Saw this in the automotive section of Popular Mechanics online:

...but we've often found that that the computer-controlled transmissions are far too reluctant to respond to driver inputs. As just one example, we've tried on multiple occasions to actuate the paddle shifters in the five-speed automatic in Acura's nimble new TSX about eight times before one corresponding upshift occurs. Unless the paddle shifters are calibrated properly, they're just another pointless feature.

8 times? Really? I'm confused since my V6 tranny doesn't behave like this and I assume I4 is no different or there'd be a lot of bitch'n here. So what's up with that?

You can read the whole piece here:
http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars...logies#slide-1

 

Sounds like a bias towards paddle shifters. I use mine occasionally and anytime I do its always worked. Nice to downshift while coming up to a light to use less brakes as well. Similar to a bike.

 

I won't lie I never understood the paddle shifting concept either. I used it on my friends Accord and it felt awkward more than anything. Just get the man pedal if you want to be able to switch gears

 

I don't use mine often, but when I do they work. However, the car will take over and shift on it's own after you use them, which to me is a bit strange. If I want to control when the car shifts by initiating paddle shifter use, the car should butt out!

 

you gotta practice on something before you buy the GTR, no man pedal there.

 

maybe they were using the wiper stalk instead of the paddle shifters, what kind of fucking moron cant press down on the button?

I have never had issues getting mine to shift, outside of maybe a milisecond delay, rarely. AND i have yet to hear of anyone else having an issue like this with their shifters.

They probably just exaggerated that for use in their article to make it seem more interesting and just happened to pick the TSX as their target, aka shitty journalism

the ONLY thing the shifters prohibit is retarded shit like shifting from 5th to 1st at 100 mph. Popular mechanics fail. SMH

 

Killer, you know 49.6% of statistics are made up.

But you are dead on about the shifters.

 

You need to use S Mode if you want full manual control.

My confusion regarding this article is about how it could take 8 paddle commands to initiate a shift. I've never experienced this behavior in D or S mode. Sounds like a defective unit to me. I find the paddles to be responsive and crisp even when doubling-up down shifts. They work well and offer a decent substitute for a "man peddle" especially in S mode.

 

i use mine a lot.

 

I agree. Use it in S mode and it will almost let you have full control. I think we should write a email to popular mechanics.

 

I thought tvac was bitching about the paddle shifters and i'm thinking...wtf. we got that other guy who buys a tsx and bitches about it and now we got tvac who also has a tsx and is bitching about the paddles now?!?! is it "bitch and complain about our tsx" week??

thank goodness you're only talking about an article. but yea i've never had any issues either when shifting with paddles. drove mine with paddles, and 2 loaners (v6 and base model) none of them had these issues with shifting. maybe the drivers were pushing forward on the paddles instead of pressing them inwards?

 

For those of you who "don't get the paddle shifters", they're very useful for hills and holding a gear, engine braking for the win.

 

You can also hold out the shift to 7300 vs the 6900 rpm shortshift in d mode.

 

Just from spending time on these forums, I've concluded that many people do not RTFM when it comes to the paddle shifters. If owners aren't RTFM, then I don't expect some journalist who's spending 10 minutes in the car to do so, either.

The paddle shifters allow a degree of control that is not possible with a straight AT. I like having the option to control gears when I want, especially on a daily driver where I don't necessarily want to control the gears all the time.

I think my ideal transmission would be a DCT.

 

@Killer - Did you read about the insane gear jumping (5th to 1st) or did you try it? lol If so can you let me know if the car lets you push it into R when moving? I've always wondered.. j/k

Apparently Popular Mechanics and "fact checking" don't go well with each other. My guess is they were probably in R or P when they tried.

 

my paddle shifting doesn't work either ='(
i've tried saying "car up" "car shift up" "bitch shift 3rd" "downshift" and "upshit". the car still stays in park =/ advice please!!!! how you make car go vroom vroom??

 

i like my third pedal.

 

FWIW My old Saturn, My grandpa's old chrysler concord, and some others I've driven all just go into neutral if you shift into reverse. It must determine the RPM is too high or something.

On the paddle shifters I have used mine occasionally like on the day I crashed my TSX I had downshifted using the paddles. I prefer the autostick, but I wouldn't use either very much.

 

I do too. It's a pity the wagon didn't have a MT option

 

What!? isnt the wagon only configured in the 4cylinder?
6MT should have been a must!


and then theres your other ride


btw, the world must be ending.
Ken's purchasing new rides.

 

@keefe, sorry i meant to say that the car is very cooperative when paddle shifting unless you are trying to do something like shift outside of parameters, like say going from 5 to 1, which is understandable because the car is trying to protect itself from damage

also, i popped into R while moving a little once, the sound is not pleasant, ill tell you that

 

Yep, S2K is next.

 

I'm 2 cheap to drive in higher RPM's anyways...problem solved here. Lol

 

they're trying to upshift...unless you're car is going the minimum required speed, it's not going to let you upshift.
I suppose if they set the gear to sport mode, they could have accomplish it!