Ok, so I have a new to me 2005 AT rx8. I am going to do a new engine, however i have a transmission question. The transmission shifts very firmly, kind of reminds me of a AT that had a shift kit in it. Even going from park in to drive or reverse, it shifts in harder than I would think was normal. I am going to flush it next week. The car has 63000 on it. Honestly it seems ok, but as I said it shifts harder than I would expect. Can anyone else share their experience. The main reason I am asking is I can get a used tranny for under 500 dollars and since I am changing the engine in the next couple of weeks that would be the time to swap it.

 

Did you check the fluid level? How did the fluid look?

 

 

My experience with my Accord's AT is that when you have a clunk when the transmission is heated up and switched between R and D, it's time for some new fluid.

Also, double-check if you can flush the transmission. Some transmissions do fine, but others don't react well and you can make things worse(like all Honda automatics, not sure about Mazda).

There isn't anything about the 4AT failing, either. Some of these old ATs are not very efficient, but they will keep going.

 

that is one of the things I was wondering if I could flush it or not, the bmw steptronics do not do well if it is done after 100000