Transmission i Shift change - new software

[Fredsays]

Handbrake, no clutch frying.
I would have expected that the system would have 'intelligence' that if the car remained around 30 for a reasonable time (ie cruising and not stop and go where you would need the acceleration/torque of lower gear ) it would go to fourth. So 'i' doesn't mean too intelligent!

[Nick7]

Well, older versions (one I have too) do that.
But, too many people complained there's no power when you need it, so they changed software so it keeps slightly more revs, and changes gears later.

[Fredsays]

Does the older version show the 'roundabout hesitation' problem?

[dobbie]

I am at present in dispute with Crown Honda of Bushey. They have finally admited that there is a major design fault with the new i-shift and there is supposed to be a fix towards the end of November. They say its a software fault; If anyone wants to know about how bad the I-shift is I will be pleased to write about it.

[Brodick]

Originally Posted by dobbie

I am at present in dispute with Crown Honda of Bushey. They have finally admited that there is a major design fault with the new i-shift and there is supposed to be a fix towards the end of November. They say its a software fault; If anyone wants to know about how bad the I-shift is I will be pleased to write about it.

We are aware that there is to be a recall towards in November for the pre March 07 i-shift cars to improve the system

I am surpised your dealer had made such a statement considering the amount of i-shift owners who are more than happy with their cars
( there are also some who are not - but not as many) personally I think they still have not grasped the semi-auto gearbox ) although again it would seem some people have had some other errors with their systems)

The modified 07 i-shift would seem to be superior to the older box and It sounds like Honda have found away to bring the older verions up to this std

[dobbie]

This may supprise you as to the severaty of the problems I have had.

1 Pulling onto roundabouts between 9 - 15mph the i-shift cant make its mind up as what gear to sellect so in most cases it stops and select first.

2 On many occasions I have pulled out of junctions or onto roundabouts and have floored the accellarator only to find the i-shift dis-engaged. As long as my foot was on the floor the car sat there on the roundabout wondering what to do. This is just some of the major problems with this car. I have issued legal proceedings with Honda on this. I have had this car for 10 months and have been through countless situations on the road which has resulted in so many near misses that my familly will no longer travel init. Now it resides in Crown Motors bushey who have deemed the car to dangerous to drive. I personally dont think a software fix is the answer. I think there is a mechanical fault as well.

[Brodick]

Originally Posted by dobbie

This may supprise you as to the severaty of the problems I have had.

1 Pulling onto roundabouts between 9 - 15mph the i-shift cant make its mind up as what gear to sellect so in most cases it stops and select first.

2 On many occasions I have pulled out of junctions or onto roundabouts and have floored the accellarator only to find the i-shift dis-engaged. As long as my foot was on the floor the car sat there on the roundabout wondering what to do. This is just some of the major problems with this car. I have issued legal proceedings with Honda on this. I have had this car for 10 months and have been through countless situations on the road which has resulted in so many near misses that my familly will no longer travel init. Now it resides in Crown Motors bushey who have deemed the car to dangerous to drive. I personally dont think a software fix is the answer. I think there is a mechanical fault as well.

that sounds like something over and above the norm !

We have had an 07 i-shift since march 07 and not had any problems
yes the system occasionally takes a couple of extra seconds to decide which gear it should be in but it is normally ready for anything

we have a fully automatic CR-V which is smooth - but find the civic to be a lot of fun

will be interesting to see how the upgrade affects your car

[Charles_Harding]

As I have said many times before on this site, my Millie with her early i-Shift, sometimes doesn't like to select reverse.

The only option then is to select neutral and start over again.

It becomes embarrasing in the 3 point turns etc.

Don't seem to remember anyone else on this site having the same problem tho'.

My stealer has offered the cure as 'No Fault Found'

"24 hours in a day, 24 beers in a case.
Coincidence?
I think not!"

Charles H.

[Doubtingthomas]

Dobbie, I am sorry to hear of your current predicament. Not that I can be of any help to you. Do I take it that the legal proceedings are based on the question as to whether the car is fit for purpose? I hope the matter is resolved to your satisfaction but I don't think Honda UK will welcome any bad publicity so I am hopeful of a positive outcome for you.

