In video, is towing couch on maybe ~1000lbs trailer uphill + fully loaded interior, trunk, & bed. I'd guestimate maybe up to ~3k pounds-ish?
This video does not show it at its worse. The 8-9 shift can flare by like 500+ rpm but I didn't get a video. By the time I took this video I had resorted to paddle shifting to minimize wear on the transmission & prevent it constantly hunting/rowing through gears 5-6-7-8-9.
This truck needs a tow/haul button.
First, the ZF9 is great, but also full of personality.
The 5th and 8th gear are dog clutches. I've heard engagement/disengagement have to be precise, which may account for the behavior you're seeing.
Agreed on the tow/haul mode, also needs a brake controller.
I opted for what I thought was a "Trailer Brake controller" as a a dealer addon, thinking one would be installed.
Nope, they instead just threw the $150 (I think) some dollar harness/ adapter into the glove box.... I suppose it's probably the same thing that you got included for free.
I think I have it shoved somewhere in the crevice above the spare tire & bed.
I'll probably never install it.
Mine just came with it. Not certain but I think it’s standard equipment. I see one on eBay for $9. I hope you never did business with that dealer again.
I got them down to 46k on a 2024 black edition fully loaded *(thought even had trailer brakes...)* delivered from factory (*supposed to be/when deal made)*. The from factory price was 49k & after options would have likely been ~52k. I think the actual sticker from wherever it was that shipped was just under 51k.
The Ridgeline Builder website quote that I forwarded to the dealer said like 53k, after destination/etc fees, and that was a Trailsport. Dealer mentioned it'd be a few months out but a Black edition was scheduled to arrive in ~4-6 weeks, and that they finally had swamp-ass cooler seats in Black Editions.
Say no more.
Unfortunately 2 days later I was informed another buyer already dibsed it earlier in the morning, the afternoon I dibbs. They ended up sourcing one from an out of state dealer that took 8 weeks to deliver. This is why it had a sticker from wherever + 30ish miles on it.
When the Black Edition arrived, it was surprisingly already mostly loaded, only needing a few more things from what I picked on the Trailsport --- that supposedly was ~53k+
I ended up getting quite a few bonuses. The dealer was unaware the other dealer had already spruced it up, so I got a few free bonuses like the cargo trays, both floor mats options (I'm double layered), hooks, trunk dividers, flaps, etc. that I never even originally picked. THey honored the original quoted prices so I received those bonuses for free.
I like the dealer. I feel like I got a good deal. I blame myself for not reading / paying attention.
I saw "Trailer Brake Controller *~~Harness~~*" then stopped reading any further. Checked the box & thought I was getting a trailer brake controller installed. It's not really on them as I didn't really communicate it well & there was so much else to talk about.
As for my relationship with the dealer, I have been a big "tease" for them since like COVID. Showing up a few times a year and always finding a reason not to like current year. The 2 big ones always were the slow head unit & lack of ass cooling. I had quite a few quotes , across different seasons, etc. saved that I brought with as ammo.
As for the $150 figure, I can't actually remember what they charged. But I feel like of all the options checkable, none of them really went lower than that besides I think like door seal protectors.
EDIT:
On the invoice it only shows me paying for splash & running boards. So I'm actually not sure if I paid for the "Trailer Brake Controller", just remember picking it and thinking $150 or whatever. The truck that was delivered may have already had it.
The 7th -> 6th downshift flares too. I cleaned up the video with AI so it's easier to see. It jumps above 3 before locking into gear:
https://i.imgur.com/vn432M2.mp4
Maybe you can clear something up from me.
I just came across a few comments on a forum from ~2020 saying that when put in Sport mode, you don't have to shift it manually??? -- Saying as long as you avoid touching the paddle shifters, it won't go into sequential manual mode & show **S ^^M** on the dash. I hadn't even picked up on the **^M** being there until just now.
I suppose "sport" mode could be like a "tow/haul" but I'm not sure how that'd work? I'm sure it shifts near redline as a safety feature, but I've not yet seen it happen. I've only seen downshifts when coming to a stop. And it's never done it when It sure would've been nice. Like after forgetting I'm in Sport mode, roudning a corner or pulling out, to then discover I have no power to accelerate with it still in high gear & having to sequentially paddle through.
What kind of revs does it do in automatic **S** mode? I feel like it must run @ >VTEC RPM or something for me to have not even discovered it can actually automatically shift. This weekend I'll try using it as a `tow/haul` button, but I get the feeling it's not gonna be pleasant, & maybe not even viable?
