I've been having some *shudder* (pun intended) tranny problems as of late at least I think so. As background I have a 2000 SLE wth about 105xxx, inherited the car a year or so ago and have been fixing her up as she was a bit neglected. I'm not sure if the tranny fluid has ever been changed. I wanted to do a drain and fill and maybe add a can of lucas stop slip as preventative medicine, figured cant hurt.
The problems are intermediate for the most part and no codes are being thrown. She will occasionally shudder and or hard downshift/shift usually at speeds under 40 and or after you take a turn (might be paranoid about that and finding patterns that aren't there). On occasion while driving always at speeds under 40 or so the RPMs will spike to about 3500 for a split second and a lurch then resume back to normal. If im on her on the highway and gun it a bit to make a lane change quick the rpms spike up to 5 for a second, which shouldn't go that high for the speed/maneuver and haven't in the past. Surging while going up hill with cruise control on. Enough to freak me out... she needs a front motor/tranny mount I know that but I doubt that's the entire problem. Its completely drivable, just a slight annoyance and source of anxiety for now...
I took it to a tranny guy I know and trust. He took it for a test drive with me and said "its doing something" and "its not really hitting overdrive" needs a rebuild. I asked him about a fluid change and adding lucas he said yes we can do that but I don't believe lucas really works and the new fluid with lucas will most likely exasperate any and all problems and make it go quicker, as they have cleansers and treatments in them. He said the fluid looked and smelled good and was at a the perfect level and to get the most time out of it I should simply "leave it alone". Again I trust the guy for the most part and have used him before, he seems honest. Just wanted your guys opinions...
As always thanks
