i have an AT but i've always wondered about this:

in an AT, if you shift to Drive while moving in reverse, the car will smoothly come to a stop and then start moving forward. i believe this is accomplished by the torque converter.

i'm wondering if this is possible in a MT too since there is no torque converter...

 

I'm not sure about the TSX but I know in my older manual cars if you're good at modulating the clutch you can do the very same thing (smoothly). Though, honestly, I've always been under the impression that it was bad so I don't do it myself.

 

Off topic, but, you can however you'd be using the clutch as brake and that's not a good policy.

 

That's the most effective way of burning your clutch in a manual.

 

There was a you-tube video in another thread of someone in a TSX doing burnouts, and they actually rolled the car backward and did as you describe in order to assist in the process.

There should be a hotline for people who abuse their TSX's like that...

 

as long as you are slowly moving backwards, its just as hard on your clutch as it is when you start from a hill (if you are good, not that bad)

I wouldn't worry much about it, just make sure you don't put it in reverse when going forward... that is a sure gear grind.

 

Right, it can be done at slow speeds. Reverse gear is an unsynchronized spur, so there will be resistance and 'klunking' noises when shifting in and out of reverse when moving. I know that video on youtube, i don't know whey they rolled backwards, burnouts are easily accomplished in a manual from a standstill - i always squeeck by accident. Maybe you have to reverse in an auto TSX, my old 99 cougar was like that.

 

In AT: heats up torque converter (fluid)
In MT: burns up the clutch (depending how fast you were going backwards, how quickly you engage the clutch and at what RPM)

Moral: try not to do it too much in either; it's just unnecessary wear on the components.

 

Okay, maybe I'm uninformed, but why would you do this?

 

can the torque converter actually get worn out? how does doing something like this compare to everyday driving

 

Dude, go into your dealership and ask them casually what the price of a transmission repair/replacement is compared with brake pad and brake fluid replacement. I think the answer will help you decide if you want to be doing this to your tranny in the first place. (Stealing this from teh Car Talk guys.)

Or are we just fueling your mischievious curiosity?