hyperpm

When I first got my car, I was slightly disappointed with transmission lag and thought it took the fun out of the 300+ hp engine and awd. Had a little bit of buyers remorse and wish I had bought latest WRX STI instead but already have another sports car in the stable. Now that I'm past 2000 miles, I started driving in "S" mode and now having fun with the car. How many just drive in "S" all the time? Any ill effects driving in "S" all the time other than getting less fuel mileage?

Brock79

I don't drive in it, I know Hondas transmissions are better than years past, but I'm not sure how they would hold up to S mode as an everyday use. I myself am disappointed with the lag as well. The 2014 RLX loaner seems to pick up better on the highway and takes off faster as well.

dtrayers

I drive in manual S mode 95% of the time. Yes, it's not a dual-clutch transmission so it's a little slow, but I've driven manual transmissions for many years and I judge the Acura 6-sp transmission shifts just as quick as I do with a manual when I'm not in a hurry. It's quick enough most of the time. And the double downshifts address a drawback of some DCTs.

I've grown so used to it I would probably never go back to a manual. For when I'm lazy (or eating a bagel) the D mode is there, as well as for my family who hated the manuals I drove. But I can still control and hold gears with the manual S mode so it's always in the gear I want.

I'm curious how quick the new 8-sp and 9-sp transmissions in the 2015 models are.

And to address your ill effects question, I have 53,000 miles in 18 months driving this way, and when I leave it in D it's still smooth and seamless. No harshness or hard shifts. Certainly none of the issues reported here. And I average 24 - 26 MPG, though it's mostly an urban highway commute. But, as an experiment, I did drive for two tank-fulls only in D mode and got *worse* mileage then in manual S (~22-23). I theorize it's because I tend to upshift faster than the D mode and I leave it in higher gears more than D. I've made the same commute for 15 years and *know* the route. I know what gears I usually select at different points on the commute and I observed the D mode selecting a lower gear than I normally would on certain gentle hill climbs. On the flats and downhills, it would go to 6th as soon as I would, but on the hill climbs it would drop to 5th (or 4th) when I would use 6th or 5th.

But that's just me. YMMV (literally).

echodigital

I rarely do it and I have an old 5 speed TL.

a35tl

I think I've only used "S" mode once since I've had my TL. I should probably give it a second chance and actually use my paddle shifters.

weather

^^ You should...its quite fun. I like holding the gear and keep the rev in the 3000-4000 and then accelerating, its just waiting to go

dtrayers

That brings another point... You can stay in D mode *and* use the paddles. It works well on freeway ramp loops....

Going from 70 mph, you brake and enter the ramp loop and a quick double pull of the left paddle puts you in 4th. As you decelerate (probably down to 40-50?) and go around the loop, the yaw (turn) will keep the trans in 4th. As you accelerate and exit the loop, you are in the right gear to merge with traffic. Once merged, the car will come out of manual and back into full auto. Kind of the best of both worlds.

hyperpm

When driving in D mode, it seems it was always in the wrong gear when passing cars, getting onto onramps, or even just going from a stop. It would kick down 2 gears and since revs were already so low, I would need to gas more to get going. When I drive in S mode and not even using paddle shifters, it's a totally different car where engine and tranny are now in sync. City driving, merging onto freeway, passing cars, etc. Power is right there on demand and now can the feel the 300 horses the car came with.

potmilkz

one thing tho.. us 09-11 folks can hold gear 1st and probably 2nd better than the 12+

hyperpm

My 2009 Pilot EXL 2WD downshifts faster into its power range better than my TL in D mode.

yokopup

I actually like to drive my '10 in S mode when on the freeway because it keeps it in 5th gear and saves gas (IMO). If I need a passing gear, a quick flip of the paddle and I'm gone!

