Natab

Hello all!
New owner of a pretty sweet 05 TL 6Mt dealer maintained with 42,000 (previous owner put 4k on it per year)miles in pristine condition that I picked up for a song ($12,500 ).

I've driven a 00 TL for the past 5 years that has 249,599 miles on it that was/is plush and everything still works, no oil leaks, that works perfect. It's amazing to me how different the two cars are. The 00 is a smooth, plush, quite ride while the 05 is a sportier, noisier, less quite ride.

With the new one I've noticed that the engine sounds likes it's racing when I get above 3000 rpms. If I try to push it out to 5k when I'm getting on it, the engine sounds like its near redline. I've not driven a 6mt before, and while I would expect more/earlier shifting than a comparable 5mt I find myself shifting t around 3.5k rpms and feel like a grandpa!

I took out 3 of the 5 engine cover panels out and it makes the engine noise not so noticeable but even at 4k I have this overwhelming need to shift based on what I hear. 1st goes to about 15-20 mph, 2 to 35ish, 3rd 45ish and on up.

Doesn't Vtec kick in at higher rpm's? If so, while I like the power of the car, I'm not even near its true potential am I?

Anyone with a 6mt have similiar experience? Where are your normal shift RPM's?

Thanks!
Natab

JTS97Z28

iTrader: (4)

Congrats on the purchase sounds like a nice and clean, low mileage vehicle. As far as noise I find it very hard to believe that a 3G can be noisier (engine and road noise), than a much older and less advanced 2G. There has to be something going on such as bad tires. I have heard bad tires creat all sort if weird noises from loud road noise to sounds that you would no really think are bad wheel bearings.
As far as engine noise that one has me stumped too. I have a 6mt Type S and yes the engine does make noise especially when rpm's get up there, but you have to remember the 6mt's get up to rpm much quicker than the autos.

Overall my 6mt S is a very quiet vehicle inside at all speeds. The owners manual states the recommended shift points for normal driving. I forget exactly what they are, but I want to say I shift between 2500 and 3000rpm during normal acceleration.

ez12a

is your clutch slipping? know what to look out for?

JTS97Z28

iTrader: (4)

Ugh sorry about all my misspellings I just proof read my post now. Stupid iPhone.

teeeejaay

Mine is auto, but id guess the vtec kicks in the same area rpms. Around 4700 rpms-redline

robocam

Welcome!

See if your intake resonator is present. Is your exhaust stock?

How does an engine sound like it's near redline?

You took engine panels off, and it got quieter?

I don't notice any difference between VTEC and non-VTEC operation.

The lower your shift points, the better your fuel economy. I try to keep it above around 1500 rpm so that I don't bog the engine (not that I have any evidence to support this). Having said that, I tend to drive in a more spirited manner quite often. How spirited? Well, I've averaged around 17.48 mpg on mixed highway and city over the last 25,643 miles. When I see people with 28 mpg on their MID, I'm like, whaaaat!?!?!?!? Having an MT is just too much fun. I think I almost hit the rev limiter at some point every time I drive it (when I'm by myself of course).

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

VTEC just kicked in YO!

Natab

Yeah, the 2g seems to be way better insulated against road noise,bumps, engine noise, etc. Suprised me as well - i was expecting a more plush ride in the 3g for sure. A buddy has a 3g 5AT and it's just as noisy as mine w/regards to road noise. It actually has brand new Michelin Pilot Sport All-Season Plus 235/45 ZR17 94 with less than a thousand miles on them. I guess it could be transferring some of the noise.

Yeah, you're spot on - i looked it up last night and it does recommend very low rpm shifts (grandpa shifting - which i don't do).

Natab

Yeah, the resonator is still present - the guy i bought if from kept it completely stock. The exhaust is stock as well.



yeah, i took the two side panels off (over the battery and the one on the far left side - i think it covered the serpentine belt as well as the main one over the valve cover. made a big change in the amount of engine noise i could hear in-cab. the only two still in place are the two at the back of the engine near the firewall.


I'm getting around 18-19 as well because i'm keeping my foot in it. A big change from my 00 2G automatic that got between 25-30 mpg...i got almost 100 more miles to the tank on it than the new one.

Natab

Probably not! I would think it would be most noticeable at the start of a gear? would it be noticeable throughout a gear?

Adobeman

When the clutch starts to go is usually only slips in the higher gears because there is more load. So you'd notice more in in 4 or above. Like on the highway if you floor it.

As for noise mine gets loud above 4k as well (but that's really where it starts to pull strong !). I do tend to drive it like my grandpa's TL. But I keep cars forever so I figure why run it hard all the time. I generally just like MTs far better over auto. I just really like the control the MT gives me. It's not like I never let it run. Yeah, I get around 24/25mpg so I've turned into my gramps for sure.