| paidtoomuch |
Hey Everyone,
It's been 3 months since I received my White 02 base. I've been pretty happy with it (altough NOT happy with the Dealership). Anyway, I was wondering if anyone else is seeing the following issue. It seems more frequently than not that when I tap the brakes to slow down the MDX the computer abruptly downshifts into a lower gear. I find this very annoying, and the passengers get this look like I'm slamming the brakes on. Maybe it's just me or the fact that I live in a very hilly part of Colorado Spring, CO. But I sure wish I coud disable or do something to minimize this. Any Ideas?
Regards,
PaidtooMuch |
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| gto-dave |
| That's the way it was designed (Grade Logic). Just keep driving your rig and you'll notice that this type of tranny is a pleasure to drive. We all love it here at the group, & you will too in time. You could drive in 2nd all day to avouid the shifting, but I dont think the gearing would last too long. This design also saves the brakes, Also, if you dont tap the brakes downhill, it wont downshift. |
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| davegood |
| Thanks for posting this -- I too kept thinking 'why do I feel a brake surge????' |
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| admin |
| Breaks? It has breaks? |
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| MDXLuvr |
move to Tx. You won't have the problem anymore.:D
jk. Sorry, but i don't think u will be able to modify the grade logic system to prevent the downshifts. |
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| Magwich |
| I was out testing this today and noticed that I had to push on the brake moderately hard to get it to downshift. Perhaps paidtoomuch's mdx is set too sensitively for the downshift? |
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| JR8 |
We took delivery of our MDX in February and I noticed the exact same thing. It was hard to get used to in the beginning, but after a couple weeks it has been really nice. When you are coasting on a downgrade, the transmission keeps your car from going too fast and riding the brakes all the way down.
On a recent ski trip while driving up the mountain, the transmission was great for passing all the V8 explorers and expeditions! |
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| Rail |
I've hated this since I took delivery in November 2000... and still hate it.
I've had my car checked out -- they felt that it could brake harder because of my aftermarket wheels screwing with the grade logic (even got a letter from Acura HQ saying that)...
It's the #1 thing I don't like about my MDX.
Rail |
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| dakster |
Never seemed to notice it here in Miami... I guess because it is so flat.
glad I read about it as I am planning a summer trip to the smokies... Anyone in the mountain regions have any problems with the tranny/mdx overheating during steep climbs? (without a trailer) |
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| Lrpba300 |
quote:
Originally posted by paidtoomuch
Hey Everyone,
It's been 3 months since I received my White 02 base. I've been pretty happy with it (altough NOT happy with the Dealership). Anyway, I was wondering if anyone else is seeing the following issue. It seems more frequently than not that when I tap the brakes to slow down the MDX the computer abruptly downshifts into a lower gear. I find this very annoying, and the passengers get this look like I'm slamming the brakes on. Maybe it's just me or the fact that I live in a very hilly part of Colorado Spring, CO. But I sure wish I coud disable or do something to minimize this. Any Ideas?
Regards,
PaidtooMuch
Hey, What part of C/S you in? I'm over on the far east/ central springs? I just got the Mesa Beige Met. one, but not sure what your saying. Took it on a long trip & didn't notice that? |
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| rerodgers |
| I too have been experiencing the same problem on my 2004. I have had the technician ride with me on two occasions and I could not replicate the problem. But, whenever I drive around town and I apply the brakes the car seems to downshift rather abruptly. I don't think that grade logic was meant to do this. I now find that I don't have to even be on a hill for the car to downshift. It is not a gradual downshift, it feels as though I tapped the brakes hard and then let go. Does not feel right, but I can't seem to ever replicate when I am driving with a tech. |
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| dipersp |
quote:
Originally posted by rerodgers
I too have been experiencing the same problem on my 2004. I have had the technician ride with me on two occasions and I could not replicate the problem. But, whenever I drive around town and I apply the brakes the car seems to downshift rather abruptly. I don't think that grade logic was meant to do this. I now find that I don't have to even be on a hill for the car to downshift. It is not a gradual downshift, it feels as thought I tapped the brakes hard and then let go. Does not feel right, but I can seem to ever replicate when I am driving with a tech.
