BPH79

Previously owned a 18 TLX A-spec SHAWD V6. I used to drive it in sport mode always. Now I own a 22 TLX A-spec SHAWD. I’ve noticed when it’s in sport mode, it revs higher all the time. I like having the power when I need it, but will I be risking damage to the engine if I drive in sport mode for daily driving?

My 18 TLX didn’t rev any higher in sport mode versus normal mode for daily driving. And I had over 80k miles when I had to get rid of it. Of course, in sport plus mode it would rev higher, but I never used that unless I was at a red light, haha.

Any thoughts on this? Thanks.

caLiTLX

You’ll be fine. Assuming your not smashing the throttle pedal at every light, the engine will be fine but your gas mileage will suffer.

BPH79

Thanks. I figured it would be ok (why would they give you the option to use sport mode in individual drive mode) if it would do damage. Just wanted to double check.

Yeah, it’s a bummer about losing MPG’s. I didn’t notice much of a difference between gas mileage in normal/sport on my 18 V6.

bilirubin

I'd say it's fine, but I would definitely make sure your car is warmed up before any spirited driving, especially the first 1000 miles. Just a good practice in general.

norsairius

To look at it another way: Sport mode programming was done by Acura, so it shouldn't let you do anything that'll let you cause significant harm to the engine/car because if it does, then it means Acura's programming allowed it and they'll be on the hook for warranty repairs. If the transmission may hold a gear longer which may keep the engine revs higher, then it's because the programming is allowing it and it should theoretically be safe/okay for the car. This is also why the TLX's transmission will automatically shift up to the next gear when the engine reaches redline, for example.

That said though, Acura won't stop you from flooring it when the engine is still cold. I suspect this is because it could be a liability if someone isn't able to accelerate their way out of trouble in a situation that may warrant it. Some care is still required on the driver's part so it's good you're asking these questions.

It's otherwise not in Acura's best interests to ship the car with programming that would break things, at least not during the initial warranty period.

richii0207

You can drive like a bat out of hell as long as you correctly break-in your engine and allow it to properly warm up (OEMs usually limit torque until fully warmed). Varying rpms is better than a constant load too. As long as you’re not running a tune, you have nothing to worry about.

KrylonBlue

You should be fine. I drive in sport mode quite often but I’ve been using normal mode recently due to higher gas prices. I basically use sport mode when I’m on roads with 50+ mph zones or faster.

ColoRDX

"break-in your engine" There is a boat load of opinions regarding that subject.

djhtsx

iTrader: (2)

I would listen to the manufactures recommendation.

richii0207

I always follow manufacturer’s recommendations, whether Honda, Porsche, or Lexus. After all, they are the ones who design/manufacture the engines. Add the fact that they are involved in the epitome of motorsports. I’ll take their word over some mechanic.

BPH79

Is there a recommendation from Honda on breaking in the new TLX engine?

bilirubin

As per the service manual in my Type S: With that said, the break-in recommendation from Audi is similar but more specific: So here's what I did/doing...
- wait for idle to get below 1000 rpm before driving (in normal or comfort mode)
- gentle braking for the first 200 miles (300 km), and when possible thereafter
- keeping it under 4000 RPM for the first 600 miles (1000 km), no full throttle
- then keeping it under 5000 RPM for the next 400 miles / 500 km (i.e. until reaching 1000 miles / 1500 km), no full throttle
- then at 1000 miles / 1500 km, will occasionally red line and full throttle (when the engine is warmed up)
- also avoiding cruise control to minimize prolonged periods at the same RPM, for the first 1000 miles / 1500 km.

... that might be a little excessive but this was a cash purchase and I've typically kept my cars for 10 to 15 years.

ColoRDX

So where and why did you come up with this scenario? Just gut feel or is there some confirmed written proof it serves any real purpose?

richii0207

Not to sound rude, but there’s a reason all car manufacturers implement one, not just for the hell of it. Same reason why they set specific RPM and boost limits.

bilirubin

According to Audi's manual: "a new vehicle must be broken in for the first 1000 miles (1500 km). Do not exceed 2/3 of the maximum permitted engine speed (RPM) for the first 600 miles (1000 km), and avoid full acceleration during this period. Gradually start increasing the RPM and the speed between 600 miles (1000 km) and 1000 miles (1500 km)... How the vehicle is driven during the first 1000 miles (1500 km) affects the engine quality. Drive at moderate engine speeds after the initial break-in period, particularly when running a cold engine. This will reduce engine wear and improve mileage."
This appears to be more conservative than Acura's manual: "During the first 600 miles (1000 km), avoid sudden acceleration or full throttle so as to not damage the engine or powertrain. Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles (300 km) after purchasing your vehicle or replacing the brake pads or rotors, to allow proper break-in"

The Type S's redline is about 6200 RPM. So 2/3rds of that is about 4000 RPM. So that's why I'm keeping it under 4000 RPM for the first 600 miles (1000 km). And I'm taking a pretty conservative approach to increasing it gradually over the subsequent 400 miles (500 km), so 5000 RPM instead of say 6000 RPM. And it was getting as low as 14 Fahrenheit (-10 Celsius) up until last week so that's why I'm letting my engine warm up before driving (in this case, letting it idle until it gets below 1000 RPM). And I'm doing gentle braking the first 200 miles (300 km) because it said to in the owner's manual. I'm kinda doing a combination of Acura's manual and the more conservative break-in outlined in Audi's manual.

ColoRDX

I've read where others say from day one of owning a new vehicle, drive it as you'd normally drive it and or drive it like you stole it. Me personally.......I play around with the take it easy thing for the first 600 miles but, that actually lasts for about 60 miles and I'm off and running. Acura's powertrain warranty is 6 years/70,000 miles. I've owned a bunch of new vehicles in my years and have never kept one for 6 years/70,000 miles. We all spend our $$ in our own way and I don't want to be hobbled by some extended break-in period. Good luck with your MDX.

bilirubin

That makes sense. We definitely have different outlooks on car ownership. My TLX (not MDX) Type S is my 3rd car in 25 years, and given the way ICE's are being phased out for electric, I intend to keep it for at 15 years as I doubt Acura will have a new generation of ICE sedan after this. But say in 7-10 years they have an ICE sedan in production still, I may consider it before making the big switch to electric.