Engine shifts?

4151 Views 21 Replies 17 Participants Last post by iivtecracerii, Jun 7, 2004

TopMomm

Discussion Starter · Jun 21, 2002

here's a question for all of you... I was just reading posts over on the MDX sister board and see that someone's new MDX has just lost an engine. Very bad news for them, and kind of scary for the rest of us.

Anyway, this person said the only real warning was that the engine hesitated a lot. The service dept. told him that was normal, something about it downshifting for gas economy or emissions or something.

Well, mine also does a lot of downshifting, which creates a sort of jumping hesitation from time to time. I'd noticed it, and thought it was kind of odd, but didn't worry about it until now.

Is that hesitation happening for the rest of you? Think it's normal?
Since I'm having some other problems (knocking in engine, rattling window glass), guess I'm spooked.

Service call tomorrow and I'll ask, but I bet they tell me it's normal shifting...

Diane

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03pilot

· #2 · Jun 21, 2002

I haven't experienced any of that stuf. Allbeit, we haven't driven much yet even though ours is about a little over 2 weeks old.

Hope you get this thing taken care of. Please keep us posted on your service trip and how this gets resolved to your satisfaction.

TopMomm said:
here's a question for all of you... I was just reading posts over on the MDX sister board and see that someone's new MDX has just lost an engine. Very bad news for them, and kind of scary for the rest of us.

Anyway, this person said the only real warning was that the engine hesitated a lot. The service dept. told him that was normal, something about it downshifting for gas economy or emissions or something.

Well, mine also does a lot of downshifting, which creates a sort of jumping hesitation from time to time. I'd noticed it, and thought it was kind of odd, but didn't worry about it until now.

Is that hesitation happening for the rest of you? Think it's normal?
Since I'm having some other problems (knocking in engine, rattling window glass), guess I'm spooked.

Service call tomorrow and I'll ask, but I bet they tell me it's normal shifting...

Diane

pjl56

· #3 · Jun 21, 2002

Re: Re: Engine shifts?

MOMM, ditto here - the engine shifting has been exceptionally smooth so far, at least relative to our most recent vehicles. Fingers are crossed for you.........

03pilot said:
I haven't experienced any of that stuf. Allbeit, we haven't driven much yet even though ours is about a little over 2 weeks old.

Hope you get this thing taken care of. Please keep us posted on your service trip and how this gets resolved to your satisfaction.

bengelking

· #4 · Jun 27, 2002

Shifting

I have noticed that it is a little "shift-happy" in hilly situations. Although it is very smooth overall.

One thing I noticed is the down-shifting when braking. Almost like having manual transmission engine braking. Should save the brakes a little!

Rustym

· #5 · Jun 27, 2002

Like bengelking said, our's is a little shift happy too when coming up hills. Other than that, seems to shift very smooth, specially compared to the 91 Accord we had. You could really feel it in the Accord.
Keep us posted.

Rusty

BC-Pilot

· #6 · Jun 29, 2002

Grade Logic

I'm all for the engine shifts

My last vehicle was a standard, so I'm really used to 'engine braking' down big hills.

I find when going down a descent too fast in the Pilot, I hit the brakes and watch my RPMs. Just as they jump (read: the transmission down shifts) I let off the brakes and usually find I can maintain a safe speed thereafter.

Perhaps this is obvertly obvious, but it's actaually one of the features I like best about driving my Pilot....

I think the engineering buzzword Honda uses for this feature is called "Grade Logic".

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PrG

· #7 · Jun 30, 2002

No Problem

I haven't notice any problems with engine shifting ... I have driven a total of 3 which includes my own. It is similar to most SUVs today ... in fact quite smooth. Perhaps it is just a matter of adjusting to the drive tendencies and attributes of an SUV. Or over sensitivity to having dropped 30+K on a new car ...

PrG

BillR

· #8 · Jun 30, 2002

Mine does the same thing on hilly terrain.

wpilot

· #9 · Jul 8, 2002

I missed this thread when I started a new one on the same subject. My original text is as follows....

I took my first trip in the pilot this weekend. Wonderful except for one problem. The slightest hill on the Interstate caused the gearbox to first unlock the torque converter and then downshift. I was alone and no load in the vehicle. I have a Nissan van with 80 less horsepower that does not do this. I experienced this with and without cruise control. My inclination is the throttle is too sensitive in that I have also noticed a lot of downshifting during mild in-town driving as well.

Any similar experiences or clues as to what may be causing this?

Thanks,
Buzz

PrG

· #10 · Jul 10, 2002

OK

I am a believer ... it is almost as if the PILOT doesn't have an OD or doesn't know when to stay in OD ... my issues are during highway driving.

PrG

wpilot

· #11 · Jul 10, 2002

The same problem apparently occurs in the MDX, but the MDX has the ability to lock out 5th gear. This is definitely something Honda should have carried over to the Pilot.

I am concerned for the longevity of the gearbox.

