New member here doing some research on my neice's car. She recently picked up a 97 Civic with 127,000 miles on it. The trans is an automatic. The problem is this. If she puts it in Drive (D3 or D4), she says it is slow to take off. But if she puts it in 2nd (or maybe 1st, I was attempting to diagnose over phone) gear and then shifts to 3rd and 4th it has plenty of go. It's as though putting it in D3 and D4 doesn't make the trans start off in the lowest gear and then shift.

I own two Honda Accords. In the automatic I know about the 3x3 AT fluid fills and have done this on my own car. First question. Do we do the same thing with Civics?

Second question. Any ideas on why the trans wouldn't start off in the lowest gear when the shifter is put in D3 or D4?

 

To answer your question about how many times you flush the fluid. You do it 3 times just like you would with your Accord.

 

Thanks bro. I'm assuming Honda DW-1 right?

 

I'm not 100% sure on this but yes I think it is Honda dw1 for that year. Because my Honda is a 2001 Civic and it takes Honda ATF Z1

 

I thought DW1 replaced Z1 for everything.

 

I don't think so????? I think DW-1 is for your older models. ATF-Z1 for newer and present. And it could be vice versa.

 

I think your right. DW-1 did replace ATF-Z1. that's all I'm finding on transmission fluid for the OEM stuff.