Honda Accord (2019 year). Instruction - part 31

480

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When Driving

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Shifting

Driving

Use the paddle shifters to change between 1st and 10th gears without removing 
your hands from the steering wheel. The transmission will switch to the sequential 
mode.

■

When the transmission is in 

(

D:

The vehicle will go into the sequential mode momentarily, and the gear selection 
indicator will come on.
When the vehicle goes into the sequential mode by 

(

- paddle shifter and the lower 

gear is available, the transmission properly selects single or double gear change.

Once you start traveling at a constant speed, the sequential mode will automatically 
switch off, and the gear selection indicator will go off.

Hold the 

(

+ paddle shifter for two seconds to return to normal drive.

■

When the transmission is in 

(

D with SPORT mode:

The vehicle will go into the sequential mode, and the M (sequential mode) indicator 
and gear selection indicator will come on.
If the vehicle speed increases and the engine speed reaches near the tachometer’s 
red zone, the transmission automatically shifts up to the next gear.
You can cancel this mode by holding the 

(

+ paddle shifter for two seconds. When 

the sequential mode is canceled, the sequential mode indicator and gear selection 
indicator go off.

■

Sequential Mode

481

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When Driving

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Shifting

Driving

■

Sequential Mode Operation

1

Sequential Mode Operation

Each paddle shift operation makes a single gear 
change.
To change gears continuously, release the paddle 
shifter before pulling it again for the next gear.

If the gear selection indicator blinks when you try to 
shift up or down, this means your vehicle speed is not 
in its allowable gear range or the protection of 
transmission system is necessary.
Slightly accelerate to shift up and decelerate to shift 
down while the indicator is blinking.

Gear Selection 
Indicator

(

- Paddle Shifter 

(Shift down)

(

+ Paddle Shifter 

(Shift up)

Downshifting when pulling 
the 

(

- paddle shifter.

(Changes to a lower gear)

Upshifting when pulling 
the 

(

+ paddle shifter.

(Changes to a higher gear)

482

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When Driving

u

Shifting

Driving

Shifting

Change the shift position in accordance with your driving needs.

■

Shift lever positions

Continuously variable transmission models without paddle shifters

1

Shifting

You cannot change the power mode from ON to 
VEHICLE OFF unless the shift lever is in 

(

P.

The vehicle may move very slightly even in 

(

N while 

the engine is cold.
Depress the brake pedal firmly and, when necessary, 
apply the parking brake.

Reverse
Used when reversing

Drive
Used for normal driving

Park
Used when parking or starting the engine

Neutral
Transmission is not locked.

Release Button

Drive (S)
Used:

●

For better acceleration

●

To increase engine braking

●

When going up or down hills

Low
Used:

●

To further increase engine braking

●

When going up or down hills

483

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When Driving

u

Shifting

Driving

■

Shift Lever Operation

1

Shift Lever Operation

NOTICE

When you change the shift lever from 

(

D to 

(

R and 

vice versa, come to a complete stop and keep the 
brake pedal depressed.
Operating the shift lever before the vehicle has come 
to a complete standstill can damage the transmission.

Use the gear position indicator to check the lever 
position before pulling away.

If the transmission system indicator blinks when 
driving, in any shift position, there is a problem with 
the transmission.
Avoid sudden acceleration and have the transmission 
checked by a dealer as soon as possible.

The fuel supply may be cut off if you drive at engine 
speeds in or over the tachometer’s red zone (engine 
speed limit). If this happens, you may experience a 
slight jolt.

It may not be possible to operate the shift lever if the 
brake pedal is applied while the shift lever release 
button is held down.
Depress the brake pedal first.

When shifting positions in extremely low 
temperatures (-22°F/-30°C), there may be a short 
delay before the shift position is displayed. Always 
confirm you are in the correct shift position before 
driving.

Depress the brake pedal and press the shift lever release 
button to shift.

Shift without pressing the shift lever release button.

Press the shift lever release button and shift.

Gear Position Indicator 
(Transmission System Indicator)

Tachometer’s red zone

484

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When Driving

u

Shifting

Driving

Shifting

Change the shift position in accordance with your driving needs.

