Shifting a automatic accord

Daiker2381 it is an automatic transmission. They are designed to operate automatically. Yours being a 2003 it is most likely 100% electronic and the extra shift positions below drive are for out of the ordinary conditions. Your tranny will shift automatically when in D as required based on your engine rpm, engine load and speed. Starts out in 1st and shifts up as you speed up, shifts down either as you slow down or as you push the gas pedal after slowing down. It will also shift down for hard acceleration if it's not already in the next lowest gear (unless the engine would be over revving in the lower gear). Under normal conditions your car can be left in D all the time. Some reasons to shift manually. 1.) Wet or slippery roads, downshift to hold a higher rpm where the car could automatically shift down causing a loss of traction. 2.) Passing where you need quick acceleration but cannot wait for the tranny to downshift by itself when you hit the gas (eliminates the hesitation due to shifting). 3.) Manually shift down to assist brakes by using the engine. 4.) On hills where the car is shifting up and down continuously. This causes unnecessary wear and may heat up the tranny fluid. holding a lower gear selection will eliminate the shifting and should lower the fluid temp. NOTE: If your car is not shifting correctly the tranny may be damaged. The longer the tranny operates incorrectly the more damage is done.

3 different posts for the same question? If you don't like the auto transmission, then buy a stick!