Harsh shifting 2nd to 3rd
Thread Starter
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,564
Likes: 1,093
From: Sugar Land, TX
Harsh shifting 2nd to 3rd
Has anyone else noticed uneven/harsh shifting at times in the lower gears in Comfort driving mode? I drive in a lot of traffic and when I have to slowly accelerate up to 30-40, the shift from 2nd to 3rd is not smooth at all. I have that feeling that the transmission is searching for the right gear
I am a bit sensitive to Acura transmission issues after the fiasco I had with the TLX 9 speed, so I might not have the best perspective on this.
If I am accelerating right up to highway speeds, the RDX shifts fine.. it's that low speed shift that doesn't feel quite "right" especially compared to the ultra smooth shifting of the MKX I just got out of.
I am a bit sensitive to Acura transmission issues after the fiasco I had with the TLX 9 speed, so I might not have the best perspective on this.
If I am accelerating right up to highway speeds, the RDX shifts fine.. it's that low speed shift that doesn't feel quite "right" especially compared to the ultra smooth shifting of the MKX I just got out of.
Last edited by Stew4HD; Jun 27, 2018 at 07:45 AM.
Cruisin'
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 17
Likes: 2
From: Bedford, Nova Scotia
Has anyone else noticed uneven/harsh shifting at times in the lower gears in Comfort driving mode? I drive in a lot of traffic and when I have to slowly accelerate up to 30-40, the shift from 2nd to 3rd is not smooth at all. I have that feeling that the transmission is searching for the right gear
I am a bit sensitive to Acura transmission issues after the fiasco I had with the TLX 9 speed, so I might not have the best perspective on this.
If I am accelerating right up to highway speeds, the RDX shifts fine.. it's that low speed shift that doesn't feel quite "right" especially compared to the ultra smooth shifting of the MKX I just got out of.
I am a bit sensitive to Acura transmission issues after the fiasco I had with the TLX 9 speed, so I might not have the best perspective on this.
If I am accelerating right up to highway speeds, the RDX shifts fine.. it's that low speed shift that doesn't feel quite "right" especially compared to the ultra smooth shifting of the MKX I just got out of.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 28
Likes: 26
From: St. Louis, MO
I've noticed it also, but hadn't 100% narrowed it down to a 2nd to 3rd issue. I've noticed it most while taking a long sweeping right turn I drive daily to work, and through it was just because the auto engine off thing immediately before the turn. When in sport or sport+ mode I don't notice it at all.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 115
Likes: 54
Not a concern. Transmissions are programmed to shift gear with the least amount of slip between the clutch packs. The slower you accelerate the less slip between the clutch packs. Less slip = Harder shift. Normal or heavy acceleration allows the clutches to slip a little more so the shift are buttery smooth. This has been a "thing" in almost all the automatics ive had.
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Pro
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 509
Likes: 125
Test drove for 2+ hours today. Specifically paid attention to this concern. I felt what you were describing a couple times. I would not say harsh. But I would describe it as a hesitation. Like it wasn’t sure if I was going to stomp it or slowly accelerate. But it wasn’t anything I would be concerned with long term. It’s more of a driving style adjustment.
Thread Starter
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,564
Likes: 1,093
From: Sugar Land, TX
Test drove for 2+ hours today. Specifically paid attention to this concern. I felt what you were describing a couple times. I would not say harsh. But I would describe it as a hesitation. Like it wasn’t sure if I was going to stomp it or slowly accelerate. But it wasn’t anything I would be concerned with long term. It’s more of a driving style adjustment.
Thanks!
Pro
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 509
Likes: 125
Pro
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 509
Likes: 125
Thread Starter
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,564
Likes: 1,093
From: Sugar Land, TX
Carbon Bronze RDX
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 99
Likes: 3
From: Old Greenwich, CT
Test drove for 2+ hours today. Specifically paid attention to this concern. I felt what you were describing a couple times. I would not say harsh. But I would describe it as a hesitation. Like it wasn’t sure if I was going to stomp it or slowly accelerate. But it wasn’t anything I would be concerned with long term. It’s more of a driving style adjustment.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 945
Likes: 262
I always take a car out for "the day" before I purchase. Some companies (like Honda near me) will not allow, but all of the Acura dealerships that I have gone to let me take it for a full day if I want. I like to drive my commute if possible so I can see how it will drive when I am in it everyday. The 5 minute thing is to see if you still have interest. I have also done this with loaners when getting service like a timing belt.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 259
Likes: 29
From: Minnesota
With limited inventory many dealers are using one model - usually a tech - to handle test drives so you may not get to see if the Advance suspension is noticeably better.
