How many of you drive in the tiptronic/auto-stick (or whatever it is called in the TL) mode? Is this bad for the car? For some reason I feel that I would just be hurting my engine by using this? Any opinions?

 

Nope, it shouldn't hurt the engine at all if you operate it within reason. ie, don't over-rev (consistently going to and/or beyond the red line) or under-rev (driving in 5th gear at extremely low speeds where you are lugging the engine. I use the SS mode mainly for decending steep hills in town where speed limits are in the 20 to 30 mph range. Sometimes also for a little fun when on a ramp to the freeway.

 

Why would this be bad for the engine? Acura would not have made it available if it was. Acura has put some safeguards in so it won't damage the engine. When you stop it goes to 1st, when you start again it goes from 1st to 2nd.

 

I use it to have fun...I turn to the tip-tronic when I get on the highway - less rpm, better mileage on the gas. Some people would agree that you can slow down the car faster by downshifting....These are the good uses I can think of.

 

you cant underrev the engine in tiptronic, it automatically shifts down for you

 

Bo basically, it seems to be ok. Anybody use it daily, or frequently for that matter?

 

hmm i wonder, how high can you take it in 2nd (or each) gear? Wonder if there are safeguards...if the rpm hits 8k for example...

 

I drive it every day.....rip it around like a friggin slot machine handle! You cant hurt it...Honda Nanny will cover you on that!! Ok...how long can you hold it....as long as you want till rev limiter. Although.....it will autoshift to 2nd...as most of us know LONG before rev limit (in SS mode). It will hold second or third as long as you want....to rev limiter anyway. Now...the only way to hold first....is in low (that I have found). So what I do frequently....is go from low to SS mode when I am ready for 2nd.....but only in a race situation. In regular driving...I just go SS mode and let it shift to 2nd when it wants to.

Anyway...to the OP....go ahead man...have fun. You will be just fine!!!

Side note...one thing I found out last week. There is a seperate LOWER rev limiter if you are in neutral or park that will keep you from over-rev when NOT under load.....was reving motor last week checking something out before I shut down and found this out. It is significantly lower than when you are under load (in gear and driving)....so like I say....Honda Nanny has you covered in all cases!!

 

honda motors will not allow you to rev through V-tec cycle when in neutral. this is why it just bounces off of 4.5k or 5k. But you can get it to do but i dont advise it. Let it bounce about three times and then floor it and it will go all the way. Not wise to do though. there has to be a reason they dont wont you doing it .

 

I switch whenever I need to speed up, like chasing someone who over took me or vice versa.

 

I've also discovered the "trick" to holding first gear by putting it in "L". Honda wouldn't put a system in the car that would cause damage by simply using it. They'd be in big trouble, warranty-wise if they did that! Like Michael Benz said, the rev limiter should have you covered. Use it like you'll lose it!