Whenever I go WOT while I am on the freeway going 60 MPH, my trans will only downshift enough to bring the RPM's up to 4,000 RPM. Then, I have to suffer until approx 75 MPH (approx 3 seconds later) until the RPM reach 5,000 RPM to get into VTEC.

If I drop my speed down to approx 54 MPH, then go WOT, I can then get a deep downshift that puts me immediately into VTEC.

If I am going approx 75 MPH, then go WOT, I can then get a downshift that puts me immediately into VTEC.

The problem area is the 60+ MPH range. When I go WOT, all I get is a downshift that brings the RPM up to 4,000 RPM. This ain't enough to get me into VTEC.

IS THIS NORMAL ???? I have mod'ed the car so much with the CAI and pulley that I forgot what is normal.

Here is my configuration.
2006 TL purchased new
5AT
Mileage is now 11,000
Installed AEM CAI approx 3 months ago
Installed UR Pulley approx one month ago
Removed misc "stuff" from car to lighten the vehicle weight

By the way, anytime around town on normal streets (35 - 45 MPH zones), I NEVER have a problem. If I just moderately get into the throttle, the car goes ape-shit (a good thing). It will easily downshift and get into VTEC with no problem, and pull it's ass off, screaming thru VTEC the whole way.

 

Try using the sportshift mode to downshift instead of waiting for the transmission to downshift by itself.

 

The problem you described is not exactly a problem. It's just the gearing. When you WOT around 100MPH, you are bascailly stuck in between the top of 2nd gear and bottom of 3rd gear. Since you did not manually downshift to 2nd gear, you are stuck in the bottom RPM range of 3rd gear. With the help of our motor not generating enough torque at low RPM, you would suffer for a second or two until the RPM goes up and enter the VTEC zone. If you manually downshift to 2nd, you would get into VTEC right away but it would hit redline in 2nd gear very quickly.

When you go WOT at 54MPH and it goes into vtec right away, that's because the tranny downshifted to 2nd instead of staying in 3rd.

 

what stuff did you remove to reduce weight?

 

Probably stuff like spare tire, jack, etc.

 

low oil levels will cause a loss of vtec.

 

Uh, your 2nd gear tops out at 60ish, so of course it won't drop it to 2nd...

 

I know it tops out at 2nd, that's why when you go WOT at 60, it is right at the bottom of 3rd gear, and it takes a while to go back up to 5000rpm and hit vtec.

 

Tried SS already. At 60 MPH, I keep downshifting with SS, and it is the same thing. I get a "3" *flashing* on the display, and I get the same 4000 RPM at 60 MPH.

 

I agree **to a certain extent** that it is the gearing.

I went 50 MPH to force the deep downshift. I then watched to see when it would upshift again. It upshifted at 65 MPH. And, I am going to assume here, that when it upshifted at 65 that the RPM did NOT drop below 5000 RPM -- so, the engine was always staying in VTEC. I will check tomorrow on the freeway to make sure that my assumption is correct.

The main point here is that when the car is allow to upshift thru the gears, it never (I think) drops below 5000 RPM after any given upshift. So, during a forced downshift, I should be able to enter directly into VTEC.

The other main point is "IS IT JUST ME OR DOES THIS HAPPEN TO EVERYONE ELSE TOO ?"

 

I have NooOo problem with VTEC... my VTEC is Very healthy !!!

That is part of the problem... I am getting ADDICTED to the VTEC !!!!!! And, I want it everytime I go WOT. It is difficult living without VTEC when I floor it at 60 MPH. I WANT MY VTEC, AND I WANT IT NOW !!!!

The main problem is the trans "seems" to refuse to downshift deep enough to place me directly into VTEC at 60 MPH. I am trying to find if the TL is designed this way and if it happens to everyone else. In which case, I can rest easy knowing my car is "normal".

 

EXACTLY !!! So, does this happen with your TL too ????

 

That spare and jack is like a "thorn in my side". I wish that I could loss it.... but, I don't like walking (on foot) along the freeway either. So, the spare stays in the trunk.

 

I will send you a Private Message.

 

Yes it happens with my TL too. I was pllaying with it when I was running on the track because I have to keep the engine constantly in vtec to bring out the most power.

When you downshift and see 3 flashing, try to let off the gas and downshift again. I learned that you have to downshift earlier without stepping on the gas. After it downshifted, you can mash the pedal to the floor again.

 

Ok, I have been reading the forums for some time now and I have not seen anyone mention 2 of the terms in this thread.

What does go "WOT" and "VTEC" mean?




Thanks in advance........


S

 

you know what you should've done....gotten a 6 spd! hahaha

 

WOT means flooring the gas pedal all the way down (Wide Open Throttle).

VTEC is a high-performance mode that the engine enters into once the engine reaches 4800 RPM.

 

Ding, ding, ding... We have a winner !!!!!! :gheywave:

The advice above worked. I was at 60 MPH, took my foot off of the gas pedal, then used SS to downshift as much as possible. IT WENT INTO SECOND GEAR !!!!! Then I lay into the throttle --- STRAIGHT INTO VTEC SCREAMING !!!!

I still wish that the trans would drop into 2nd gear by itself. I have a full-time job navigating rush-hour traffic (that is why I need Vtec to get around those people). I really don't have time nor attention to spare to babysit the trans in SS mode.

 

VTEC= Variable valve Timing and lift Electronic Control

 

I did some more experimenting today. When the trans shifts from 2nd into 3rd, the RPM drop to approx 4600 RPM. So, I was wrong when I earlier thought that it stayed above 5000 RPM. But, in general, the engine does mostly stays in vtec.. it shifts, drops to 4600 rpm, vtec re-engages at 4800.

 

slow down to ~55 mph then manually put it in 2nd

 

Glad it worked for you! I think this is the biggest problem of the AT, it's gearing is too wide apart. We only have the first 3 gears for acceleration, 4th and 5th is pretty much overdrive. We need to use every little bit of RPM or else if we shifted too early we don't have enough power for the next gear.