HI
I have a 2003 Honda fit (GD4),a 1.5L Vtec,4WD,semi automatic(Tektronic) in Mozambique( Africa),but for the past week or two i have been noticing a jerk while driving normally on D.
even wen i use the shifting pedal on the steering wheel it still jerks.
i have a friend who has a normal Honda fit 1.3.he told me to flush the ATF,and truly speaking i have not done that in a year,and when i take it for service they added instead of flushing the oil..could that be the problem??

 

thats worth a try

 

thanks for your feedback!!

 

If you do an ATF flush, you're just going to make the problem worst because I honestly believe that your GD4 has a CVT (not automatic) transmission.

Using ATF-Z1 or ATF DW-1 (Honda's ATFs) or some other automatic transmission fluid on a CVT trans will cause the unit to have issues and ultimately fail.

 

thanks Hottie
My car transmission is automatic but the gearbox is equipped with CVT which i believe most Fits are.the only difference is that mine is CVT-7 (7 speed mode)
i will have to take the risk cuz there is nothing i can do at this stage.i would have to drive to Johannesburg(South Africa) to get checked at a reliable Honda dealer(dnt trust the ones here) but i wouldn't b able to make 500 km with a car like this.an in South Africa they deal with JAZZ and most of them are MT.

they are alot of Fits in the country and the advised me to use CASTROL ATF because everyone uses it.even if i wanted to put the ones you referred, three is no way i would find this side!!!

is that you Honda??is it a GD4??

 

^^ Fixed.

A CVT transmission and an automatic transmission are two totally different designs. Here are a couple of informative links that will show you how these two transmission designs usually differ.

How Stuff Works: CVT Transmissions

How Stuff Works: Automatic Transmissions

"Effectively speaking"... the 7 "Speeds" that your GD4 has are 7 "pre-set tensions" that the transmission is set to go into when you are using the "manual/sport" mode for your CVT trans.

Again, I HIGHLY advise AGAINST using any sort of ATF in your CVT trans because they are designed for being used in automatic transmissions (and Power Steering systems but that's another subject) only, NOT CVT. Try to find Honda's or another quality CVT trans fluid via a Honda specialist store (be it online or a dealership). Replacing the CVT fluid is a fairly simple process if you are mechanically inclined and have access to a jack and set of jack stands.

Generally speaking the CVT fluid should be replaced every 80,000 km/50,000 miles and is a simple matter of draining the CVT fluid and refilling the transmission. Here is a link to an OLD step-by-step guide to replacing the CVT fluid... it lists using ATF-Z1 BUT this is BEFORE the CVT fluid was developed so if you do this make sure you have CVT fluid.

NOTE: You WILL need a new drain plug washer for your CVT drain bolt or your transmission WILL leak CVT fluid. The washers are one time use only crush washers and are made of aluminum... once they've been loosened after begin crushed down, replace them (just like for the engine oil's drain plug).

CVT fluid replacement

And yes, that is my GD3 in my signature... I need to change that image since it doesn't look quite like that since February.

Anywho, I hope this helps.

 

my Gd4 is the same colour as urz bt the front bumper and the head lights are different....
i believe a GD3 is a 1.3 right?i had to flush it...but i have not driven it since then because i had the car re-sprayed so i will only drive it on Wednesday,but wen i went to fetch from the mechanic,he said that the gearbox still alive.there is a magnet thing on top of the drain bolt so,if the Gearbox is not OK it will release metals which will be absorbed by that magnet!the more metals you find there the bigger the chances that your gearbox have problems...

 

Nope, mine is a FWD US-Spec L15A1 (1.5L) VTEC. The GD1s and GD2s (If 2s exist) have the 1.3L engines. The US and Canada models have a revised front end to meet pedestrian collision standards.

There isn't really a need to "flush" the transmission... just drain it and fill it, nice and simple. Flushes are overkill unless the actual transmission is being replaced then that is the usually only time Honda recommends a flush to ensure that the system is clear of any contamination. I'm not quite sure on CVTs but I doubt that there is a magnet on the CVT fill bolt; however, the drain bolt does indeed have a magnet to catch any loose metals in the fluid.

Aside from that, just going by metal shavings is not the only surefire way to know that you are having transmission issues during a fluid sample inspection. The smell, the texture, the color and clarity of the fluid can help give you an idea on what is going on with the transmission.

 

Hi DemoNikuA
I strongly suggest you go to Honda in Nelspruit and buy the original Honda CVT transmission fluid. It is quite expensive at around R760, but worth it. The normal ATF fluid WILL damage your transmission.
If you can't do it, at least get a CVT fluid of another brand.