sogdoc1

I have a question regarding the sport shift for the 5A. Can you move into the sport shift mode after you are already driving. I test drove an Automatic, but I didn't try it as I wasn't sure you could do that. I did start driving from a stop using the sport shift, but just need a little more info on it.

Thanks

CraZydudE

yes you can

larchmont

Craze is right. There was a thread on this somewhere, maybe 2 or 3 weeks ago.

sogdoc1

Thanks for the info, I am new to the site and will look for the thread.

rzee

You can go in and out of the M gate whenever you feel like, as often as you want.

larchmont

Welcome Sog! Here it is:

http://www.acura-tsx.com/forums/show...=&threadid=818

As you see, I didn't know either!

blahsome

I am shifting from D to M occasionally just to see what's the current gear.

BTW, I wish the TSX could just display the current gear regardless of whether I'm in SportShift or not. That'd be a cool feature.

larchmont

How would it be useful when you're in "D"?

RJC RSX

you can just pop it over for a second and see the gear and then pop it back

jcg878

I find myself doing the same thing - just to spy on the transmission. I guess I just haven't adjusted to driving an auto. I'd like it to display the current gear all the time as well, but I agree that it wouldn't really be useful, just eye candy.

Crazytree

ditto.

blahsome

It would be useful because I'm interested in seeing how the auto tranny shifts. I'm a curious person.

larchmont

Yeah. I thought you would have just been able to tell. But I guess not. (It's not like I'm sure I can, but I kind of thought I could, "give or take." I guess you want to do better than that.)

jcg878

Since 4th gear is geared so high in the AT, I feel like it's in 5th sometimes when it could be in 4th. That's what I'm usually checking - the other gears are more obvious. I read somewhere that both 4th and 5th gears are overdrives in the 5AT and they are responsible for the improved fuel econ of the AT vs MT (which my heavy foot is not realizing).

XPLORx4

I've found that when the transmission is set in "5" and the speed is around 45-50mph, it's pretty easy for the torque converter to unlock. It almost feels like the transmission is shifting into 4th, but it's not.

Is there any way to force the TC to stay locked in any gear?

larchmont

So THAT'S what's going on!!

Obviously I don't have the answer, but thanks!

combustible1

I don't have a triptronic-type car, but wouldn't you just tap the lever over to the triptronic side, and it will maintain that gear for you?

rzee

Yes, it will maintain the gear, unless your rev is too low to keep the engine running.

combustible1

yep, that's what I thought.. there's your answer, XPLORx4.

rzee

No man, he was talking about torque convertor lockup, not whether the computer will hold your gear.

donutchow

how can you not tell what gear you're in by rpms? or when you start driving from a stop, you're in first, then it shifts, then it's in second. not hard at all. it's common sense

larchmont

Right.

I didn't think they were answering the Q either -- glad to know I'm actually learning something!

XPLORx4

Too bad the TC doesn't have a "lockup" feature. In my SUV, turning off overdrive (4th gear) forces the TC to lock in 3rd gear at speeds above 50mph, even if the engine lacks the power to maintain a constant RPM.

Maybe using "D3" locks the TC? Of course, in D3, it will be hard to find an engine-load situation (i.e. very steep grade) in which the transmission will need to unlock the TC to get more power.