N_Jay

· #12 · Jul 10, 2002

Let the Transmission do its job

Why would you want an "Overdrive" that is low enough to climb hils or accelerate significantly?
The job of overdrive is to slow the engine as much as posible when crusing.

wpilot

· #13 · Jul 10, 2002

I agree with the purpose of overdrive. My concern is that in a 400 mile hilly interstate round trip (with no cargo) the car slammed back in forth between 4th, 5th, and converter lockup for 6 hours. I would not think this to be good for the hardware and I am certain that it was not particularly confortable for the driver.

IMHO the gearing of overdrive should be low enough to prevent this or the operator should have the opportunity to lock out overdrive as on the MDX.

GreenMachine

· #14 · Jul 10, 2002

I just edited my post after seeing a picture of the Pilot dash. That is strange that you can't shift the vehicle into 4th gear. Even though, I would just let the tranny do its job, afterall it's a Honda. I might worry more if it was an Chevy, Ford, or Dodge.

In my CR-V, it has a 4 speed auto, but 4th is considered overdrive. I turn O/D off using the button on the colum shift in heavy traffic when I am at a speed when it wants to downshift to third too frequently.

Not too much hill experience since I live in Florida....

autobahn

· #15 · Aug 22, 2002

Has anyone reported problems with the transmission like this yet? Sometimes the grade logic seems to get fooled on a shallow downhill holding steady at 60MPH. Kind of jerks as it hunts for a gear if it gains too much momentum and at the same time I decide to accelerate in order to merge with traffic at the bottom of the slope. Feel it mainly on the gas pedal although I am sure the Pilot jerks a bit as it goes through this gear hunt. Anyone else seen this?

vegasdude

· #16 · Aug 22, 2002

I only experienced it when I have the cruise control on. The down shift is very noticeable. On regurlar driving.......smooooth as silk.

:5:

HKuo

· #17 · Aug 22, 2002

Autobahn,

In the academic world of control systems, "Grade Logic" is known as "FUZZY LOGIC". Once it is applied in the commercial products, the marketeers, especially the camcorder folks, do not like the jargon and changed it to "grade logic". Unlike, the black and white "Boolean logic" it deals with grey areas to make decisions, so it is up the logic designers imagination and experience to cover as much as they can think. Just with other software, there will be some code bugs and it is up to the users to point it out and not accept the "fuzzyness". The good thing is they can always upgrade a new code if needed, other than the incovienient of making a trip to the dealer.

thonhazz

· #18 · Aug 22, 2002

Pilot AT acts alot like a manual

On my first test drive I noticed that at highway speed the Pilot does not coast as effortlessly as other automatics. I was in the habit of lifting my foot to coast, which I never did in a manual. Since engine and wheels are locked together in a manual, close the throttle, and the engine immediately begins slowing the car, like the Pilot!

Now that I recognize the "personality" of the Pilot transmission, I have grown to really love it. They managed to combine many of the benefits of a manual with the effortlessness of an automatic. If I want to coast, I lift the accelerator most of the way, not all. If I want to slow for a traffic light, I raise my foot and let the engine do most of the work. But I DON'T like the lurch on downshifts when I'm braking hard. It's unpredictable and I often have to ease a little off the brake pressure to compensate.

With 5th turning just 2000 rpm's at 70, of course it's going to downshift for hills. But it is very smooth, nearly undetectable. 5th is very tall, and really is just for level cruising, and I do wish there was indeed a D4 option.

My '92 Accord used to shift very abruptly - mechanic said it had to do with very little slip designed into the torque converter - but I must say that car was telepathic. Just as I would be thinking it's time to shift, it would do it. That tranny had excellent logic.

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pjl56

· #19 · Aug 23, 2002

HKuo, I don't know what you just said to autobahn, but damn it was impressive! Grade logic, fuzzy logic, boolean logic - hell, it all greek logic to me!!!

Did you just feel that transmission shift???

HKuo said:
Autobahn,

In the academic world of control systems, "Grade Logic" is known as "FUZZY LOGIC". Once it is applied in the commercial products, the marketeers, especially the camcorder folks, do not like the jargon and changed it to "grade logic". Unlike, the black and white "Boolean logic" it deals with grey areas to make decisions, so it is up the logic designers imagination and experience to cover as much as they can think. Just with other software, there will be some code bugs and it is up to the users to point it out and not accept the "fuzzyness". The good thing is they can always upgrade a new code if needed, other than the incovienient of making a trip to the dealer.

happy

· #20 · Jun 6, 2004

hey every body have u checked out the 03 tl tranny threadfs so sad tons of threads all dead trannys so dont worry the tranny in your pilot is bullet proof i do lots of hill driving and in the country and never have a problem put in to drive gear and go all wheel drive works grerat brakes great over all nice car great for the family .p.s. ex owner of a blown trannny on a 03 t.l. jumped ship for a 04 solara nice car allright seeya later :4:

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