When I drive my TSX in SS mode, I always manually downshift when I slow down (I switch between driving a manual Solara (fiance's car) and the auto TSX (mine )). Do you guys do the same or do you let the vehicle downshift to a lower gear automatically (like coming to a stop)? I was just curious. Does it add any stress and/or lower longevity to the tranny to let the car do it automatically?

 

It's my (limited) understanding that the SS mode is simply an electronic override of the AT. By allowing the system to down shift for you, you're doing no more harm than letting the motion sensing spot-light in your backyard turn off automatically (for lack of a better analogy). While in SS mode, I've some times forgotten to "upshift", in which case, the system will not override for you. I'm used to autos, so shifting isn't at the forefront of my consciousness (sp? I hate that word!); as such I've found my self from time-to-time wondering why I can't speed up, only to find that I'm an idiot, and forgot to tell the car to shift....needless to say, I only use SS when trying to impress my wife (which doesn't work at all, because she handles stick sooo much better than I do (read into that what you want, either way you're correct!)).

 

I switch between a manual Solara (taking care of for sister, who's in CA) and my auto TSX too
I just let it downshift itself when coming to a stop..but if I'm not at a complete stop and the light turns green, I'll downshift myself.

 

either way you are fine....i usually let it do the downshifting for me.....its the UP SHIFTING thats fun

 

I downshift all the time so I can go easy on the brakes to prevent rotors from warping.

 

Yep, no problems with downshifting. If you do it manually or let the ECU take care of it, it's not going to make a difference for the tranny itself.

 

I like to downshift into second at about 60 mph and fly by traffic on the highway

 

yeah, but it is just not the same as a manual, wouldn't you agree guys??

 

My main use of the SS mode is to downshift before a turn, or to pass someone. Sometimes I'll use it to slow the car down when I'm reminiscing about MT days I don't worry about it stressing the car at all. In fact, the car will downshift itself on downgrades to slow the car down if you are using the brakes.

 

My main use is to downshift into 2nd at 40 mph to get optimal torque accelerating out of the apex of a turn . But seriously, when driving with parents or alone, SS gets kinda boring. I did hear it ruins the life of the tranny, but it seems as if those words were false. (FYI I was also at one time under the assumption that the Neutral rev limiter also applied to the 5AT, so that at 5500 RPM the engine ended its acceleration)
SS is good for the everyday AT driver wanting to get some thrills, but for me it gets boring fast. My dad doesn't even use it. A friend and I agree, it'd be great on a track .

 

If you let the ECU downshift for you then it will pick the shift points that yield the best mileage. By using SS to downshift you pick the shift points, most likely at higher RPMs than the CPU because you want more engine drag to slow you down (thats why you're doing it right?). The ECU won't let you bog the enging even in SS so it will down shift for you if it senses your RPMs dropping too low.