transmission trouble?

I have a 92 EX with 172,000 miles. I bought the car with 125,000 miles and noticed from the get go if driving at 30 mph the car won't shift into 4th but if I take my foot off the accelerator then apply power again it will usually shift. Or if I accelerate slowly past 32 mph the car will also shift. If in a 25 mph zone it drives in 3rd. Is this an easily fixable problem? I used the car mainly to commute to work but was forced to retire...now looking for things to do...

This sounds pretty normal. I've had three Accords with the 4-speed automatic, and 30 mph was pretty much the minimum speed they all shifted up to 4th. Even accelerating very lightly, I don't think any of them upshifted to 4th at 25 mph. And the behavior you described where it wants to stay in 3rd at 30mph unless you take your foot off the gas and then apply power again also sounds very normal. You're right in that magic 30mph zone where the transmission is happy in either gear. However, if you feel something is wrong, you may want to check the adjustment of the cable running from the throttle body to the transmission.


I have a 92 EX with 172,000 miles. I bought the car with 125,000 miles and noticed from the get go if driving at 30 mph the car won't shift into 4th but if I take my foot off the accelerator then apply power again it will usually shift. Or if I accelerate slowly past 32 mph the car will also shift. If in a 25 mph zone it drives in 3rd. Is this an easily fixable problem? I used the car mainly to commute to work but was forced to retire...now looking for things to do...