So, I just got an '09 TL FWD Tech with the paddle shifters. I've never used paddle shifters/sport shifters before, and I don't know how to drive manual, but I want to learn to use them.

Any advice? Any good tutorials/instructions out there?

Thanks in advance.

 

I've read here on AZ that the paddle shifters are great for sport driving. But do not downshift with the "down" paddle shifter. The down shifter is for rev-matching/down shifting to gain power and speed.

With that being said, I'm not sure of the 4G is supposed to be done the same way.

 

Yeah I haven't used the paddle shifters much either, just dont have much experience with them and usually im concentrating and my maneuvering around the other cars around me skils compared to shifting. Even the Auto TL has alot to offer.

 

no doubt the auto has a lot to offer. My last car was a 4 cyl Accord coupe so the TL is much faster even without the shifters, but I have a bit of a lead foot and want to get all the power I can out of it.

 

Are you guys familiar with exactly what a transmission does?

(not being patronizing, start from the bottom)

 

so OpIv37 and eazyrider.. you guys never played a racing game before? like a arcade game? dave and busters? round 1? game factory?

the paddle shifters are essentially like a game, if you know what - and + are, then you know it goes up and down on the gears.

if you want to go up pull the + paddle, if you want to downshift pull - paddle.

im sorry to say, but my 16 year old cousin that is learning his license knows how to use paddle shifters..

 

Though I drive the 4G TL with paddle shifter and kind of enjoy it too, from time to time, I think they are just gimmick... No matter what anyone says, manual > paddle shifter.... even in an exotic super car such as Ferrari.

 

These paddle shifters work OK but keep in mind these are considered slush box trannys compared to a true sequential sport shift like found on BMW, Mercedes, and Ferrari.

With that being said you have to keep your expectations in check.

 

lol what do you expect on a 40k car?

 

BMW and Mercedes both make extensive use of slushboxes, with the occasional double clutch.

Hondas slushbox isn't even the same as the others, no planetaries etc.

 

You can buy a dual clutch tranny in cars less than 40K....Passat (old) and I believe some versions of the Volkswagen Golf

 

It is like a video game or as I have said in the past, it's like your in a Fast & Furious movie hitting the NOS button and hanging on!

 

Can someone explain in some technical detail what is meant by a slush box transmission?

 

FanFan : Torque Converters, it's a derogatory nickname for autoboxes because of the hydraulic coupling.

 

B.I.N.G.O....

Paddles are fun, but c'mon now...

 

paddles are great just in normal D mode... right before passing click the down shift paddle and give just a little gas... instant power and zero lag! makes having an auto bearable!

 

Can you blow your transmission using the paddle shifters?

I mean lets say your hauling ass to Vegas, going 100 mph + and accidentally down shift a few times, can you get into 2nd gear lets say? And will the tranny blow?

 

tranny won't let you moneyshift, no.

 

so basically you can't mess up your tranny by using the paddle shifters?

then again, i have a 100K warrantee, if i blow that tranny at 39K, i get a new one! lol.

 

it is possible to get it replaced by dealer, but they will have to determine if it was a factory mistake or if it was a driver mistake.

but as you know if its driver mistake, driver pays.

if its factory malfunction, then dealership pays for it.


ive seen evo owners try to bring in their ride to get the transmission replaced because they push the tranny so hard. pretty much chewed up the gears inside. They try to say its a factory mistake, but dealer opened up the gearbox and determined driver was pounding on every gear. driver coughed up 4k in new transmission + car being at dealership for 2 months.

 

You can double-down when the software determines it's safe. If you're at 100 in 5th or 6th you'll most likely only be able to drop one gear, and not back to 3rd until you've slowed down. The paddles on the TL are a lot of fun once you figure out your ideal shift points for every day driving; you'll even get your gas mileage pretty darn close to auto as well. If you have a '12, you have no control between 1st and 2nd shift points, which at times is a bummer, but for the most part doesn't interfere with my enjoyment of the drive. If you grew up in a family with no manuals, or have others driving that aren't comfortable with manual, then the paddles at least give you more control, and a more engaging driving experience. They're not gonna rock your socks like a GT-R, but they're fun none the less

 

So your saying its almost impossible to blow your tranny???? Only one way to find out!!!!!!

