3G TL (2004-2008)
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Question for the peeps with 5AT

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-10-2010, 07:15 PM
  #1  
Advanced
Thread Starter
 
duckhunt's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Age: 37
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Question for the peeps with 5AT

First off 5AT FTW!

I was wondering when you guys are driving your 5AT do you just put it in drive or do any of you guys use the sport shifter??

I know Im always using the shifter. I like having at least some pseudo control of my gear changes.

Let me know.
Old 06-10-2010, 07:18 PM
  #2  
Fear and Loathing in my
iTrader: (3)
 
Timb227's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: NJ
Age: 38
Posts: 1,191
Received 6 Likes on 4 Posts
I usually leave it in drive unless I want to pass someone quick, then ill downshift.
Old 06-10-2010, 07:38 PM
  #3  
Burning Brakes
 
ionojimbo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: MA
Age: 34
Posts: 845
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
i do it when i want to have a good kick on a drive home or something. just got my stage 2 yesterday so ive been using the sport shift all day. love my exhaust sound now!
Old 06-10-2010, 08:00 PM
  #4  
Racer
 
Dave_W's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Lumberton, NJ
Age: 43
Posts: 368
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
I use the sport shift for downshifting mainly.
Old 06-10-2010, 08:29 PM
  #5  
...
 
1islandparadise's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Tampa
Posts: 1,494
Received 10 Likes on 9 Posts
Just in "D"...although last night I did shift into 5th around 40mph to see what my rpm's would be...lol
Old 06-10-2010, 09:04 PM
  #6  
Racer
iTrader: (1)
 
lowbudgetTL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 297
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Dave_W
I use the sport shift for downshifting mainly.
Me 2... I drive aggressive, but never "over" load the Tranny with severe down shifts,, Although I've d-shifted from 4th to 2nd to quickly sometimes. I'm like shit tap that bitch up to 3rd real quick

Old 06-10-2010, 09:16 PM
  #7  
Instructor
 
P_R_N_D's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Philly
Age: 46
Posts: 107
Received 10 Likes on 4 Posts
I play with it sometimes but I really just leave it in drive most of the time. Sometimes I downshift at lights but that's about it
Old 06-10-2010, 09:20 PM
  #8  
Advanced
Thread Starter
 
duckhunt's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Age: 37
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Why leave it in drive? Wouldnt you guys like at least some control over your gears?
Old 06-10-2010, 10:30 PM
  #9  
Senior Moderator
iTrader: (1)
 
ggesq's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Tampa, Florida
Posts: 12,452
Received 2,181 Likes on 1,210 Posts
If I wanted control over my gears I would have bought a 6MT.
Old 06-10-2010, 10:36 PM
  #10  
ScoobyZINE
iTrader: (7)
 
AMUA6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Ocoee, TN
Posts: 3,986
Received 41 Likes on 38 Posts
Originally Posted by ggesq
If I wanted control over my gears I would have bought a 6MT.
+1 but yet I do use the "tiptronic" quite a bit I love the sound of deceleration while slowing down
Old 06-10-2010, 10:50 PM
  #11  
Three Wheelin'
 
SpiderX1016's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Age: 32
Posts: 1,785
Received 96 Likes on 74 Posts
I keep it in 'Drive' 95% of the time. Sometimes on the way home I like to go around the block with VSA off and to the sport shifting.

I sometimes use it to check what gear I'm in but that's about it. Just those 2 things.
Old 06-10-2010, 11:13 PM
  #12  
CARBON FIBER WDP TL
 
poormans_tl69's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Boston
Age: 35
Posts: 1,157
Received 50 Likes on 46 Posts
i use the automatic most of the time and when im on the highway i use the shifter
Old 06-10-2010, 11:49 PM
  #13  
Registered but harmless
 
Will Y.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Age: 59
Posts: 14,842
Received 1,102 Likes on 763 Posts
Originally Posted by ggesq
If I wanted control over my gears I would have bought a 6MT.
I have control over my gears-- I just use the throttle on the 5AT.

Seriously, I just use "D" because the 5AT is pretty responsive to my driving. I'll go back to a manual trans only with a coupe or sports car that feels better with a manual than an auto.
Old 06-11-2010, 06:32 AM
  #14  
Suzuka Master
iTrader: (1)
 
Turbonut's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: NJ
Age: 59
Posts: 7,901
Received 831 Likes on 679 Posts
I leave it in Drive. If I need to accelerate quickly I'll just dump the throttle and let the trans do the shifting.

