I don't know if this is a problem or is considered normal but I decided to shoot a video of my rpm problem. Is this normal guys?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=nPW_3sDOqmQ

I'm guessing it isn't.... Anybody can help me with the problem?

 

what do you do to get it to do that? take your foot off the gas?

 

yeah.

 

What are we supposed to be looking at there? The tach? I don't see anything wrong.

 

nothing's wrong with the rpm?

 

i'm assuming the AT is in fifth gear and thats why the rpm is so low?

 

This appears normal to me also, however, I do have a very elementary question. I have an 08 Automatic... I've seen many posts here and reviews talk about the redline on this car being near 7000 RPM's, and that in the higher RPM's this car is extremely smooth. I don't drive my car hard and don't really intend to, but my question is this: With the automatic transmission, it rarely surpasses 4000 RPMS and that's when I'm flooring it. How do you test out these higher RPM's and really see what this car has to offer when you have an automatic? Do you use the manual mode? If so, how much damage (if any) is done to the engine if you allow each gear to rev so high before switching?

I'm sorry if this is so elementary, but the post here on the dip in RPM's got me thinking.

 

That's weird. I have an 06 Auto and even when I am not in sport shift my car likes to hit 5k. I have to let off the gas to make it shift, or I just put it in sport shift and make it shift at 3k.
And to get it up into the higher RPMs just put it in sport shift. It is a little harder on the engine, but I think it is good to really open it up once in a while. Plus it is really fun to go on the freeway in second and take it up to 7k before shifting.

 

CGP, Thanks for the response. Hmm. It seems like something that would make me nervous to let it get that high. Something like a jet engine taking off and about to explode, but I suppose the car is designed to handle it? Should one be worried about overheating?

 

Don't worry about overheating or any actual damage from revving high every now and then. This is a Honda engine we're talking about here; they LOVE to rev high! The higher you rev the happier the engine!

I was in the same boat as you when I got my TSX. I would be scared to push it and when I do, I get scared hearing the engine ROAR. Yes, it's almost something like a jet engine taking off and about to explode. I had that impression when I hit up to 6k+ RPM. Now I only use SS to drive and I don't mind hitting 4-5k. As for when the auto shifts, I think the car adapts to your driving style and environment (uphill/downhill) and shifts accordingly. Mine shifts at around 3.5k and less from 4-5.

And to answer the TC's question, that looks/is perfectly normal. I'm guessing your car shifted from 4-5 and your foot was VERY LIGHT (almost off) on the pedal. I know that's normal because whenever I go into 5th gear, I let go of the pedal so the RPM goes below 1500 and I just coast. This saves gas

 

Honestly, it scared the shit out of me the first time I did it. I didn't really know what to expect and it was louder than I thought it would be. Now after redlining about a dozen times it isn't such a big deal. It really sounds good when you get a CAI because it makes the VTEC switchover really prominent.

Also, make sure you are filling it with 91 if you are going to redline. The first time I redlined my car it had 89 in it and it didn't sound too healthy As soon as I had 91 in it and all the 89 burned off it sounds perfect all the way to redline

 

i'm used riding motorcycles and revving really high. i rev the heck out of my car every now and then. as long as you do your regular oil changes and keep the car in good condition, don't worry about pushing the revs.

for gas conservation, most auto's will shift really low, between 2500-3500rpm. even when driving "aggressively" in auto, the car will shift right at around 5000rpm. drive in ss-mode and go ahead and go past 5000rpm - that's where the party starts!

 

I have an 08 5AT. For that speed that's normal. If you take your foot off the gas it'll hover at about 1500 or so then it's almost like the tranny goes into neutral and it drops down to just over 1000.

As for redlining it with the automatic, you have to use the sequential shift to do it. With the pedal to the floor mine won't go beyond 5000 in drive. But in "M" you can take it all the way. As long as you keep the maintenance up and use top tier 91 or higher gas and don't make a habit of it, you have nothing to worry about. Until you've taken it over 6000, you really haven't seen what the TSX really has to offer.

 

Can we get back to the topic please?

 

What's there to get back to? There's nothing wrong with your car.

 

Ya, your car is fine. Mine goes down to 1500 if I shift into 5th and lightly have my foot on the gas.

 

Man this got me wondering, when you do you guys down shift in SS. I'm trying to get it so I don't feel the jerk but I can't always get it right. Do you do it by speed or RPMS?
Whats the max RPM you should go?

 

You kind of just get the feel for it after a while. For the past 2 years, 90% of the time I'm driving in SS. I engine brake often to savor my brake pads. It's also nice during traffic... roll on 1st or 2nd, it'll be the perfect speed, put it in D, and it'll be too fast. So you get to kind of control your foot off the pedal roll speed

 

i downshift at 1500, but I never downshift 2nd-1st. I just let the car do it automatically. It jerks really hard when you go 2-1.

 

yeah because i think it was like under 6 or 7mph it does it by itself. I find it kinda weird down shifting from a freeway - to a ramp - to a stop. Starting from 5th gear going over 60 to let it go to 2nd.

 

I just keep down shifting at 1500-2000, or I get lazy and put it in auto, then put it back to ss after I get off the offramp and onto the streets.

 

i use SS mode 99% of the time in mine.. however i try to never downshift 2->1 too jerky and can really cause abrupt stop from the hard engine breaking.

 

Gear 2> 1 is too tall to down shift either way when you stop it automatically goes down.

 

What you filmed, I see this in action regularly. Looks like the overdrive. I recall reviewers for the 1GEN saying the 5AT had two overdrive gears, resulting in better mileage. I can only discern one overdrive gear, but then the transition is so gentle 90% of the time I don't notice.

You can see it if you shift to SS mode, get up to 5th gear, and take your foot gently off the gas (so you're not accelerating). You'll note the RPMs drop as it shifts to the overdrive gear.

Next question....

 

That's not an "overdrive gear"... it's your torque converter locking up. It does so at highway speed (so to speak... my old Accord locked up at >46 mph... not sure what the required speed is for the TSX) and once the engine has reached its operating temperature. Perfectly normal, but not another gear.

 

Yeah, it's doin it for better mileage. Nothing wrong with the car

 

whew thanks for the relief guys, I appreciate it! How come I didn't notice this earlier when I had the car brand spanking new? =O

 

Haha I do that sometimes when I turn so i don't have to downshift to 2nd all the way from 4th.