■

Shift lever positions

Continuously variable transmission models with paddle shifters

1

Shifting

You cannot change the power mode from ON to 
VEHICLE OFF unless the shift lever is in 

(

P.

The vehicle may move very slightly even in 

(

N while 

the engine is cold.
Depress the brake pedal firmly and, when necessary, 
apply the parking brake.

Reverse
Used when reversing

Drive
Used:

●

For normal driving

●

When temporarily driving in the 7-speed 
manual shift mode

●

When driving in the 7-speed manual 
shift mode (when driving in SPORT 
mode)

Neutral
Transmission is not locked.

Release Button

Park
Used when parking or starting the engine

Continued

485

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When Driving

u

Shifting

Driving

■

Shift Lever Operation

1

Shift Lever Operation

NOTICE

When you change the shift lever from 

(

D to 

(

R and 

vice versa, come to a complete stop and keep the 
brake pedal depressed.
Operating the shift lever before the vehicle has come 
to a complete standstill can damage the transmission.

Use the gear position indicator to check the lever 
position before pulling away.

If the transmission system indicator blinks when 
driving, in any shift position, there is a problem with 
the transmission.
Avoid sudden acceleration and have the transmission 
checked by a dealer as soon as possible.

The fuel supply may be cut off if you drive at engine 
speeds in or over the tachometer’s red zone (engine 
speed limit). If this happens, you may experience a 
slight jolt.

It may not be possible to operate the shift lever if the 
brake pedal is applied while the shift lever release 
button is held down.
Depress the brake pedal first.

When shifting positions in extremely low 
temperatures (-22°F/-30°C), there may be a short 
delay before the shift position is displayed. Always 
confirm you are in the correct shift position before 
driving.

Depress the brake pedal and press the shift lever release 
button to shift.

Shift without pressing the shift lever release button.

Press the shift lever release button and shift.

Gear Position Indicator 
(Transmission System Indicator)

Tachometer’s red zone

M (7-Speed Manual Shift Mode) 
Indicator

Gear Selection Indicator 

uu

When Driving

u

Shifting

486

Driving

Use the paddle shifters to change between 1st and 7th speeds without releasing 
your hands from the steering wheel. The transmission switches to the 7-speed 
manual shift mode when you pull a paddle shifter while driving. This mode is useful 
when engine braking is needed.

■

When the shift lever is in 

(

D:

The shift mode goes into the 7-speed manual shift mode temporarily, and the 
number is displayed in the gear selection indicator.
The 7-speed manual shift mode is canceled automatically if you drive at constant 
speed or accelerate, and the number in the gear selection indicator goes off.
You can cancel this mode by pulling the 

(

+ paddle shifter for a few seconds.

The 7-speed manual shift mode is especially useful when reducing the vehicle speed 
temporarily before making a turn.

■

When the shift lever is in 

(

D with SPORT mode:

The shift mode goes into the 7-speed manual shift mode. The M indicator and the 
speed number are displayed in the gear selection indicator. As the vehicle speed 
slows down, the transmission automatically shifts down accordingly. When the 
vehicle comes to a stop, it automatically shifts down into 1st.

If the vehicle speed increases and the engine speed reaches near the tachometer’s 
red zone, the transmission automatically shifts up.

You can only pull away in 1st speed.

When canceling the 7-speed manual shift mode, pressing the SPORT button. When 
the 7-speed manual shift mode is canceled, the M indicator and gear selection 
indicator go off.

■

7-Speed Manual Shift Mode

1

7-Speed Manual Shift Mode

In the 7-speed manual shift mode, the transmission 
shifts up or down by operating either paddle shifter 
under the following conditions:
Shift Up: The engine speed reaches the lowest 
threshold of the higher speed position.
Shift Down: The engine speed reaches the highest 
threshold of the lower speed position.

When the engine speed reaches near the 
tachometer’s red zone, the transmission shifts up 
automatically.
When the engine speed reaches the lowest threshold 
of the selected speed position, the transmission shifts 
down automatically.

