How much did that cost?
Transmission/engine software updates
Thanks to this forum I found out that my 09 Honda Ridgeline had software updates for the transmission and engine modules. My truck would shudder on the highway when I wanted to pass a card and it kicked down a gear. Now with the software updates the transmission shifts very smoothly. I have completely switched over to the ATF dw1 as well. Just wanted to pass the information along to 1st gen owners.
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It was $63 at my dealership
How did you find out it had updates available? I know you said "thanks to the forum," but which post lead you to that, and how were you able to determine?
Any changes?
Sent from my Z981 using Tapatalk
Sent from my Z981 using Tapatalk
For those of you that are NOT experiencing transmission issues, don't be so quick to do any software updates.........if ain't broke, don't fix may apply.
I asked about the update. This is the one that was put out years ago.
There are several updates that have never been released to the public. I'm running one now that works great and I have no idea why Honda never released it. It eliminates the hesitation and I easily average 20.5 - 22MPG mixed driving. When I get in another G1 it feels sluggish.
Honda does not like to issue ECU, TCU updates unless they have no other choice, but the software for the updates are developed anyway.
Our friend Gary is hauling a decent size Airstream around with a G1 with a special software build and likes it.
There are several updates that have never been released to the public. I'm running one now that works great and I have no idea why Honda never released it. It eliminates the hesitation and I easily average 20.5 - 22MPG mixed driving. When I get in another G1 it feels sluggish.
Honda does not like to issue ECU, TCU updates unless they have no other choice, but the software for the updates are developed anyway.
Our friend Gary is hauling a decent size Airstream around with a G1 with a special software build and likes it.
Joe, my 07 was a very early build (August 2006). Its VIN fell within the range of the original software TSB for 06's and early 07's. I never had it done because, well, I got used to how it shifted and I didn't feel that it was out of the ordinary. Do you know if I could have some sort of an update done to it to help with mileage and power delivery? It's getting up there in years and mileage now, but I do feel that it's a bit sluggish from time to time even though I use 93 octane exclusively. I also notice the torque converter lockup being a little strange, too. I assume any updates for 09+ trucks wouldn't apply to me since there were some changes over the 06-08 models. Any help you could provide would be great.I asked about the update. This is the one that was put out years ago.
There are several updates that have never been released to the public. I'm running one now that works great and I have no idea why Honda never released it. It eliminates the hesitation and I easily average 20.5 - 22MPG mixed driving. When I get in another G1 it feels sluggish.
Honda does not like to issue ECU, TCU updates unless they have no other choice, but the software for the updates are developed anyway.
Our friend Gary is hauling a decent size Airstream around with a G1 with a special software build and likes it.
In your case I wouldn't do any updates. Your transmission is well seated in the way it currently shifts... if you changed anything you might end up with problems. Just keep the fluid clean and drive on.Joe, my 07 was a very early build (August 2006). Its VIN fell within the range of the original software TSB for 06's and early 07's. I never had it done because, well, I got used to how it shifted and I didn't feel that it was out of the ordinary. Do you know if I could have some sort of an update done to it to help with mileage and power delivery? It's getting up there in years and mileage now, but I do feel that it's a bit sluggish from time to time even though I use 93 octane exclusively. I also notice the torque converter lockup being a little strange, too. I assume any updates for 09+ trucks wouldn't apply to me since there were some changes over the 06-08 models. Any help you could provide would be great.
That's pretty much been my mode of thinking for a long time now. I first heard of the software updates shortly after I bought the truck in 2010, but overlooked it being that I believed it to be for only 06 trucks. It wasn't until 2013 when a thread about it resurfaced that I realized my truck fit the VIN range. It was my thought at that time that I had gotten used to how it shifted and there were no ill-effects of just leaving it alone. Thank you for confirming my thoughts on this. The fluid is drained and filled at every other oil change which translates to approximately every 9-10,000 miles and about two years of time. I'm actually due for one within the next few months, so I'm thinking that will aid in the periodic sluggishness I feel along with being guaranteed to be rid of winter-blend gas very soon.In your case I wouldn't do any updates. Your transmission is well seated in the way it currently shifts... if you changed anything you might end up with problems. Just keep the fluid clean and drive on.
Honda's automatic transmission fluid. The older fluid, Z-1, was a semi-synthetic fluid that was used as the factory fill up until about 2011. DW-1 was the replacement and, as a full synthetic, is superior to Z-1. It's the only real recommended fluid to use in the RL. Others have tried other universal fluids with apparent good results, but DW-1 was designed to be used in Honda transmissions. I won't ever use anything else.What is ATF dw1?
