If Honda can't help one of their own - where does that leave us? (3rd Gear...)

[Vinc84]

If Honda can't help one of their own - where does that leave us?

Here is an e-mail I received from a reader who happens to work as a Honda Sales Representative who ALSO happens to drive a 07 FA5 that happens to have the 3rd gear problem as well:

"Vincent,

I wanted to touch base with you to find out how you made out with your trans problems with your civic. I have a 2007 Civic Si sedan, and I work as a sales rep for a Honda dealer in Pa. I have been complaining and arguing with my techs for 6 months now because of 3rd gear grinding. They tell me over and over again there is nothing wrong. We called tech line and they said there is no known problems. I have had a honda rep drive my car and he told me the same thing...How did you go about getting your car fixed. I am afraid my 3rd gear is going to be destroyed befor they can fix it, then i will be told i am abusing my trans. Please get back to me as soon as you can. Thanks!!!

-Ralph "

The service-manger I go to still hasn't heard anything yet, but he wants me to be patient and confident that a fix is coming - because apparently, he's pretty confident that it is. I'm not sure I can believe much of anything anymore about the topic.

But honestly, I haven't been grinding or hitting any walls while going into 3rd gear for a while now - except for last week, but I think that was my own fault. All I have is Amsoil. But, I warm up my car all the time now if it hasn't been driven for a couple of hours. I warm up my car until the temperature gauge goes up by at least 1 bar.

So in the meantime, while we're all waiting for a fix to come alone:

I think the key might be to make it a habit to warm up your car often. But I also think, if you have been grinding TOO much...then the long term damage all that has caused is making the problem worsen and become more and more and repetitious.

So make sure you have the updated MTF and start warming up your car before taking off - especially when it's cold. Even if it's nice outside, let your car run for a bit. It's become such a habit for me that I've become a little obsessed about warming up my car before going anywhere. But if you're one of those poeple who get out of the house every morning in a rush...then I can only suggest that you try to leave early to get some time to warm up your car.

What's more important?:
Those few extra minutes in your bed or grooming yourself in the mirror or treating your SI in a healthy manner? Taking off with a cold engine/tranny is a no no. You'll notice the shifts are smoother when the engine is warmer.

I can't guarantee this will work for everyone, but it certainly helps me. Good luck!

[wannabe1]

Originally Posted by Vinc84

If Honda can't help one of their own - where does that leave us?

[color="Red"]"[i]Vincent,

I wanted to touch base with you to find out how you made out with your trans problems with your civic. I have a 2007 Civic Si sedan, and I work as a sales rep for a Honda dealer in Pa. I have been complaining and arguing with my techs for 6 months now because of 3rd gear grinding. They tell me over and over again there is nothing wrong. We called tech line and they said there is no known problems. I have had a honda rep drive my car and he told me the same thing...

Perfect. That should make everybody feel better: Honda is not really discriminating against you if you have the problem, because the company stonewalls its own people. The poor guy is an insider and yet...

But to be fair, the story is very revealing. His own techs won't concede that there is a problem. I think this shows just how subtle the problem is. Honda experts are truly having a hard time getting their heads around it.

Very interesting post. Thanks!

BTW thanks Vincent for all your posts and efforts on this issue.

[DBruceM2]

I worked w/ a lady who has a 07 Si sedan. I talked to her about the 3rd gear thing. She agreed w/ me. Funny thing is that her husband works at the dealership where they got it. The first time he heard his wife grind 3rd coming down the street, he told her that she didn't know how to drive a manual. Then she made him drive the car to work for a week... then he changed his tune. He basically said 3rd gear was jacked up... so he took it to work to have his techs look at it. They told him there was nothing wrong with the tranny... could not replicate... blah blah blah. You know the drill.
I too spoke to my service manager (different dealer) shortly after getting the car and discussed it with him. He acted like he knew what I was talking about, but basically said "it's the nature of the beast." He indicated he had a S2K w/ the same symptoms.
What this tells me is that some techs(like mine) are aware of the issue and have no fix, whereas others are just too apathetic to investigate any further. The apathy of these service managers is the main reason HoA probably claims it's not that big of an issue.
In any event, I'm not entirely convinced this will ever be fully corrected.