I find your post very interesting as an i-shift driver. My wife and I share a '57 i-shift. In automatic mode I personally feel it is not perfect. However I do acknowledge it is not a conventional automatic gearbox and we are still getting used to it. Having driven the car for one month now I feel a light right foot appears to help easing off ever so slightly when a change up feels due mainly from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to third. We have not as yet experienced the trauma you describe at junctions and roundabouts.

And yes, Brodick, overall, we are very pleased with the car.

[BOBBYJ]

Dobbie - your comments regarding a legal dispute with Honda are not surprising as it had to come! Fitness for purpose is a possible issue but I have considered with my dealer (Bexhill Honda) the question of "False and misleading advertising" where Honda boldly state "I-shift performs exactly the same as a conventional automatic gearbox"

Some of us are genuinely concerned over the safety issues posed by the I-shift shortcomings but I hope that I am not being naive when I consider Honda to be a responsible organisation who will provide the modifications to remedy our cars' performance.

Good luck with your claim and I look forward to a modification that will restore my faith in the Civic which apart from the I-shift is a fantastic car.

[Brodick]

Originally Posted by BOBBYJ

the question of "False and misleading advertising" where Honda boldly state "I-shift performs exactly the same as a conventional automatic gearbox"

Was this your local Dealers words Bobby ???

Honda themselves say the following !
"The optional i-SHIFT (Automated-Manual Transmission) allows you to choose the way you want to drive.
Select Manual mode for a more sporty drive using the gear shift, or paddle shifts on the steering wheel for optimum control. Automatic mode provides a more relaxed but equally exhilarating driving experienc. i-SHIFT delivers al this with lower emissions and better fuel economy than a conventional automatic transmission"

as quoted in the 2006 Civic Brochure

[BOBBYJ]

Brodick - The website for Honda UK clearly states when referring to I-shift:

"In A or automatic mode the car responds to your foot just like a conventional automatic"

As a statement this is incorrect and can be considered misleading particularly if, as a purchaser, you relied on this when making your purchase. Some may say the test drive should have revealed the shortcomings but this again is conditional and dependant on whether road conditions and traffic circumstances were such to highlight the faults. On my test drive the shortcomings were not evident and it is fair to say the manufacturer and dealers were the only parties to be aware and for obvious commercial reasons were not going to bring these to my attention. I am however still confident Honda will remedy the fault but in the meantime I drive my car in auto and use manual to accelerate after a period of deceleration

Regards

Bobbyj

[Kremmen]

Charles, that reverse problem you have may be related to not having the footbrake pressed lone enough when selecting gear ?

I've had it a few times, but every time is due to me being impatient - which I'm sure your not

[ecs43x]

Originally Posted by dobbie

This may supprise you as to the severaty of the problems I have had.

1 Pulling onto roundabouts between 9 - 15mph the i-shift cant make its mind up as what gear to sellect so in most cases it stops and select first.

2 On many occasions I have pulled out of junctions or onto roundabouts and have floored the accellarator only to find the i-shift dis-engaged. As long as my foot was on the floor the car sat there on the roundabout wondering what to do. This is just some of the major problems with this car. I have issued legal proceedings with Honda on this. I have had this car for 10 months and have been through countless situations on the road which has resulted in so many near misses that my familly will no longer travel init. Now it resides in Crown Motors bushey who have deemed the car to dangerous to drive. I personally dont think a software fix is the answer. I think there is a mechanical fault as well.

I agree with you having same complain and problem.

[mikefennelly]

Originally Posted by ecs43x

I agree with you having same complain and problem.

Since my car rolled into crash barrier due to the handbrake self releasing I have been told that this is a known fault, and looking on this site (I have only just joined) I see that my problem with the handbrake and also with the engine racing and not changing gear on roundabouts is also a fairly common fault. My question is this if this is a known fault and it causes damage to either people or property could my insurance company refuse to cover me

[Doubtingthomas]

Originally Posted by mikefennelly

Since my car rolled into crash barrier due to the handbrake self releasing I have been told that this is a known fault, and looking on this site (I have only just joined) I see that my problem with the handbrake and also with the engine racing and not changing gear on roundabouts is also a fairly common fault. My question is this if this is a known fault and it causes damage to either people or property could my insurance company refuse to cover me

