New 5-spd Auto Transmission Like/Dislike

GMech · 04-11-2007, 11:26 PM

Hello everyone. I own a 2007 EX sedan with a 5-spd automatic transmission.
I've been driving my first ever new car for about 4 weeks now. So far I'm very happy with my FA1.

The Good: I notice the transmission shifts a lot smoother when compares to my old 1998 DX 4-spd auto. It is more responsive from a full stop acceleration and light throttle during passing. It tends to downshift alot more than previous automatic cars that I have driven before, it seems always looking for a gear that matches the torque and speed. Isn't that some kind of computerized logic control system everyone is talking about? I guess that's what I have to get used to.

Dislikes: The situation happens once in a while when the car crawls to ALMOST a full stop, probably 5km/h?! If I want to accelerate at this point, the tranny will hesitate for a split second then instantly downshift to a lower gear with a jerk, sometimes a small bang.

Please share your experience with your Civic A/T! List anything you LIKE/DISLIKE about this new tranny.

-GMech

mtbiker278 · 04-11-2007, 11:48 PM

Compared to the previous automatic transmission the civic had, I like this one a lot better

Good: Super low 5th gear for cruising, smooths shifts when speeding up, no whining except in reverse, stomp on the gas an it'll down shift 2 gears.

Bad: Big hesitation when burying the gas at a stop, will lurch forward if coasting to a stop and pressing the gas with medium force (can be tempered with light force), parasitic power loss

I've also noticed that it'll down shift when going down a hill. Depending on what you want to do this could be good or bad. Overall I think Honda has made some huge improvements for this Auto trans.

tomasro · 04-12-2007, 12:05 AM

I will compare my civic to my old honda accord lx wagon 93:
Transmission, though having 1 more gear and greater fuel economy, sucks because of the newly built in DBW system and hill logic. Stopping problem is solved with slowing down sooner, so it'll kick into lower gear sooner. But there is no fix for the problem. I think the transmission is fine...but the DBW system is what's to blame for most of this.

It's slow reacting, isn't constant throughout the acceleration arc (really touchy at the top, and you have to push the accelerator into the carpet to get it to shift down sometimes), and is causing irregular shifting points with my Injen CAI. I wish Honda would just take back it's DBW, and put back in the mechanical thing that worked before.

Car overall, huge improvement over years past. Sucks that the new technology is actually worse than the old tried and true stuff from before.
[/rant]

jasongg06 · 04-12-2007, 02:23 AM

I notice your dislike also, it's the worst part of the car IMO. I hate it when i'm driving in traffic or at a bunch of stop signs. Another thing is that it downshifts TOO often, if there's even a slight incline it'll down shift (this is right after it shifts out of first), pretty annoying, why can't it just hold onto a gear for 1/2 a sec longer?

targettuning · 04-12-2007, 10:54 AM

I own a 2006 EX sedan auto and this thing shifts into and out of 5th gear at the very thought of an incline (not to mention actual hill). Without doubt it is the most touchy automatic I have ever owned. Why does it do this? Fuel economy of course...the thing is geared for max economy in at least the top two gears. 5th is useful ONLY on table flat roads.

***Mikey6p*** · 04-12-2007, 11:47 AM

I have no problems with it...I think the AT is pretty darn smart. Especially when it down shifts while going downhill.

jasongg06 · 04-12-2007, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikey6p

I have no problems with it...I think the AT is pretty darn smart. Especially when it down shifts while going downhill.

This transmission isn't that great. When it down shifts to maintain speed while going downhill, it destroys your MPG, same when there's a slight incline and it down shifts to keep speed. Not much economy there. Same for accelerating from a stop going on in incline, the transmission will down shift so many times instead of just holding onto each gear longer. I'm sure it could be worked out. Honda's "grade logic" may be nice, but it doesn't have economy in mind.

GMech · 04-12-2007, 01:30 PM

Thanks very much for the inputs people!!

Here is the best platform for all to share their thoughts.
--> Now I'm really interested in how the Honda professionals might have something to say about this.

-GMech

phillipguru · 04-17-2007, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasongg06

This transmission isn't that great. When it down shifts to maintain speed while going downhill, it destroys your MPG, same when there's a slight incline and it down shifts to keep speed. Not much economy there. Same for accelerating from a stop going on in incline, the transmission will down shift so many times instead of just holding onto each gear longer. I'm sure it could be worked out. Honda's "grade logic" may be nice, but it doesn't have economy in mind.

actually no throttle downshifting to mantain downhill speed really doesnt decrease mpg over leaving it in 5th gear and is way better than putting it into nuetral.

