I like driving in D4 better than D5 because of less shifting/gear hunting. Is it bad to do this???

 

I've recently started using D4 a lot more during normal driving. But for highway driving I always use D5. I think the only drawback for D4 would be decreased gas mileage, not positive though.

 

I don’t know if it’s BAD or not, but I do it every day and my Tranny is still fine at 20,800.
I only switch to D5 when I’m on the highway or a really straight road for an extended distance.

Probably hurts the MPG a bit.

Shawn S

 

Wow we have nearly identical mileage. I'm about to hit 21k, probably tomorrow or Friday.

I'm considering starting to use D4 now that I know other people do it. I'm tired of having it downshift just to gain a little speed. It's so annoying the way this car shifts.

 

I agree……of course I only have to worry about this for a few more weeks.

Shawn S

 

i only use d5 driving on the highway..i use d4 in local driving or sometimes even d3 it is not going to hurt the tranny..don't worry

 

I can only assume.... (please tell me) that the "problems" that people are having with their tranny's is only the newer "S" models . Has me worried a bit about shifting like you guys talk about. (mines a 98 3.0)
I assume shifting gives you more power? (like I said, I'm spooked about the tranny issues that I've read, so I've not been shiftin' when I don't have to).

 

driving in d4 is not bad for your tranny, ss is not bad for your tranny, redlining your car is not bad for your tranny. the trans was designed to function in all these ways. just make sure it is completely engaged, whether forward or reverse, before you hit the gas pedal.

 

Too me, D4 feels smoother and is more responsive.

 

Its a matter of using the right gear for the right speed. Autos re programmed to get into the highest gear as soon as possible. That's great for fuel economy but being in too tall a gear makes the car feel 1000 lbs heavier. Then you have the extra wear of shifting. 5th is only useful on the freeway for economy crusiing. Otherwise, forget it.

 

I do this too.

D5 pretty much relegated to freeway cruising & D4 or D3 in town.

Definitely hurts the gas mileage.

I think I use D1 D2 & D3 for scootin more than SS

 

I have found that I use D3 now for those moments I am looking for fun and D4 for everday driving around DC. I use D5 for long haul events or for MPG.

For me D5 is like an OD.

And D3 seems to react faster for me than SS too. Only time I use the SS is for transmission braking around corners.

The only thing I hate about our cars is the way the tranny hunts for gears and loves to upshift to stay at around 1200 rpms. I have caught the car in shifting into 5th gear at 30-35 mph one time around 1000 rpms.

Such a crime in a car with our engine IMHO. If they would just reprogram the darn thing to allow for a way more aggressive profile, this lack stick issue wouldnt bother me one bit. I did not buy a 260hp car to get 40mpg thank you very much Acura!

But they (Acura) probably dont want the tranny too aggressive because it would just accelerate all of our tranny problems that way.

(That last comment now guarantees my tranny is gonna go...just hit 15k )

 

One question for you all D4 supporters...

Is the shifting points in D4 and D5 are the same? Sure they are for gears 1 to 4... The only difference is that in D5 it would shift into fifth around 50MPH... in city that is not bad... Most city roads are 45MPH or less..

So leave it in D5.... it's the same tranny same ECU for D4 and D5.

 

Nashua_Night_Hawk:

I totally agree with you that the ECU and shift points are the same,

But I can guarantee you my tranny shifts into 5th well before 50mph when driving casually. Ill try to get an exact speed tonight.

I just use D4 to prevent that.

Again if they just made a sport setting I'd be happy as a clam.

And now with the 6sp out and given our tranny's possible shady history......If I had to use SS all of the time, I would probably get a 6sp instead.

 

I couldn't agree more!

 

RE: You would be surprised out how many folks espoused that same view (about the "I did not buy a 260hp car to get 40mpg thank you ...") comments prior to the 3-buck a gallon debacle. With the current gas prices looking like a trip back in time (even some older movies have much higher posted gas prices in some background shots), everyone is singing a new tune… Those same folks were all extremely upset and asking questions similar to:

Can I use 89-octane gas in the car?
How do I get the best gas mileage?
How can I get the car to shift early [for better mileage]?

That 5th gear is for economy. If you desire the responsiveness, toss it in 4th, (IMO) it isn't going to make a difference in how long the tranny lasts.

The tranny “going” seems to be related to how many cracks in the sidewalk you step on...

 

finally... a causal relationship that makes sense!

 

Then I'm screwed because I park in a garage four days of the week that is concrete slabs with one-inch gaps between them and I have to go up to the third or fourth level every day.

bumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbump is my garage experience. Poor car.

 

Don't know if it safe, but after reading this thread I have started to.

 

Hahahahah...very sad. My view on this is ...if you can afford a 30k+ car, you can afford $3 a gallon.

Even at that price gas is cheap..Go check out Europe some time...ouch.