tsxuser

Yesterday I bought my car in for engine pinging issue again. Have 09-041 TSB done already, but no help. Dealer said there is a PCM software update available, then they went ahead to update it. I don't know is this going to help to elimate my pinging issue or just another "BS" from dealer. Dose anybody know what eaxtly PCM do? Dealer told me PCM stands for powertrain control module. It is a piece of software to control your transmssion. Is this going to help my pinging issue? I hope the update will not affect my fuel economy.

cyberbro

I'm sure it will be the same but it can't hurt.

tvac

Updating the firmware in the PCM can most definitely correct your ping problem. Since the reprogramming may retard timing to achieve that goal, it may also have an adverse effect on fuel economy. There are other parameters which can be tweaked in combination with timing to achieve the same end and hopefully the effect on fuel efficiency will be held to a minimum. However, these kind of software updates are usually only implemented by the dealer when a customer complains, since they may ding fuel economy.

ejongjin

I have same problem as like yours.

I didn't do the TSB for my car yet but I will try that first...

Please keep us updated!

tsxuser

I still hear hint of pinging while i drove off dealer lot. I will keep you posted after a week drive too see it will learn from time to time. I also worry about my MPG will drop, because in order to eliminate ping or knock, computer has to supply more gas. Hopefully Honda engineering team are smart enough not to screw up the MPG. because of gasoline now is sky high.

jebus_TSX

Do you use 87 octane?? This engine is suppose to use 93 octane otherwise it will cause this pinging issue

tsxuser

93 from the day 1 owing the car. recently switch to Exxon 93 to see it make any different, but answer is "NO".

first day test drive after PCM update, I felt car runs more smoth than before. I did not hear ping so far with audio on with volume 5. I will try to turn off audio to see any difference when I am on the way home.

ressling

When I had my TSB done to resolve the pinging issue, they updated the PCM as well. This combination, coupled with the fact that I've never put in anything less than 93 grade gas, gives me no pinging...

tsxuser

May I ask what brand you use for 93? Do you always use name brand or others? I really don't want to stick with Exxon due to high gas price now.

tsxuser

NO help at all. How come there is no help with PCM update. sometime I am suspecting they are not really do the works as they put on the paper, then still charge Honda for warranty jobs. Anyway I am going back to dealer again. This is driving me nuts.

supernads

My 11 manual states that you 91 octane is required for the V6 and recommended for the i4.

You shouldn't need to use 93.

tsxuser

I can not image not using 93, but 91 or anything lower can cure my engine pinging.

ressling

I usually do Chevron, Texaco, or QT... sometimes Exxon, sometimes BP.... rarely Shell.

scout27

Are the pinging problems with a V6 or I4? I have a new wagon - which is only available with the I4 - and have no pinging problems using the 91 octane that is available in my city. I only have 1000 miles on the TSX Wagon and I'm getting 30+ mpg for my in-town driving! I'm impressed since it is only rated for 22 mpg. Again, no pinging, but I don't want to take it in for a computer re-flash and have them ruin my excellent mileage.

MardiGras

You should use Top Tier Gasoline only. In Maryland, that's Chevron, Texaco, Shell, Mobil, and Exxon. Find your local retailers here: http://www.toptiergas.com/

tsxuser

Pinging only happen on I4. If you have 11 model. I think it should be fine. I know it happens on all 09 and some 10 models. You don't need to get software flush if there is no pinging on your car.

Enjoy your new ride.

tsxuser

I have been switch to Exxon and Shell for more than 5 tanks, But no help at all. It dose the same thing.

E-ManN

Sup y'alls ?

Got my PCM update done yesterday on my 09 4 cylinder. Thus far fuel consumption looks like it has been increased. Driving 3 city blocks on my way to work this morning I noticed my range dropped 6 km. it was about 3 deg Celsius here in Toronto this am. My hiway fuel consumption looks like it has been affected as well. :-(

I just filled up with Petro Canada 91 and will keep a close eye on this tank. I usually get a little over 500 km on 95 % city driving.

Will keep you posted at the end of this tanks run.

E

E-ManN

******************

First full tank is done ... 450 KM

Granted we had a cold spell of -20C for a few days it has since warmed up and is not looking good. Even yesterday at 7C and no heat on the range was clicking down like a countdown timer. I will try 2 more tanks before I mention this to the dealer.

What do you think my fellow Ziners ?

ed_423

try 2 more tanks first, if theres sstill a problem, then its time to visit the stealership

E-ManN

********************************

thanks for the reply ED ... I will try a couple more tanks.

I'm not going crazy here as I always flip my Range on when I'm driving so I can get an idea of how much gas I'm eating up or saving. I wish the Range would stay on by default without having to push the button everytime I start the car.

Since the upgrade I've noticed some really erratic movement (up\down) on the Range .. more movement than before as if it's recalculating more often.

Driving style is still the same and I'm drving 6 speed manual shifting at 3000 RPM. I'm thinking that 450 KM out of a 70L tank, for a manual tranny 4 cylinder in horrible.

What do y'all think ?

E-ManN

***********************************************

Sorry Ziners for the long wait, have not had a chance to update. Couple of tanks later and here are the results keeping in mind that Toronto has a had a warm spell over the last couple of weeks of which I did not use the heater for the most part.

Details ...

Driving out of the Petro Canada gas station after $80 fill-up Range display indicates 735 KM. Over the next week (95% stop and go city traffic) the stats at the end of the tanks run is as follows ...


Trip A -> 545 KM (Trip A I reset on every fillup)
Range -> 153 KM (woo hoo ... can still drive another 100+)
Trip B -> 2500 KM (Trip B I reset every 5000KM with oil change)
L\100 Trip A -> 8.8 L\100 (Avg L\100 since last fill up)
L\100 Trip B -> 9.0 L\100 (Avg L\100 since last oil change)

So 545 KM, with 153 still left on the Range, avg temperature over the week period 5 to -5 C, shifting at 3000 RPM ...

for winter driving (on snow tires) with the car using more fuel before it is warmed up and minimal heat ... not bad, I'm ok with that.

ceb

For those metrically challenged, 8.8l/100 is about 26.75mpg and 9l/100 is about 26.15mpg

98 Canuck

And since E=ManN is from Canada ... 8.8 l/100 is about 32.1 mpg (Imperial) and 9.0 l/100 is about 31.4 mpg (Imperial).

1 Imperial Gallon = 1.2 US Gallon

ceb

Close but not quite. Canada measures mileage in liters (or litres) per 100km and not in MPG. Accordingly, your Imperial MPG numbers just muddy the waters. I recalculated for the US members.

Thanks for calculating for the UK members since they are the only ones here thinking in imperial gallons.

My calculations are correct for comparison with US members.

98 Canuck

Most of us "old farts" here in Canada still calculate miles per gallon (imperial) as opposed to litres per 100 km. I'm not quite sure if that's what the government had in mind when they made us bilingual?

I guess technically we don't calculate "mileage" by definition. We calculate fuel consumption where the lower the number is better. That's just bass-ackwards.

Since E-ManN is from Canada, both sets of numbers (mpg US and mpg CDN) are correct.