Dumb question here sorry: How exactly do I use the "S" mode? Do I have to use the shift paddles or may I just put it in S and the car will hold up gear longer and revs more?...

Thanks a lot!

 

S does both.
1. Shift into S (don't touch the paddles). The shift pattern is more aggressive. It keeps the engine in its sweet spot up in the higher RPMs and will shift at more aggressive points.

2. Shift into S and hit the paddles. Once you do this you're in complete control. The engine will not shift up until you tell it to. It will downshift to 1st gear when you're going slower (?<15mph). I don't believe the car will shift by itself until you shift into 'D' (unlike the D mode that will return to automatic if you hold the '+' paddle for 2 or more seconds)

 

The "S" mode in the TL is not a true sports mode like that found in BMW's. In the TL, the S mode is really just a simple manual mode and should've been labled as just "M." The car doesn't shift faster nor does the algorithims change.....all you're doing is shifting the car yourself....which is actually slower than how the computer does it in "D." In BMW's, their S mode changes the car's shifting program drastically....it keeps the car in each gear longer and is more sensitive to throttle inputs....it was like a night-and-day difference in my 545i.

 

Ok, It's kinda sad, isn't it? Have a real S mode would have been cool.

Thanks for the replies!

 

If you don't hit the paddles it is in a sport mode. When you hit the paddles the M will appear and then it acts like a sequential shifter.

Just came back from an hour of errands and kept it in S to confirm. Put the shift into S but DON'T HIT THE PADDLES. In this mode it will shift up and down for you, but will never go into 5th gear and will keep the engine RPMs above 3000 or so. The only real downside is watching your gas mileage plummet.

 

Ok then, thanks for the info Olu and PeteTL.

One last question, I can switch between S and D while driving right?

Thank you guys I appreciate it!

 

I like to use the paddles like so: keep in D, approach turn, use paddle to downshift 2 gears, then you have power thru and out of the turn as you accelerate - works very smooth (esp compared to my 3G 5AT).

 

I'd rather drive a manual than a real sports mode because there is no such thing as a real sports mode with an automatic transmission. If there was a real sports mode, most people would ruin their transmission because most don't even understand what gears are and how they work. You are over estimating the general public's knowledge about how cars work. Most people I know don't even know when the right time to do an oil change is. Real S mode tranny=blown tranny plain and simple.

 

Absolutely!!!!!!! Hence is why Acura was smart about doing a true S Mode automatic trans in the 4G TL. Imagine how many warranty issues they'd have to fix blown tyranny's? This is a mute point and I find the S mode sufficient enought to play with it enough. Just my

 

I was reading the manual about this since I was confused as to what it does exactly too. Apparently putting it in S without touching the paddles just kicks the transmission out of overdrive gear in case you're in stop-and-go traffic and don't want it hunting for gears constantly. I don't think its intended to be a "Sport" mode or anything, it just stands for Sequential shift.

 

Rather than praying Acura to do better in the Sport mode transmission....just get a Benz or BMW. If we just talk about the performance and transmission,even the lowest model,the Benz and BM still can catch the TL.....(unless Acura's vehicle increase the HP with double clutch 6 or 7 speed transmission at the near future....let see...well...can't even think how long we have to wait....)

 

Well apparently you haven't driven a BMW because pretty much all their models with automatics have a sports mode that really works. No manual shifting is required....the computer takes care of all the guess work. All you have to do is step on the gas and the car takes off much more aggressively than in the regular "D" mode.

 

AGREE!!!
and believe it or not dshahs420, right now, some of the automatic transimission such as BMW, BENZ or specailly Porsche, the transimission are quicker,more sensitive and faster shifting then the manual transimission due to the double clutch transimission. Unless you like to play around the stick and keep moving your feet while you driving....lol....if not...then go for auto.

 

Never mind. You guys don't get what I am saying..........

 

I'm not sure what everyone is complaining about. S is NOT A MANUAL ONLY MODE. Please go to your cars, put it in S and leave the paddles alone. If you can't tell the difference between the shift algorithms between S and D then you are either blind or deaf.

S will hold the lowest gear it can and will upshift much later. If you use very light throttle it will shift later then D, partial throttle much later then D, full throttle about the same as D. This is a hell of a lot more "sport" then any Lexus I've driven.

FYI: If I were to get a car purely for sport, I definitely wouldn't get an automatic transmission. (Only bimmer's I've ever driven were manual)

Yeah the base engine 3 series, 5 series, C Class and E Class would catch the TL after it's stopped .

 

I wouldn't call it sport, more like retarded......let's face it, Acura dropped the ball with this one...... the "S" mode in the TL is pretty much useless....you're better off shifting it yourself or just leaving it in D.

 

That would be your opinion. When I think about how I drive manual, if I want maximum speed, maximum acceleration, I try and keep the engine in it's sweet spot (which with most cars is 3000k to redline). This is EXACTLY what S does.

What you want is a more aggressive shifting program. I probably wouldn't mind a more aggressive D, but with the power easily on tap (and paddle shifters) I can work around it.

 

Acura did the best they could with what they had. Acura doesn't have 6spd transmissions laying around to tinker around with. BMW and Benz's sport mode differs because they have a completely different trans and setup.

Take for example my Personal BMW 760 LI with a 6spd. Transmission:

The car will never come all the way to first gear until it is told to do so which is either S mode or M mode. First gear is very short and is meant purely for acceleration. In fact when the car is at a redlight, it is possible to start from 3rd gear! BMW and benz does this with many cars, so you get really good acceleration from a stop and as well some good MPG...

Also regarding the algorithms and stuff, the BMW changes gear a bit faster since they are not slown down to make it nice and comfy. As well the Sport mode keeps the car around 3+ K RPMS, never lower than that. Adding to this to, since BMW and Benz's have Electronic Steering and Electronic Suspensions/Air suspensions, the S mode will change the steering sensitivity and as well the ride with the flick of a button, at least it does it in my 7...