Recommended Shift Points, Maximum Permissible Vehicle Speeds in Each Gear

Recommended Shift Points
Drive in the highest possible gear that ensures normal engine operation at steady speed under the given road conditions and allows smooth vehicle acceleration. Following this recommendation ensures high fuel economy and effective operation of the exhaust emission control system. When shifting gears, refer to the data given in the Specifications.

Maximum Permissible Vehicle Speeds in Each Gear
The Specifications list the maximum permissible vehicle speeds in each gear. If these speed values are exceeded, the tachometer needle will enter the red zone of the scale, indicating an impermissibly high crankshaft speed. In this case, the engine control module begins limiting crankshaft speed by reducing fuel supply, which can be felt as a change in engine operation. Engine operation returns to normal as soon as the tachometer needle leaves the red zone of the scale.

To prevent engine damage, before shifting gears, make sure that the tachometer needle does not exceed the maximum permissible speed for the current gear and is not in the red zone of the scale.

Automatic Transmission

Honda vehicles are equipped with a four-speed hydromechanical automatic transmission with a lock-up torque converter and an electronic-hydraulic control system. The transmission control system ensures timely and smooth shifting of all forward gears. Torque converter lock-up improves vehicle fuel economy. Subjectively, engagement of the torque converter lock-up clutch feels similar to a normal transmission gear shift.