Just bought a Honda Shuttle 2.3 LS (1999). Has 96000 miles. Took a bit of a risk because it has a sketchy service history (I know, I know).
Anyway, It seems like a great car. The auto box selects reverse, drive ect. really quickly and very smooth from park or neutral and when driving changes are very smooth.
Only problem I can find is when sitting at about 40 - 50 and floor the accelerator, it drops to 2nd and will climb to just over 60mph (just under 6000rpm I think) then just hold 2nd gear. Lifting off the pedal slightly then makes it change up.
I don't know, maybe this is normal? Don't think so though.
Car is going to my local indy at the end of the week for a full service. Will ask hime to change all fluids incl. auto oil, brake fluid coolant etc. Don't mind spending quite a bit on this as I bought it cheap and love it.
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Hi,
It has a 4 speed automatic box, so it's probably kicking down from 4th to 3rd.
A feature on his box is that it holds the gear until it's no longer under load, minimising changes. You should find that when the road levels out or you lift off the throttle it should change back into fourth. It sounds normal to me as I have one. As far as I have heard a failure on these boxes is extremely rare or unheard of - they normally do a couple of hundred thousand at least.
The specialists recommend changing the ATF every year or two to keep it in tip top condition.
The Shuttle was the most reliable of that generation of 7 seat MPV's. Mine has had 3 light bulbs go from new, that is in 10 years of motoring! They probably work out cheaper to run than the Galaxy/Alhambra/Sharan and the French MPV diesels because they clock up 1000's in repair bills.
Enjoy..
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This is exactly how the only automatic I've ever driven worked. I soon got used to using the accelerator to change up/down. Changing the autobox fluid never hurts, and can make the box more responsive.
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I have a similar model of 1998 vintage. It has proved very reliable, but not free of expense - driver's door window wiring fault at 66 k - recurring rear brake caliper problem (finally resulting in renewing it this summer at a cost of over £300 for the part) - ongoing gearchange fault with 3rd to 4th. The latter fault is barely apparent if you lift off the accelerator a little to change up, but otherwise it changes up in a notchy fashion allowing the engine to rev between gears. I am pretty sure that this problem can be rectified by having the gearbox ecu cleared and reprogrammed, as I had a similar problem with a VW Caravelle auto. This fault on the Honda appeared, I think, as a result of another problem when the cruise control went pop whilst on the French autoroute. I understand that these ecu's are, to an extent at least, reprogrammed by driving style, and can suffer problems in this way. When I can afford it, the car is going to our local Honda dealership for a new cam belt (£200 for anyone that's interested) and re-programming. Incidentally, the cruise control still dosn't work, and I can't find the fuse. I'll post the result.
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