2012 HONDA ACCORD COUPE transmission

The automatic transmission will not
allow you to shif t up or down if :If you try to do this, the gear
position indicator will f lash the
numberof thelowergearseveral
times, then return to a higher gear.
If the vehicle speed decreases
below the redline of the selected
lowergearwhiletheindicatoris
f lashing, the transmission
downshif ts, and the indicator
displays the selected gear.
You pull both paddle shif ters at
thesametime.
Downshifting with the paddle shifter
allows you to increase the engine
braking when going down steep or
long hills, and provides more power
when climbing uphills. You can
upshif t the transmission manually to
reduce the rpm.
The transmission also shif ts
automatically as the vehicle comes to
a complete stop. It downshif ts to f irst
gear when the vehicle speed reaches
6mph(10km/h)orless.
When you accelerate f rom a stop,
the transmission starts in f irst gear,
and you must manually upshif t
between first and fifth gears. Make
sure you upshif t bef ore the engine
speed reaches the tachometer’s
The transmission remains in the
selectedgear(5,4,3,2,or1).There
is no automatic downshift when
When you are driving in 4th or 5th
gear, the transmission downshif ts to
the lower gear under the f ollowing
conditions:
The vehicle slows down to a
certain speed.
You press the brake pedal. You downshif t bef ore the engine
speed reaches the highest
threshold of the lower gear.
You upshif t bef ore the engine
speed reaches the lowest
threshold of the higher gear.
Driving with the Paddle Shif ters
(A utomatic Transmission Only)
318

Driving
red zone.
your push the accelerator pedal to
the floor.
2012 Accord Coupe

´
When you are in sequential shif t
mode, and the vehicle is stopped,
pull the (right) paddle shifter to
shif t to second gear. You will see
‘‘M2’’ in the display. Starting in
second gear helps to reduce
wheelspin in deep snow or on a
slippery surf ace. Drive in the highest gear that lets
the engine run and accelerate
smoothly. This will give you good
f uel economy and ef f ective
emissions control. The f ollowing
shif t points are recommended:
Shif t up
1st to 2nd
2nd to 3rd 3rd to 4th4th to 5th Normal acceleration
15 mph (24 km/h)
25 mph (40 km/h)
40 mph (64 km/h)
45 mph (72 km/h)
Driving with the Paddle Shif ters (A utomatic Transmission Only)
St art ing in Second Gear Recommended Shif t Point s
319

Driving
2012 Accord Coupe

Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure
the parking brake is set f irmly, or
your vehicle may roll if it is parked
on an incline.
If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, set the parking brake
bef ore you put the transmission in
Park. This keeps the vehicle f rom
moving and putting pressure on the
parking mechanism in the
transmission.Make sure the parking brake is
f ully released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes.
Make sure the moonroof (if
equipped) and the windows are
closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the trunk or take them with you.
Lock the doors.
Check the indicator on the
instrument panel to verif y that the
security system is set.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire. If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the
curb. If your vehicle has a manual
transmission, put it in f irst gear.
If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb. If your vehicle has a manual
transmission, put it in reverse gear.
Parking T ips
Parking
320

Driving
2012 Accord Coupe

To achieve a proper tongue load,
start by loading 60% of the load
toward the front of the trailer and
40% toward the rear, then re-adjust
the load as needed.The maximum allowable weight of
the vehicle, all occupants, all
accessories, all cargo, and the
tongue load is:
EX and EX-L:EX and EX-L:
V6 models with manual transmission:
V6 models with automatic
transmission: V6 models with manual transmission:
V6 models with automatic
transmission:
LX:
LX:
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR): Canadian models
U.S. models
Towing a Trailer
330
4,299 lbs (1,950 kg)
4,409 lbs (2,000 kg)
4,541 lbs (2,060 kg)
4,475 lbs (2,030 kg) 1,970 kg
2,020 kg
2,075 kg
2,040 kg