Also just insist on not doing a standard route. Weekdays are better.
Also just insist on not doing a standard route. Weekdays are better.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 509
Likes: 125
i just asked if I could have it for a few hours. See how rides on the highway and how it fits in the garage, etc. they usually have a dealer loaner they can give you if it’s not the exact one you’re buying....in my case I asked for the exact car. They were more than happy to do it. Just ask. If you’re serious they’ll be glad to hook you up.
Thread Starter
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,564
Likes: 1,093
From: Sugar Land, TX
Thread Starter
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,564
Likes: 1,093
From: Sugar Land, TX
There are a few issues I have with the transmission.. try doing a near stop (California stop) slowing to about 1mph and then giving it gas.. the transmission has no idea which gear to be in. I don't do this type of stop often though
Pro
Joined: Jun 2018
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we call it the south Philly slide. But how bout actually stopping then maybe it’s not an issue? Lol 😂
Thread Starter
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,564
Likes: 1,093
From: Sugar Land, TX
After the HELL I went through with the TLX's shifting issues, I am not going to bother taking it in over it.
All I ever heard was "The transmission is working as expected" from the Acura reps. The dealership was sympathetic but could do nothing.
All I ever heard was "The transmission is working as expected" from the Acura reps. The dealership was sympathetic but could do nothing.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 82
Likes: 13
Drove a RDX Advance Wednesday, been considering an Advance SH-AWD for my wife. Experienced a few shifts that didn't seem as smooth as I would expect. Like Stew4HD I am a little sensitive to the transmission issues after my 2015, 2016 TLX experiences. My 2016 TLX still has 3 issues that drive me a little nuts:
1) Abrupt 2-3 shift in some light acceleration situations
2) The same rolling stop issue Stew4HD describes above
3) The sluggish downshifts when hit the gas hard at 40-60 mph
So these first two are seeming to be trends with this new high gear count Acura/ZF transmissions, Thinking I may hold of until 2020 model to see how things play out. In the past I have never hesitated to buy a first model year Honda/Acura product. The 2015 TLX experience flipped that bit.
1) Abrupt 2-3 shift in some light acceleration situations
2) The same rolling stop issue Stew4HD describes above
3) The sluggish downshifts when hit the gas hard at 40-60 mph
So these first two are seeming to be trends with this new high gear count Acura/ZF transmissions, Thinking I may hold of until 2020 model to see how things play out. In the past I have never hesitated to buy a first model year Honda/Acura product. The 2015 TLX experience flipped that bit.
Thread Starter
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,564
Likes: 1,093
From: Sugar Land, TX
I am finding the 99% of the time the transmission shifts very smooth, especially if I can accelerate normally all the way through the range to highway speeds, even in Comfort mode.
Still don't like the inability for the transmission to find the right gear when it needs to in low speed, rapid accel attempts. I think all of these 8+ geared vehicles will suffer from that though. If I get in the habit of using the paddle shifters of maybe Sport mode, it might help.
Still don't like the inability for the transmission to find the right gear when it needs to in low speed, rapid accel attempts. I think all of these 8+ geared vehicles will suffer from that though. If I get in the habit of using the paddle shifters of maybe Sport mode, it might help.
Forum Contributor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,685
Likes: 1,400
From: Chicago NW Burbs
The harsh shifting from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd was covered in the 2019 Acura RDX ONEpack Update #7.
There is a clutch break-in procedure available to help address this issue.
At this time, this concern has mainly been limited to early production low mileage vehicles.
https://acurazine.com/forums/third-g...0-18-a-970758/
There is a clutch break-in procedure available to help address this issue.
At this time, this concern has mainly been limited to early production low mileage vehicles.
https://acurazine.com/forums/third-g...0-18-a-970758/
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 89
Likes: 29
From: Massachusetts
The harsh shifting from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd was covered in the 2019 Acura RDX ONEpack Update #7.