[SCSi]

I talked someone over the phone at Honda the other day when I filed a formal complaint and he said that Honda knows that there is an issue with the transmissions.

Several of his coworkers with Si's were having the 3rd gear issues, and from what he had heard through the Honda grapevine, there will be a fix aimed at the actual transmission within the next couple of months.

In the meantime, I would encourage you to do what I did, call up Honda and explain the issue so we can get a list of formal complaints going as a backup.

Here is the link for what to do:

Transmission: American Honda Case Number Files

Thanks for posting your story.

[wannabe1]

Originally Posted by DBruceM2

...
What this tells me is that some techs(like mine) are aware of the issue and have no fix, whereas others are just too apathetic to investigate any further. The apathy of these service managers is the main reason HoA probably claims it's not that big of an issue.
In any event, I'm not entirely convinced this will ever be fully corrected.

Excellent point. In dealing with a huge entity like the gov't or a multi-national corp. such as Honda, it's important to keep in mind just how much apathy and inertia there is. Besides good old CYA. The relevant vice president or whoever could well be keeping a lid on the problem while he negotiates his new job at Toyota. The people higher up may be hearing very little about this.

That's why the Fox 6 move was brilliant, as is the Case File campaign. One gets around the system and the other uses it in a clever way. Sort of a judo move. Everyone who signed up to the I have a 3rd gear problem list should get off his butt and file with Honda. You can whine on the forums and to your friends like a little kid, or you can act like a grown up and stand up for yourself.

Whoops. Starting to rant--time to leave.

[Special Ringpop]

I shouldn't have to warm up my car for 15-20 minutes just to make sure my transmission doesn't grind or pop out of gear [as much].

When it's 35 below zero, it's hard to warm your car up, because it takes an hour to get it to an operating temperature.

This is utter bullshit. Honda keeps continuing to ignore this, and I've had it up to my neck with their corrupt politics.

[andy22]

So the 3rd gear issue is a warm-up issue? Here I thought everyone warmed their car up. In the morning I come downstairs and open my garage just above my exhaust and start my car. I then go inside and tie my tie and put on my shoes. By the time I go get in my car its been on for about 3-5 minutes at least. I have not had an issue although I have not heard the 08 owners having the issue as much. I don't know if it is ever a good idea to drive the car without it being warmed up. I did this morning just to see and I noticed the car is very stiff and the shifting is rough and jumpy. Warm-up FTW.

[Vinc84]

I'm not promising that warming up your car will eliminate the 3rd gear or other transmission related problems - but I feel that it certainly helps.

I'm also not saying that the problem itself derives from people not warming-up their car, lol.

But, what I am saying is that warming up your engine for a few minutes before taking off - especially in cold weather - is always a great idea for your car, and is surely a positive thing for the health of your vehicle.

Oh, also before you fully turn your key to start up your vehicle, when you turn it once you'll notice your guages doing some lil action and the car making a sound...it is depressurizing. Let it depressurize before you fully turn the ignition. I made that an OCD habit too - it helps reduce laggy ignition starts, and is also a positive thing for the health of the car. Or who knows, maybe I'm just a crazy guy!

[2007 SI sedan]

i warm my car up everyday and 3rd gear would still happen once in awhil,,,,my car has popped out of gear 5 times since i have owned it it has 10,550 miles on it...my tranny is getting dropped on tuesday morning because a honda tech actually got it to happen while he was driving it .....ill keep everyone posted on what they find.......

[Qshooter151]

check out the documents i got from Honda. i scanned and posted them in my thread...

My stubborn 3rd gear thread- with updates

[portabuddy]

i really cant say that i am shocked.