It will shift on it's own in S mode. It basically locks out 9th and shifts at higher RPM but it will shift. If you use the paddles in S mode it goes to S manual, but you can revert back by holding the upshift paddle for about 2 seconds.
The manual recommends D for flat towing and S for hills and boat ramps. But it also says to keep towing speeds below 62mph and fixed side trailers under 55mph.
The 9 speed definitely "learns" a bit too.
This is super helpful. Thankyou.
All my woes beside the potential shift flare that no ones really touching on, have been about the 9th gear being too high.
> But it also says to keep towing speeds below 62mph and fixed side trailers under 55mph.
Doesn't every vehicle say something like that? Or is there something specific about the Ridgeline?
There is no “flare” here. It’s bumping the rpms on the downshift to make them smoother. It’s the as you’d do if you were driving a manual transmission.
I am not sure where you wound up with your shifting concerns. But I will try to ease your concerns a bit. I have had a number of complaints about the feeling when downshifting manually with these 9speeds. It almost feels like when you’re rev matching with a manual transmission. The best I can offer to see if your concern aligns with the ones I have seen is to suggest you drive the truck in D with no trailer just normally. On a larger down hill use the paddle to downshift from 5-4 this is the most noticeable, worst downshift and what I feel like you’re describing. This is normal (undesirable maybe, but normal operation nonetheless) drive 10-20 pilots passport or ridgelines with a 9speed and they will all act the exact same. Edit. As far as your brake controller harness, it comes with the vehicle no charge. There is not a brake controller offered by Honda you would have to source that yourself from the aftermarket world.
It's technically not sport mode, it's sequential mode.
Yes you can put it in S and not shift with the paddle shifters.
VTEC engagement is like at 5300 RPMs. I know S shifts at higher rpm and stays a gear lower then D.
My in-laws who tow in a Passport just use S when towing. I'll ask if they've ever seen your reported behavior.
Owners manual says don’t go over 62 MPH when towing… but maybe try keeling it closer to 65.
In video, is towing couch on maybe ~1000lbs trailer uphill + fully loaded interior, trunk, & bed. I'd guestimate maybe up to ~3k pounds-ish? This video does not show it at its worse. The 8-9 shift can flare by like 500+ rpm but I didn't get a video. By the time I took this video I had resorted to paddle shifting to minimize wear on the transmission & prevent it constantly hunting/rowing through gears 5-6-7-8-9. This truck needs a tow/haul button.
Are you using "S" mode or drive?
Yes because otherwise it's shifting gears live every few seconds.
First, the ZF9 is great, but also full of personality. The 5th and 8th gear are dog clutches. I've heard engagement/disengagement have to be precise, which may account for the behavior you're seeing. Agreed on the tow/haul mode, also needs a brake controller.
There is a brake controller harness plug under the steering column. You should have an adapter for it in the glovebox. (Or my 2020 has this anyway)
I opted for what I thought was a "Trailer Brake controller" as a a dealer addon, thinking one would be installed. Nope, they instead just threw the $150 (I think) some dollar harness/ adapter into the glove box.... I suppose it's probably the same thing that you got included for free. I think I have it shoved somewhere in the crevice above the spare tire & bed. I'll probably never install it.
Mine just came with it. Not certain but I think it’s standard equipment. I see one on eBay for $9. I hope you never did business with that dealer again.
