Hello i have an auto 01 civic and i've noticed that whenever i've slowed down upon hitting a dip and quickly smashing the gas pedal again so the rear car won't hit me for basically crawling overa dip, i notice that my car some what hesitates for a split second then launches off. I also think my car is super fast, so often instead of gradually gaining speed i always tend to be pedal happy and just mash mash mash on it, hoping to hear the sweet engine noise, unfortunately i didn't know much about transmissions or gears, and i know this is all very unhealthy for my car, and i promise to stop doing these things, but does it mean that my transmission is indicating that it needs to rebuilding?
What are some signs that transmissions are giving in?

 

Well, driving like that is one sign your automatic is not going to last very long. About all you can do at home is check and change the fluid. Especially if you're low on fluid the transmision will starve for fluid and disengage into neutral after a bump, dip, sharp corner, etc. When that happens you must stay off the gas until it engages again.

 

My civics in the shop right now because of the transmision,cost $600 to get fxed.Money i could of used for some rims

 

okay, i will try to change the fluid to see if it improves. i forgot to mention that it only hesitates when i mash the gas sometimes. Since I got the car at 48,000 i havent changed the transmission fluid yet and now its at 54,000+ and likely who knows when the previous owner changed theirs. thanks much

 

Thats an automatic for you. If you want instant power you need a manual or at least something with more torque. But yeah unless you hear grinding or you hear the engine rev up and you go nowhere, then your car is fine. (doesnt hurt to change the fluid though)

 

thanks so much for your replies.

 

1. The trans fluid DOES NOT need to be changed yet - do it at 75k. Use only Honda OEM ATF-Z1 fluid!!!!! Drain and fill - do not power flush!!
2. That slight delay you're noticing is the torque converter - it's allowing slip since you let off the gas. When you hit the accellerator again - what you are feeling is the torque converter re-engaging (which obviously isn't going to be immediate like a manual trans.) so there is nothing wrong.