Sorry Honda

[MikeT]

Originally Posted by BillH

I'm thinking that the original complaint had something to do with the VTEC. If I'm slightly aggressive on acceleration in the lower gears, the second cam profile kicks in and starts to provide some strong(er) acceleration. Then a shift comes along (maybe 4500 rpm) and I'm back on the milder cam profile. The result could be percieved as a flat spot.

Of course, if you hit the gas a little harder, the RPMs at upshift are higher and you hit the next gear while on the hotter cam profile - no flat spot.

Good point Mr. H., I experienced this today!

[CRL]

My 2008 RTL is still in the "break-in" stage, but I have noticed something odd.

If I'm driving in a 45MPH zone at exactly the speed limit, the transmission will NOT shift into the higher gear. RPM stays at 2000. Up hill, down hill, doesn't matter. I have to go to 47MPH to get it to shift, then can back down to 45MPH and it stays in the higher gear, at a lower RPM, of course.

It's smooth in either gear, but isn't the motor burning more gas at 2000 RPM than at the lower RPM in 5th? On the highway, I'm at 2000 RPM at 70MPH.

If I didn't have so damned many 45MPH zones on my drive to/from work, it probably wouldn't annoy me so much.

Any thoughts?

[MikeT]

Hey "Flat Spotters, slippers, and sad shifters" ( ); Has anyone checked their transmission fluid levels?

With a cold engine, start the truck.

Let it idle until the cooling fans cycle twice (On / off).

Check the transmission fluid level (It should be between the two holes).

If not, be sure to fill with Honda branded ATF that is for the Ridgeline's transmission.

ps If you check the transmission fluid level with the engine hot, the level will be above the top hole due to the oil volume increasing with the heat.

[Webwader]

Any thoughts?

Your transmission is shifting as designed. When your RL shifts into 5th at 47 mph, the RPM drops to about 1325. Considering you are moving a minimum of 4,700 lb with a 3.5L engine, the torque at that RPM would be insufficient to hold the transmission in 5th on anything but level or a downgrade. What would result is excessive gear hunting. At 47 mph in 4th gear, the engine is at 1,800, not 2000 RPM. As for fuel mileage, the difference would not be great. If it takes X HP to move the RL at 47 mph, then it will be producing X HP at 1,800 RPM in 4th gear and X HP at 1,325 RPM in 5th gear. The difference if mpg would be the frictional losses due to higher rotational speeds. If you are turning 2000 RPM in 5th gear, then you are producing more HP to achieve the higher speed and the fuel consumption will be higher.

[CRL]

Originally Posted by Webwader

Your transmission is shifting as designed. When your RL shifts into 5th at 47 mph, the RPM drops to about 1325. Considering you are moving a minimum of 4,700 lb with a 3.5L engine, the torque at that RPM would be insufficient to hold the transmission in 5th on anything but level or a downgrade. What would result is excessive gear hunting. At 47 mph in 4th gear, the engine is at 1,800, not 2000 RPM. As for fuel mileage, the difference would not be great. If it takes X HP to move the RL at 47 mph, then it will be producing X HP at 1,800 RPM in 4th gear and X HP at 1,325 RPM in 5th gear. The difference if mpg would be the frictional losses due to higher rotational speeds. If you are turning 2000 RPM in 5th gear, then you are producing more HP to achieve the higher speed and the fuel consumption will be higher.

Thanks. Just wanted to be sure I wasn't having a problem