Hello,

I noticed that my 2019 Honda fit, automatic, has a slight delay engaging drive after switching gears from reverse. I usually swing reverse to drive pretty quick and go, but if I do it on the fit, it just revs for a second before engaging drive. It’s not instant but not a big delay, just noticeable enough to notice. I’m wondering if this is normal behavior?

 

Yes, it's completely normal. With the CVT, you're not allowed to shift into drive and have the gear engage instantly. It takes a second or two. The manual transmission is better at drop 'n go.

 

Thank you for confirming. Is this documented or acknowledged anywhere by Honda?

 

I have never ever with any AT/CVT I have ever owned shifted directly from reverse to drive. I always shift into neutral first for a second or two and then into drive. I don't know why I once started doing that but I do believe that it might be damaging to the transmission. My manual does say:

"When you change the shift lever from (D to (R and vice versa, come to a complete stop and keep the brake pedal depressed.
Operating the shift lever before the vehicle has come to a complete standstill can damage the transmission."

 

Yeah, I don't shift abruptly either. I think with the AC at full blast there is an additional delay because I'm not noticing it as much with the AC off.

 

You may need to change the transmission fluid. I began changing the fluid every 30k instead of every 50k per the maintenance minder, because after the first change, I noticed a huge reduction in the time to shift between P/D/R.