# Strange deep sound 1998 Honda Civic EX **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [January 20, 2008, 2:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-deep-sound-1998-honda-civic-ex/9637 "2008-01-20T14:42:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lorenzo1950](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecb155/32.png) [@Lorenzo1950](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Lorenzo1950)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2008, 2:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-deep-sound-1998-honda-civic-ex/9637/1 "2008-01-20T14:42:26Z")
When I start my car, and put it in drive, I hear a deep “vhoom” sort of sound every single time. It occurs about 10 seconds after I put it in drive. Never fails. I have about 103,500 miles on the car. Otherwise, I have not really ever had much of a problem with the car. It drives ok once in gear. A little sluggish going uphill. Could this be a transmission problem? Maybe I should forget about it because the mechanics have never said anything. Started happening about 6 months ago. ---
**Author:** ![Lorenzo1950](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecb155/32.png) [@Lorenzo1950](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Lorenzo1950)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2008, 2:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-deep-sound-1998-honda-civic-ex/9637/2 "2008-01-20T14:44:02Z")
You probably have gathered it is an automatic transmission. I do not recall it ever making the sound in reverse. ---
**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2008, 3:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-deep-sound-1998-honda-civic-ex/9637/3 "2008-01-20T15:53:37Z")
It’s a good idea to have the automatic transmission fluid changed. On Honda’s, it’s simplicity itself: remove transmission drain plug, drain, re-install drain plug, refill with about 3 to 4 quarts of transmission fluid, check (and adjust) fluid level. Done. ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2008, 3:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-deep-sound-1998-honda-civic-ex/9637/4 "2008-01-22T03:04:36Z")
I have noticed this type of sound for years on my 99 Civic EX with manual trans, about 10 seconds after I start the engine. I think it is not indicative of a problem but I don’t know what it is. It sounds to me like a servomotor under the hood, maybe having to do with the ABS system or…? ---
**Author:** ![jimmythemechanic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/jimmythemechanic/32/632_2.png) [@jimmythemechanic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jimmythemechanic)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2008, 3:34am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-deep-sound-1998-honda-civic-ex/9637/5 "2008-01-22T03:34:08Z")
Honda Automatic, if you change fluid, you better go with Honda’s ATF. I seen many failure on aftermarket ATF ---
**Author:** ![Lorenzo1950](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecb155/32.png) [@Lorenzo1950](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Lorenzo1950)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2008, 9:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-deep-sound-1998-honda-civic-ex/9637/6 "2008-02-07T21:32:38Z")
I am thinking it could very well be associated with the ABS system. I get a similar sound when I accidentally run into a pothole or whenever the antilock brakes go into action.