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BariM

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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
I'm not sure if I'm not understanding the drive of this vehicle or if there is something unusual going on so I thought I'd ask the question here. It seems like everyone here knows way more than I do about this car...
I feel like the transmission is very jerky. I notice it most when I'm coasting. The tach will bounce quickly when it happens and I feel the car lunge a bit. It doesn't happen every drive and I can't figure out what type of driving causes it. I also find the sharp jerk in the 35 mph range. Is this normal? is there something I can do to smooth out my driving experience? The lunging can actually make me nauseous. I've had it to the dealer with videos of the tach - it tests normal and they say they can not reproduce. Thank you for any advice you can provide.
 
C

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#2 ·
My 1st thought is fluid level (the fluid is 3 times more expensive than most Honda transmission fluids) and these transmissions are very, very particular. There is no dip stick and the refill procedure isn't a simple one, if your level is off.

Are you the original owner, what year, how many miles, and do you have the Honda tranny cooler that lets you tow up to 5,000 pounds?
 
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BariM

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Discussion Starter · #3 ·
carpayments4life said:
My 1st thought is fluid level (the fluid is 3 times more expensive than most Honda transmission fluids) and these transmissions are very, very particular. There is no dip stick and the refill procedure isn't a simple one, if your level is off.

Are you the original owner, what year, how many miles, and do you have the Honda tranny cooler that lets you tow up to 5,000 pounds?
Click to expand...
I’m sorry! It’s new - a 2021 with 1700 miles on it. That’s why I’m hoping I just don’t understand something..
 
gd3Fit

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#4 ·
I haven't felt "lunging", but I have felt some engine braking (downshifting) when braking and slowing down to a stop, maybe this is that lunging feeling? I don't think the transmission is really jerky although reading I did see 2019's might have had a software update to resolve this problem.

One thing I have noticed, only in the morning after a cold start, right around 24-25mph there is a shift, I'm not sure into which gear, but it makes a clunk during that shift that can be felt and heard at the shift. Only at that gear and doesn't happen later in the drive. This one I don't like. 2021 with 2500 miles
 
YVRPassport

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2020 Honda Passport Sport
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#5 ·
Could it be this?

From the Service Manual:

Grade Logic Control: Ascending Control

When the Power/Performance Control Module (PCM) determines that the vehicle is climbing a hill in the D position, the system extends the engagement area of the 2nd gear, 3rd gear and 4th gear to prevent the transmission from frequently shifting between 2nd and 3rd gears, between 3rd and 4th gears and between 4th and 5th gears, so that the vehicle can run smooth and have more power when needed.

Grade Control Logic: Descending Control

When the PCM determines that the vehicle is going down a hill in the D position, the shift-up speed from 4th to 5th gear, 3rd to 4th gear and from 2nd to 3rd (when the throttle is closed) becomes faster than the set speed for flat road driving to widen the 4th gear, 3rd gear and 3nd gear driving areas. This, in combination with engine braking from the deceleration lock-up, achieves smooth driving when the vehicle is descending. There are three descending modes with different 4th gear, 3rd gear and 3nd gear driving areas according to the magnitude of a gradient stored in the PCM. When the vehicle is in 5th or 4th gear and you are decelerating while applying the brakes on a steep hill, the transmission will downshift to a lower gear. When you accelerate, the transmission will then return to a higher gear.

Deceleration Control

When the vehicle goes around a corner and needs to decelerate first and then accelerate, the PCM sets the data for deceleration control to reduce the number of times the transmission shifts. When the vehicle is decelerating from speeds above 27mph (43 km/h), the PCM shifts the transmission from 5th or 4th gear to 2nd earlier than normal to cope with upcoming acceleration
 
C

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#6 ·
BariM...do you have the 5000 pound towing package that comes with the additional tranny cooler?
Are you on a pretty level surface, when it lunges? Or are you going downhill?
 
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BariM

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Discussion Starter · #7 ·
gd3Fit said:
I haven't felt "lunging", but I have felt some engine braking (downshifting) when braking and slowing down to a stop, maybe this is that lunging feeling? I don't think the transmission is really jerky although reading I did see 2019's might have had a software update to resolve this problem.

One thing I have noticed, only in the morning after a cold start, right around 24-25mph there is a shift, I'm not sure into which gear, but it makes a clunk during that shift that can be felt and heard at the shift. Only at that gear and doesn't happen later in the drive. This one I don't like. 2021 with 2500 miles
Click to expand...
When I had the car at the service department, I showed him the bulletin on the update. He looked it up and said it didn’t apply to 2021’s. Apparently, the 2021’s were adjusted prior to delivery. I wish I could figure out when the driving condition occurs. Sometimes it feels smoother than others
 
BariM

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Discussion Starter · #10 ·
XLR337 said:
The transmission learns and adapts as you drive, so I would expect the jerkiness to improve. The difference in smoothness between my car at 1500 miles and 3500 miles is noticeable by my wife and I.
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That is an enormous relief and extremely encouraging! Thanks you! Has anyone noticed a difference using premium gas?
 
PassportinOK

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#12 ·
BariM said:
That is an enormous relief and extremely encouraging! Thanks you! Has anyone noticed a difference using premium gas?
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I know EXACTLY what you're experiencing, and yes, the smooth shifting in the 20-40mph range should get better over time. However, coasting or applying light brakes approaching a stop around 40/45mph is absolutely HORRIBLE!! I feel the brakes get squishy when the trans is downshifting (lasts well over 1 second, thanks dog clutch) and then they stiffen and almost make it feel like I'm hammering the brakes to the floor. I have learned to feather the brake pedal during these occurrences, making it less drastic, and even apply the brakes later and stronger than I usually would to "curb" the surging. I have tried everything, paddle shifting, S mode, and Eco mode to no avail. Dealer says everything is "functioning within Honda specs" - I've had it in multiple shops, multiple times. Seems like we have to adapt to the transmission, as opposed to the transmission adapting to our driving. This has had me back in the market for a different vehicle for the past 6 months, major bummer since I love EVERYTHING else about the PP. I just can't seem to get over this driving flaw.

2020 Elite with 19k miles.
 
C

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#14 ·
BariM said:
I'm not sure if I'm not understanding the drive of this vehicle or if there is something unusual going on so I thought I'd ask the question here. It seems like everyone here knows way more than I do about this car...
I feel like the transmission is very jerky. I notice it most when I'm coasting. The tach will bounce quickly when it happens and I feel the car lunge a bit. It doesn't happen every drive and I can't figure out what type of driving causes it. I also find the sharp jerk in the 35 mph range. Is this normal? is there something I can do to smooth out my driving experience? The lunging can actually make me nauseous. I've had it to the dealer with videos of the tach - it tests normal and they say they can not reproduce. Thank you for any advice you can provide.
Click to expand...
I have noticed the same thing on my new, 2021, elite with 2,000 miles. Trying to coast to a stop around 35-45 mph, engine doesn’t downshift, lunges forward for a while, while the braking is squishy and then comes to a hard stop. Doesn’t happen all the time but a bit disturbing when it does.
 
PassportinOK

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#16 ·
Cronmok said:
I have noticed the same thing on my new, 2021, elite with 2,000 miles. Trying to coast to a stop around 35-45 mph, engine doesn’t downshift, lunges forward for a while, while the braking is squishy and then comes to a hard stop. Doesn’t happen all the time but a bit disturbing when it does.
Click to expand...
Same behavior as I was explaining earlier. Let me know if you get anywhere with the dealership or Honda.
 
gd3Fit

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