There is a clutch break-in procedure available to help address this issue.
At this time, this concern has mainly been limited to early production low mileage vehicles.
https://acurazine.com/forums/third-g...0-18-a-970758/
There is a clutch break-in procedure available to help address this issue.
At this time, this concern has mainly been limited to early production low mileage vehicles.
https://acurazine.com/forums/third-g...0-18-a-970758/
Thread Starter
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,564
Likes: 1,093
From: Sugar Land, TX
Cruisin'
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 16
Likes: 6
Has anyone else noticed uneven/harsh shifting at times in the lower gears in Comfort driving mode? I drive in a lot of traffic and when I have to slowly accelerate up to 30-40, the shift from 2nd to 3rd is not smooth at all. I have that feeling that the transmission is searching for the right gear
I am a bit sensitive to Acura transmission issues after the fiasco I had with the TLX 9 speed, so I might not have the best perspective on this.
If I am accelerating right up to highway speeds, the RDX shifts fine.. it's that low speed shift that doesn't feel quite "right" especially compared to the ultra smooth shifting of the MKX I just got out of.
I am a bit sensitive to Acura transmission issues after the fiasco I had with the TLX 9 speed, so I might not have the best perspective on this.
If I am accelerating right up to highway speeds, the RDX shifts fine.. it's that low speed shift that doesn't feel quite "right" especially compared to the ultra smooth shifting of the MKX I just got out of.
5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 5
Likes: 5
Hello,
Thanks to the user that listed the information about the fix for this issue. I dropped my RDX advance FWD off at the dealer this morning to have the clutch break in performed. The dealer called back at the end of the day to say they were still working on the issue and waiting for a call back from the tech line. They are keeping it overnight. I’ll report back to everyone when I get my RDX back. Aside from this issue I absolutely love my RDX. I’m coming from a 17 TLX DCT which had several transmission issues the first 6 months until Acura released a software update for the DCT. I was really hoping not to have any transmission issues with the RDX and felt confident knowing it’s the same engine/transmission that’s in the Accords. Hopefully this issue is resolved.
Thanks to the user that listed the information about the fix for this issue. I dropped my RDX advance FWD off at the dealer this morning to have the clutch break in performed. The dealer called back at the end of the day to say they were still working on the issue and waiting for a call back from the tech line. They are keeping it overnight. I’ll report back to everyone when I get my RDX back. Aside from this issue I absolutely love my RDX. I’m coming from a 17 TLX DCT which had several transmission issues the first 6 months until Acura released a software update for the DCT. I was really hoping not to have any transmission issues with the RDX and felt confident knowing it’s the same engine/transmission that’s in the Accords. Hopefully this issue is resolved.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 118
Likes: 25
Hello,
Thanks to the user that listed the information about the fix for this issue. I dropped my RDX advance FWD off at the dealer this morning to have the clutch break in performed. The dealer called back at the end of the day to say they were still working on the issue and waiting for a call back from the tech line. They are keeping it overnight. I’ll report back to everyone when I get my RDX back. Aside from this issue I absolutely love my RDX. I’m coming from a 17 TLX DCT which had several transmission issues the first 6 months until Acura released a software update for the DCT. I was really hoping not to have any transmission issues with the RDX and felt confident knowing it’s the same engine/transmission that’s in the Accords. Hopefully this issue is resolved.
Thanks to the user that listed the information about the fix for this issue. I dropped my RDX advance FWD off at the dealer this morning to have the clutch break in performed. The dealer called back at the end of the day to say they were still working on the issue and waiting for a call back from the tech line. They are keeping it overnight. I’ll report back to everyone when I get my RDX back. Aside from this issue I absolutely love my RDX. I’m coming from a 17 TLX DCT which had several transmission issues the first 6 months until Acura released a software update for the DCT. I was really hoping not to have any transmission issues with the RDX and felt confident knowing it’s the same engine/transmission that’s in the Accords. Hopefully this issue is resolved.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 118
Likes: 25
Tonight I put the car in paddle shift mode and noticed zero harshness when upshifting 1-2 and 2-3. If the clutch wasn't broken in (as Acura is saying) wouldn't it be shifting harshly using the paddles as well? This make me very weary that the clutch break-in is going to be the fix. I REALLY hope I'm wrong!!!