When in gear engine braking downhill to mantain speed the ecu pulls about -15 degrees timing, as opposed to 5 degrees while in 5th and +10 while in neutral.

Mileage is about the same and about as good as its gonna get.

Thank you Scanguage 2 I love thee

Sunshine · 04-18-2007, 01:44 AM

I don't find the transmission to be all that great, but it's definately a minor improvement compared to the previous Civics and Accords. My biggest complaint is the jerkiness while cruising at slow speeds, especially when acceleration a bit or decelerating at very slow speeds, the damn transmission jerks very slightly. The best description is a light thump sensation. It's quite annoying for a new 2007 car. Transmission is buttery smooth at higher speeds, especially when highway cruising. I just wonder what'll happen say from 5 years from now.

targettuning · 04-18-2007, 10:12 AM

All the thumps and bumps you feel at low speed are a combination of the lock-up torque converter locking/unlocking and or shifting in and out of 5th or even 4th gear. The transmission is programmed to get into 5th gear ASAP (at a relatively low road speed) to max out fuel economy. The trouble with the programming is...combined with the low torque at slow road speed/engine RPM any and I mean ANY incline will prompt a downshift out of 5th. It is a very busy transmission especially at low speed.

I Vtec, do you? · 04-18-2007, 02:07 PM

Here are my dislikes. I'll be honest, there are not many "likes" when all you wanted was a manual and you got an auto instead.

1) Same prob as OP - I'll come to a rolling stop, but right before I stop, I give it gas to start moving. The tranny hesitates, then it sounds like it's revving up and does it's own "neautral drop". Where the engine is spinning and then engages the gear and the car kicks forward a bit, does a wheel chirp and makes a thunk. Dealer says it's normal.

2) SLIGHTEST, SLIGHTEST incline on the highway for example causes my car to usually drop to 3rd gear. And then, when it does that, it stays there for 15+ seconds before upshifting.

3) My car hates to downshift during acceleration. For example, I could be cruising at 20 mph, and then stomp on the gas. Instead of hitting first or maybe even second, will drop down to third, or sometimes forth. THe result? Incredibly slow acceleration. And it just kind of pisses me off...

4) WOT doesn't even come close to redline. I beleive the redline is something like 6850, and even in WOT in first gear, the car will shift at around 5900-6100.

As for likes?

1) No worry about rolling back when someone asshole gets right on your ass on a slight incline

2) Not having to use a clutch during heavy traffic

jasongg06 · 04-18-2007, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunshine

I don't find the transmission to be all that great, but it's definately a minor improvement compared to the previous Civics and Accords. My biggest complaint is the jerkiness while cruising at slow speeds, especially when acceleration a bit or decelerating at very slow speeds, the damn transmission jerks very slightly. The best description is a light thump sensation. It's quite annoying for a new 2007 car. Transmission is buttery smooth at higher speeds, especially when highway cruising. I just wonder what'll happen say from 5 years from now.

I wonder also. I took it into the dealer for the free 40 pt inspection and the jerky sensation. There are rumors that some R18 guys have gotten it fixed, but no official TSB yet.

Thats the worst thing about the car IMO. That, and the fact that most 06 sedans can't unlock all doors when u pull the key out or put it in park.

GMech · 04-18-2007, 06:07 PM

Really?? Someone has gotten it fixed?? But no TSB?

I wonder if anyone has ever tried complaining about this jerk/bump sensation to Customer Relations at Honda.

jasongg06, you can custom program your car to either unlock all doors when gear back into "PARK" or unlock when you remove the key from the ignition. There's instructions in the owner's manual.

I got a 07 though, any difference?
-GMech

jasongg06 · 04-18-2007, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GMech

Really?? Someone has gotten it fixed?? But no TSB?

I wonder if anyone has ever tried complaining about this jerk/bump sensation to Customer Relations at Honda.

jasongg06, you can custom program your car to either unlock all doors when gear back into "PARK" or unlock when you remove the key from the ignition. There's instructions in the owner's manual.

