In a few forums the general opinion is that transmission additives SHOULD NOT be used in a Honda. My 99 Accord (auto, 4 cyl) slips going into 3rd and 4th and has a small seal leak. Found some metal filings on the drain plug magnet at the last fluid change.
Comments on experience with transmission additives in Hondas are greatly appreciated!
I hope first to resolve the slipping, but can Auto-RX solve the leak too (few drops a day)? Thank you
I have no experience with the honda transmission but will share general experience.
It sounds like you have to do something here or the slipping will worsen, or leave you stranded in the road. If it were my car I would do one of the two procedures below...
If the existing fluid is very old and dark, use the drain plug under the transmission to do a partial fluid replacement (aka drain and fill), and at that time also do the standard autorx transmission treatment. Following the treatment, do a complete fluid replacement (aka t-tec, or full flush).
But if the existing fluid has only 20k-30k or less miles on it, skip the drain and fill above, and just add arx to the existing fluid, then a full flush after that treatment is done.
Your leak is probably due to sludge at the seal and arx should help that, but be ready for it to get worse before it gets better. I've had a car take 7k miles before a small trans drip stopped, and on another car the trans still drips after 10k miles. Having a clean transmission with a small leak is still better than a dirty transmission with or without a leak, in my view.
The slipping may well stop with arx if the slipping is sludge related, but you really can't be sure until you try. You mention your last fluid change so I will point out that if you have keeping up your fluid changes regularly, your problem has a higher probability of being mechanically related, as well maintained transmissions tend to suffer from sludge far less than do poorly mainted ones. If you have a mechanical problem, there is nothing you can do but shell out the big bucks.
