TColl03

My '99 3.2TL doesn't automatically shift from 1st to 2nd gear and I like that.

How does the new '04TL 5AT work? How does it determine when to automatically shift to 2nd (e.g., redline)?

I'm tempted to shift my order to 6MT at this point. Any help from current owners (neuronbob?) is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

ben1233

Yes, the 99 TL SportShift was the only TL sportshift to *not* automatically upshift from 1st to 2nd. In 2000, after the revised 5-speed transmission, Acura went to the automatic 1 to 2 shift. I have an '01, and it seems to upshift early unless you have the pedal to the metal. Even then, I'm not sure if it runs to the redline. (I've never tried it)

I have heard that the 04 is the same way - with the automatic upshift. I'm assuming that in 99, they ran into a lot of problems with people forgetting to shift or intentionally letting the engine bounce of the rev limiter.

neuronbob

The 2004 does, indeed, automatically shift from 1st to 2nd for you. It's just as much a disappointment as it was in the 2000-2003 models.

acura_driver

It does.

-r

moreace_RENAMED

I might be missing the point, so correct me. Doesn't that negate the point of SS? it is like leaving it in drive, no?

neuronbob

The strength of the SS is third gear on the freeway. That's the gear you're going to drop to on the freeway to pass. The SS will not allow you to downshift if rpms are too high, but AFAIK the car will maintain the top of the rpm range for the gear you are in.

So it's not like leaving it in drive. But a MT provides much better control.

TColl03

Does it shift based on how hard you're accelerating (i.e., at higher rpm if you're driving in a "spirited" fashion)? Or does it shift early?

neuronbob

The SS shifts when you tell it to, except if the rpms are obviously too high or too low for the gear you are shifting to. For example, you can't downshift to 2nd gear if it will result in the engine spinning at 7k rpms.

The D setting (regular drive) does shift depending on hard you're pushing the accelerator. It shifts down as much as three gears depending on your speed and how hard you press the acelerator, according to the owner's manual.

TColl03

I'm referring to when the sportshift automatically shifts from 1st to 2nd gear.

EmuMessenger

It is a disappointment, but IMO, it is not responsive enough to be considered "sporty" or the like.

At least not compared to the SMGII system in the M3. I have not driven Audi's new clutchless system, but I imagine it is also a little better.

The lack of sport is what pushed me to the 6MT.

neuronbob

IMO, it shifts early. Ewww.

TColl03

Bummer.

ben1233

Yeah, I agree with this one. If you're sitting behind a semi on a two-lane road and your waiting for an oncoming car to pass, you can bump it down to third and get your revs up. Once the car passes, just press the pedal and you get instant power...then....OFF you go. This is even fun in the '01 225-hp version.

I think we've answered the original question. The SS will shift in the revs get too low or too high. MT is much better.

need4spd_RENAMED

For the 04 SS - the 1-2 shift is dependent on how hard you are into it. I have seen it shift 1-2 as low as 2,500 rpms at just a slow smooth accel (if you can call it that). After the 1-2 it does hold.

dsl

I don't know why some obeject to the fact that it shifts automatically from 1-2 to save you from blowing up your engine. I test drove one yesterday and put it through its paces and rather liked the fact that it auto-shifts if you forget to. If you want o intentionally hit the redline, get a 6MT. I certainly don't want to blow up my engine! WTGAcura!..BTW..I loved the test drive so much..I will be buying one shortly.

turbowhat

in automatic mode, it likes to shift up around 3k RPM, which is way early, and really likes to cruise at gear 5... if your in gear 5 cruising at 45 mph, and you FLOOR IT, you will feel half a second of lag, and then a slight downshift jolt as the car shifts out of an overdrive gear and into 3rd or something, and then you will feel a lot of acceleration once it is in 3rd.

fuque

Ohmygod, however will all those 6MT owners avoid blowing up their engines without an automatic 1-2 upshift?!!?!

turbowhat

theyll survive with 4 cyclinders after they launch a couple pistons through their hoods

RJC RSX

i guess bouncing off a rev limiter isn't very luxurious in an auto

legendguy

Originally posted by Fuque:


I think dsl only meant that SS without the 1-2 upshift might more easily allow drivers to damage their engine from reving too high. I don't know if would be true either, just saying I interpreted dsl's comments differently. Certainly anyone familiar with using a MT correctly would not damage an engine.

RJC RSX

you can't damage by revving too high--there's a rev limiter (on the MT, it automatically shifts on the AT). You can, however, misshift on the MT, but the SS in the AT won't let you.

fuque

I know what he meant. I was merely pointing out that there is no such "safeguard" on the manual transmission models, and asking in a humorously sarcastic way why Acura thinks that MT drivers are smart enough to be allowed to drive without this "safety net" but the AT drivers are too dumb to handle a 1-2 shift without blowing their engines.

I basically hate shiat like the nav systems that won't let you input a destination while the car is moving, or starter interlocks that won't let you crank the starter unless the clutch is disengaged (or the shifter is in "Park") or the convertible top switch that won't move the top unless the parking brake is engaged. In short, I hate stupid crap that manufacturers put in to reduce their chances of being sued by stupid people because it needlessly inconveniences everyone else. I'm an adult, I can afford a $35,000 car, and I don't need to be treated like a child, thank you very much!