Ridgeline 5AT?

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I'm 99.9% sure I've talked myself out of it, but curiosity is what kills the cat.

First gen Ridgelines used a 5AT, it's was second gen that got a problematic (?) 6AT which got replaced with the 9AT. 2nd gen is too rich for my blood, which makes me wonder if the 5AT showed its ability to go the distance? I know Honda V6 automatics tend to be made out of glass, but the Ridgeline got a beefier transmission than the Oddy & Accord. Outside of SMOD, did these routinely go over 200k?

I kinda like the looks of the 2nd gen, the 6AT should have been an improvement, but from what I can tell, it might not have been (internet amplification and all), and I'm not sure about the upgrades to the motor either. But in the end, I don't think either fits in my garage, so that's that.
 
If I remember back in my Honda Odyssey minivan days, the 5AT used in the Ridgeline was the "4-shaft", which was improved over the earlier 3-shaft honda 5ATs.
 
If I remember back in my Honda Odyssey minivan days, the 5AT used in the Ridgeline was the "4-shaft", which was improved over the earlier 3-shaft honda 5ATs.
That is my recollection too. One more shaft somehow made it stronger. Breakage didn't seem to be the same problem, but anything with clutches in it can wear--my understanding is that the lighter transmission up and broke, usually at low miles.
 
Yup, should be the 4 shaft unit, similar to my TL. Those are MUCH more robust than the 3 shaft units that the Accords and Oddy's had at first.

Doesn't mean you can neglect it though, still best to do regular D&F changes on it.
 
That is my recollection too. One more shaft somehow made it stronger. Breakage didn't seem to be the same problem, but anything with clutches in it can wear--my understanding is that the lighter transmission up and broke, usually at low miles.

IIRC, it was 2007+ when they included the 4-shaft 5AT in the Odyssey minivans as well. I think they proved to be decent AT. So easy to do drain/fills on too. It would be the least of my worries on an older Hondu.
 
Anecdotal info only: my 2007 Ridgeline A/T has been flawless with only minimum maintenance. It has been used for some long distance vehicle towing. First transmission service was a full exchange by a Honda dealer at about 62K miles, and two DIY drain and fills so far starting at 102K. Third one will be in May.
 
The Honda specialist mechanic I've dealt with said "those transmission don't fail". Of course he doesn't mean they have a 100% success rate but overall, they're very reliable based on his experience. I know Honda had a questionable design with the V6-mated transmissions going up to 2003-2004 but they fixed the design by then and after that, they seem fine. The internet never forgets though....
 
that 5 speed auto in my honda 2006 odessey does make weird noises sometimes, like someone smacking something with a hammer, but I think its normal.
 
I'm 99.9% sure I've talked myself out of it, but curiosity is what kills the cat.

First gen Ridgelines used a 5AT, it's was second gen that got a problematic (?) 6AT which got replaced with the 9AT. 2nd gen is too rich for my blood, which makes me wonder if the 5AT showed its ability to go the distance? I know Honda V6 automatics tend to be made out of glass, but the Ridgeline got a beefier transmission than the Oddy & Accord. Outside of SMOD, did these routinely go over 200k?

I kinda like the looks of the 2nd gen, the 6AT should have been an improvement, but from what I can tell, it might not have been (internet amplification and all), and I'm not sure about the upgrades to the motor either. But in the end, I don't think either fits in my garage, so that's that.

So far so good, tow and haul all the time with my 2017 No trans weirdness yet.
Best all around vehicle Ive ever owned. AWD system is outstanding.
I maintain the diff to mountain spec.

5speed in prior years is solid.
 
So far so good, tow and haul all the time with my 2017 No trans weirdness yet.
Best all around vehicle Ive ever owned. AWD system is outstanding.
I maintain the diff to mountain spec.

5speed in prior years is solid.
probably one of the easiest ones to maintain too, has a dipstick.
Can flush and add a transcooler too
 
Agree with the above on the RL AT. I’ve heard of no issues with them, and that vehicle doesn’t attract drivers with an interest in lead-footing the thing. Note the gas mileage. I think the RL designers looked to toyota for guidance on fuel economy. I’ve not driven one, but I suspect these are well-built vehicles.
 
Agree with the above on the RL AT. I’ve heard of no issues with them, and that vehicle doesn’t attract drivers with an interest in lead-footing the thing. Note the gas mileage. I think the RL designers looked to toyota for guidance on fuel economy. I’ve not driven one, but I suspect these are well-built vehicles.
The 1st gen is like 20mpg, 2nd gen is maybe 24, highly dependent on one's right foot of course.

In the end it's not the right time for me to get one. I really need a car for my daughter, and handing her my old Camry while I get something nicer/newer/bigger is not a good idea (PS rack is getting old, brake booster is getting old, headlights suck, no side curtain bags). I should be focused on her car, not mine!

It just a bit of jealously in me yesterday: friend was bringing back my enclosed trailer, after borrowing it for a couple of weeks. Couldn't park it quite where I wanted it, too much snow on the ground (RWD getting stuck). And I have no way to move it at all, not since trading off my truck... In a couple of days I'll forget the incident and life will go on.
 
Came across an interesting vid about preventing SMOD. Apparently Honda has a trans cooler then runs the atf back through the radiator to heat it. So one could remove the radiator path altogether. I would have guessed that some sort of thermostat would be involved, no idea. Interesting all the same.

 
The 1st gen is like 20mpg, 2nd gen is maybe 24, highly dependent on one's right foot of course.

In the end it's not the right time for me to get one. I really need a car for my daughter, and handing her my old Camry while I get something nicer/newer/bigger is not a good idea (PS rack is getting old, brake booster is getting old, headlights suck, no side curtain bags). I should be focused on her car, not mine!

It just a bit of jealously in me yesterday: friend was bringing back my enclosed trailer, after borrowing it for a couple of weeks. Couldn't park it quite where I wanted it, too much snow on the ground (RWD getting stuck). And I have no way to move it at all, not since trading off my truck... In a couple of days I'll forget the incident and life will go on.
"Grandpa" her and you can get 30 she'll run real cheap if you baby it.

IMG_0824 (1).jpeg
 
"Grandpa" her and you can get 30 she'll run real cheap if you baby it.
Thats not nearly as much fun as not.

Do you know how much fun it is to drive a beige Camry? you can drive at 9/10’s all day long and no one knows… !

ok its a bit more on the boring side, i’m fooling no one here.
 
Thats not nearly as much fun as not.

Do you know how much fun it is to drive a beige Camry? you can drive at 9/10’s all day long and no one knows… !

ok its a bit more on the boring side, i’m fooling no one here.

look the upside, you can have plenty of excitement with the money you are saving.
 
look the upside, you can have plenty of excitement with the money you are saving.
I had my fun, fixing it, and putting money into my 401k instead, no doubt. Been a good purchase. Just miss having a truck, again.
 
Agree with the above on the RL AT. I’ve heard of no issues with them, and that vehicle doesn’t attract drivers with an interest in lead-footing the thing. Note the gas mileage. I think the RL designers looked to toyota for guidance on fuel economy. I’ve not driven one, but I suspect these are well-built vehicles.
Spent all week looking. Sure hold their value too.

Started to look at RCSB full size but was reminded this morning that part of why I got rid of my full size was because it was too darn big. For my needs anyhow. But they do tend to be cheaper (if you can find).

Started to look at Pilot/Highlander but have no use for a useless third row. I guess one can leave it down but still. That and harder to avoid VCM on the Pilot (meaning, on used, that closer to clogged rings and trashed mounts).
 
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