[wasnt]

We just purchased a CPO 2015 Odyssey Touring Elite with 15k miles on it. In the week we've had it, there have been 3 occasions when shifting from Parking to R that there has been a loud thump from the transmission. I've seen this happen before in other cars when you are on a hill and don't use your parking break correctly. It will sit on the pin and thump when you shift out of P. These 3 cases I was on a flat surface and used my parking break.

 

[davedrivesody]

Try shifting to N before starting the engine, then shift to R from there, and see if the noise changes. The ATF takes a slightly different path between P and N. And of course the transmission park lock is disengaged in N.

If you notice a change (i.e. no more thump), that would be valuable diagnostic info should you take it back for service.

Dave

 

[HoratioHellpop]

Back 'er in?

2003 Odyssey, 202,400 miles, original tranny, one engine mount replaced.

I also hear "clunk" shifting into reverse, when engine is cold. Don't hear it nearly as much in warmer months.

Added lubeguard, didn't make much of a difference. Warming vehicle for awhile helps a bit.

Not to be smart-a$$ but ... best solution for me was to back into parking spot/garage. Rarely shift into reverse when cold (or warm), now.

 

[Buffalo4]

Lubegard Red didn't make any difference in my clunk into R when the engine is cold during freezing temps. I noticed no difference in anything after adding it with my last drain and fill of the AT. I also now wait until the rpm drops down closer to normal before shifting into reverse whenever I can.
Still, I purchased several bottles of Lubegard Red and will continue using it anyways.
I will have to look at my engine mounts to see how they are doing. I now have close to 180K miles on the original tranny.
But, I purchased it with around 125K miles on it and it was using Z-1 and was used to pull a small trailer by the owner's college age daughter.
I did 4 drain and fills with DW-1 (bought a case online shortly after purchasing the Ody) over a period of months and noticed no difference in the shifting, etc.
I will most likely use the Valvoline MaxLife Dex/Merc from now on. Below is part of what Valvoline sent me regarding their MaxLife ATF.

"THOMAS R. SMITH
Vice President, Lubricant Technology
July 23, 2015"

"Valvoline recommends MaxLife ATF in a broad range of transmissions. The list below is just a sample of
applications where Valvoline supports the use of MaxLife ATF. Valvoline has conducted in-house testing,
independent lab testing, and field-testing to support MaxLife ATF performance in these transmissions; however,
it is important to note that the respective vehicle manufacturers have neither evaluated nor approved MaxLife
ATF in these applications.
•! Allison TES 389, C-4
•! Audi/VW G-055-025-A2, G-052-162-A1/A2,
G-052-990-A2, G-055-005-A2,
G-055-162-A6, G-055-540-A2, G-060-162-A2
•! BMW LT71141, LA2634, M-1375.4, ATF 3.0
•! Chrysler Diamond SP-III, NAG-1, 3403 M115
•! Ford MERCON® *(in California use Valvoline
Dex/Merc)
•! Ford MERCON® V, FNR5, XT-9-AMMF5,
*(in California use Valvoline MERCON V)
•! Ford MERCON® SP *(not in California)
•! MERCON® LV
•! GM 9986195
•! GM DEXRON® II, III and VI
•! GM Autotrak II
•! Honda/Acura ATF-Z1, DW1 (except in CVTs)
•! Hyundai SP-II, SP-III, SP-IV, SPH-IV,
SP4-M, SP-IV-RR
•! JWS 3309
•! JASO 1A
•! KIA SP-II and SP-III Fluids, Red 1
•! Mazda M-V, FZ
•! Mercedes Benz MB236.1, MB236.6, MB236.7,
MB236.9, MB236.10, MB236.12, MB 236.14,
MB 236.15
•! Mercedes Benz NAG-1
•! MOPAR AS68RC ATF
•! Miscellaneous OEMs – M1375.4, M1375.6,
L12108, LT 71141, ETL-7045E, ETL-8072B,
3403 M115, N402, AW-1
•! Mitsubishi Diamond SP-II, SP-III, ATF-J3, Dia
Queen ATF-PA
•! Nissan Matic-D, Matic-J, Matic-K, Matic-S,
Matic W
•! Saab 93 165 147
•! Subaru ATF
•! Subaru ATF-HP
•! Toyota / Lexus Type T, T-III and T-IV
•! Toyota WS
•! Volvo 1161521 and 1161540, and STD 1273.41
•! VW TL52162, LT71141
•! ZF TE-ML-14B, 16L, 17C
Valvoline stands behind all of its products, including MaxLife ATF. Use of MaxLife ATF in transmissions where
recommended by Valvoline WILL NOT void the vehicle’s warranty. Vehicle manufacturers are restricted by
federal law from including the requirement of the use of a specific brand or trade name of product or service as a
condition of their warranty."

Buffalo4

 

[Albertaktm]

Mine does make a small clunk going into reverse first thing in the morning. It's in a heated garage. It won't do it if I have driven it for a bit then park outside for 3 or 4 hrs in below freezing weather. I'm going to try the D first thing and see what happens

 

[0dyfamily]

Well, the clunk came back a couple times, but only in our 2003 EX. I'm using AmSOil ATF and Lubegard Red, too.

As an experiment, during freezing days, before final shutdown after a drive, I've put it into reverse, left it there, then turned off the engine. Next, shifted to Park, and completely switched off. I don't know what compelled me to try that, but for some strange reason, it's been working.

Right now we're above freezing during the daytime. If we get a sub-freezing night, I'll try this again and update this thread.

This really is annoying...I thought we had this beat in both of the vans (the 2002 EX is still okay, no clunk).

OF

 

[Offroad Minivan]

Can't believe I haven't seen this thread before. I'll have to try these methods out. Lately I've just been backing it into it's spot in the driveway so I can just shift to drive when I'm ready to take off.

 

[Buffalo4]

You can also just quickly bypass R and go into D for a few seconds to see if that helps. Then shift into R.
I might have to try Odyfamily's trick, since the weather here is in the 20's or less each morning and I park it outside.
If it is really cold, I usually let it get down to a lower idle, about 800 rpm before I shift out of Park, usually while scraping off the frost or snow.
Buffalo4

 

[buddymisty]

Has anyone checked the axles for this? I have an '03 Odyssey and when I have the front of the car on jack stands and I rotate the driver side wheel back and forth I get a pretty loud clicking and there's a quite a bit of play somewhere. It sounds like the clicking is coming from the axle but I can't tell for sure if it's the axle or the tranny. With how loud it is just turning the tire back and forth I'm pretty sure it's where the loud clunk is coming from when the engine is at fast idle on cold days.

 

[davedrivesody]

The play you are feeling when rotating the wheel by hand could very well be coming from normal gear lash in the differential.

Dave

 

[buddymisty]

The play you are feeling when rotating the wheel by hand could very well be coming from normal gear lash in the differential.

Dave

Maybe. It clunks pretty loud when turning the tire back and forth on the driver side, it does no such thing when doing the same thing on the passenger side. I'll bet whatever it is it's where the clunk shifting into reverse with the engine is at high idle is coming from.