thsiao

I heard of people having problems with their tranny before 10k, which sounds crazy to me. Could it be that the tranny problem and how soon it pops out has to do with how much people use the sportshift?

goldendragon576

I've heard it, I don't believe it!

NYDesi80

I hope not..cuz I dont drive in normal mode unless my girl is driving the car!!

NSXNEXT

iTrader: (2)

I actually think it's the opposite. All the people with tranny problems don't use sportshift.

r10apple

While mine doesn't drive the car, I don't use s/s when she is in it as I usually am fumbling around with her!!!

vandy786

A very interesting idea you bring up and there's a good chance it's true. Just out of curiosity, are there any specifics as to why you think SS prevents tranny problems? I use SS almost all the time unless someone else is in the car with me. I've got 27,000 and I'm still riding my first transmission. But thank goodness Acura was gracious enough to include me in the 100k transmission warranty.

bricot

I also use SS exclusively, so far so good, knock on clutchpacks...

Twenty03 Type-S

I also have to think this as well.

One thing I've "noticed" is that when someone has a tranny die on them, it's always been when they are in "auto" mode. I haven't heard anyone have a transmission die when they are using S/S mode. I'm referring to the actual time when the transmission gives out.

FWIW, I have about 7000 miles on my TL-S. I've probably used the S/S for 6000 of those miles.

manuks

i had my tranny go out on me at about 83,000K, not too bad.. i used the car in sport shift quite often, but i noticed that shifting can be more hesitant and erratic when in auto mode.. i figure that you're safer driving in sportshift because you don't have to let the automatic transmission do it on its own.. makes sense right?.. i like the way the car performs in sportshift, just feels better

JSDMV

Manuks - 83,000k miles? That's like, 83 million miles!

Seriously, though, your post bummed me out because I have 86,500 on my 2001 TL (I bought it for $16,200 at 81,000 miles) and I thougth I was immune to a tranny failure because of the high miles.

From the reading I've done, it appears that the failure comes from localized over heating when you shift from 2nd to 3rd (and vice versa). Now I have to decide if I should try and make it fail by aggressively using the 2-3 sport shift repeatedly or not. My luck the tranny will hold out till 100,001 miles.

ArN 2000 TL

I believe in this 100%. I use my sportshift ALL the time....otherwise the car is just shifting gears way to much. My first tranny held out till about 55k. The car is so much more responsive when i use the SS instead of just leaving it in D5

r10apple

Agree entirely...Especially with some mods--man, jsut the top of 2nd and 3rd makes me love this car so, so much...

is300eater

Someone told me that one theory is... that in auto, the tranny has a tendency to be in 5th too much when it should be in 4th. (or something like that) It idles too low... Can't remember the exact way he explained it... but it made sense to me at the time. But with "SS" you have control over the shifting... (obviously). Mine did go out at 40k miles and I do use the "SS" about 98% of the time, but then again... I drive the f!@k out of it too. (I'm always "gunnin' it" off the light, casual racing with the old fart in his $60k German car etc. etc...)

vandy786

IS300Eater,
THats the other thing. When in the city, I leave it in D4 because at 50mph its still revving in the low 2000s. This combined with using SS has probably been the reason my tranny is still cool.

is300eater

That's what I meant... the guy that explained to me, said he doesn't really use "SS" but "D4" most of the time... (other than highways)

Blakout_One

But aint if you constantly using the SS mode u also losing a lot of gas but you know I dont even give a **** cause 110% Im always using the SS mode feels more aggressive OOTL 54K first tranny 02TLS 39K first tranny no problems yet.

SilverUA5

i usually drive on d4 in the city and shift to d5 on the freeway, but if i'm stuck in traffic, i will use ss.

BEIKAY

JSDMV has it right. The shifts to third gear from second or fouth are generally what the defect is all about. But, obviously rough usage will assiat in the termination of the trany too. Modest and regular use of the SS mode is not likely a significant factor.

vandy786

Not necessarily. If you shift below VTEC, you can still manage ~23 mpg in the city and ~33 mpg highway.

Vicman17

I have done some reading on this tranny issue and found some interesting thoughts.

- trannies may go regardless if SS mode is used or not

- a frequent (15,000 miles) tranny oil change is recommended

- tranny overheats during certain driving conditions, like bumper to bumper traffic where S/S was recommended.

- new low output tranny/ PCM by Honda rectified some of the older problems.

Maybe the experts can clarify.

vandy786

Good points. The only one I'd doubt is that frequent tranny fluid flush is necessary. Based on several of the posts here, the addition of a tranny cooler or frequent transmission flushes WILL NOT protect the transmission, atleast to a noticeable level.

thsiao

I also use D4 when driving in the city and D5 on the freeway... I barely use SS... Im going to start using it more now, hehehehehe.