I got a 07 though, any difference?
-GMech

Apparently yeah, i (and many other 06 coupe/sedan owners) tried doing the process that's in the 07 manual.. bottom line is, it doesn't work for the majority of us. We can only have the drivers side door unlock. That's a pretty crappy feature to be missing IMO. It takes the convenience out of having a 4 door. I might actually trade my 06 for a new camry because of that, and other things i dislike about my sedan.

japs52 · 04-18-2007, 10:42 PM

hmmmm...how would it work with the 5spd?

GMech · 04-18-2007, 11:08 PM

jasongg06, I'm so sorry to hear about that buddy, especially if you're going to trade it in..!!!! *sigh*

When I bought mine new, it could only unlock the ONE driver door, but not all 4. But then I reprogrammed by following the instructions, using the key in the ignition and the door lock panel switch, it worked!@!!

Have you tried to let the service rep at the dealer to give it a try?? Becuz you paid so much $$ for it, if its in the books and it should WORK.

-GMech

jasongg06 · 04-19-2007, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GMech

jasongg06, I'm so sorry to hear about that buddy, especially if you're going to trade it in..!!!! *sigh*

When I bought mine new, it could only unlock the ONE driver door, but not all 4. But then I reprogrammed by following the instructions, using the key in the ignition and the door lock panel switch, it worked!@!!

Have you tried to let the service rep at the dealer to give it a try?? Becuz you paid so much $$ for it, if its in the books and it should WORK.

-GMech

The funny thing is that it's not in my manual (06 ex sedan) but people have it in the 07's. There's a long thread about this somewhere in this forum and someone even took a pic. We all tried to follow it but it doesn't work, we don't get the 3rd click. I also took it to 2 dealers and they said it is not a feature on 06's. So yeah..

Also, about me trading it in. It's not necessarily because it's a bad car, or i dislike it. (it's the 06 MT car of the year) It's just that this car isn't right for me. I do commute, but since i drive mostly in the city, i don't get the amazing MPG that some people get on these forums. I want to be comfy, and i also want my passengers to be comfy, the civic has barely enough room to do that, but since some of my friends are taller, it makes it really uncomfortable for them. The suspension is also a bit more firm then i need. The door lock thing also makes it less convenient. In addition to that, i feel a HUGE drop in quality (overall) from my 96 accord, which is still running strong and has a perfect interior. Which leads me to believe that the civic will not hold up as well in the long run. I also dislike needing to mash the petal through the floor just to get up a hill or pass someone in traffic. I won't be trading it for awhile, but I hope that the camry or whichever larger/stronger car will satisfy my needs.

phillipguru · 04-19-2007, 11:23 PM

I just swapped out 5 quarts of 31.5k mile old ATF with Quaker state premium sythetic ATF. The AT magnetic drain plug had pleanty of residue from metalic abrasion. The honda ATF was brown, very brown, I drive all highway. After 2 pan drain and refills the tranny has none of the low end low gear jerkyness that every r18 auto seems to have. It also shortened the lag from cuise to WOT when downshifting. The best way I can describe it is you definitely feel more torque at lower rpm, it doesnt downshift on hills as much. Im thinking that everyone with jerkyness should change out at lease 5-6.5 quarts of ATF

GMech · 04-19-2007, 11:44 PM

That's an interesting thought. Maybe I should try that when the mileage approaches that service point.
I read some articles about the rumours of switching out or staying with the Honda Z1 ATF. There's a few aftermarket brands that said to be fully compatible or exceed the needs of Honda Z1. Quaker State is one, Amsoil synthetic is another that I'm seriously considering about since I'm a fan of their products.

I test drove my buddy's 2000 Accord 4 Cyl LX to further study this jerkiness that's always been associated with their Honda auto. I found the sensations are somewhat similar when the vehicle slows down to about 8mph or so and did a sudden kickdown. The jump is always there, more so then my 07 EX.

What's your opinion on switching to full synthetic ATF and possibly to improve the smoothness of it??

