So , I have a 2019 RTL-E. 34K miles on it. “ “ “Transmission Too Hot” light came on 5x while towing a 2019 Forest River 19’ 3050lb. camper. Took into shop and Honda is having to replace my transmission now. So disappointed. I really love the truck. Rides smooth as butter and feels great. But they really blew it when it came to power. Apparently, there’s been many issues with this. Probably why the 2020 has a 8 speed transmission now. I also bet they got a bigger cooler too. Looks like I’m not gonna take chances anymore. May have to look at a Tundra or Ram.
Terrible Transmission while Towing
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Yep, Honda has apparently not done a great job with all the transmissions and/or torque converter setup. Seems like there are a number that are let out the factory with problems. There are a lot of others that are apparently fine with no issues. It's definitely unfortunate to have such an issue, but hopefully you can get yours fixed and working well.
Having said that, if you plan to tow near max often, you might be better off with a bigger truck.
If you want something reliable I don't think you'll go wrong with a Tundra. However, you should check your mileage and gas prices and do a cost analysis with a diesel Ram if you do tow a lot. You might end up saving some money going diesel.
Having said that, if you plan to tow near max often, you might be better off with a bigger truck.
If you want something reliable I don't think you'll go wrong with a Tundra. However, you should check your mileage and gas prices and do a cost analysis with a diesel Ram if you do tow a lot. You might end up saving some money going diesel.
Hum.
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Forgot to ask how fast that 3050 lbs was being pulled. Get ready for that gasoline slurping sound with a full-size p/u, even when not towing. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt, multiple times.
That Klak, klak, klak, klak sound and $200 LOF changes to tow 3050 lbs?.....no thanks. And they still stink. But if that’s what is needed, then that’s what’s needed. Doesn’t it cost at least $10K more to say klak, klak, klak diesel? Why do diesel p/u drivers leave them klak, klak, klak, klak, klaking while re-fueling? 🤷♂️The sign at the diesel pump says “Turn Off Motor”, just like the sign at the gasoline pump says.
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Forgot to ask how fast that 3050 lbs was being pulled. Get ready for that gasoline slurping sound with a full-size p/u, even when not towing. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt, multiple times.
That Klak, klak, klak, klak sound and $200 LOF changes to tow 3050 lbs?.....no thanks. And they still stink. But if that’s what is needed, then that’s what’s needed. Doesn’t it cost at least $10K more to say klak, klak, klak diesel? Why do diesel p/u drivers leave them klak, klak, klak, klak, klaking while re-fueling? 🤷♂️The sign at the diesel pump says “Turn Off Motor”, just like the sign at the gasoline pump says.
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New ones don't Klak like the old ones. Pretty gasoline smooth these days due to emissions regs and better engine designs.
Steve
Steve
WAY off topic, but i LOVED and miss the klak klak klak of my 90 Silverado 6.2. Sold it with 460k miles
They still klak and stink......especially the “coal rollers”.
I have put it on scales when I first bought the camper to verify for giggles. Dry weight from manufacturers said 3050lbs, it came in at 3024lbs. Didn’t monitor TFT. But the service department had it for 8 hours doing diagnostics and talking with Honda engineers and now say they are replacing the whole transmission. It happened to me 7 months ago as well and took it in and apparently it was ok according to service department. 2020 went to a 8 speed transmission. Maybe they know they got some issues with gears. They should of gotten bigger transmission coolers as well. Not sure if they did. Seems in this forum, a few people had same issues. Also, my truck was one that had to get timing belt replaced as it was a defect from factory, cracked ! . Absolutely love the truck but Honda needs to step up their game and get into full-size trucks. They could really benefit. Looking at a Ram now. Seems the price and value is pretty good . As compared to the other models out there that are $10K more
The 2020 is a 9 speed transmission. Some people like it and some people don't. IMO they would have been better off with the 8 speed, but that version doesn't fit in the current design.
As far as needing to get into full size trucks, I think they'd be better off tackling the low hanging fruit of things they could fix about the Ridgeline. It's a compelling vehicle and I would bet they could sell a lot more if they just fixed the simple stuff that almost everyone acknowledges needing attention. Most people that buy full size trucks probably don't really need a truck that big but get pushed that direction for one reason or another. I only bought my 2008 Tundra because my wife liked the looks better than the frontier and it was less than 1K difference in price even getting the 5.7L V8. I'm sure a lot of people end up in a bigger truck because of the value comparison.
As far as needing to get into full size trucks, I think they'd be better off tackling the low hanging fruit of things they could fix about the Ridgeline. It's a compelling vehicle and I would bet they could sell a lot more if they just fixed the simple stuff that almost everyone acknowledges needing attention. Most people that buy full size trucks probably don't really need a truck that big but get pushed that direction for one reason or another. I only bought my 2008 Tundra because my wife liked the looks better than the frontier and it was less than 1K difference in price even getting the 5.7L V8. I'm sure a lot of people end up in a bigger truck because of the value comparison.