Count me in. I imagine I could get it to do it for the tech - just about everytime I touch the brakes it downshifts. Feels terrible and people in the car always think I'm jamming on the brakes. I think it's terrible if this is the way it was designed!
Get used to it? After a year and a half and 31k later, still not used to it. |
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| DaleB |
We went to Kings Canyon National Park about 3 weeks ago.
Coming down the mountianous road from 7000 ft., I was able to keep the MDX at a constant speed through the esses when first invoking 'grade logic'.
It worked great! On flatter sections it would simply upshift when I nudged the accelerator, then the next section I would brake just enough to snub it down to the previous speed, and it took over again.
What helped was a correctly banked road, that was also silky smooth through most of the descent. I did have it in D4 for most of the way. There was never enough straight road for the vehicle to run in D5 for any reasonable duration.
Ideally, that's how it should work. But all the correct conditions have to be in play. |
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| dipersp |
| I guess I'm old-fashioned. I like to put it in a gear and let the transmission/engine do the work, not some computer thinking for me. Too bad they never made the X in a 5-speed manual. |
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| td284 |
I've noticed the same issue with my '05 and cannot get used to it.
It tends to downshift when I take my foot off the gas at a moderate speed. It's annoying, very "Hal doing the driving". Also, the transmission doesn't hold the car on an incline. If you're stopped on a hill and take your foot off the brake, the car rolls backward. Very dangerous coming out of a steep city garage.
And shift into first going downhill, and right around 25mph the car jerks into low gear VERY abruptly.
I must say, going up a steep hill, the acceleration is fantastic and overall the ride is great. But the transmission is always doing unexpected shifts. |
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| dipersp |
quote:
Originally posted by td284
Also, the transmission doesn't hold the car on an incline. If you're stopped on a hill and take your foot off the brake, the car rolls backward. Very dangerous coming out of a steep city garage.
'Xactly! If I have to drive it like a manual, give me a shifter!
Someone told me that has to do with the grade logic, too. Not very logically if you ask me. I saw a commerical or article for SOME car and they were talking about how when you take your foot off the brake, they have something built-in that holds the car for X seconds while you take the time to hit the gas. And it was an AUTOMATIC! Aren't we going backwards here? |
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| Rick_James |
quote:
Originally posted by dipersp
'Xactly! If I have to drive it like a manual, give me a shifter!
Someone told me that has to do with the grade logic, too. Not very logically if you ask me. I saw a commerical or article for SOME car and they were talking about how when you take your foot off the brake, they have something built-in that holds the car for X seconds while you take the time to hit the gas. And it was an AUTOMATIC! Aren't we going backwards here?
Any steep hill any automatic can roll backwards on a steep incline while releaseing off the brake.
My 2005 Pathfinder, 2003 Tahoe and 1999 TL does it. :3:
Since you are aware of it, just be cautious at all times. Maybe learn how to use left foot on brake and right foot on gas just for these type of situations. I had to learn this while I use to tow a 6000 boat. ;)
Nothing to it. :2: |
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| perk |
quote:
Originally posted by dipersp
Count me in. I imagine I could get it to do it for the tech - just about everytime I touch the brakes it downshifts. Feels terrible and people in the car always think I'm jamming on the brakes. I think it's terrible if this is the way it was designed!
Get used to it? After a year and a half and 31k later, still not used to it.
Exactly! I posted on this subject a couple of years ago and all the responses were basically "huh...what...don't know what you're talking about." At least now there are some folks who have also noticed this "feature."
Any time I head to the mountains, all the passengers ask me why I keep jamming on the brakes. It's very aggravating. |
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| JL_SS |
quote:
Originally posted by perk
Exactly! I posted on this subject a couple of years ago and all the responses were basically "huh...what...don't know what you're talking about." At least now there are some folks who have also noticed this "feature."
Any time I head to the mountains, all the passengers ask me why I keep jamming on the brakes. It's very aggravating.
With all the complaints, Acura should just implement a Grade Logic On/Off Switch. Use it if you like it, don't if you find it intrusive. |
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| rerodgers |
I am not convinced it is grade logic or if it is there is no way they intended this to happen. Besides, I am not talking about driving down 7-9% grades down from Pikes Peak. I am talking about this happening on very slight downhills and I might have even noticed it on flats when I am braking. It doesn't happen all the time but it seems to be happening more frequently.