04-11-2007, 11:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
GMech Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toronto, ON. Posts: 86 Gary iTrader: 0 / 0%	New 5-spd Auto Transmission Like/Dislike Hello everyone. I own a 2007 EX sedan with a 5-spd automatic transmission. I've been driving my first ever new car for about 4 weeks now. So far I'm very happy with my FA1. The Good: I notice the transmission shifts a lot smoother when compares to my old 1998 DX 4-spd auto. It is more responsive from a full stop acceleration and light throttle during passing. It tends to downshift alot more than previous automatic cars that I have driven before, it seems always looking for a gear that matches the torque and speed. Isn't that some kind of computerized logic control system everyone is talking about? I guess that's what I have to get used to. Dislikes: The situation happens once in a while when the car crawls to ALMOST a full stop, probably 5km/h?! If I want to accelerate at this point, the tranny will hesitate for a split second then instantly downshift to a lower gear with a jerk, sometimes a small bang. Please share your experience with your Civic A/T! List anything you LIKE/DISLIKE about this new tranny. -GMech

04-12-2007, 10:54 AM	#5 (permalink)
targettuning Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: south central Pa Posts: 161 iTrader: 0 / 0%	5 speed automatic I own a 2006 EX sedan auto and this thing shifts into and out of 5th gear at the very thought of an incline (not to mention actual hill). Without doubt it is the most touchy automatic I have ever owned. Why does it do this? Fuel economy of course...the thing is geared for max economy in at least the top two gears. 5th is useful ONLY on table flat roads.

04-18-2007, 10:12 AM	#11 (permalink)
targettuning Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: south central Pa Posts: 161 iTrader: 0 / 0%	thumps and bumps All the thumps and bumps you feel at low speed are a combination of the lock-up torque converter locking/unlocking and or shifting in and out of 5th or even 4th gear. The transmission is programmed to get into 5th gear ASAP (at a relatively low road speed) to max out fuel economy. The trouble with the programming is...combined with the low torque at slow road speed/engine RPM any and I mean ANY incline will prompt a downshift out of 5th. It is a very busy transmission especially at low speed.

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04-11-2007, 11:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
mtbiker278 Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 49 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Compared to the previous automatic transmission the civic had, I like this one a lot better Good: Super low 5th gear for cruising, smooths shifts when speeding up, no whining except in reverse, stomp on the gas an it'll down shift 2 gears. Bad: Big hesitation when burying the gas at a stop, will lurch forward if coasting to a stop and pressing the gas with medium force (can be tempered with light force), parasitic power loss I've also noticed that it'll down shift when going down a hill. Depending on what you want to do this could be good or bad. Overall I think Honda has made some huge improvements for this Auto trans.

04-12-2007, 12:05 AM	#3 (permalink)
tomasro Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: San Carlos, CA Age: 25 Posts: 1,667 Turner iTrader: 2 / 100%	I will compare my civic to my old honda accord lx wagon 93: Transmission, though having 1 more gear and greater fuel economy, sucks because of the newly built in DBW system and hill logic. Stopping problem is solved with slowing down sooner, so it'll kick into lower gear sooner. But there is no fix for the problem. I think the transmission is fine...but the DBW system is what's to blame for most of this. It's slow reacting, isn't constant throughout the acceleration arc (really touchy at the top, and you have to push the accelerator into the carpet to get it to shift down sometimes), and is causing irregular shifting points with my Injen CAI. I wish Honda would just take back it's DBW, and put back in the mechanical thing that worked before. Car overall, huge improvement over years past. Sucks that the new technology is actually worse than the old tried and true stuff from before. [/rant]

04-12-2007, 02:23 AM	#4 (permalink)
jasongg06 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: 626 So Cal Posts: 1,263 iTrader: 0 / 0%	I notice your dislike also, it's the worst part of the car IMO. I hate it when i'm driving in traffic or at a bunch of stop signs. Another thing is that it downshifts TOO often, if there's even a slight incline it'll down shift (this is right after it shifts out of first), pretty annoying, why can't it just hold onto a gear for 1/2 a sec longer?

04-12-2007, 01:30 PM	#8 (permalink)
GMech Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toronto, ON. Posts: 86 Gary iTrader: 0 / 0%	Thanks very much for the inputs people!! Here is the best platform for all to share their thoughts. --> Now I'm really interested in how the Honda professionals might have something to say about this. -GMech

04-18-2007, 01:44 AM	#10 (permalink)
Sunshine Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 256 iTrader: 0 / 0%	I don't find the transmission to be all that great, but it's definately a minor improvement compared to the previous Civics and Accords. My biggest complaint is the jerkiness while cruising at slow speeds, especially when acceleration a bit or decelerating at very slow speeds, the damn transmission jerks very slightly. The best description is a light thump sensation. It's quite annoying for a new 2007 car. Transmission is buttery smooth at higher speeds, especially when highway cruising. I just wonder what'll happen say from 5 years from now.