On our '08 knock around car, I will use the shifter when decelerating, e.g. decending a long hill coming to a stop sign that is near our home. Don't need to do it in the TL as it handles the downshifting automatically.
Old 06-11-2010, 06:43 AM
  #15  
Instructor
 
dajonx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PA
Posts: 198
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Mainly leave it on D. Use it when the car decides not to shift up (3rd gear to 4th) so I then manually shift it up. I wonder if this has something to do with the 3rd and 4th gear pressure switch...?
Old 06-11-2010, 08:00 AM
  #16  
Pro
iTrader: (1)
 
jsonkimz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Baltimore, MD
Age: 36
Posts: 634
Received 23 Likes on 14 Posts
I leave it in drive all the time unless I need a little something extra to make a quick pass- in which case I'll downshift. I got a 5AT because I didn't want to have to bother shifting gears on long commutes in rush hour traffic. If I ever get another manual it will be on a real sports car where I can have some fun with it... I don't feel it's necessary for me on a luxery-sport sedan. I got the car for it's comfort and convenience.
Old 06-11-2010, 08:19 AM
  #17  
Race Director
 
TeknoKing's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 10,497
Received 275 Likes on 159 Posts
I only use tiptronic when I need to keep a car in gear, prevent it from hunting..or If I'm doing spirited driving on long curvy roads, I'm not a fan of a brake pedal too much.
Old 06-11-2010, 08:47 AM
  #18  
Full of water...
 
blkaspec's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Michigan
Age: 44
Posts: 2,284
Received 11 Likes on 10 Posts
Like some, I only use it to keep or start the car off in a certain gear. I hate the constant shifts in stop and go traffic, so I just keep it in 2nd for as long as possible. But the car does a great job at shifting itself, so i let it do its thing. Just mash the pedal and away we go....oh, and downshifting all the time to slow is silly. The brakes are cheaper and do a much better job at that.
Old 06-11-2010, 09:45 AM
  #19  
אני עומד עם ישראל
 
Hapa DC5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Los Gatos, CA
Posts: 9,860
Received 810 Likes on 522 Posts
I leave it in D.
Old 06-11-2010, 10:40 AM
  #20  
ADVANCE.
 
J-STEELE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BAY AREA CALIFORNIA
Age: 45
Posts: 557
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Lately I've been using the tiptronic. I don't know why but now I've been using it a lot. haha. It came with the car so why not use it if you want to. But in traffic it goes back to "D".

PEACE!
Old 06-11-2010, 11:15 AM
  #21  
Former Whiner
 
Souljah's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Colorado
Posts: 3,368
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
d
Old 06-11-2010, 11:30 AM
  #22  
Racer
 
EnvisionTL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Fremont, CA
Age: 40
Posts: 450
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I use the tiptronic mostly. I'll leave it in D if I remember to put it back into D
Old 06-11-2010, 11:41 AM
  #23  
Suzuka Master
iTrader: (2)
 
paz840's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: St. Louis
Age: 45
Posts: 6,083
Received 42 Likes on 40 Posts
Originally Posted by hapa dc5
i leave it in d.
+1
Old 06-11-2010, 11:44 AM
  #24  
FTW
 
lusid's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: TC, MN
Age: 41
Posts: 1,631
Received 84 Likes on 45 Posts
90% in auto..

10% in SS mode.
Old 06-11-2010, 12:24 PM
  #25  
Burning Brakes
 
ionojimbo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: MA
Age: 34
Posts: 845
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
i feel like i get beter gas milage using the tip tronic than in just auto. anyone know something about this?
Old 06-11-2010, 02:09 PM
  #26  
Suzuka Master
 
Rick_TL-S's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 7,234
Received 1,194 Likes on 687 Posts
Originally Posted by ionojimbo
i feel like i get beter gas milage using the tip tronic than in just auto. anyone know something about this?
I get worse.
Old 06-11-2010, 02:23 PM
  #27  
Chapter Leader (New England)
iTrader: (1)
 
JMillerUA6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: W. Hart, CT & Amelia Island, FL
Age: 42
Posts: 998
Received 21 Likes on 16 Posts
Around the city, I leave it in drive. On the highway I use the ss.
Old 06-11-2010, 03:58 PM
  #28  
Cruisin'
 
Vortex's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: NJ
Age: 45
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by blkaspec
oh, and downshifting all the time to slow is silly. The brakes are cheaper and do a much better job at that.
Honestly, the auto downshifts rather well on my 08 type S... all in all this tranny is pretty astute and shifts are firm. I definitely get much worse MPG when using the taps, but they are being used for one purpose at that time!
Old 06-11-2010, 04:03 PM
  #29  
Three Wheelin'
 