Operating the paddle shifters on slippery surfaces 
may cause the tires to lock up. In this case, the 7-
speed manual shift mode is canceled and goes back 
to the normal D driving mode.

487

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When Driving

u

Shifting

Driving

■

7-Speed Manual Shift Mode Operation

1

7-Speed Manual Shift Mode Operation

Each paddle shift operation makes a single speed 
change.
To change continuously, release the paddle shifter 
before pulling it again for the next speed.

The gear selection indicator blinks when you cannot 
shift up or down. It indicates that your vehicle speed 
is not in its allowable shifting range.
Slightly accelerate to shift up and decelerate to shift 
down while the indicator is blinking.

(

- Paddle Shifter 

(Shift down)

(

+ Paddle Shifter 

(Shift up)

Downshifting when pulling 
the 

(

- paddle shifter. 

(Changes to lower speed 
number)

Upshifting when pulling 
the 

(

+ paddle shifter. 

(Changes to higher speed 
number)

488

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When Driving

u

Shifting

Driving

Shifting

Fully depress the clutch pedal to operate the shift lever and change gears, then 
slowly release the pedal.

Depress the clutch pedal, and pause for a few seconds before shifting into 

(

R, or 

shift into one of the forward gears for a moment. This stops the gears so they do not 
“grind.”

When you are not shifting, do not rest your 
foot on the clutch pedal. This can cause your 
clutch to wear out faster. 

■

Shift Lever Operation

Manual transmission models

1

Shifting

NOTICE

Do not shift to 

(

R before the vehicle comes to a 

complete stop.
Shifting to 

(

R before stopping can damage the 

transmission.

NOTICE

Before downshifting, make sure the engine will not 
go into the tachometer’s red zone. Should this occur, 
it can severely damage your engine.

There is a metallic part on the shift lever. If you leave 
the vehicle parked outside for a long time on a hot 
day, be careful before moving the shift lever. Because 
of heat, the shift lever may be extremely hot. If the 
outside temperature is low, the shift lever may feel 
cold.

If you exceed the maximum speed for the gear you 
are in, the engine speed will enter into the 
tachometer’s red zone. When this happens, you may 
experience a slight jolt.

Continued

489

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When Driving

u

Shifting

Driving

Come on to inform you that upshifting or 
downshifting is necessary to prevent the 
engine from over revving or stalling.

The shift up indicator:
Comes on when upshifting is recommended.

The shift down indicator:
Comes on when downshifting is 
recommended.

■

Shift Up/Down Indicators

1

Shift Up/Down Indicators

This indicator will not prompt you to downshift to 
increase engine braking. It is up to you to downshift 
to increase engine braking when driving downhill.

Always shift down at the appropriate vehicle speed.

The shift down indicator does not come on when 
downshifting from 

(

2 to 

(

1.

Road and traffic conditions may require you to shift 
at times other than those indicated.

490

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When Driving

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Shifting

Driving

The manual transmission has a lockout mechanism that stops you from accidentally 
shifting into 

(

R from a forward gear while the vehicle is moving above a certain 

speed.

If you cannot shift to 

(

R when the vehicle is stopped, do the following:

1. Depress the clutch pedal, move the shift 

lever all the way to the left, and shift to 

(

R.

2. If you still cannot shift into 

(

R, apply the 

parking brake, and set the power mode to 
ACCESSORY or VEHICLE OFF.

3. Depress the clutch pedal and shift into 

(

R.

4. Keep depressing the clutch pedal and start 

the engine.

Have the vehicle checked by a dealer if you 
have to go through this procedure repeatedly.

■

Reverse Lockout

491

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When Driving

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SPORT Mode

*

Driving

SPORT Mode

*

To turn the SPORT mode on and off, press the SPORT button.

The SPORT mode increases engine performance, transmission and handling

*

.

This mode is suitable for driving on hills or through curves on mountain roads.

The SPORT mode is turned off every time you start the engine, even if you turned it 
on the last time you drove the vehicle.

The ambient meter color changes to a constant red and the turbo meter appears on 
the driver information interface.

