So attempting to use the search engine it seems every thread from today dating back to 2004 has "sport shift" in it. Gladly, I'll add another into the lump. I may answer my own question here, but what I'd like to know is some options.

I notice my car only shifts into 5th past 60-65 km/h. Only reason I can think of is the transmission wants to stay tight/sporty so it will sit in a lower gear. Problem is, on the rare occasion that I want to drive efficiently and get decent mileage, I am slightly hindered.

Is there an option in the Hondata software? Maybe an easy stock change in the computer?

 

I wouldn't believe there would be any advantage to shifting into 5th under 40mph as the engine would lug too much and would probably downshift as soon as the accelerator was pressed slightly. I'd venture to say that at 40mph we're looking at only @ 1100rpm, so any lower the engine just wouldn't be able to perform properly.

 

Agreed. If you were to shift into 5th at that speed the torque converter would unlock, the rpms would come up higher, and you would be turning more of your power into transmission heat. At that speed you're best off in 4th gear not only for the best mpg but also for the transmission. In an auto, a high gear and low speed means lots of additional heat; when there's a large difference in input and output speeds.