# Transmission

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission/50376>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [June 15, 2010, 8:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission/50376 "2010-06-15T20:55:47Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![grampy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a9adbd/32.png) [@grampy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/grampy)\
**Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 8:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission/50376/1 "2010-06-15T20:55:47Z")

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Is it normal to have a slight hesitation when shifting from forward to reverse,and reverse to forward?  
  
 I’ve noticed this in my GMC truck and Honda Accord.  
  
 I’m not having any problems with these vehicles i think,but thought I’d ask anyhow.  
  
 Is there a momentary lag because of the direction change?  
  
 Thanks

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**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\
**Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 11:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission/50376/2 "2010-06-15T23:22:42Z")

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You should be completely stopped before shifting from reverse to forward or forward to reverse. If not, yes there will be a lag as the inertial energy is absorbed by the torque converter. And you’ll be asking putting an unnecessary strain on your drivetrain. You’re suddenly changing the direction of a few thousand pounds of vehicle.

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**Author:** ![grampy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a9adbd/32.png) [@grampy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/grampy)\
**Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 11:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission/50376/3 "2010-06-15T23:32:26Z")

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Good points Thanks

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**Author:** ![shadowfax](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/shadowfax/32/13026_2.png) [@shadowfax](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shadowfax)\
**Post date:** [June 16, 2010, 12:40am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission/50376/4 "2010-06-16T00:40:25Z")

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Some cars also pause for half a second or so before engaging the gear you select in order to avoid unnecessary wear on the transmission if you’re heading toward a different selection and just happen to be moving the lever slowly. I don’t know what year your Accord is, but I know that newer Hondas/Acuras do this, for one.

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**Author:** ![grampy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a9adbd/32.png) [@grampy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/grampy)\
**Post date:** [June 16, 2010, 12:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission/50376/5 "2010-06-16T12:31:37Z")

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The Accord is a 2007 Truck is a 2004

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**Author:** ![geeaea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@geeaea](https://community.cartalk.com/u/geeaea)\
**Post date:** [June 16, 2010, 2:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission/50376/6 "2010-06-16T14:02:43Z")

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I’ve never seen enough of a delay to comment on that wasn’t present all the time. Does the initial engagement to either range/selection from PARK have any delay to it? I’ve had this when the ambient temps were extremely cold …but that’s about it. It was fixed with a fluid change to synthetic.

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**Author:** ![grampy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a9adbd/32.png) [@grampy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/grampy)\
**Post date:** [June 16, 2010, 6:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission/50376/7 "2010-06-16T18:25:53Z")

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I really didn’t have a concern on either vehicle. Both vehicles shift fine.  
My query was if anybody else noticed it in their vehicle.