Automatic transmission/shifting

[TSX 123]

I have a two month old 2005 tsx. I'm experiencing what I consider to be harsh up and down shifting with my automatic transmission. On the up shifts, I can feel my body lunge forward and then back with each shift...usually through third gear. On the down shift, I can also feel each shift. Also, when I apply the brakes on the downshifts, the car appears to be decelerating then as the car downshifts I can feel a release into the lower gear and the car accelerates forcing me to apply the brakes further to counter the sudden acceleration. My last issue is when I accelerate and attempt to coast by taking my foot off the accelerater, I feel a harsh deceleration....what feels like a grinding.....almost like putting on the brakes.....instead of smooth gliding.

All of this is in comparison to my old car (99 Grand Am) which certainly wasn't a luxury car. I know the tsx is billed as a sports/luxury car. Am I just not used to driving this type of sports car or do these sound like problems?

[thebruce]

That sounds a lot like what I'm experiencing with my new baby....I mean, TSX. However, I'm starting to believe that's the way the TSX is supposed to be. Think about it: It's a luxury/sports sedan, so the transmission could be tuned to be more sporty with harder shifting and maybe a little engine braking.

I would expect both of those characteristics in sport-shift mode. My last car was a Jeep with a stick shift, so I use it all the time.

I don't know about the grinding. You should be able to hear the engine rev when downshifting, but that's normal.

Maybe the TSX is so much quieter than your last car that you're hearing all the normal stuff for the first time?

[MemphisRheins]

Well Ive had mine for 2 1/2 years now, so im more then used to her, so If this is norm with this car, I dont realize it anymore, My One Question would be If Either of you actually know how to drive a stick shift? because what youve been experiencing could easily be you in the wrong gear at the wrong time... Does your car have trouble when your in fully automatic mode, or only in tiptronic?

[Benz]

That's totally normal man..... like Mem said, if you know how to drive stick, these are just normal things. SS mode is somewhat "like" MT.... so when you downshift, the engine revs higher and da car lounges forward because at higher RPMs, you get more torque and the car thought you wanted to downshift to pass someone. As for upshifting, you gotta practice to make each shift smooth. You gotta learn when to shift rather than just shifting anytime, otherwise, you will fell the car shake .... it's similar in MT ..