russianDude

Time for another post -- who has the most miles on their original trany and no problems.

Fabvsix

53,000, use D3 and D4 mostly and NO problems ! I stopped using D5 around 18,000 miles ago (D5 is used ONLY after 65 miles per hour freeway driving-I don't care of about gas mileage) , after my mechanic told me so !

russianDude

Hmn, how does this supposed to help? You think 5th gear tends to damage our transmissions?

Red Nj-s

constantly shifting from 5th to 2nd will damage the transmission

In the city when u are goin slow, it shifts as high as it can, than when u need sum passing power it has to downshit alot.

Klamalama

Almost 13K miles and no problems. I mostly use 1st through 6th gear. Oh, and I use the clutch too.

Amoeba

Are you then suggesting using D4? and if I always use D4, how much will my gas mileage suffer. I get about 13.75 mpg using D5 and moderate acceleration. I dunno why my mileage sucks so bad. Also, does SS hurt your transmission

HiJincs

Over 74,000 miles using SS over 90% of the time. No problems with the tranny.

Amoeba

Answered one part of the question. Yet to be answered is by using D4 is that better for your transmission, is there a reason why i only get 13.5mpg and 25% flooring it, and how much does D4 affect ur mpg

russianDude

It does not shift directly from 5th to 2nd... I guess what you are saying makes sense, this will save you an extra shift. But also sometimes your transmission will have to work at higher RPMs, which will cause more stress on your transmission.

I will start using this also.

Another thing I am doing, I try to baby my tranny while its cold... Shifts are a little rough when its cold, but then it becomes smooth.

russianDude

13.5mpg is way to low, have your car checked. My worst city MPG was 20, just like the manual says.

D4 will only REALLY affect your milage if you are doing a lot of driving at speeds of 50+ MPH. For city driving it will be the same.

Amoeba

Russian Dude, you will start using what? D4?

Amoeba

No way, I have 1,350 miles on the car, and I floor it about 15-25% and accelerate pretty hard most of the time. Even doing that 13.5 mpg is too low?

russianDude

Yeah, I'll start using D4 when I drive city, D5 is only for pure highway. I have 21K miles, trans works perfect.... only little rough shifts when its cold, but then it goes away in 1-2 minutes...

Its very important to accelerate very gently for the first 2-3 minutes after cold start to let your fluid warm-up, I do belive this prevents tranny problems.... Also, try to keep your RPMs below 4000, and change your tranny fluid every 15K miles. Then, maybe, if you are lucky your tranny will live

You are looking for trouble if you floor it, CLS tranny is weak already... hey, if you don't plan to keep it beyond warranty... beat the heck out of it, let the bi*ch die

Fabvsix

0-40 mph in stop and go traffic: D3
40-60 mph in some faster moving traffic: D4
65 mph +++: D5

I very seldom use SS, its USELESS to me ! Nothing compares to a manual transmission !

Cold tranny movement: Yes I too drive no more than 45 mph in D4 for the first mile before "driving normal". If I don't, I have a slight vibration in the car and that's been since day ONE ! Why not bring it to Acura attention ? I have and believe me, it posted on my account, so if anything goes wrong, they were notified of this "MYSTERIOUS" vibration with the first mile driven when cold or having sat for more than 8 hours !

I hope I've anwered your questions....... !

P.S. What happen when you leave it in D5, the tourque converter is worked to death and KILLS transmissions, per my mechanic !

russianDude

What kind of vibration? When cold, my transmission works fine, but shifts are more distinct and noticeable.... after 1-2 miles everything warms up and shifts become perfectly smooth. Do you think this is normal? I had it from day one, and it does not bother me... I saw other members saying the same thing for cold starts.

Amoeba

Can someone answer my gas mileage question... 15-25% time i floor it, rest of time, i accelerate hard.. on 12 gallons i get 160 miles 13mpg. Is this way too low, or just right considering im in all city traffic and my driving style. O ya, my parents are making me keep this baby through college, so I guess I will take the extended warranty for a $1,000. Plus, by that time I bet you I can work on a 100,000 mile Extended Warranty on Tranny only free, and not get the full extended warranty, so let the tranny die. I will drive in D4 from now on.

russianDude

Don't know, could be reasonable... when you floor it -- the gas burns like crazzy.

Amoeba

Well, I guess since i will have this car for another 5 years, i better keep on flooring, and kill this current tranny Then get a replacement and request a 4year/50,000 warranty on that replacement tranny!

Fabvsix

RussianDude:
It is a "slight" vibration felt in the steering and on my A$$, then once its warmed up to operating temp. it goes away. I was told it is the tourque converter "aligning" with the tranny !

Renegage:

I drive like GRANNY ON QUALUDES, so don't ask me about "flooring" the car constantly.......However, when granny wakes up.......I LOVE THE SOUND OF VTEC !

russianDude

ok, but do you think a little rough shifting before tranny warms up is OK??

LOL, I tell you, QUALUDES are some good pills ... but that's kinda off topic

Fabvsix

Who knows ! As long as you do "the same" your ok, but sporatic shifting behavior is what kills our trannies ! I am convienced !

Qualudes were our drug in my day in the late 70's !