I bought a 2016 Elite/Advanced RDX last May. I am trying to use the paddle shifters to downgrade when slowing to red lights. I am not able to downgrade to the 1st speed, whatever the speed of the RDX. I noticed the same thing in a 2016 RDX loaner, but not on a Canadian Acura CSX we also own. I have searched the manual for some information, but I did not find any.

I also find the paddle shifters much less responsive than those on the CSX.

Any thoughts on this?

Thanks

Denis

 

Don't you about the rdx, but my other car won't downshift to first until you come to almost a full stop. I know, I don't have an rdx, would like too and will once some debts are paid off and wife finds a job that doesn't suck.

 

The car down shifts automatically to first gear at 6 mhp or less.

Watch this video at minute 13:45, it explains it better.

 

The car will only shift into a gear if the speed/rpm is within the gear's range. It's design that way to protect the motor.

 

Thanks, that explains it all perfectly!

Denis

 

The manual states that we should shift from 1st to 2nd at 15 mph (24 km/h) (page 278).

I thought that we could safely downshift to 1st below 15 mph, but it does not seem the case. The video abobe explains it clearly as giovani posted.

Thank you all for your replies

Denis

 

IMO, the paddle shifters are pretty useless. If it was a DCT it might be different but with a conventional automatic I don't think they're very useful.

And why downshift manually at lights anyway? I can maybe see it on downgrades but in normal city driving what's the point?

 

Because engine braking??


Just a guess



Or because race car

 

Mine also moves to second gear all by itself in sport mode. I suspect the first gear is not cut the same as others. It is noisy on my '16, suggesting it has perpendicular teeth rather than helical ones. It is probably only there to creep in very bad conditions.

 

OK, I guess I shoulda been more precise (I'm an engineer too)...

I see little advantage to downshifting an automatic trans car like the RDX in normal street driving. It will downshift on its own as required. The engine braking in those circumstances is pretty insignificant, the brakes do a fine job.

If one want to feel like he's driving a cool sports car, I guess that's OK but there's otherwise no real reason to do it. And it probably adds a little extra wear & tear to the trans. Brakes are cheaper than transmissions.

But what the hell...if you like to do it, have at it...

 

Thanks for all the replies.

As thoiboi said, I wanted to downshift for engine braking. I know that ther is a debate between transmission wear and brake wear.

As markAZ said, it is pretty useless to downshift the RDX in city driving. It is much more fun on my wife's CSX.

I will revert back to my normal driving and keep the paddles as a decoration to my steering weel.

 

Keep in mind the sequential shifting mode is not the same as a MT car. The electronics set limitations so the engine will not be damaged.

Engine braking is useful when you are carrying excessive load and the normal disc brakes cannot handle the load. In normal driving conditions the disc brakes should be able to provide adequate stopping power.

The only time I downshift manually is when I am going up a steep hill and want to add some speed and torque and only if the automatic transmission has not down shift already.