2013 HONDA ACCORD Transmission

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uuWhen Driving uShifting
Driving
Use the paddle shifters to change between 1st and 7th speeds without removing
your hands from the steering wheel. The transmission switches to the 7-speed manual shift mode when you pull a paddle shifter while driving. This mode is useful
when engine braking is needed.■When the shift lever is in
(D:
The shift mode goes into the 7-speed manual shift mode temporarily, and the
number is displayed in the shift indicator.
The 7-speed manual shift mode is canceled automatically if you drive at constant
speed or accelerate, and the number in the shift indicator goes off.
You can cancel this mode by pulling the
(+ paddle shifter for a few seconds.
The 7-speed manual shift mode is especially useful when reducing the vehicle speed
temporarily before making a turn.
■When the shift lever is in
(S:
The shift mode goes into the 7-speed manual shift mode. The M indicator and the
speed number are displayed in the shift indicator. As the vehicle speed slows down,
the transmission automatically shifts down accordingly. When the vehicle comes to
a stop, it automatically shifts down into 1st.
If the vehicle speed increases and the engine speed reaches near the tachometer’s
red zone, the transmission automatically shifts up.
You can only pull away in 1st speed.
When canceling the 7-speed manual shift mode, move the shift lever from
(S to
(D. When the 7-speed manual shift mode is canceled, the M indicator and shift
indicator go off.
■7-Speed Manual Shift Mode
1 7-Speed Manual Shift Mode
To improve fuel economy, the transmission may shift
up to a higher speed than the seventh under certain
circumstances. In this case, the number in the shift
indicator remains as 7.
In the 7-speed manual shift mode, the transmission
shifts up or down by operating either paddle shifter
under the following conditions:
Shift Up: The engine speed reaches the lowest
threshold of the higher speed position.
Shift Down: The engine speed reaches the highest
threshold of the lower speed position.
When the engine speed reaches near the
tachometer’s red zone, the transmission shifts up
automatically.
When the engine speed reaches the lowest threshold
of the selected speed position, the transmission shifts
down automatically.
Operating the paddle shifters on slippery surfaces
may cause the tires to lock up. In this case, the 7-
speed manual shift mode is canceled and goes back
to the normal D driving mode.

441
uuWhen Driving uShifting
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Driving
ShiftingChange the shift position in accordance with your driving needs.■Shift lever positionsAutomatic transmission models
1Shifting
You cannot change the power mode from ON to
VEHICLE OFF (LOCK) unless the shift lever is in
(P.
The vehicle may move forward very slightly even in
(N while the engine is cold.
Depress the brake pedal firmly and, when necessary,
apply the parking brake.
When shifting gears in extremely low temperatures
(-22°F/-30°C), there may be a short delay before the
shift is indicated in the display. Always confirm you
are in the correct gear before driving.
Reverse
Used when reversingDrive
Used for normal driving (gears change
between 1st and 6th automatically)Park
Used when parking or starting the engine
Neutral
Used when idling
Release ButtonDrive (S)●Automatically changing gears between
1st and 5th (5th gear is used only at
high speed)●Used when towing a trailer in hilly
terrain●Used to increase engine braking

uuWhen Driving uShifting
442Driving
■Shift Lever Operation
1Shift Lever OperationNOTICEWhen 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.
Use the shift lever position indicator to check the
lever position before pulling away.
If the transmission indicator blinks when driving, in
any shift position, there is a problem with the
transmission.
Avoid sudden acceleration and have the transmission
checked by a dealer as soon as possible.
The fuel supply may be cut off if you drive at engine
speeds in or over the tachometer’s red zone (engine
speed limit). If this happens, you may experience a
slight jolt.
It may not be possible to operate the shift lever if the
brake pedal is applied while the shift lever release
button is held down.
Depress the brake pedal first.
Tachometer's red zone
Shift Lever Position
Indicator
Models with information display
Models with multi-information display
Depress the brake pedal and press the
shift lever release button to shift.
Shift without pressing the shift lever
release button.
Press the shift lever release button
and shift.

