I have an automatic 1990 Accord and it has D4 and D3 gears. Please someone explain why it has this. I've only driven cars with a "D" gear. I'm not sure what the 3 & 4 are for. I do know that it goes better from a stop in D3 and when I hit 60 or so I have to gear up to D4. Is this how I have to do it or should I keep it in D4? Is one for city driving and one for highway? I hope this isnt a supid question because I am honestly confused.

Thanks

 

This is from later year Honda Accord manuals, but is pretty much the same:

D4: Use this position for normal driving. The transmission automatically selects a suitable gear for your speed and acceleration.

D3: Is similar to D4, except only the first three gears are selected. Use D3 when towing a trailer in hilly terrain, or to provide engine braking when going down a steep hill.

For faster acceleration when in D3 or D4, you can get the transmission to automatically downshift by pressing the accelerator pedal to the floor.

Generally, most of the time you can just use D4 and forget about it.

 

Thank you so much. I've been driving in D3 and shifting into D4 when I reach 60. lol

 

Whenever you see "D" beside a number on the transmission (D3, D4), it means that the transmission will shift from First, to Second, to Third, and to Fourth (when in D4) and then back again.

If you have the transmission in 1 or 2, then (......obviously) the transmission will neither upshift or downshift from first, or second, gear.

Bottom line: shifting an automatic during normal driving is for ricers who wanna feel all rad with their fartcan exhausts. It's generally a bad idea.

 

Mark out the 4 on D4.