Hello. I am new to the forums and a new owner of a 2013 Sport with an automatic transmission. I have owned the car for about six weeks and I have approximately 2,300 miles on it. The other day I began noticing the car downshifting when I am coasting in city traffic at speeds of 40 mph and below. When it does this, the tachometer dips down to 500 rpm and then quickly jumps back up to 1,500 rpm. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. This is my first new car and I am extremely weary after just getting rid of a 1997 Ford Explorer that had a litaby of transmission problems during the three years that I owned it. Maybe that is making me overreact. I don't know, but this combined with the slow throttle response that I have noticed since day one with this car has me super nervous. Thanks for reading.

 

There are lots of things that could be at work. The main thing is it's a lot smaller car with a busy 5speed transmission. It's also a bit smarter than older cars' transmissions.

The torque converter locks and unlocks in all gears and sometimes this seems like extra shifts.

The transmission downshifts to assist with braking on grades (grade logic).

Here's the text (from an '09 shop manual) that describes it. Have a read and see if it makes sense with what you're experiencing. Of course you can have a honda service tech drive it and advise; they should provide this service free. And the factory warranty is 60K 6 years, so don't obsess!



Here's some more on shift-hold logic in the twisties (don't think this describes what you're experiencing but it's interesting...)

 

My mother in law has a late 90's Explorer I drive when going through snow occasionally, i'd think even the slowish electronic throttle of the Fit would be an improvement for you the slow throttle response is normal as it's electronically controlled (not cable actuated). There are electronic throttle controllers available if it bothers you that much.

I don't own an auto Fit so I don't know it's shifting eccentricities, but I haven't seen any issues from owners on here regarding the transmission, so i'd assume it's normal operation. I don't think you have anything to worry about.

 

sigh, "more throttle" isn't "faster response." An aftermarket ETC can't make the signal travel faster from the gas pedal position sensor through the ECU to the throttle stepper motor. All it can do is fool the ECU into thinking more throttle is called for than the actual position of the gas pedal would indicate.

I think the "slow response" complaint is just "low response" from a dinky 1.5L engine compared to a torquey v6 or v8. It responds much faster than my 97 Camry v6 does off the line. for about 10 feet.

 

I don't even know what people's problem with the gas pedal is, I have no issues with it. I just assume when they say "slow response" they mean it doesn't rev naturally according to how much input they provide (which is kind of true I think, my wife complains about that) compared to a cable actuated throttle that some people are used to.

I'll let the OP explain what they mean though.

 

I have about 103400 on my 09 SSM and have always had that issue since day one.

overall I'm happy with this AT and it has performed well. No v6 but then again I didnt get this car for straight line speed. In NYC having that power is reassuring, but then again I've seen enough cars rear-end each other to know maneuverability and handling is more important.


I have driven with a fully loaded fit on the highway with no problems. Will I be able to overtake anyone in front, nope, but then again we really don't have to.

to the OP, just stay on top of your fluids for all components and this car will LAST.