mphilleo

The subject of this thread, hopefully, is just pertaining to paranoia and ignorance, but I was hoping some fellow TSX owners can help me put my concern to rest. Just to clarify, I am somewhat mechanically-inclined and have owned numerous cars with various transmissions previously. I'd like to describe something that seems somewhat unusual to me and let you folks weigh in.

Today, I was taking a 35 mph right-turning curve onto an on-ramp and was getting up to highway speed at 65 mph. The car was holding the RPMs at about 3,000, which I know is pretty typical in having driven this before. What seemed odd to me is that it dropped to 2,500 RPMs for about a 1.25-1.5 seconds, then dropped to about 2,100 RPMs once I was cruising on the highway. Obviously, this transmission has only 5 gears (and was in standard D at the time), but that almost makes it seem like there's a 4.5th gear!

I don't know if that'd indicate a transmission shift flare or even if it'd be an electronics/mechanical problem, but it seems unusual. This has happened before, but it hasn't been quite this obvious beforehand. Since I've read about premature transmission failures on the 2nd gen TSX, I'm a little concerned. Finally, I don't flog this car and my driving habits should not be contributing to a transmission failure. How it as driven for the first 230 miles while it was at the dealer, I don't know.

09TSXTech

I believe that's your torque converter locking up once you are at cruising speed, it's normal to have some slippage on an automatic transmission until it's locked up in top gear for greater fuel economy and you mentioned that you were driving in D mode.

Take it back to the dealer to make sure all is working accordingly.

mphilleo

Thanks for the clarification, 09TSXTech. Unfortunately, I bought my TSX about 500 miles away under the impression that my local Honda dealer will be capable of servicing it. Did I just make a horrible mistake?

TSXKid2010

o-o

Well you might as well wait until all the problems add up and bring it in all at once...

mphilleo

That's what I get for believing the salespeople when they said I should be able to get the car serviced at my local Honda dealer (no Acura here). Welp, I guess I'll have to bank it all on that reputation for reliability.

DJMcGee

I don't see why you would draw that conclusion. Honda should be very much capable of servicing your TSX, it is generally an Accord. You will likely need to wait on parts for anything other than an oil change as they likely will not have them on hand.

Have you asked the Honda dealer about your transmission conundrum?

You transmission has 4 very distinct shift points when upshifting and then a 5th distinct locking of the torque converter. You ability to feel all of these "shift points" will be based on engine rpm, loading and speed.

09TSXTech

Your local Honda dealer would have access to the same electronic service manual and technical stuff as the Acura dealer, so I don't see why they won't/can't service your vehicle. Although there may be a time lag on parts, but both Honda and Acura parts comes form the same warehouse (at least here in Canada).

pinatubo

Isn't that supposed to be normal? I think so.
When driving at 35mph, you then ramp up quick to catch up with the flow in 65mph, you push the gas pedal, RPM must swing right to 3K mark as you said then gear shifted, it supposes to drop back. Then when cruising in freeway with 65mph, it should be at 2K+

ttk5

My last 4 services were done at a honda dealership