2006 Honda Civic Hybrid CVT Issue *Resolved*

Update 2009.11.25: Issue resolved, see below.

This is video of a problem I experienced with my 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid. When going up a hill with the cruise control set, the RPMs would increase in order to climb the hill whilst maintaining the same speed. Once the peak of the hill was reached, though, the RPMs would not return to the normal range (Between 2000 and 3000). This continued indefinitely until I slowed down below 40 MPH, or shifted from D to S and then back to D, as I demonstrate in the video.

I experienced this problem for close to two years, even through multiple visits to different Honda service departments. Ultimately, the problem completely vanished once I got a set of four new tires. This corroborates the helpful advice from some commenters on how a differing tire readings can confuse the speed control system. I can't confirm, but it looks like the Honda service bulletin TSB 07-041 addresses this issue. Thanks for everyone's help and feedback.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Honda
• Civic
• Hybrid
• HCH
• II
• 2006
• CVT
• Transmission
• Problem
• RPM
• Cruise
• Control
• Incline
• Engine
• Range
• シビック
• ハイブリッド
• 本田技研工業

[hotfrenchgirl54]

Honda TSB 07-041 -- the car thinks it's cornering because it thinks one wheel is spinning faster than the other. Short term fix is make sure your tire pressures are equal. Long term fix is bring your car in for a software update that's covered under warranty.

[heaviestcat]

Bingo. This is the solution. Thanks for your help.

[bobtinindy]

For 2006 Civic, have dealer see Honda Service Bulletin 07-041. My dealer did 4 "PCM updates" MXA610, MXA080, MXA550, and MXA060. I don't recall which one was the fix and which were other. Car now runs great again. My 3 year warranty had expired, but the dealer did it for free -- for "goodwill". Thanks for your video...

[heaviestcat]

You called it Bob. Thanks for your help.

[baudilus]

Nothing to do with the car's power. The car is properly calculating the torque required at the wheels, and based on the tilt of the car it correctly decides not to adjust the transmission speed but instead it speeds up the engine. When it levels out, it should adjust the CVT in order to reduce the engine speed, but for some reason it's not "unlocking" the CVT, and it has to keep the engine speed high to maintain speed.

It's either a computer problem or a transmission control problem.

[ale03000]

Civic Hybrid has cruise control? Well they don't have it here...

We should drive with our own foot :]. Thanks for sharing !

[axenz1]

TSB 07-041 : Brake Pedal is Low and Feels Soft ?????

[10p6]

@hotfrenchgirl54 Once the HCH2 goes more than 60 mph, it will sacrifice gas to save the battery and IMA! It has nothing to do with tire pressure.

[10p6]

Maybe it's because you are doing nearly 80 mph in a car that weighs nearly two tons, only has a 1.3 liter engine, and designed to cruise at 60 mph.

Did you get a speeding ticket in the mail yet?

[paxan200618]

hey did you solve this problem?i want to know how.i have the same problem :(

[rasamaxa151]

Крутой крутой))

[ChrisH133878]

6V92TA doesn't seem to understand the nature of CVT - they don't change gears as in traditional automatic transmission vehicles. CVT's are becoming more and more known for failure. My Nissan X-Trail is currently in for a completely new transmission, having only been serviced by Nissan. If it is still in warranty I would get it back to the garage before it fails completely

[6V92TA]

most of the time, this is normal when under cruise control. The cruise computer will do what it takes to keep the car at whatever speed you set it at. All cans in cruise mode will sometimes dump a gear in order to climb a hill if its steep enough at high speed. Also, if the cruise is set to like 65 and you hold down the accelerator button, it will dump a gear and take off until you let the button go, where it will kick back into the gear it needs to be in to maintain that speed.