443
uuWhen Driving uShifting
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Driving
ShiftingFully depress the clutch pedal to operate the shift lever and change gears, then
slowly release the pedal.
Depress the clutch pedal, and pause for a few seconds before shifting into
(R, or
shift into one of the forward gears for a moment. This stops the gears so they do not
“grind.”
■Shift Lever OperationManual transmission models
1 ShiftingNOTICEDo not shift to
(R before the vehicle comes to a
complete stop.
Shifting to
( R before stopping can damage the
transmission.
NOTICEBefore downshifting, make sure the engine will not
go into the tachometer's red zone. Should this occur,
it can severely damage your engine.
There is a metallic part on the shift lever. If you leave
the vehicle parked outside for a long time on a hot
day, be careful before moving the shift lever. Because
of heat, the shift lever may be extremely hot. If the
outside temperature is low, the shift lever may feel
cold.

445
uuWhen Driving uShifting
Driving
The manual transmission has a lockout mechanism that stops you from accidentally
shifting into
(R from a forward gear while the vehicle is moving above a certain
speed.
If you cannot shift to
(R when the vehicle is stopped, do the following: 1.Depress the clutch pedal, move the shift
lever all the way to the left, and shift to
(R.
2. If you still cannot shift into
(R, apply the
parking brake, and turn the ignition switch
to ACCESSORY
(q or LOCK
(0*1.
3. Depress the clutch pedal and shift into
(R.
4. Keep depressing the clutch pedal and start
the engine.
Have the vehicle checked by a dealer if you
have to go through this procedure repeatedly.
*1: Models with the smart entry system have an ENGINE START/STOP button instead of an
ignition switch.■Reverse Lockout

447
uuWhen Driving uCruise Control
*
Continued
Driving
Cruise Control
*
Maintains a constant vehicle speed without having to keep your foot on the
accelerator. Use cruise control on freeways or open roads where you can travel at a
constant speed with little acceleration or deceleration.
1Cruise Control
*
It may not be possible to maintain a constant speed
when driving uphill or downhill.
When not using cruise control:
Turn off cruise control by pressing the CRUISE
button.
While in the ECON mode, it may take relatively more
time to accelerate to maintain the set speed.
When the engine speed slows down, try to
downshift.
You can maintain the set speed if you change gear
within fives seconds.
3
WARNING
Improper use of the cruise control can lead
to a crash.
Use the cruise control only when traveling
on open high ways in good weather.Manual transmission models
When to use■Shift positions for cruise control:
In (D or
(S Always keep sufficient distance
between you and the vehicle in
front of you.
Automatic transmission/CVT models■Vehicle speed for cruise control:
Desired speed in a range above
roughly 25 mph (40 km/h) ~How to use
CRUISE MAIN
is on in the
instrument panel.Cruise control is ready to use.
■Press the
CRUISE
button on
the steering wheel.
* Not available on all models

uuBraking uBrake System
474Driving
Your vehicle is equipped with disc brakes at all four wheels. A vacuum power assist
helps reduce the effort needed on the brake pedal. The brake assist system increases
the stopping force when you depress the brake pedal hard in an emergency
situation. The anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps you retain steering control when
braking very hard.2 Brake Assist System P. 476
2 ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) P. 475■Foot Brake
1Foot Brake
Check the brakes after driving through deep water,
or if there is a buildup of road surface water. If
necessary, dry the brakes by lightly depressing the
pedal several times.
If you hear a continuous metallic friction sound when
applying the brakes, the brake pads need to be
replaced. Have the vehicle checked by a dealer.
Constantly using the brake pedal while going down a
long hill builds up heat, which reduces the brake
effectiveness. Apply engine braking by taking your
foot off the accelerator pedal and downshifting to a
lower gear. With manual transmission use a lower
gear for greater engine braking.
Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving, as it will lightly apply the brakes and cause
them to lose effectiveness over time and reduce pad
life. It will also confuse drivers behind you.

477Driving
Parking Your VehicleWhen Stopped1.Depress the brake pedal firmly.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
3. Move the shift lever from
(D to
(P.
3. Move the shift lever to
(R.
4. Turn off the engine.
Always set the parking brake firmly, in particular if you are parked on an incline.
1 Parking Your Vehicle
Do not park your vehicle near flammable objects,
such as dry grass, oil, or timber.
Heat from the exhaust can cause a fire.1When StoppedNOTICEThe following can damage the transmission:•Depressing the accelerator and brake pedals
simultaneously.•Holding the vehicle in place when facing uphill by
depressing the accelerator pedal.•Moving the shift lever into
(P before the vehicle
stops completely.
Raise the wiper arms when snow is expected.
Automatic transmission/CVT models
Automatic transmission/CVT modelsManual transmission models