Mechanic Suggestion
 

Hi all,

I have a high mileage 2003 Acura MDX which needs some transmission work (sometimes will not shift into 1st gear without explicitly selecting D1) and is kicking an occasional VSA alert during slow turns.

Looking for a local mechanic recommendation which is capable and reasonable?

Thank you in advance,
Jetskier :cool:

Hi Jetskier! Our family uses Jim Cochrane of Lake City Auto. Jim is a very capable mechanic, and a person you can trust. Lake City Auto's number is (603) 524-2637. Good luck!

I have had a good experience there as well if this is the place on Hounsell Ave.

Dan

You are correct, Dan. I may have been the one to recommend Jim to you. I can't remember for sure, though.

The MDX needs to have the transmission fluid changed about every 30,000 miles, the filter is either non-existent or very small and dirty fluid does affect things such as shifting and converter lock up.

I bring my Acura down to the Sunnyside in Nashua. They have been good, but expensive. We had a 2005 MDX, it was a great car. We gave it to my daughter, she drove it all the time. Unfortunately the transmission oil cooler failed. The cooler is inside of the radiator which filled the transmission with coolant. Wasn't worth fixing, it was too bad, that car would have gone on forever.

Neil's Laconia Garage
 

Neil Trinidad is my go to guy. He is located on 106 in Laconia before you get into Belmont. He takes care of the family's Nissans, Toyotas, and Subarus. He also takes care of my 2001 Jeep CJ with the original AMC straight 6!

laconiagarage.com
Neil's Laconia Garage
200 S Main St, Laconia, NH 03246
(603) 524-7564

Sadly. Most skip this, don't read the manual, or have no clue.

I had a car with "lifetime" transmission fluid. No dipstick.
Yet the manual stated to change the fluid at 60,000 miles under hard use and 100,000 miles under normal use.

And never ever have fluid change with machine. A gravity drain for older vehicles.

Most if not all cars today do not recommend transmission "flushes" anymore simply just drain and refill (I don't necessarily mean you but your mechanic.) This only removes roughly 1/4 - 1/3 of the fluid in the entire system but doing this every 30,000(ish) miles will be enough to keep it in good condition. Some people I know who do it themselves even do a change, drive the car for a day then drain/refill again. Theory here is the newer fluid mixes with the old and changing it again gets more older fluid out. I've always had mine done at 30,000 - 40,000 miles lifetime fluid or not, same with the coolant. at about 200.00 each time your trans will really thank you. :D