When you sell half a million full-size trucks per year, you can pack more value into them and still get a return on investment, especially when you consider that it costs a manufacturer essentially the same to produce a mid-size truck as it does a full-size truck.
Honda would have to go body-on-frame to go much larger on vehicle size. They are not currently set up to do that, and likely would have a tough time recuperating costs to do so.
You are lucky that the dealership is replacing your transmission, though it is an inconvenience, you are better off than most who have to deal with it with no help from a dealership.
If you are handy, replace the stock transmission cooler with a larger one. @HRL383 and @Map are couple of guys who can help you point in the selection. At this point, the topic of transmission overheating for a new truck was debated to death with one outcome; it sucks and we have to deal with it (though it is just a few folks).
The 9spd ZF sourced transmission has its fair share of complaints in the Pilot and Odyssey clubs (just visit the OdyClub to hear the griping, just dont forget some popcorn). I am really interested to see what type of issues the 9spd will have in the '20+ MY units.
The 8spd is a DCT that is not suited for heavy duty application and has only seen very limited vehicle applications.
If you are handy, replace the stock transmission cooler with a larger one. @HRL383 and @Map are couple of guys who can help you point in the selection. At this point, the topic of transmission overheating for a new truck was debated to death with one outcome; it sucks and we have to deal with it (though it is just a few folks).
The 9spd ZF sourced transmission has its fair share of complaints in the Pilot and Odyssey clubs (just visit the OdyClub to hear the griping, just dont forget some popcorn). I am really interested to see what type of issues the 9spd will have in the '20+ MY units.
The 8spd is a DCT that is not suited for heavy duty application and has only seen very limited vehicle applications.
I believe they are talking about the ZF 8spd, used ubiquitously by FCA in many of their products. IIRC, it is somewhat similar to the ZF 9spd, but designed for longitudinal installations and does not use dog clutches, and can be built to handle much more power/torque. It has received
many accolades in its use in, say, the Ram full-size trucks, Dodge Durango and Jeep Cherokee.
It seems the jury is still out on some of these DCTs, like the Acura one you're talking about. I've heard user complaints of inconsistent shifts or poor programming in the DCT selecting the proper gear (mot necessarily the Acura DCT).
A few years ago I'd read that Acura was also working on an 11-spd TCT (triple clutch).
Edit: I believe the OP meant the ZF9 in the original post - easy to get all of these confused (ZF8, ZF9, DCT8, etc.).
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Had my subcompact diesel tractor in the garage for about 6 months....and my wife said "it smells like a city bus garage in here", lol.
@longboat , I may have missed the corollation as I do not keep up with other transmission models outside of Honda & Acura. I have seen articles on the 11spd triple clutch transmissions by Honda, but that was right around the time the current gen NSX was introduced. Not much came about the patent.
The 8DCT uses a torque converter for smooth low speed operation as an electric motor is used to smooth the low speed operation on the 7spd and 9spd DCTs. With the in-house 10spd autobox being a stout unit and able to be configured for AWD formats, I would imagine this could be the next evolution.
Though the DCT is usually equipped for snappier and quick engagement on high performance variants, they can sometimes be jerky and downright annoying as in the earlier production R35 GTRs.
The 8DCT uses a torque converter for smooth low speed operation as an electric motor is used to smooth the low speed operation on the 7spd and 9spd DCTs. With the in-house 10spd autobox being a stout unit and able to be configured for AWD formats, I would imagine this could be the next evolution.
Though the DCT is usually equipped for snappier and quick engagement on high performance variants, they can sometimes be jerky and downright annoying as in the earlier production R35 GTRs.
I spent about 15 min searching for it and Looks like though the application was submitted in May of 2016, by August 2016, the application was removed from the Japanese Patent office.
Closest thing with an illustration is here >> Honda gearing up for 11-speed triple-clutch transmission?
Oh yes. It is definitely covered.
not getting a diesel. I don’t tow everyday, once a month, maybe twice, but if the Ridgeline can’t tow a simple 60% of what it claims it can tow, I’m getting a HEMIHum.
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Forgot to ask how fast that 3050 lbs was being pulled. Get ready for that gasoline slurping sound with a full-size p/u, even when not towing. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt, multiple times.
That Klak, klak, klak, klak sound and $200 LOF changes to tow 3050 lbs?.....no thanks. And they still stink. But if that’s what is needed, then that’s what’s needed. Doesn’t it cost at least $10K more to say klak, klak, klak diesel? Why do diesel p/u drivers leave them klak, klak, klak, klak, klaking while re-fueling? 🤷♂️The sign at the diesel pump says “Turn Off Motor”, just like the sign at the gasoline pump says.
looking at a Ram with a HEMI V8 Not a diesel. And I can get one here for $40K 2020 big horn with 72 months 0% versus a 0.9 on my Honda.
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