This may be a stupid question but are there any advantages/disadvantages when driving in sport mode vs regular drive mode? If I drive in sport mode in my normal city traffic how much mpg will I be losing, does anyone have any ideas about that?

 

The difference is that you pick the shift points in SS while the ECU picks them in D. Theoretically you should get better gas mileage in D because the ECU will try to optimize the shift points for best mileage given its multiple inputs from various sensors whereas all you rely on is the seat of your pants.

 

Not sure about mpg, but you will get much better performance from using SS, at least the numbers say so according to Temple of VTEC. For the 1st gen TSX, with full auto mode, it takes 8.7s for 0-60, but only 7.7s in sportshift. Reason is with sportshift, you can hold the gear longer, and thus rev higher, and when you look at the torque curve of the 1st gen TSX, you will see it makes most of its power (there's a very noticeable spike) near or around its redline.

The 2nd gen TSX is different, as it no longer has that spike near the redline (and thus less peak hp), but its torque curve is much flatter (and more area under the curve). So I'd imagine the difference between full auto and sportshift is less than that in the 1st gen.

 

Sport shift will also automatically shift if you don't select a gear when you put it in S, it will just raise the shift points. To engage full SS mode you put the shifter in S and then push one of the paddles up or down to tell it you want control. If you just put it in S and don't push a paddle it will shift for you, but will not go past third gear unless you put it in D, or push one of the paddles.

 

haha, i like this POV

 

Thanks everyone who replied your information was a huge help!

 

Love to see some proof to back that up. Link?

I think any AT owner will tell you the difference is negligible if any. Certainly not 1 sec.

 

^^ I remember reading that on TOV. I think it was their review of the 06 model.

edit:

here is the link: http://www.vtec.net/articles/view-ar...&page_number=4
Check out the table towards the bottom of that page.

 

^ thanks, it was also posted in one of the TSX threads too.

 

Jan, do you feel a 1 sec diff with your AT in SS? I know I didn't when I had an AT.

But if Jeff tested it thats good enough for me.

 

And here's the dyno plot for the 2006 5AT:
http://www.vtec.net/articles/view-ar...icle_id=453644

Ignore that loop, and note the jump in torque and hp.

 

No I don't. But then mine is an 04 and those numbers were achieved on the 06. Plus, I've had the reflash for a couple of years now so I really don't remember what the stock 04AT felt like. Its not difficult for me to believe that with the tweaks to the 06 ( vs. 04-05 ) were able to achieve much better performance. The intake is larger, the catalytic converter less restrictive. Maybe the shift logic was tuned for more economy so that when you do shift yourself you're unleashing ( maybe too strong a word ) more of the engines capability than you would with the 04-05.

 

i'm not sure about an ENTIRE second, but ss does seem peppier than auto in my 2005