2013 Honda Accord delayed engagement into drive when cold

Question

2013 Accord, 122k miles. First thing in the morning when I shift into drive there's a 2-3 second delay before it engages. After that it's fine all day. Fluid is full and looks okay. Sign of a bigger problem?

Tom Becker · Answer

This is a known issue on your car, and yes, it can be a sign of a bigger problem. Honda put out TSB 15-077 for the 2013 and 2014 Accord four cylinder with the CVT covering exactly this: a longer than normal delay going into gear the first time after the car sits overnight. The cause Honda identified is fluid draining out of the torque converter while it sits, and the fix is an updated lower valve body kit plus a software update for the powertrain control module. A couple of things matter before you go down that road. First, confirm yours is the four cylinder. The V6 in 2013 uses a conventional six speed automatic, and on those, cold delayed engagement usually points at tired fluid or a pressure issue rather than this bulletin. Second, the CVT in your car has no dipstick, so checking the level takes a lift and a shop that knows the check procedure. My move would be: confirm which engine you have, get the fluid level checked by a Honda tech, and ask the dealer about TSB 15-077. And skip any power flush on a CVT. If the fluid is old, a drain and fill with the correct Honda CVT fluid is the only service it should get.

2013 Honda Accord delayed engagement into drive when cold

Answers

Answer this question