SPORT Button

SPORT Mode Indicator

Models with adaptive 
damper system

Models without adaptive 
damper system

* Not available on all models

492

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When Driving

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ECON Button

Driving

ECON Button

The ECON button turns the ECON mode on and off.
The ECON mode helps you improve your fuel economy by adjusting the 
performance of the engine, transmission and climate control system.

*1 : Models without the adaptive damper system
*2 : Models with the adaptive damper system
*3 : Continuously variable transmission models without SPORT mode
*4 : Manual transmission models
*5 : Automatic transmission/Continuously variable transmission models with SPORT mode

1

ECON Button

While in ECON mode, the climate control system has 
greater temperature fluctuations.

*1

*2

*3

*4

*5

493

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When Driving

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Adaptive Damper System

*

Driving

Adaptive Damper System

*

Constantly controls your vehicle’s front and rear dampers according to current road 
conditions, vehicle speed and steering operation.

You can change handling response by turning the SPORT mode on.

2 SPORT Mode

*

 P. 491

* Not available on all models

494

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When Driving

u

Vehicle Stability Assist® (VSA®), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System

Driving

Vehicle Stability Assist® (VSA®), aka Electronic 
Stability Control (ESC), System

VSA® helps to stabilize the vehicle during cornering if the vehicle turns more or less 
than what was intended. It also assists in maintaining traction on slippery surfaces. 
It does so by regulating engine output and selectively applying the brakes.

When VSA® activates, you may notice that the 
engine does not respond to the accelerator. 
You may also notice some noise from the 
hydraulic system. You will also see the 
indicator blink.

■

VSA® Operation

1

Vehicle Stability Assist® (VSA®), aka Electronic Stability Control 
(ESC), System

The VSA® may not function properly if tire type and 
size are mixed. Make sure to use the same size and 
type of tire, and the air pressures as specified.

When the VSA® system indicator comes on and stays 
on while driving, there may be a problem with the 
system. While this may not interfere with normal 
driving, have your vehicle checked by a dealer 
immediately.

VSA® cannot enhance stability in all driving situations 
and does not control the entire braking system. You 
still need to drive and corner at speeds appropriate 
for the conditions and always leave a sufficient 
margin of safety.

The main function of the VSA® system is generally 
known as Electronic Stability Control (ESC). The 
system also includes a traction control function.

The Vehicle Stability Assist® (VSA®) system, Vehicle 
Stability Assist® (VSA®) OFF, adaptive cruise control 
(ACC) with low speed follow (LSF)

*

, adaptive cruise 

control (ACC)

*

, safety support and low tire pressure/

TPMS indicators may come on in amber along with a 
message in the driver information interface when you 
set the power mode to ON after re-connecting a 
battery.
Drive a short distance at more than 12 mph (20 km/h).
Each indicator should go off. If any do not, have your 
vehicle checked by a dealer.

VSA® System 
Indicator

* Not available on all models

495

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When Driving

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Vehicle Stability Assist® (VSA®), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System

Driving

This button is on the driver side control panel. 
To partially disable VSA® functionality/features, 
press and hold it until you hear a beep.

Your vehicle will have normal braking and 
cornering ability, but traction control function 
will be less effective.

To restore VSA® functionality/features, press 
the  

(VSA® OFF) button until you hear a 

beep.

VSA® is turned on every time you start the 
engine, even if you turned it off the last time 
you drove the vehicle.

■

VSA® On and Off

1

Vehicle Stability Assist® (VSA®), aka Electronic Stability Control 
(ESC), System

In certain unusual conditions when your vehicle gets 
stuck in shallow mud or fresh snow, it may be easier 
to free it with the VSA® temporarily switched off.

When the 

 button is pressed, the traction control 

function becomes less effective. This allows for the 
wheels to spin more freely at low speed. You should 
only attempt to free your vehicle with the VSA® off if 
you are not able to free it when the VSA® is on.

Immediately after freeing your vehicle, be sure to 
switch VSA® on again. We do not recommend driving 
your vehicle with the VSA® system switched off.

You may hear a motor sound coming from the 
engine compartment while system checks are being 
performed immediately after starting the engine or 
while driving. This is normal.

VSA® OFF Indicator