Driving
2012 Accord Coupe

The maximum allowable weight at
the vehicle axles is:on the f ront axle
on the rear axle
on the f ront axle
on the rear axle
on the f ront axle
on the rear axle on the f ront axle
on the rear axle
on the rear axle on the f ront axle
on the rear axle on the f ront axle
on the rear axle on the f ront axle
on the rear axle
on the f ront axle
EX and EX-L:
EX and EX-L:
V6 models with automatictransmission:
V6 models with manual transmission:
V6 models with automatic
transmission: V6 models with manual transmission:
LX:
LX:
Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GA WR): Canadian models
U.S. models
Towing a Trailer
331
2,006 lbs (910 kg) 2,337 lbs (1,060 kg)
2,414 lbs (1,095 kg)
2,039 lbs (925 kg) 910 kg
930 kg
950 kg
2,050 lbs (930 kg) 2,535 lbs (1,150 kg) 2,050 lbs (930 kg) 2,425 lbs (1,100 kg)
950 kg 1,065 kg
1,095 kg
1,160 kg
1,110 kg

Driving
2012 Accord Coupe

CONT INUED
If the automatic transmission f luid
temperature increases and exceeds
the specif ied limit, the transmission
will also automatically downshif t to
the first gear even with the
Sequential Sportshif t Mode. This
prevents the automatic transmission
f rom overheating. In this case, the
gear position ‘‘1’’ next to the ‘‘M’’
indicator in the instrument panel
blinks f or about f ive seconds, then it
stays on.
When driving uphill and downhill,
use the S position (without using the
paddle shif ters) to provide the
proper engine power and engine
braking on each gear. You can also
use the paddle shif ters. In this case,
select third, second, or f irst gear
with the paddle shif ter; depending on
the vehicle speeds and road
condition. Do not use f ourth and f if th
gears.
Maketurnsmoreslowlyandwider
than normal. The trailer tracks a
smaller arc than your vehicle, and it
canhitorrunoversomethingthe
vehicle misses. Allow more time and
distance f or braking. Do not brake or
turn suddenly as this could cause the
trailer to jackknif e or turn over.
Drive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits f or vehicles with trailers.
Do not exceed the limited speed
when towing a trailer. At higher
speeds, the trailer may sway or
af f ect vehicle handling (see ‘‘
’’inthenextpagefor
additional gear information).
If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, use the D position
when towing a trailer on level roads.
D3 is the proper shif t lever position
to use when towing a trailer in hilly
terrain.V6 models with automatic transmission
4-cylinder models with
Towing a Trailer
T owing Speeds and Gears Making T urns and Braking
Driving
on Hills
335

Driving
automatic transmission
2012 Accord Coupe

When climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the red (Hot) mark, turn the air
conditioning of f , reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
road to let the engine cool.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and always apply engine
braking by shif ting down. If your
vehicle has a manual transmission,
when going down a steep hill, use
the second gear to provide greater
engine braking.Do not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes, and
remember, it will take longer to slow
downandstopwhentowingatrailer.
If youmuststopwhenfacinguphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
place by pressing on the accelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause the trailer to
sway. When being passed by a large
vehicle, keep a constant speed, and
steer straight ahead. Do not try to
make quick steering or braking
corrections.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and use the S mode. You
canalsousethepaddleshiftersto
change the gear position. Select third,
second or f irst gear depending on
the vehicle speeds and road
condition. When going down a steep
hill, use second gear to provide
greater engine braking. Shif t down
to f irst gear when driving up steep
hills.
If the automatic transmission shif ts
f requently while going up a hill, shif t
to D3.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and shif t down to the
second gear.
V6 models with automatic transmission
4-cylinder models with
Driving on Hills
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
Towing a Trailer
336

Driving
automatic transmission
2012 Accord Coupe

Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering wheel,
then turn the wheel to the left to get
the trailer to move to the lef t, and
turn the wheel right to move the
trailer to the right.
Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including f irmly setting the
parking brake and putting the
transmission in Park (automatic) or
in f irst or reverse (manual). Also,
place wheel chocks at each of the
trailer’s tires.Your vehicle is not designed to be
towed behind a motor home. If your
vehicle needs to be towed in an
emergency, see page .
415
bottom
Backing Up
Parking
Towing Your Vehicle
Towing a Trailer
337

Driving
2012 Accord Coupe