I have a civic ex 2001. Automatic shift. The engine starts, the transmission fluids are filled, but when I put the car into gear, it doesn't stay in gear. If I was to reverse, it'll just stay there, like it's in netrual. Once in awhile my car starts running like nothing happen, but recently, I noticed when I turn on the engine, shakes violently, and there's grinding sounds in the transmission.

The car starts. But now there's a lot of nosie like the engine belt thingy is going to snap off at me. Sounds like something's loose.


Another question, I'm serious about this question, I don't do it. I love my car too much. If you have an automatic stick, if you keep down shifting while you are driving. Won't that break the car? I mean, it's an "automatic" car, it doesn't need to be shift. It's not a sports car either. Wouldn't shifting an automatic car hurt it??

Well, first off, was the transmission fluid always maintained? A slipping transmission is usually a sign of worn gears, mostly caused by improperly maintaining the transmission fluid level. You are aware that in order to check your transmission fluid the car must be at operating temperature, and idleing before the dipstick will show an accurate reading. This is a 2001, are there a lot of miles on the engine?
The answer to your next question, an automatic transmission does have the optional feature of a bump shifter. This is made for someone who likes to shift but needs an automatic. You can pull off better performance with your car if this feature is used correctly. It is not uncommon to see this in some cars, and it does not hurt anything if used properly, it is like a second option.

You need to know what you are doing in shifting an automatic vehicle. If not you might put it in park, or reverse, and that can tear them up. About your transmission, it sounds like the transmission fluid has at one time or another not been maintained. Try like cobra1967 said, and leave the car running, and then check the transimission fluid

First you said the noise was from the transmission, but then you said it sounds like the "engine belt thingy" is going to snap off. You need to take it to a garage and have a mechanic find out where the grinding is coming from exactly. If nothing happens in Reverse, odds are that you need a tranny especially if the grinding is from the tranny.