Log In | Register
Skip to main content
Topic: We lost our Honda Fit transmission in Chattanooga (Read 385 times) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
We lost our Honda Fit transmission in Chattanooga
Greetings,

Last Monday (6/15), we left Florida to escape the heat and humidity for a three month trip north with our 2019 MB and towing a 2010 Honda Fit. It was the first time towing the car which has 78,000 miles on it. Five days and 650 miles later, we arrived in Chattanooga. Day one in Chattanooga, we drove the car around the area and everything was fine. Day two, the car started making "funny noises" and "hilarious noises" when you put it in reverse. It felt like it was time to break out the "Life is not good" tee shirt.

The next day we gingerly drove it to the nearest Honda dealership where the transmission was pronounced DOA and the quote for a replacement was $2,500, which we accepted and the work will be completed by the end of this week.

Now for some questions such as what did we do wrong so that we don't do it again ? We diligently read the detailed motorhome towing instructions in the owner's manual, shifting through the gears, three minute warmup, and don't shift from reverse to neutral (which is the what I suspect we did). Another question is do the steps need to be repeated if you stop for a length of time like hour ?  We stopped for lunch for an hour the first day on the road and did not repeat the steps.

When we get back on the road in few days, we are going to initially drive the car instead of towing it due to a loss of confidence, but obviously it something we can't do indefinitely, so I'm hoping for some advice and encouragement from the great group of people on this forum, especially anyone with experience towing a Honda Fit.

Thanks in advance for your replies,

Bill Moss

PS. These two quotes are from the Owner's Manual. Maybe I should get one tattooed on each forearm.

"Severe transmission damage will occur if the vehicle is shifted from reverse to neutral and then towed with the drive wheels on the ground."

"Failure to follow the recommended instructions exactly will result in severe automatic transmission damage."
  

2019 MB and 2010 Honda Fit
Re: We lost our Honda Fit transmission in Chattanooga
Reply #1 –
Bill-

We have towed a 2009 Honda Fit Sport (automatic) behind our former Lazy Daze (8,000 miles) and our current Class A (12,000 miles). To date, we have not had transmission problems. The car has 107,000 miles on the odometer now.

We printed the procedure listed in the manual on a half-sheet of paper and had it laminated. Despite having run through the procedure enough times to have memorized it, we both read and follow the steps on the "card" each time. It's easy to get distracted and miss a step. If I suspect I have not paid enough attention, I'll shut off the car and start the procedure from the beginning.

The manual advises repeating every 8 hours. Our average tow day is 7 hours. We have towed for up to 13 hours in a day without repeating the procedure, and have not experienced any adverse effects (yet). At the end of each tow day we shut the car off, put the shifter in Park, (often) pull the parking brake handle and remove the keys, even if we keep the car connected to the coach. Thus, we run through the procedure every day we tow.

I believe (but could be incorrect) that the service guide recommends the transmission should be serviced more frequently if the car is towed.

Mark H.
Former owner, 31-foot gas Class A
Former owner, 1997-8 mid-bath
Re: We lost our Honda Fit transmission in Chattanooga
Reply #2 –
I believe transaxle oil change is never if not towed, but every 30k miles if towed.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: We lost our Honda Fit transmission in Chattanooga
Reply #3 –
Hi Bill. I don't know if the Honda records miles while being towed. Maintenance like wheel bearings, brakes, etc. that would still accumulate wear need to be factored in.  RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: We lost our Honda Fit transmission in Chattanooga
Reply #4 –
Orwan has 48K on it.   At least 47K towing the 13 CRV.   When the key is in the acc position, the odometer doesn't turn over.
I track towed miles as well as odometer miles.   Every 30K of combined towd + ODmeter miles  I have the transmission and differential fluids changed.  Have not had any problems with trans but it makes me feel better.

I did have the front struts et al replaced at 105K combined miles.  Drives much better now.
YMMV
Joel
Joel & Terry Wiley
2013  31 IB   ORWAN   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE
 
Re: We lost our Honda Fit transmission in Chattanooga
Reply #5 –
"I don't know if the Honda records miles while being towed."

All Hondas within my experience DO NOT log mileage while being towed. My early Civic did not, my current CRV does not, my Daughter's CRV does not, and I have to presume that my D-I-L's CRV would not if it were towed.  :o  ;)
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!