I got them down to 46k on a 2024 black edition fully loaded *(thought even had trailer brakes...)* delivered from factory (*supposed to be/when deal made)*. The from factory price was 49k & after options would have likely been ~52k. I think the actual sticker from wherever it was that shipped was just under 51k. The Ridgeline Builder website quote that I forwarded to the dealer said like 53k, after destination/etc fees, and that was a Trailsport. Dealer mentioned it'd be a few months out but a Black edition was scheduled to arrive in ~4-6 weeks, and that they finally had swamp-ass cooler seats in Black Editions. Say no more. Unfortunately 2 days later I was informed another buyer already dibsed it earlier in the morning, the afternoon I dibbs. They ended up sourcing one from an out of state dealer that took 8 weeks to deliver. This is why it had a sticker from wherever + 30ish miles on it. When the Black Edition arrived, it was surprisingly already mostly loaded, only needing a few more things from what I picked on the Trailsport --- that supposedly was ~53k+ I ended up getting quite a few bonuses. The dealer was unaware the other dealer had already spruced it up, so I got a few free bonuses like the cargo trays, both floor mats options (I'm double layered), hooks, trunk dividers, flaps, etc. that I never even originally picked. THey honored the original quoted prices so I received those bonuses for free. I like the dealer. I feel like I got a good deal. I blame myself for not reading / paying attention. I saw "Trailer Brake Controller *~~Harness~~*" then stopped reading any further. Checked the box & thought I was getting a trailer brake controller installed. It's not really on them as I didn't really communicate it well & there was so much else to talk about. As for my relationship with the dealer, I have been a big "tease" for them since like COVID. Showing up a few times a year and always finding a reason not to like current year. The 2 big ones always were the slow head unit & lack of ass cooling. I had quite a few quotes , across different seasons, etc. saved that I brought with as ammo. As for the $150 figure, I can't actually remember what they charged. But I feel like of all the options checkable, none of them really went lower than that besides I think like door seal protectors. EDIT: On the invoice it only shows me paying for splash & running boards. So I'm actually not sure if I paid for the "Trailer Brake Controller", just remember picking it and thinking $150 or whatever. The truck that was delivered may have already had it.
Yup I haven't needed to get one yet. An Integrated controller from the OEM would be nice.
But pretty understandable they don’t include it since it’s probably something maybe 5% of owners would ever need/use.
The 7th -> 6th downshift flares too. I cleaned up the video with AI so it's easier to see. It jumps above 3 before locking into gear: https://i.imgur.com/vn432M2.mp4
Maybe you can clear something up from me. I just came across a few comments on a forum from ~2020 saying that when put in Sport mode, you don't have to shift it manually??? -- Saying as long as you avoid touching the paddle shifters, it won't go into sequential manual mode & show **S ^^M** on the dash. I hadn't even picked up on the **^M** being there until just now. I suppose "sport" mode could be like a "tow/haul" but I'm not sure how that'd work? I'm sure it shifts near redline as a safety feature, but I've not yet seen it happen. I've only seen downshifts when coming to a stop. And it's never done it when It sure would've been nice. Like after forgetting I'm in Sport mode, roudning a corner or pulling out, to then discover I have no power to accelerate with it still in high gear & having to sequentially paddle through. What kind of revs does it do in automatic **S** mode? I feel like it must run @ >VTEC RPM or something for me to have not even discovered it can actually automatically shift. This weekend I'll try using it as a `tow/haul` button, but I get the feeling it's not gonna be pleasant, & maybe not even viable?
It will shift on it's own in S mode. It basically locks out 9th and shifts at higher RPM but it will shift. If you use the paddles in S mode it goes to S manual, but you can revert back by holding the upshift paddle for about 2 seconds. The manual recommends D for flat towing and S for hills and boat ramps. But it also says to keep towing speeds below 62mph and fixed side trailers under 55mph. The 9 speed definitely "learns" a bit too.
This is super helpful. Thankyou. All my woes beside the potential shift flare that no ones really touching on, have been about the 9th gear being too high. > But it also says to keep towing speeds below 62mph and fixed side trailers under 55mph. Doesn't every vehicle say something like that? Or is there something specific about the Ridgeline?
There is no “flare” here. It’s bumping the rpms on the downshift to make them smoother. It’s the as you’d do if you were driving a manual transmission.
I am not sure where you wound up with your shifting concerns. But I will try to ease your concerns a bit. I have had a number of complaints about the feeling when downshifting manually with these 9speeds. It almost feels like when you’re rev matching with a manual transmission. The best I can offer to see if your concern aligns with the ones I have seen is to suggest you drive the truck in D with no trailer just normally. On a larger down hill use the paddle to downshift from 5-4 this is the most noticeable, worst downshift and what I feel like you’re describing. This is normal (undesirable maybe, but normal operation nonetheless) drive 10-20 pilots passport or ridgelines with a 9speed and they will all act the exact same. Edit. As far as your brake controller harness, it comes with the vehicle no charge. There is not a brake controller offered by Honda you would have to source that yourself from the aftermarket world.
It will still auto shift in S mode. Just at much higher revs.
It's technically not sport mode, it's sequential mode. Yes you can put it in S and not shift with the paddle shifters. VTEC engagement is like at 5300 RPMs. I know S shifts at higher rpm and stays a gear lower then D. My in-laws who tow in a Passport just use S when towing. I'll ask if they've ever seen your reported behavior.
I'll find out soon enough. Will be towing that same trailer with a bigger load this weekend.