One of the few complaints on the TSX:

When in full automatic mode and going, say, about 45-55mph in top gear and I pretty much slam the gas pedal, I consistently notice the downshifts to 4th, then 3rd, and finally 2nd - which is what I expected the tranny to downshift to initially.

With the drive-by-wire setup, I would expect a 'cleaner', more 'instant' downshift into a lower gear depending on the force I place on the accelerator. This is a non-issue when is SS mode, but obviously it takes at least a couple pulls to get to the lower gears.

Is this a mechanical/warranty issue or pretty much the norm?

 

I would think it's the norm, but I'm not sure. I've got a manual.

Wow, you can be in 2nd gear at 60mph+? that sounds crazy! i mean, say you're at 45 in 5th gear, you slam the accelerator, it takes you to 4th gear, by 50 you're in 3rd gear, 55 and 2nd gear!

i think they made the manual tranny with the gearing tall enough so you could just hit, and maybe go slightly over 60mph in 2nd (for the 0-60 test), but the manual has 6 gears. i didn't realize the gearing ratios would be that similar in the 5 speed.

i'd probably stick with SS if the delayed downshift bothers you. my $0.02.

 

probabaly for durability reasons, skipping gears is not good for any tranny, AT and MT

 

Nothing wrong with your car, that's normal behavior. ATs always take longer to cycle down low and find you some power.

 

Punch the pedal twice. First to drop one gear and then the next. Remember you are training/talking to your car's brain. It's very smart but it's not a mind reader. This is a technique that can be learned to help address the famous hesitation problem (pre-reflash). If done correctly you can smoothly go from pulling torque into vtec. Keep in mind you're driving a high rev 4 banger not a 6+ torque monster.

 

Why would it matter in a manual transmission?