I see the hondata re-flash is very popular.. I may have to do that for my 11 RDX base. Have owned the car for 1 week. I love it, but.... The only thing I find annoying is the transmission shift points. You can't get into second unless you are going <60mph, which makes no sense since second will take you up to 80+... Does anyone else find this annoying as I do? Does the hondata CPU tune address this issue? Thanks! (oh, how I long for a 6 speed manual in the RDX, but that will never happen!)

 

^ no it wont.. (short answer)

 

thanks bluecarbonfiber. oh well.....

 

60...in first?? come on..

 

@Bighatch: lol, I believe Mario Andretti was saying he's in third and wants to drop to second over 60mph. And run out for 2nd is 80mph, "on paper". That way he is in optimum boost, for passing or racing.

@OP: I don't typically dont try this or suggest this. But the engine may be over-reving once you drop down gears. I used to do this in the prelude while it was an auto.. the auto died and we adopted a manual from a Japanese family, if you catch my drift.

LOL, Maybe it's the DW-1 ATF! I may try it getting onto the highway here and see it if I can't replicate it. Or find 2nd gear run out.

 

oh i see now...

 

@bighatch- Let me know results of your highway tests. I think you are probably right. While the engine has enough legs to go to 80 in 2nd, in the name of engine and transmission longevity- Acura programmed it this way. (or maybe its just that crappy trans. fluid!). My concern with this is passing power. "If" I need to pass a semi in a pinch, it will be annoying- I'll have to slow to 59 mph, go into "S" mode, manually drop to 2nd, then proceed..... I'm nit-picking here, as I love everything else about the RDX.. I just get annoyed when a car won't do what I tell it to. Guess thats the price we pay for all this computer wizardry.

 

I mean @ Kaze66218. oops. Newbie

 

lol

I did that the other day. I was typing up a response and forgot to submit. That day I noticed it was about 72-76mph in 2nd @ 6500 shifted at 6600~6700 and used drag to decel; continuously pressing (-); by then I was at 59. Like you said before the AT allowed a downshift.

I think 80ish is do able in 2nd but it'd be at the rev-limiter in "S" mode. And factory Tachs /speedo's lie!!

what ever you do be safe, and use common sense

 

isnt the tranny controled by another "ecu" ? just asking as im not sure.. the only thing im pissed about is how sloppy of a tranny it is in the first place. i mean it almost takes a full second for it to shift after you press the button. paddle shifters in mine are just useless

 

@windowlickingood- thats a good question. Not sure if its a separate unit or not... I totally agree- the tranny is a real slush box. Thats typical Honda though- great engines and chassis, but the auto transmissions are a few generations behind....

 

In my dreams.

I have not tried to get into 2nd at 80mph, yet.

Are you in 3rd manual and trying to go to 2nd manual when it won't go in until <60?

I have seen this in 2nd manual must be <22 to get into 1st manual.

My guess is if you open the throttle all the way it will downshift quickly and well before the minimum speeds needed while downshifting with a closed throttle.

Sounds like you are trying to speed up any way so why not open the throttle while in manual.

Kaze - Saddly today is the 15th (day) anniversery of our Prelude leaving.

 

Nice car(manual too) and color, I have the run me off the road Nordic mist/ silver blue metalic can't wait to re spray it. Mine was attacked by a herd of gremlins. And all parts are being replaced. Dw1's got some crazy low viscosity I was going down hill and it changed into 3 Down from 5... Just some good FYI

If I could interject, that a thought to swap a 6 speed into a RDX. Well Sean Church and I talked about that quite a bit; at that point it'd be a money pit, bit if you got more money and it's burning hold in your pockets, it's a see if it can be done thing. Not too many people will be able to follow that one. I have done what your talking about before, talk about a head ache.

 

@DRR98- That's correct- in "S" manual mode, holding 3rd gear, trying to downshift to 2nd, but wont downshift until going <60mph. Same principal applies in S automatic mode, or "D" automatic mode, floor it, and won't drop to 2nd unless <60mph. 60 or above- 3rd gear only. But redline in 2nd brings you up to about 78 or so. Would be nice if tranny allowed a downshift to 2nd at higher speeds, would give you a little extra push if you needed it. Not that the car is a slouch or anything, still pulls nicely in 3rd...

 

to be honest.. doesnt matter how much we tune it up... its always still a suv it wouldnt be as powerful as skyline or any other sport car XD ... and i hardnt feel any G force compare with RSX

 

I don't know much about the RDX but, wouldn’t aftermarket performance parts help you with passing, without dropping to 2nd gear? I mean, if it has more power, wouldn't the acceleration be quicker even if it's not at a higher RPM?