No other car I have ever owned has such a "feature". It literally is so abrubt people ask me why I am hitting the brakes and I have to tell them it is an "acura" feature.
On top of that, I now for the second time with only 30K miles have to have my brakes fixed because my rotors are warped. The last time they turned my rotors at 15K and now 15K later they are warped again. If you ask me the brakes suck on this car. |
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| G. COLTON |
My MDX does not have this "feature." When I am on level ground there is NO downshift, nor should there be.
G |
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| td284 |
quote:
Originally posted by Rick_James
Any steep hill any automatic can roll backwards on a steep incline while releaseing off the brake.
My 02 Explorer never did that. I could hold it on a hill indefinitely without the brake. Maybe its a 4WD/AWD thing. |
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| dipersp |
Yup - I notice mine doing the downshift while on flat surfaces, too. My entire town is "mostly" flat and it always does it.
This is my first automagic, but I've driven plenty of autos before and NEVER noticed them rolling down a hill while in drive without the brake. I always sat at lights on a hill without using the brake, it was happen until now on autos. |
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| MMIIMDX |
| Maybe this one of the few good things about my '02 transmission. I never notice a hard downshift under the aforementioned situations. |
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| Rick_James |
| I was reading this and I confirm that my X does not do this. Maybe its one of those packages "While supplies last" ;) |
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| dipersp |
I tested mine out this weekend. I went to a friend's place in the mountains - some real good "Trucks stay in low gear" hills. Normally, I drop a few gears and ride down. Instead, I tried tapping my brakes and stayed off the gas. No go. Things just kept picking up speed. I tried slowing down more then tapping - nope.
I feel the downshift LESS when I'm on a hill trying to make it work than when I'm just slowing down in normal traffic. Must be me. |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by dipersp
I feel the downshift LESS when I'm on a hill trying to make it work than when I'm just slowing down in normal traffic. Must be me.
Oh, you just got to know how to tap...didn't you see the Gregory Hines movie? Now that man could downshift! (may he rest in peace).
:) |
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| blkcondor |
I think there were some Transmission problem with that year and I believe there was a recall and maybe you should contact the
Acura Corp and ask them about the recall because the dealer may not be honest with you. |
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| perk |
quote:
Originally posted by rerodgers
I am not convinced it is grade logic or if it is there is no way they intended this to happen. Besides, I am not talking about driving down 7-9% grades down from Pikes Peak. I am talking about this happening on very slight downhills and I might have even noticed it on flats when I am braking. It doesn't happen all the time but it seems to be happening more frequently.
No other car I have ever owned has such a "feature". It literally is so abrubt people ask me why I am hitting the brakes and I have to tell them it is an "acura" feature.
On top of that, I now for the second time with only 30K miles have to have my brakes fixed because my rotors are warped. The last time they turned my rotors at 15K and now 15K later they are warped again. If you ask me the brakes suck on this car.
Funny because I have both of the same problems on my X.
I have the downshifting feature, especially noticable in the mountains but also noticeable on lesser downgrades.
And I've had the rotors replaced twice in 40k miles. The really bad thing is that I'm not someone who's hard on brakes. I, unlike my wife and many others that I've noticed, generally slow gradually up to any stop and only apply the brakes near the end of a stop. My last car, a Lexus, went 125k miles without having any brake problems (didn't even turn the rotors). I finally gave up on the X and bought some Brembo rotors that I've yet to install. As soon as they warp again, which I'm sure they will, I'm putting on the Brembos. I concur with your eloquent statement--the brakes suck on this car. |
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| JimH |
| My 02' MDX does not have this stated feature of downshifting after tapping the brakes, nor have my rotors warped as of 38K miles. |
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| screbr |
Odd - it's got to be a matter of personal preference and past driving experience.
I just drove my X 450 miles across Colorado from Denver to Cortez (Four Corners area), which involves going up and down several mountain passes and some pretty steep terrain in spots. I never once noticed any inappropriate or "rough" downshifting, in fact I thought the car did very well - much better than my old 4Runner. I kept it in 3rd or 4th on the downside of most passes, and of course brake tapping is a must to help control the speed.
And fortunately, I didn't have to sample any of the runaway truck ramps along the way - although I did see a couple of rigs that had to bail out....:eek: |
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