The 9 speed does feel way slower off the line starting in 2nd. It took a while to get used to. Ultimately the 9 speed feels way faster if you put in sport. It red lines at 25mph in 1st, I think is does better off road because of this. I also really like the paddle shifters because I can find a gear and leave it when towing my boat (3000lbs). At highway speeds of 70mph there is only about 400 rpms between gears in the 9 speed. My 6 speed failed at 80K, I am only up to 45K in the 9 speed. I liked the way the 6 speed was for everyday driving, but have found the 9 speed more useful when towing. The mileage on my 21 vs the 17 is down by about 1 mpg on the highway but I think I make it back with the stop start (which is broken) in my everyday commute.

 

I wasn't aware that the VCM causes engine braking when coasting to a stop, and, yeah, I notice that effect and also don't like it.

 

I had a 2019 ridgeline rtle with the 6 speed and now have a 2021 passport elite with the 9 speed. I liked the 6 speed because it did not shift or down shift as often. I also prefer the shift knob over the buttons. However the 9 speed is very smooth feeling. For towing the 9 speed in sport mode is very nice. I think the starting off in 1st vs 2nd gear is a wash between the two. I bet the gear ratio is close to the same. But with sport mode you start off in 1st gear, again good for towing. Overall I think the 9 speed is a little better

 

Ive owned a 2017 BE and my current 2020 BE (which I only traded for to dump the 6 speed)
I much prefer the 9 speed and the only drawback is the push button shifter. If I was stuck on RR tracks and had to quickly get into reverse to avoid death...Im D E A D unless I jump out (best plan)
Its hard to get it in right gear direction fast and just not intuitive but other than that it is a much better experience overall and as a bonus you dont have to lay awake at night worrying its going to turn loose on your next trip.

 

I have a 6 speed, and would like the towing advantage of the paddle shifters, but... the slow engagement in forward and reverse would no doubt cause me ongoing anxiety - like your railroad track s

 

My stepdad has a 2019 and I have a 2020 so I have driven both transmissions. IMO, the 9 speed is far superior because it's more versatile and you have more options for your particular use case at that moment. I have never found it to be slow and it's quirkiness with the two dog clutches just adds character, that I got used to in a very short time. Best transmission I've had in any passenger vehicle.

 

17 & 22 RLs , 82 & 24 K miles respectively. Much prefer the 9-sp. with it’s selectivity and solid feeling. I prefer the 2nd gear usage in drive with 1st being like a granny low. If I want to have it for starting off, S is available or the paddle lever.

The delay of the push buttons is problematic. What was Honda thinking?! I’ve yet to read of anyone liking the buttons over the traditional shift lever.

 

The delay of the push buttons is problematic. What was Honda thinking?! I’ve yet to read of anyone liking the buttons over the traditional shift lever.

Transmissions used in vehicles today are controlled electronically. The method of driver control is nothing more than cosmetic. A shift lever is a stick that controls the same electronics as push-buttons or dial. Those controls can be placed anywhere in reach of the driver.

 

I don't miss the shift lever at all but I would prefer to have a dial as opposed to buttons. A dial located up on the dash would clear a lot of valuable space.

 

is the ZF 9 speed in the RL a DCT or slushbox type?

 

I don't know if I understand the definition of slush box but it's not a dual clutch.

 

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a15369868/ratios-galore-we-take-a-look-at-zfs-newest-gearbox/

 

I prefer the 9-speed because:

• I can manually select any gear for performance, engine braking, etc. using paddle shifters - can't do that the with the 6-speed.
• 9-speed automatically shifts to park when shutting off the engine - that's one less step and less chance of an unintended rollaway.
• Unlike the 6-speed in my '19 Ridgeline, the 9-speed in my '21 didn't fail at 14K miles.
• First gear in the 9-speed is so low that I could chirp all four tires from a stop. Lots more wheel torque than the 6-speed.
• I prefer modern buttons over bulky shift levers that take up space or reduce access unnecessarily.

I would NOT buy a 2017-2019 Ridgeline with a 6-speed transmission - there have been far too many failures to me to have confidence in it.

 

"First gear in the 9-speed is so low that I could chirp all four tires from a stop"

Tim the Tool Man Taylor would approve!

 

My 2017 is at 64K miles now...No issues with my trans...yet...if it does fail, when would it most likely do so? At a certain mileage?? What are the signs to look out for?

 

My 2017 is at 64K miles now...No issues with my trans...yet...if it does fail, when would it most likely do so?

When you least expect it!!

 

@gti16vman, was it you that had analyzed the failures listed in the "list of 6-speed failures" thread? Or, am I thinking of someone else?

 

Not sure if this is the latest, but these posts came up in a search:

https://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/threads/list-of-6-speed-transmission-failures.222887/post-3327798

https://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/threads/list-of-6-speed-transmission-failures.222887/post-3327835

 

Thanks for the replies...I just wonder if trading in for a 2020, would be a wise move at this time or not?