 

I usually keep the gear selector in D and occasionally use the paddle shifters to downshift when going down hills and sometimes when passing. The transmission is usually hesitant to downshift on its own, so I like to shift down a couple gears on the highway when I want to pass so there's an immediate response. Also if you're driving like a maniac or racecar driver, try hitting the left paddle a couple times before you enter a turn.

 

you should really try it, you cant blow it up. its almost impossible!

 

okay, maybe i shall!

 

I upshift with the paddles as often as I can. As soon as I reach an RPM I think the gear will hold, I'll shift. I guess it's my version of being a "hypermiler". But, I will always prefer using the sport-shift stick like I had in my '01 CL Type S.

 

Pedal shifters are better than the sport-shift stick, because there is no need for a hand to leave the steering wheel during manual gear shifts.

 

I don't think it's almost impossible. It is impossible, period. The software won't allow it.

I know the OP has a 2009 5AT, but this question is for 2012 6AT owners. The Acura specs list the tranny as such: "6-speed Automatic Transmission with Sequential SportShift paddle shifters and Grade Logic Control".

But according to Michael Frank from Popular Mechanics, he wrote of the 2012 TL as such: "Double tap the left paddle and the normally linear-only downshift function will blip the throttle and leapfrog over a gear and downshift from sixth to fourth, fifth to third, and so on, provided the gear change can be achieved without damaging the transmission."

That sounds like not only does it rev-match as we all already know, but it is non-sequential. Has anyone tried it out? One way to test it out is once you've reached 3500 rpm on 3rd gear, maintain speed (zero acceleration), and shit up to get on 4th gear (should be low RPM). Then double tap the downshift and listen if it actually skips the 3rd gear and rev-match longer.

I'm really curious about this, only because this reviewer is the only one who mentions this.

 

i was being sarcastic.. (thus the red)

 

the 6 speed tranny does exactly what you've heard/read - I've skipped a gear downshifting several times with no issue. Feels pretty good

 

i think the manual says something like this..

 

Once again, there's only way to find out. I'm actually bringing my TL out for coachella this weekend. I'm going to put it to the test on my 100+ mile journey.

I'll post back the results guys!

 

Yes, I've tried it. The double-tap, blip-throttle, rev-match, two-gear downshift does work as advertised.

Just watch the rpm meter, the final engine rpm after the double-downshift should indicate the corresponding gear at that rpm and that vehicle speed.

 

What's blip throttle?

 

Eazy, its 100 miles, relax your not putting anything to the test.


btw, which one if these below are you

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/...coachella.html


Drug Addicts
Bros
Industry A--holes
Dirty Hippies Kids on Ecstasy
People with kids
Music lovers
i think your in the Bro category..

 

Definitely Bro category, and proud.

Listen I grew up in the Inland Empire (Riverside, etc). Being a bro is something to be proud of.

 

Blipping the throttle means temporarily raising the engine rpms to match the wheel speed.


well that explains alot.. lol..

Bros

"Sup bro! Awesome! Yeah, I'm here to ROCK!" Well done, you complete and utter c--t. Bros are the guys who decided to work out every day rather than get a basic education, and as a result stand in public places with their shirt off shouting "YEEEAAAH!!". After an afternoon drinking warm beer and sniffing baby powder that someone sold them in a parking lot, they'll demonstrate their strength by slapping each other on the back and showing off their muscles, occasionally squeezing out a little poo under the strain of it all. Avoid.

 

So basically I floor the gas pedal when I downshift?

 

EZ, a blip of the throttle is exactly what potmilkz says, temporarily opening the throttle to raise the engine RPM to match it to wheel speed.

the TL's transmission will perform the blip on its own, there is no need for you to press the accelerator. If you do, all you will do is get acceleration after the shift is completed.

Also, flatbiller IE douchebags suck, please don't be that guy. :p

 

Wasn't trying to be nitpicking. I wrote it because it seems like no matter how many responses, there is still a lingering fear that he shouldn't downshift with the paddles.

That's what I was trying to get at. The specifications list advertises the opposite, and none of the various videos or featurettes on the TL website even mention this. Most of their featurettes made me gag. Especially this one: http://www.acura.com/VideoGallery.as...ideos#/video15