BukvaMan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: North Bergen, NJ
Age: 41
Posts: 1,670
Received 53 Likes on 36 Posts
in my situation i would love to leave it in D most of the time as i find that to be possible with any other car i drive but my TL just likes to keep the gears high and for that matter feels very sluggish. It feels like it switches to 4th gear very quickly so the peppiness is never there. With the TL at least in my case you cant go vrom vrom with the Car as you would for example with my dads passat. then again something might not be right with my car.
Old 06-11-2010, 04:41 PM
  #30  
Intermediate
 
AckRite5TL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: South Side of Chicago
Age: 39
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I use the tiptronic quite a bit. I like the feel of the manual trans with out actually having the manual. I drive like an idiot though when in tt mode.
Old 06-11-2010, 07:42 PM
  #31  
Team Owner
 
I hate cars's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Bakersfield
Posts: 20,172
Received 1,811 Likes on 1,282 Posts
In response to one of the above posts, it's harder on your trans to floor it at 40mph in 5th than to downshift to 2nd. Running in too high of a gear builds lots of heat.

I use it when decending long grades and at the track. For 99% of my driving I leave it in D. The one exception is when going to LA there's a series of merges that you have to do quickly and I need it in 2nd for instant power, no time for downshifts.
Old 06-11-2010, 07:59 PM
  #32  
Race Director
iTrader: (8)
 
guitarplayer16's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: ON, Canada
Posts: 10,766
Received 2,316 Likes on 1,690 Posts
I have yet to try out my "Sport Shift" mode.

I might try it out later.
Old 06-11-2010, 08:24 PM
  #33  
Former Whiner
 
Souljah's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Colorado
Posts: 3,368
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Originally Posted by guitarplayer16
I have yet to try out my "Sport Shift" mode.

I might try it out later.
stop joking
Old 06-11-2010, 08:42 PM
  #34  
Instructor
 
MAC TL's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: BX NYC
Age: 48
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
when im chillen i leave it in D. but when im feeling frisky..i throw it into manual.
Old 06-11-2010, 08:51 PM
  #35  
Three Wheelin'
 
BukvaMan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: North Bergen, NJ
Age: 41
Posts: 1,670
Received 53 Likes on 36 Posts
Originally Posted by I hate cars
In response to one of the above posts, it's harder on your trans to floor it at 40mph in 5th than to downshift to 2nd. Running in too high of a gear builds lots of heat.

I use it when decending long grades and at the track. For 99% of my driving I leave it in D. The one exception is when going to LA there's a series of merges that you have to do quickly and I need it in 2nd for instant power, no time for downshifts.
IHC ... have you tried that new thermostat yet....
Old 06-11-2010, 10:28 PM
  #36  
Team Owner
 
I hate cars's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Bakersfield
Posts: 20,172
Received 1,811 Likes on 1,282 Posts
Originally Posted by BukvaMan
IHC ... have you tried that new thermostat yet....
Not yet. It's usually too hot this time of year but so far temps have been very low. Still waiting for the 100 degree weather to try it. I guess I could do it now and see how it does when the summer heat hits but I wanted to be able to feel a night and day difference.
Old 06-11-2010, 11:07 PM
  #37  
Three Wheelin'
 
BukvaMan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: North Bergen, NJ
Age: 41
Posts: 1,670
Received 53 Likes on 36 Posts
how much is it maybe ill give it a try... for so long i i have visited this forum in hopes that somebody would come up with a solution to that problem. I did that ultimate cooling mode and it seems like it helps to a certain point which proves it even more that it is a heat related issue. while my Tl suffers from dbw hesitation and just doesn't feel peppy while cruising even when the engine is not as hot, things get very bad when heat rises...
Old 06-12-2010, 12:34 AM
  #38  
Team Owner
 
01tl4tl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Age: 64
Posts: 33,535
Received 1,137 Likes on 1,067 Posts
as a gen2 owner I suggest you see our threads on trans failure and the weakness of the 2nd and 3rd gear clutch packs

downshifting at high rpm into those gears puts excess heat and wear to a critical part
and you dont have a court ordered extended warranty~ past 50 and out of luck or cpo cars -100

Use the brakes to slow down... and the trans to speed up
Old 06-12-2010, 01:34 AM
  #39  
10th Gear
 
ALAMO695's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Age: 36
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
isn't sport shirt only on the type s (on the steering wheel)....or does it have it somewhere else on base?
Old 06-12-2010, 01:54 AM
  #40  
I'm Craig
iTrader: (2)
 
cjTL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Age: 30
Posts: 4,899
Received 299 Likes on 207 Posts
Originally Posted by ALAMO695
isn't sport shirt only on the type s (on the steering wheel)....or does it have it somewhere else on base?
Every 5AT TL.



Quick Reply: Question for the peeps with 5AT



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:00 PM.