‘Fake’ gears create confusion for Civic hatchback driver
Dear Car Talk:
The automatic transmission in my 2018 Honda Civic hatchback doesn’t slow me down if Is hift down to second gear. I want to use it for going down hills, but it doesn’t seem to hold the speed down like my old ’05 Civic did. Is the new transmission not made to do that? –Kevin
RAY: Your new Civic has a totally different type of transmission, Kevin. The 2018 Civic comesw ith a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that has no actual gears. It’s designed with a steel mesh belt that slides up and down two metal cones to find the best possible gear ratio at any given moment (you can find some good videos of how this thing works on YouTube). That maximizes fuel economy.
You’ve probably noticed that sometimes, when you accelerate, the engine speed goes up at first, then slowly comes down, even as the car goes faster. That’s the CVT adjusting as you ne ed les spo wer. But because people have been driving “fix edg ear” automatic transmissions since the Tru- man administration, lots of manufacturers use the transmission computer in the CVT to create “fake” gears. Some Civics with CVTs even come with paddle shifters that – when you togg lethem–take the CVT to six or seven preset ratios to mimic the feel of an older car.
Based on this thinking, Kevin, you can expect your future electric car to play a recording of your 1978 Cutlass from a phony tailpipe. Anyway, when you move the shift lever to “L” (into what you think is “second gear”), you’re just moving the CVT to a preset ratio that Honda selected. And it’s probab lya different ratio from the actual second gear in your 2005 Honda.
If you have paddle shifters on your new Civic, you can obviously drop down to the next lowest preset rati o,which will provide more engine braking. But if your only choices are “drive” and “low,” you’ll have to accept the gear ratio that Honda has deemed you worthy of, and supplement with your brakes.
No shortage of steering problems with car
Dear Car Talk:
I have a steering problem with my 2015 Ford Fusion. I’ve had the alignment checked. I got new tires. I had a Ford dealership look it over, and they said the front end is nice and tight (all they did was tell me to get the new tires). My problem: The c ar darts to the left or right on its own.
I continuously have to correct for these changes in direction. It happens on any kind of pavement, but more so on uneven p avement. If I start to steer into a curve, the car wants to steer tighter into the curve by itself. I ease up, reengage the curve, and the car does it again. Very weird. Any thoughts? – Rick
RAY: Well, there’s been no shortage of steering complaints about this car. There was a problem where the steering wheel fastener would come loose and cause the steering wheel to come loose and even come off in your hands. How’s that for a little wake-me-up?
So I would certainly ask your dealer to check for that spe-