[Hytekazn]

Hey fellas, I have an 8th gen accord. Was wondering if Downshifting from D to D3 a bad thing for a transmission to pick up some speed? I usually got around 65mph and for the fun of things down shift it to d3 to pick up speed alot faster to cross lanes. Is it my mentality thinking its faster to shift from D to D3 for a burst of speed or it actually helps? I feel more toque doing this but over all is it bad for the transmission? or is it the purpose of D3 in a Honda?

 

[fastball]

Nothing wrong with downshifting to D3 for passing. In fact you could drive around in 3rd gear all the time if you wanted to but it would kill your fuel economy. As far as reliability goes nothing to worry about. It downshifts to 3rd on it's own anyway when you put the gas pedal to the floor to pass if you leave it in D.

 

[Solairis]

I don't think it's going to cause any harm provided you don't do it at like 125mph or something. Before I got a manual I did sometimes in my old car. I imagine it'd lock you our (maybe?) if you tried to do it at too high of a speed, but I wouldn't test that.

It's probably just your perception that it gives you more speed because if you mash the gas pedal down it'll downshift almost instantly anyways. But I totally get why you want to do it because it gives you that sense of control over it. That's why I got the 6spd manual for this car =)

 

[Hytekazn]

I don't think it's going to cause any harm provided you don't do it at like 125mph or something. Before I got a manual I did sometimes in my old car. I imagine it'd lock you our (maybe?) if you tried to do it at too high of a speed, but I wouldn't test that.

It's probably just your perception that it gives you more speed because if you mash the gas pedal down it'll downshift almost instantly anyways. But I totally get why you want to do it because it gives you that sense of control over it. That's why I got the 6spd manual for this car =)

^ i hear you. Im still a lil shy on abusing it. but i love the car, dont wana do any damage to it.

 

[Rattmann]

Nothing wrong with downshifting to D3 for passing. In fact you could drive around in 3rd gear all the time if you wanted to but it would kill your fuel economy. As far as reliability goes nothing to worry about. It downshifts to 3rd on it's own anyway when you put the gas pedal to the floor to pass if you leave it in D.

On my EXL I4 Auto, the trans actually picks the 4th as initial downshift gear than 3rd. But this is only after the PCM/ECM reprogram.

I used to manually do the D to D3, but after the reprogram, it is a totally different car (a better driving dynamics).

 

[Andylam122]

I believe you are getting more power, if you constantly drive on D3, your RPM is at constant 3+ and if you are on D, its around 2RPM.
I usually use it as a braking mechanism as well. And sharp turns, like a exit/enter highway ramp, gets the car more stable while turning.