3.5L V6 Tranny Grade Logic Demo

[GearGuy]

Here is a flash demo of how the Grade Logic works in the 5 speed auto of the 3.5L V6 Vue.
Grade Logic Demo (http://automobiles.honda.com/models/engineering_featuredemos.asp?NUM=7&ModelName=Accord+Sedan)
Just in case you are wondering why it feels a little different...

[revue]

Here is a flash demo of how the Grade Logic works in the 5 speed auto of the 3.5L V6 Vue.
Grade Logic Demo (http://automobiles.honda.com/models/engineering_featuredemos.asp?NUM=7&ModelName=Accord+Sedan)
Just in case you are wondering why it feels a little different...

Interesting. But there's no sensor that actually monitors grade incline.

[kfraney]

Has anyone else found that despite claims to the contrary, it does not reduce gear hunting between 4th & 5th when going up an incline?

[GearGuy]

Interesting. But there's no sensor that actually monitors grade incline.
Well, sort of. It monitors throttle position and speed. Increasing throttle with decreased vehicle speed would suggest and incline.

I have a "ridge" that I have to drive over every day.
I try and ease the throttle up to prevent it from downshifting. 5th gear can pull pretty hard.

What I don't like is that when it does downshift it seems to go straight to 3rd, or maybe 4th with the torque converter unlocked. Pretty good jump in rpms.

I wish a push button lockout of 5th gear could be rigged so you could drop it into 4th early so it stays locked in. I noticed on the V6 Accord that they have shift positions 1, 2, D3 and D. I assume D3 is 3rd gear. Wonder why they chose these gears to lock into. 5th gear is pretty tall and it seems like a "D4" choice would come in handy at times.