Thanks man, good to know. So are there different transmissions in the Gen1?
Negative. Same transmission in all Gen 1 RL's. There was a slight software upgrade for the 2009+ models, but the mechanicals are all the same. Honda engineers simply came up with a better formulation with a different additive/friction modifier package and then made it standard for all of Honda. DW-1 is backwards-compatible with Z-1, meaning the two can be mixed with no ill effects. You'll see many on here, including me, who have done a complete changeover from their factory fill of Z-1 (2006 to 2010 models) to the superior DW-1 via multiple drains and fills of the tranny fluid.Thanks man, good to know. So are there different transmissions in the Gen1?
Can anyone else confirm that there is a transmission software update for some 2009+ models? My '09 has what I consider generally poor transmission behavior. It has overly-aggressive torque converter engagement at lighter throttle that doesn't happen either with heavy throttle and/or simply putting the transmission into D3 mode. D3 completely smooths out my transmission, and it's all in the torque converter operation. I also have the engine lugging at 42 mph when the torque converter engages in 5th gear. The transmission really wants to be in 5th gear with the converter locked, and it's annoyingly so in many situations. Our '05 MDX (same basic drivetrain) used to behave that way before a transmission update was offered for it that completely transformed the way it drives. It's beautiful now, and the transmission programming is the way it should have been from the factory.
Has anyone else had any transmission programming done on their 2009+ models by the dealership, and can confirm that an update does exist? I would be indebted tremendously for knowing up front when I go into the dealership to talk with them about this.
Thanks.
Has anyone else had any transmission programming done on their 2009+ models by the dealership, and can confirm that an update does exist? I would be indebted tremendously for knowing up front when I go into the dealership to talk with them about this.
Thanks.
I had my Ridgeline to the dealer today and, unfortunately, they said that there are no transmission software updates available from Honda. It looks like I'm going to have to just live with how it drives. I was really hoping for an improvement. 
Has nobody but the original poster had a software update on a 2009 Ridgeline? I wonder if my VIN is just out of the range of whatever update might be available. @Arsenal16, what were the original symptoms you had your dealer diagnose?
Has nobody but the original poster had a software update on a 2009 Ridgeline? I wonder if my VIN is just out of the range of whatever update might be available. @Arsenal16, what were the original symptoms you had your dealer diagnose?
I just self diagnosed my symptoms from the transmission after some research from other owners. There is possibility your Ridgeline received the Software updates already.
I had an 07, and I now have an 09. The MMC (mid model change) was in 09, with the updated ECU/Shift logic from the factory if I'm not mistaken - I don't think it was a re-flash.
The 06-08 had a thing where at 40-45 on a hill, you'd have to run it up past 3500 or so to get it to shift up and it would shift harshly because of the combination of revs / hill / AWD transitioning to FWD at 40+. The logic on the 07 seems to engage more smoothly up at 40+ without having to hit the higher revs.
I think the trans still engages harshly on WOT gear changes (your foot on the floor).
The 06-08 had a thing where at 40-45 on a hill, you'd have to run it up past 3500 or so to get it to shift up and it would shift harshly because of the combination of revs / hill / AWD transitioning to FWD at 40+. The logic on the 07 seems to engage more smoothly up at 40+ without having to hit the higher revs.
I think the trans still engages harshly on WOT gear changes (your foot on the floor).
I feel your pain! I live in the mountains in N Carolina. Honda has a bad tranny design. Should have made the lock to keep it out of 5th/OD and then let you shift to 3rd if you needed that option. Would be nice if someone could figure out how to trick maybe the speed control sensor to keep it from shifting to 5th with a switch. That out be the schnitz! :grin:Can anyone else confirm that there is a transmission software update for some 2009+ models? My '09 has what I consider generally poor transmission behavior. It has overly-aggressive torque converter engagement at lighter throttle that doesn't happen either with heavy throttle and/or simply putting the transmission into D3 mode. D3 completely smooths out my transmission, and it's all in the torque converter operation. I also have the engine lugging at 42 mph when the torque converter engages in 5th gear. The transmission really wants to be in 5th gear with the converter locked, and it's annoyingly so in many situations. Our '05 MDX (same basic drivetrain) used to behave that way before a transmission update was offered for it that completely transformed the way it drives. It's beautiful now, and the transmission programming is the way it should have been from the factory.
Has anyone else had any transmission programming done on their 2009+ models by the dealership, and can confirm that an update does exist? I would be indebted tremendously for knowing up front when I go into the dealership to talk with them about this.
Thanks.
I’m right there with you but I would also like to control the TC. No one seems to have access to the ECU other than Hondata when they worked on the Baja truck.
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