 

My first car had a 3 speed automatic on the column, so I can't find much to complain about in the Ridgeline's 6 speed so long as it keeps working.

 

Had a 7, now a 21. You can think of the 6 as a more traditional transmission but from an SUV not a truck, it does have D4 for towing. The 9 is way more versatile with the S and D modes with added paddles. The only downside of the 9 I find, is that it is slow to shift, especially R to D and vice versa. I rarely use the paddles. D for normal and S for towing. I think most would recommend the 9.

 

The only downside of the 9 I find, is that it is slow to shift, especially R to D and vice versa.

I've read that a lot, but haven't noticed it so far.

 

I didn’t either until I disabled mine and realized how much smoother the deceleration was. I was really disliking the transmission until I disabled VCM. I had the vibrations from VCM which is the reason I did in the first place. Then I realized other people mentioned the deceleration being better without VCM.

 

Truthfully, the vast majority of folks with the 6 speed will probably never have an issue. I think we have seen estimates of maybe a ~2% failure rate, but since Honda doesn't publish numbers, we will never know for certain. IMO, it is good to know going in that the failure rate of the trans is higher than average for a Honda. Also if you do buy one, make sure you have a plan if the trans does go bad considering it is 8-10k to have it replaced. But I wouldn't categorically say avoid the 17-19 RL if it fits your budget better. It is hard to know for sure whether all of these folks who had trans replaced might have been able to just have the torque converter changed and been ok. Again, only Honda really knows that.

 

Reliability aside between 6/9 speeds..nice
As someone that doesn't tow but is the " resident guy with the truck" helping people haul and move.

I prefer the 6 spd in my general use case
linear and predictable. Maybe a little old of transmission, but does what the mind body connection expects.

I have used the 9 spd ( 2017 MDX) is isnt bad,
The delays during slow moments seems extra slow. Like when an elevator reaches the floor then takes just a little long to open enough to reach slight uncomfortable-ness. Great for causing though; robust and offers control

 

General question about the 9 and 10 speed transmissions, for those of you in the know.

Is the "S-position" a gear ratio change or strictly a change in shifting positions?

Manual indicates 1-9 for "D", 1-8 for "S-position"?

Danke

 

On the 9 speed, "D" uses 2-9.
"S" uses 1-9 .

 

After watching this video on how the ZF 9 speed works, I’d have to really do a long test drive with one of these to see if I could deal with it. Sounds like a funky transmission. I just like traditional shifting and feeling transmissions.

 

Thus fare my 9 speed has been my favorite automatic transmission .

As others have mentioned they can be a tad slow shifting from drive to reverse an vis versa but in my case my 9 speed is smooth and responsive .

I have limited experience with the 6 speeds but my 9 speed overall seems smoother and more refined then my buddy's 6 speed Odyssey. Though some of that may be cylinder deactivation related.

 

It is normal that my 2021 maintenance minder has not called for transmission or rear differential fluid changes yet? I am at 35k miles. 15k+ is highway use. Of course my dealer said I need to do both at 30k plus a throttle body cleaning and a brake fluid change.

 

It is normal that my 2021 maintenance minder has not called for transmission or rear differential fluid changes yet? I am at 35k miles. 15k+ is highway use.

Have you been letting the oil life hit 15 percent or less before resetting it during the past 35K miles?

 

Yes I let it go to near or zero percent before changing the oil. This is for engine oil only

 

I am no expert and a new RL owner......but my understanding it that you should get a reminder at around 15k.....and then at 30k intervals after that for the diff fluid service. (so at 15/45/75 etc)

 

I have no issues with the 6 speed in my 2019 RTL-E. Had the 9 speed in the 2018 Honda Minivan and hated it. Too much searching and hard shifts. Back jarring hard shifts.

 

I like the way my 6 speed feels - strong & smooth.

How many miles on yours? I'm at 52-53k.

 

Hands down, get the 9 speed. We tow a 3500 lb. travel trailer and I was routinely disappointed with the 2018's 6 speed not being able to gear down enough to help slow us down on mountain passes. Our '23 seems to have way more get up and go even in "D". When I put it into "S" mode, and punch it, which I now think of as launch mode it's a good thing it has traction control because it flat out flies. It's even faster than our 2010 Tacoma Prerunner, which I thought was fast off the line. It is amazing, because it still has the same identical engine. The only thing I don't like is the push buttons, but I am now used to them, though. I don't have any thing to report as to it searching for the right gear at low speeds, but I do notice when coming to a stop it shifts into the lowest gear with an ever so slight bump, but not always. So is the 9 speed perfect...no, but it is a definite improvement. I have noticed a 1 mpg increase in fuel economy. Not much, but given the rising cost of fuel, it doesn't hurt.