glog999

I've been a been a lurker and occasional response poster for the last year, but now I have an issue that I need help with!

I have an '06 MT TSX and I've noticed over the last 6-8 months that I am getting an increased amount of vibration felt in the foot pedals and in the seat pan (aka butt meter) when I pull my foot off the gas pedal and coast while still in gear - either to speed correct or to slow down (especially 4th and 5th gear). As soon as I apply positive pressure on the gas pedal or press in the clutch pedal the vibration goes away.

Please note... this is not a low frequency vibration like stepping on the brakes with warped rotors, but a very high frequency vibration like sitting in one of the massage chairs at a Sharper Image store. Also, the description is for the frequency of the vibration not the intensity as the vibration in the car doesn't "rattle" loose objects in the car - I just feel it through the pedals and seat.

During my last two oil changes at the dealership, I expressed concern about the problem, but they came back stating that the technician took the car for a drive and did not notice anything unusual.

Two Questions:
1) Are there any other MT owners that are experiencing the same thing?
2) What may be a cause of the vibration (I assume it's a transmission or clutch problem as the vibration goes away when I press in the clutch)?

Although I don't think my dealership is steering me in the wrong direction (as they've been unbelievably helpful with all of my other fixes), I think that I may not be asking the service manager to look at the proper area. If anyone has any suggestions, please send them my way.

Thanks,
Derrick

JimHolloman

First of all, the dealer may be telling you correctly. You are more attuned to your car that anyone at the dealership and it is possible for you to notice a slight vibration that no one else would notice. Secondly, if the vibration is very slight, it might be perfectly normal.

Considering that the dealership test drove your car and didn't notice anything unusual, I would not be concerned about it unless it got worst -- especially since your car is still under warranty.

If it is not normal, then ONE potential cause would be a CV Joint. I have known of CV Joints that were slightly rough that never got worst -- or went bad. However, the dealer is not going to incur the cost of Easter Egging by replacing one, or both, CV Joints. And, it could be any of several other things causing the vibration.

You might try rotating the tires front to rear and see if there is any change. And, if you want to be insane about it, see if there is a place to tape a portable tape recorder to the underbelly of the car in the area of the CV Joints (same position on both sides). Do a test run, on the smoothest pavement you can find, and record each side three times. See if you can tell any difference in the sound. Also, jack up each wheel and do the same. Don't let speedometer go higher than 25 MPH (the wheel will be turning at 50 MPH) with one wheel off the ground.

You may have one of those problems that I hate -- like rattles. Not bad enough to do anything about and too bad too ignore. Most of the time, the owner ends up living with the problem.

Note: I currently have an AT.

davidspalding

This is a WAG in the dark, but here goes ... have you have the transmission fluid checked/changed? How many miles do you have on the vehicle so far?

glog999

I think the above comment is probably the case... I'll just keep monitoring it to see if it gets worse.

glog999

I did have the transmission fluid changed to the new version the last time I was in for an oil change (I complained about stiff gear changes and the dealer changed the fluid for free). As for miles, I have a little over 34K on the car.

davidspalding

Probably shouldn't have had the MTF changed so early, but -- doesn't hurt, particularly when it's done gratis. I presume the "stiff gears" went away, but since you're now noticing another issue with the tranny, I'd wonder if this is somehow related....

I've never had a manual transmission that shuddered or vibrated when I stopped accelerating in gear. I'd say, "shouldn't happen," but I don't have the 6MT, I have the 5AT.

JimHolloman

On your next service trip, ask the dealer to check for a cracked motor, or transmission, mount.

nbtx

And have them make sure the fluid level is correct.

kingkong222

I too have similar problem, except my car vibrates whenever I hit the accelerator. This happens quite noticeably in the 5th gear. The car would shake like it's choking for air. I thought it was due to the type of gas I put in my car. I was wrong. I used Shell, Chevron, Texaco, and the result was the same. I'm taking my car to the dealer tomorrow. This is the 2nd time I have to take it to the dealer for a different problem. So much for being a reliable vehicle. I have an 06 MT with 28,000 on the ODOM.

nj2pa2nc

I own a 06 MT tsx, bought new 11/17/06 with almost 64,000 problem free miles. It has the original transmission fluid and shifts smoothly. I do mostly highway driving.

aaronng

Does the vibration happen only at 2000-2200rpm?

JimHolloman

> I'm taking my car to the dealer tomorrow.

Would you let us know the diagnoses? You ought to drive, while the technician rides, to demonstrate the problem.

ennzzo

Mine does this, slightly, between 2000-2500. Why?

kingkong222

i guess my problem might have been a bad batch of gas...the dealer didn't find anything wrong with my car when they took it for a test drive and hooked it up with their computer to see anything is wrong with it..will see if it reoccurs

DLTSX6MT

Mine's an '06 MT, and I've noticed this from day one. I can feel it in the pedals, steering wheel, turn signal stalk, butt, etc. Like yours, it's most noticeable when the transmission is in gear, and my foot is off the gas, coasting or decelerating. My TSX has always struck me as a bit buzzy, but I've always given it a pass for being a sporty 4 banger.

We have an '08 CRV too, also with a K24 engine (a variant, not identical, obviously), and the CRV is much smoother and quieter than the TSX, both in terms of engine vibration, engine isolation, and suspension. Of course, the engine response and handling don't quite compare, but I was surprised at the CRV's much calmer drive when we picked it up. But then again, I don't hold gears in the CRV like the TSX.

glog999

I'm glad to see I'm not just imagining things. Do you happen to find that your vibration goes away when you're coasting with the clutch pedal pressed in (i.e. exiting off the highway and coasting to a stop)?

Another thing that I've started to notice as well - whether it's related or not - is that when I'm coming to a stop, I'm starting to feel a slight vibration as if something is rubbing or grinding (and it's not related to the brakes). It feels like when you drive on concrete with drainage grooves cut into the surface. What's strange is that I only notice the vibration when decelerating from about 10mph to 0. This happens regardless of whether the clutch is pressed in so I don't think it's a clutch problem but it may be linked to the vibration I reported in the original post.

At least my car's due for service pretty soon, so I'll have the dealer take another look to see if something's out of whack.

unity

I have this too but mine is automatic. It is felt mainly in 5th gear when lightly putting my foot on the accelerator to maintain speed or when going up a small incline. The RPM range that I experience this is mainly between 1700-2200RPM. I am biggining to think its actually lugging because if I put the car in tiptronic mode and down shift to 4th or a lower gear then it feels smooth and responsive.
I read a review today whereby a comment was made about the CU2 on this exact point in that it seems to reach top gear too quickly and at low speeds and lugs the engine. Maybe it's characteristic of the CL9 too.
I too get the vibration sometimes when braking to come to a stop but my dealer said my brakes were fine. I might just have to try an external brake specialist for a second opinion.

Daveymcgav

I've noticed all these issues as well with my 2005 TSX MT with 54,000 miles. It seems like this is simply a design flaw of our cars .

aaronng

Resonance. My 2004 did that when new. My passenger had her head on the B pillar, and there was a buzzing vibration that she felt through the B pillar, and I felt it through the steering wheel and pedals at 2000-2200rpm in my car. Took out the intake resonator and the buzz went away from 2000-2200rpm and instead happened at 3500rpm but much much stronger. Changed to an aftermarket SRI, no more buzz. LOL

DLTSX6MT

aaronng

Then it is resonance because when you press the clutch in, the RPM drops to idle. It is not the wheels, bearings, wheel balance, driveshaft, nor gearbox because all of that is still spinning even when you press the clutch in.