23109VC

i drive in S mode quite a bit. it still shifts automatically, but holds gears longer, and seems to stay in a lower gear so you are more in the power band...

i use the paddle shifters a fair amount.. it isn't a PDK... but it's better than nothing. I recently got to drive a brand new 911 Carrera S with the PDK trans.. wow. talk about INSTANT gear changes! makes our TL tranny feel like it's in sloooooowwwww moooootion...

but back to the OP question - I drive in S mode a fair amount... not constantly..I'll put in S mode for a few turns, around corners, sometimes use the paddles too..then when I wan to just cruise and not have the engine in a higher revving gear..i'll flip it back to D mode.

i still think a true 6 speed is better..but when something as advanced a Porsche PDK becomes common/standard... i can see manual transmissions going bye bye completely...

lift3d_

all day every day

love hearing and feeling the gears hang, love the immediate response from the throttle in 3-k rpm, love how it makes my exhaust sounds

i spoke to my dealer who confirmed there shouldn't be any negative impact on the car other than fuel mileage

SinCity-TL

When driving in the canyon it is a must. For commuting, going somewhere with friends, not so much.
Like VC said the TL does take its time completing a shift using the paddles, still tons o fun.

dtrayers

I agree. But I think Honda/Acura is on to something by adding a torque converter to a DCT. I addresses the biggest complaint of the Volkswagen system. It's gotten some good early reviews. There is likely a little power loss with the inertial mass of the TC, but probably not a significant percentage.

mynameisjacob

Sorry to hijack but a quick question: I keep seeing mention of a double downshift with paddle shifters. What is that? Do the '12-'14 TLs shift down 2 gears with a single press of left paddle?

I have an '10 and when I quickly tap my downshift paddle twice, it doesn't register or lags and only shifts down one. Is there some technique I'm missing for double downshift?

dtrayers

It's new for 2012: http://www.hondanews.com/channels/ac...-tl-powertrain

BigDTL

+ 1!

jterp7

S I only used a couple times maybe. I mainly like the paddles for downshifting, the double kickdown works fairly well, but its no vw/audi dsg...still its responsive enough for road use.

JackCarver

I love to drive in S mode also. Basically the way I utilize it is:

Heavy traffic: Most of the time, D
Driving around town (grocery shopping): D

Highway commute: D
work commute (when I have to take side streets instead of fwy): S

Any time I'm in a hurry: S

Spirited driving: ONLY in S

I've come to appreciate having it and while I was also disappointed with standard drive, I came to believe D is for maximizing the gas whereas S allows me to feel as much of the 305HP as I can. My perception of it changed, and my satisfaction increased. Works for me.

wreak

I've only ever used S mode when I plan to make a quick pass or want to launch quickly off a light. I will try S mode in regular driving after reading this and see how I like it, I'm interested to see how it affects MPG when just buzzing around town.

Zutt

I last used it when attempting to race my friend with his G37... I got spanked badly so I guess that may be the reason I stopped thinking about using it.

lift3d_

bummer...basically like a rugby player racing a sprinter...both are strong, weight relative to strength is a different story though

Litt3

Sport + daily unless I get lazy and back to D.

Don't forget you can double tap and it will jump from 6 to 4 or 5 to 3.

Definetly try shifting down before passing people, even when you are in D.

hyperpm

Will try double tap in D.

wreak

Tried it during daily driving and although it was much better at holding gears and keeping the car in the powerband it was a bit annoying cruising around a 3k rpm and it was a little more harsh on the shifts so I'll stick with "D" unless I want the extra boost for passing or on-ramps.

JT4

^^ Same here, unless i want a little more power I keep it in "D"..

R.dub

I drive in S mode when passing or on freeway entrance ramps. No issues as long as you don't over rev!

sseiyah

So does "S Mode" Actually raise the shift points? It seems like it just keeps it in lower gears longer in my experience but I have not compared it yet at WOT.

Yumcha

I don't have the same car as you folks but I don't mind switching into sport-shift for windy roads or when accelerating from the freeway ramp.

mynameisjacob

I've been driving in manual S mode very often lately (thanks to this thread) and I found that leaving dead stop in 2nd gear (skipping 1st gear altogether) is very smooth and is also the perfect gear for some 'dynamic' driving in urban settings (aka navigating Manhattan).

QUESTION: Do you think this may cause harm to transmission? I don't have experience driving a stick but if you ignore 1st gear and start off on 2nd, will this cause stress and strain to the gearbox? Thanks in advance.

012TL-GLM

I don't think S mode will hurt your transmission - what will cause premature wear to the car is driving like an idiot in S mode all the time holding gears until red line. If you've got a '12 or newer with the 6 speed the car is rarely going to get past 3rd gear shifting on its own. I drive with paddles every day. Once you get used to the best times to shift you'll not only enjoy your TL more, you really won't eat up much more gas.

TLTesh604

Love driving in S, but definitely see the gas mileage drop lol. Would be nice if computer did all gear shifts in s, not just till 3rd.

mynameisjacob

You can set the computer to do that... it's called D mode.