04-18-2007, 02:07 PM	#12 (permalink)
I Vtec, do you? Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: MN Age: 19 Posts: 8,564 Jeremy iTrader: 11 / 100%	Here are my dislikes. I'll be honest, there are not many "likes" when all you wanted was a manual and you got an auto instead. 1) Same prob as OP - I'll come to a rolling stop, but right before I stop, I give it gas to start moving. The tranny hesitates, then it sounds like it's revving up and does it's own "neautral drop". Where the engine is spinning and then engages the gear and the car kicks forward a bit, does a wheel chirp and makes a thunk. Dealer says it's normal. 2) SLIGHTEST, SLIGHTEST incline on the highway for example causes my car to usually drop to 3rd gear. And then, when it does that, it stays there for 15+ seconds before upshifting. 3) My car hates to downshift during acceleration. For example, I could be cruising at 20 mph, and then stomp on the gas. Instead of hitting first or maybe even second, will drop down to third, or sometimes forth. THe result? Incredibly slow acceleration. And it just kind of pisses me off... 4) WOT doesn't even come close to redline. I beleive the redline is something like 6850, and even in WOT in first gear, the car will shift at around 5900-6100. As for likes? 1) No worry about rolling back when someone asshole gets right on your ass on a slight incline 2) Not having to use a clutch during heavy traffic

04-18-2007, 06:07 PM	#14 (permalink)
GMech Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toronto, ON. Posts: 86 Gary iTrader: 0 / 0%	Really?? Someone has gotten it fixed?? But no TSB? I wonder if anyone has ever tried complaining about this jerk/bump sensation to Customer Relations at Honda. jasongg06, you can custom program your car to either unlock all doors when gear back into "PARK" or unlock when you remove the key from the ignition. There's instructions in the owner's manual. I got a 07 though, any difference? -GMech

04-18-2007, 10:42 PM	#16 (permalink)
japs52 Senior Member Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 172 iTrader: 0 / 0%	hmmmm...how would it work with the 5spd?

04-18-2007, 11:08 PM	#17 (permalink)
GMech Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toronto, ON. Posts: 86 Gary iTrader: 0 / 0%	jasongg06, I'm so sorry to hear about that buddy, especially if you're going to trade it in..!!!! sigh When I bought mine new, it could only unlock the ONE driver door, but not all 4. But then I reprogrammed by following the instructions, using the key in the ignition and the door lock panel switch, it worked!@!! Have you tried to let the service rep at the dealer to give it a try?? Becuz you paid so much $$ for it, if its in the books and it should WORK. -GMech

04-19-2007, 11:23 PM	#19 (permalink)
phillipguru Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: rogersville, tn Age: 25 Posts: 364 iTrader: 1 / 100%	I just swapped out 5 quarts of 31.5k mile old ATF with Quaker state premium sythetic ATF. The AT magnetic drain plug had pleanty of residue from metalic abrasion. The honda ATF was brown, very brown, I drive all highway. After 2 pan drain and refills the tranny has none of the low end low gear jerkyness that every r18 auto seems to have. It also shortened the lag from cuise to WOT when downshifting. The best way I can describe it is you definitely feel more torque at lower rpm, it doesnt downshift on hills as much. Im thinking that everyone with jerkyness should change out at lease 5-6.5 quarts of ATF

04-19-2007, 11:44 PM	#20 (permalink)
GMech Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toronto, ON. Posts: 86 Gary iTrader: 0 / 0%	That's an interesting thought. Maybe I should try that when the mileage approaches that service point. I read some articles about the rumours of switching out or staying with the Honda Z1 ATF. There's a few aftermarket brands that said to be fully compatible or exceed the needs of Honda Z1. Quaker State is one, Amsoil synthetic is another that I'm seriously considering about since I'm a fan of their products. I test drove my buddy's 2000 Accord 4 Cyl LX to further study this jerkiness that's always been associated with their Honda auto. I found the sensations are somewhat similar when the vehicle slows down to about 8mph or so and did a sudden kickdown. The jump is always there, more so then my 07 EX. What's your opinion on switching to full synthetic ATF and possibly to improve the smoothness of it??