about those vti transmissions the jerkiness of the shifts felt more pronounced., but i noticed if you warm up the vue up for a couple minutes it shifts smoother., but then i replaced my tranny fluid with z-1, seems a little better, and my vue has 118,000 miles.

[shofast]

The total flush machines can't exactly do a 100% flush either, but they do cycle more fluid thru than a drain and fill.

I would not worry about making sure you get 100%, doing just a drain and fill at 30k is plenty for normal service. The Honda Z1 fluid has a different friction package than most ATF, including Mobil1. -Try to stick to the right stuff.

[1saxman]

you know what? when i first got my 04 vue v6 3.5l and i read about those vti transmissions the jerkiness of the shifts felt more pronounced., but i noticed if you warm up the vue up for a couple minutes it shifts smoother., but then i replaced my tranny fluid with z-1, seems a little better, and my vue has 118,000 miles.

No V6 VUE was equipped with the VTI transmission. You have a Honda 5-speed automatic.

[1saxman]

This is very confusing. But after reading it, drinking a beer, reading it again, drinking another beer and then reading it again, it makes since. Yes, one of my eyeballs fell out but I got it. Going in for a complete flush is a lot easier and cheaper then draining and refilling 3 times.

Maybe it IS rocket science. Really, I just meant to point out that when you repeat the drain and fill after driving around a little, its now mixed, so when you drain it again you obviously will be draining the new fluid along with the old. I do the drain and fill myself, but only after having the new fluid in for at least a year. That way I don't feel too bad about taking it to the oil dump.