Hi,
I went to buy a used Honda accord SE 2001 Auto Hatchback. The car looks excellent but when I tried to increase the race (while in parking gear) it didn't go beyond 5000 rpm and the engine was shaking above 5000 rpm. The seller said the maximum rpm for Honda accord Auto SE 2001 model is 5000 rpm.

Can anyone confirm this? Is this a problem? The car normally drives well. I have checked up to 60 mph and there was no problem. I need urgent help as I have paid the advance and need to sort it out quickly.

Your help is much appreciated.

Thanks.

 

No 2001 hatchback in USA, so you must be somewhere else in the world. Therefore, your engine control system might be a bit different.

But anyway...
I'm pretty sure there's a rev-limiter that's lower (like 5,000) when the car's in neutral standing still. Max RPM is higher when you're actually driving. I'm thinking 6,000 or a bit higher.

 

Thanks Jim for your answer. I am in London, United Kingdom. So.. you reckon that's not a major problem?

I am really confused. One of my friend (he drives a Toyota) suggested that this might cause the car to shake when driving in Motorway around 80-90 MPH. I want to go for the car, but not sure whether I am buying a problematic car or it's normal with Honda accord!!

Thanks again.

 

If it's hitting a lower rev-limiter in neutral (and I'm not completely sure about that), then it would chatter around the RPM of the limiter as the fuel cuts off & re-starts.

It would be better to test drive it. Once the engine's warmed up thoroughly, find a road where you can accelerate hard, & put the pedal to the floor. Watch the engine RPM go up to the redline before it shifts; and judge the engine smoothness from THAT.