Mi Mike,
I just do not know. I think all new vehicles have to conform to EU regulations and as such Insurance Companies put them on their books as it were. For the insurance to become null and void there has, for example, to be an 'unauthorised modification'. My gut feeling is that before the handbrake or i-shift issue negates one's insurance, there has to be some kind of official notification/declaration from either the manufacturer or some other official organisation concerned with safety of vehicles. That leads us to the recall system. All marques have been the subject of the recall system. That in itself does not affect one's insurance. If one deliberately ignored a recall, which are usually safety issues, that may put your insurance at risk perhaps.
There is at least one forum member who has taken the bull by the horns and quarantined his civic at his local dealers due to it's alleged dangerous practices. You may know he is in a legal dispute with Honda UK.
Although there are some forum members who have experienced genuine problems with the handbrake for example, they appear to be in the minority.
My previous Civic was an Automatic Coupe. The manual recommended that you left that car in "Park" ie gearbox engaged and locked as well as applying the handbrake. I would always leave a manual car in gear as well as applying the handbrake. There is similar advice in the manual of the new Civic i-shift page 337. However the handbrake should not fail.
Interesting...I get the impression that matters are coming to a head as more Civic owners are raising the issues with their dealers.

[roscobbc]

I haven't looked at this forum for several months (after being told by Honda Customer Services that a recall was scheduled before end of year) Well 25000 miles-on, its mid-November and if this recall was going to happen there isn't much time for now. I am surprised by the number of postings about the problems. Now getting really sick and tired of the I-Shift problems making me look like some kind of learner driver. Ever tried doing a three point turn in a rush? can you put up with the hesitation and subsequent screaming engine? (that is of course if it hasn't stalled) If you want to be 'assertive' pulling out on a roundabout (and in city driving you don't have an alternative) and nothing happens. Its a little bit like going to the toilet and forgetting to unzip your flies! How about that you get so used to the Honda termed engine 'flare' that you don't realise that the damn car has tried to change from 1st through to 4th and the screaming engine is actually the clutch slipping. Living with the smell of burning clutch for a few hours is unpleasant enough. Must be a really good specification clutch however to last this long. Its a Health and Safety issue.

[Doubtingthomas]

Hi roscobbc, (or is it Nightowl?)
Not much help to you but I extend my commiserations. I have posted a few comments on the i-shift issue. Apart from putting what pressure you can on your dealer I do not know what else you can do. Blowing the whole issue to the National press? Civil action against HUK? Quarantining your car at your local dealers? Selling it? I'm sure you have pondered over all the options open to you. I do not know how I would cope, I would absolutely despair. You are not alone, but apparently in the minority, I believe, for some reason. I take it you have a 2006 i-shift?
Best wishes. I hope the issue is resolved to all those affected as soon as possible. It is not what we expect of Honda.

[roscobbc]

Thanks for reply. The car is really great in all respects except for this one issue. I can live with it to a degree but why should I. Why should I adapt my driving style to the convenience of the I-Shift's peculiarities, or Honda UK's for that matter. If a car manufacturer used, say 135 mm section 12" tyres (instead of 205 section) because they improved fuel economy and complied with upcoming green issues but meant you were comprimised safety wise braking and cornering would it be acceptable - no. Sure you would adapt your driving style - or die, but it still isn't the correct way forward. I'm surprised that no one so far has been injured as a result of this tranmission - yet.

[Brodick]

I would think the reason that this has not hit the headlines or been on watchdog or the fact that no one has be injured is that the majority of owners are more than happy with their car the system is good the only
tiny (and I mean tiny) issue is the sensation you get when the car is changing gear fells strange ( though it is perfectly normal it is the system dipping the clutch and changing gear)

I am aware that there are a few unhappy i-shift owners on here and I am sure a few more are out there aswell but the symptoms described by roscobbc seem quite odd and can only lead me to one of two conclusions

1. There is a major fault with the i-shift software or the clutch
2. You need to change your driving style slightly

Having the full auto box in the CR-V and the semi auto in the gives me the best of both worlds so we have the smooth as silk cruiser CR-V
and the Sporty lets get on with it Civic

I would love to have a drive of your car Roscobbc and some of the other
guys cars and vice versa to see what the difference is

you should speak to your dealer and see if he has a NEW i-shift car
go for a drive in it with the foreman and then drive yours with the foreman

because it is a good system it works