Ive just broke in the car and have started to play with the tiptronic shifter with my Automatic drive.

While on the highway (60-70mph), I noticed that i get the best passing speed when i downshift to "3". It really gives a tremendous acceleration

I don't notice the same effect with the 4th gear, what's the point of that gear? (fifth of course is really for crusing and getting that 30MPG)

Also, The power band is so skewed to the top of the RPMs when the Vtech kicks in...amazing how much more power is available when keeping it above 5000RPM

Any comments? Suggestions?

Does anyone else use the 3rd gear to pass?

 

I typically use 3rd for passing. I believe 4th is for higher speeds. I think the user manual states that 3rd is rated up to about 98 MPH, whereas 4th goes to something like 149 MPH (based on gearing and engine RPMs, not guaranteeing the car can reach that speed). Of course, I only glanced at it for a second, so I could be completely off.

 

4th gear, in my opinion, is the gear for moderate acceleration on the freeway. It'll drop down to 3rd when you floor it.

 

yes, 3rd is for passing, it really kicks the car in the ass.

check the manual for exact speed-gear ratios

 

I rarely get out of 3rd gear on my daily commute. That said, I do tend to downshift into 3rd to pass and also usually when approaching a stop. I also tend to use 2nd when approaching turns, though I'm not sure how good of an idea that is. My car is hardly ever in D (unless the gf is using it). This could be why my mileage is so low (about 18 mpg).

 

you feel more power in the high rpm's because its a honda engine. they are made to produce their power up high. also the vtec kicks in at 4700 so it makes sense that if you keep the engine spinning above 5K you feel the biggest pull.

 

Great response everyone, thanks so much!

 

If you want to pull away from ppl quick just stick with 2nd and 3rd gear.

 

doesnt it hurt the engine if its constantly at high rpms, im not saying anyone here does it, but i was just wondering

 

3rd gear on the highway is sweet, and I have found 4th to be quite effective above 85 mph. It's all about gear ratios and engine rpms.

 

u can reach 150 on the tl
its pretty stable

 

i thought the manual states that the car is limited to 147?

 

At what RPMs are you at at 147?

engine must be burning up

 

I haven't tried going 147 just something I thought I saw in the book. I could be wrong though. I live in LA (Cali) and there aren't many places to even reach 120...safely.

 

Isn't it also bad for the transmission to be downshifting?

 

Jride, why would it be bad to downshift? that's what that 'tiptronic' shifter is for!