cabanalane

I've not kept up, and didn't know that the current 2014 TL has a 6 speed auto. I assume it's the same 6 speed auto as the Honda Odyssey. And of the same Honda design, meaning non-planetary gear system?

Also have anyone driven the 6spd auto TL? Do you guys think it's "better?"

Ok, what is better? I mean do you think it's worth trading the older 5spd auto TL? Of if one was to consider a used TL later on, would the 6spd be worth it in comparing to the older 5spd?

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

just some general info:

http://www.acura.com/PressReleaseArt...011&id=5937-en

cabanalane

2012, wow, I'm way behind in keeping up. Thanks for the link.

Reorge

Best Honda/Acura auto transmission I've ever driven. Shifts are almost unnoticeable.

carbonTSEX

It's worth the 6speed auto because it uses less gas compared to the 5 spd auto. Car shifts like butter. It's pretty smooth and the sport mode is nice because you can actually take the gears higher into the rpms.

jim_c

You lose money on every transaction with a car dealer. IF you have a car with a 5 sp working well there is little to be gained. Yes, the 6 sp is theoretically "better" but trading up would not be cost effective. The 6 Sp has had quite a few issues according to reports on here. I have a '10 fwd 5 sp and it works perfectly; it is a real pleasure to drive. I have driven to Fla and back twice and the trans works perfectly in the mountains, in the heat, and in the cold. Mho the more complex you make it, the more chance you will have problems.

pbacura

I agree with the smooth shifts, but the 6 speed also has a mushy 1-2 shift, particularly when cold. It almost feels like the car is stumbling. I have owned 4 Acuras with the 5 speed and never had this happen. I certainly wouldn't trade a 10 for a 14 just for the tranny.

Jaco

iTrader: (1)

Its a good box, but nothing close to a ZF unit.

jim_c

What are the characteristics of the ZF that make it superior?
What is the basis for your statement?
I am not arguing, just asking for more detail.

Camaro194

And I haven't noticed any issues with mushy shifting on mine, even when cold.

Jaco

iTrader: (1)

The ZF in my eyes was a much quicker shifting box with more consistent/smoother shifts. It always seemed to be in the right place and if it wasn't, it would adjust very quickly.

Now the Honda box will probably last 2x the ZF.

My .02

carz0159

if you have an 06 TL, you know that honda trannies are crap in terms of reliability. i would go for the 6 speed. much better fuel economy. i wouldnt know about reliability as time will tell.

andrewcjduong

6 speed is butter smooth? Damn... My 5 speed shifts like a gun shot.

jim_c

I have the fwd base car, 5AT works (almost) perfectly.
There is a detailed description of how the trans will shift in D or S, in the service manual that Art posted. Very helpful.


Here are the gear ratios and the final drive ratios.
The final drive (the differential gearing) for the 5AT is 4.31.
This is referred to as a "high numerical" gear ratio or casually as a "tall" set of gears. The final drive in the 6AT is 3.72, obviously . But what's important for torque multiplication is the gear ratio of the selected transmission gear x (times) the final drive ratio. You multiply the gear ratio of the trans gear x the final drive ratio to get the overall ratio for torque multiplication to the driveshafts.


5AT
first gear.....2.70
second........1.61
third...........1.07
fourth..........0.69
fifth.............0.49


6AT
first gear......3.36
second.........2.10
third............1.49
fourth..........1.07
fifth.............0.75
sixth............0.56


5AT overall gearing
first gear.....11.64
second.........6.94
third............4.61
fourth..........2.97
fifth.............2.11


6AT overall gearing
first............12.50
second........7.81
third...........5.54
fourth.........3.98
fifth............2.79
sixth...........2.08




.

jim_c

EDIT
...obviously the car will feel different throughout the gears.


The 6 AT should accelerate better in gears 1 - 5 and get better mileage in top gear also. We're ignoring the lockup in the torque converter. The overall ratio indicates the ratio of engine revolutions to wheel revolutions.