What is causing the late gear shift?
How much should it cost to get fixed?
What exactly do I need to tell the mechanic?
Can Pep Boys do it?

I am very concerned that the late shifting will damage the tranny.

I know this has probably been addressed 200 times, but I can not find the answer I am looking for.

I know nothing about cars, so please dumbify the answer.

In addition there is a rattle in the engine compartment. What is the best way to address this?

Thanks in advance

 

Sorry, 2000 SE. This might help

 

If the first second gear change is harsh that is just how it comes out of the factory. If you have less than 60k go ***** at a dealer and your 5 year 60k powertrain warrenty should cover it. If you think it is delaying at redline it is the ECU performing a fuel cut. There are tons of people talking about their trannys just wait and look around.
If you have more than 60k try a flush if you have not done so already. A flush involvs flushing the tranny w/ new fluid and changing the tranny filter which is a metal strainer. If you have less than 60k your car should of had a tranny fluid change at 30k. Try replacing it with redline fluids; might help but it is $$ and no guarantees.

 

Can pep boys do it? Is Britney Spears intelligent? Can Dubya pronounce "nuclear"? Does Bill Gates worry about paying his cellphone bill every month? You get my drift Take it t a dealer or an independent.

 

No Sh*t, please do not take ANYTHING to Pepboys; not even recycled motor oil. Well...... maybe they wouldn't screw that up.