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So I'm curious how everyone operates their MDX in the mtns. We recently bought a '14 off-lease AWD Tech and we really, really like it.
Prior to this vehicle I had (have) a 5MT Honda CR-V AWD EX. Our "other car" is a domestic sedan with the automatic and D/3/2/1 shifter.
When I climb or decend a mtn around here in the manual transmission Honda I shift as necessary but usually land in 4th gear. The 4th gear helps hold back the vehicle during descents so I don't need to ride the brakes so much.
In the domestic sedan I slip it into 3rd when climbing if the transmission searches too much between D and 3rd. When descending the mtn I slip it in 3rd and it keeps me out of the brakes.
In the MDX there isn't a happy solution that I've discovered yet. I can stay in 'D' and use the shifter flappers to down shift but a short time later it will return to automatic shifting. Great for going up hills, not so much for descending hills.
I can put the transmission into 'S' but that seems to take me to 3rd gear and I don't like force a transmission to downshift that abruptly for longevity reasons.
So is the solution when we're driving to grandma's house to slow down into 3rd gear revs and then shift to 'S' and do all the shifting up and down the mtns?
All I mostly want to do is lock out 6th gear, maybe 5th gear too. Otherwise I'll be facing frequent brake jobs and transmission rebuilds.
I would have been much, much happier had this MDX AWD been available with a 6MT.
Thanks!
Prior to this vehicle I had (have) a 5MT Honda CR-V AWD EX. Our "other car" is a domestic sedan with the automatic and D/3/2/1 shifter.
When I climb or decend a mtn around here in the manual transmission Honda I shift as necessary but usually land in 4th gear. The 4th gear helps hold back the vehicle during descents so I don't need to ride the brakes so much.
In the domestic sedan I slip it into 3rd when climbing if the transmission searches too much between D and 3rd. When descending the mtn I slip it in 3rd and it keeps me out of the brakes.
In the MDX there isn't a happy solution that I've discovered yet. I can stay in 'D' and use the shifter flappers to down shift but a short time later it will return to automatic shifting. Great for going up hills, not so much for descending hills.
I can put the transmission into 'S' but that seems to take me to 3rd gear and I don't like force a transmission to downshift that abruptly for longevity reasons.
So is the solution when we're driving to grandma's house to slow down into 3rd gear revs and then shift to 'S' and do all the shifting up and down the mtns?
All I mostly want to do is lock out 6th gear, maybe 5th gear too. Otherwise I'll be facing frequent brake jobs and transmission rebuilds.
I would have been much, much happier had this MDX AWD been available with a 6MT.
Thanks!