Had my '06 6-spd at the dealer today to check out the drive-by-wire throttle. When in 1-st gear, slowing down, then pulling away from a stop sign, no matter how smoothe I try I can't do better than make me and the family bounce our heads around like bobble-head dolls. As well, if I'm doing 20 or 30mph (whatever) in 2nd or 3rd gear, if I tip into the throttle with the lightest touch the car jerks back as the throttle is applied.

The dealer said he had four guys in the shop try and they couldn't reproduce it. I've been driving manual tranny cars for nearly 20-years, and I didn't notice this over the three test drives. I undersatnd that the Civic Si has a factory reflash available, but none for the TSX. Are all 6-spd TSXs this way? Is this what Temple of VTEC refers to as the dreaded drive-by-wire throttle?

 

Are you coming to a fulls top? If not the problem is that you're trying to accelerate from a very slow speed in 1st gear. Get into second as quick as possible or be more gentle in 1st.

The same thing you describe happened to a relative when they tried to try my 2004. The person had, like you, driven MT all their life, they just couldn't figure out the TSX MT and jerked it all over the friggin place.

 

try and take a drive with the techs to show them what you are experiencing. or try and take it to another dealer

 

I can't avoid it if I am decellerating in first gear and try to get back on the gas at less than 1,500 RPM. It really only happens when trolling parking lots, so I don't worry about it.

 

This behavior is normal. It's due to not-so-great DBW implementation in the TSX. With experience you will learn to drive it smooth; although after owning my TSX for almost a year, I still get those jerks everyday. I would be willing to pay for a DBW software update if anyone comes out with one though.

MBA

 

Over the Pacific here in Australia, our version of the TSX also has the same jerky problem. So you are not alone.

 

+1

 

Thanks for the info fellas. When I have a day off I'll ask the dealer to go on a test drive with me. However, from your responses it seems that this behavior is normal in the TSX. Maybe Hondata would be willing to fix it!

Its probably more moticeable to me because I was driving a TDCI Focus in Portugal last week that had none of the problems I'm complaining about. Although getting back to my TSX made me appreciate the precise shift action of the tranny.

 

No, not coming to full stops, (less than 10mph). This when I experince the jerkiness. If I go into 2nd at this speed the car pulls away fine, but I'm lugging the engine.

 

I only accelerate in 1st gear from a full stop - otherwise it's a bit of a trick to control the "jerk" if trying to accelerate in 1st gear while rolling

I would recommend that if you don't come to a full stop, shift in 2nd gear and just try blipping the gas a bit more than usual (2500-3000rpm) and it'll be fine - no engine lugging feel, very smooth.

 

that's one thing that definately sucks about the TSX is the jerkiness of the DBW no doubt about it. after driving it for a while you sort of learn how to adjust your driving to it but its definately not the best.

 

My brother has a 2001 Audi A4 that also has DBW throttle, but his drives smoothe. He thinks my woes are funny for a couple of reasons: because he auto-crosses, Honda/Acura make more reliable cars than VW/Audi, and Honda has a lot of racing heritage. It is kind of strange they couldn't this straight even in its 2nd generation on the 2006 and newer TSX.

 

I had a lot of problems driving smoothly when I first started on the TSX's 6MT. Now, I pretty much always step on the clutch if I'm slowing down in first, and then do a lot of feathering when accellerating again.

You could try test driving another TSX to see if it seems similar.