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So I've been back driving my 2015 TLX 4 Liter for several weeks now (after my third dealer "attempt at repair/ inconclusive diagnostic" visit). It's been much smoother, happy to report.
I STOPPED using the Economy mode altogether, especially while in my traffic commute. Each time I brought it to the service guys I said, "these problems I've had were in Economy mode, do you think that's related?" I'd get the pat reassurance "Oh no, that's just more about your driving style, that's completely unrelated."
We found an article about DCT, transmissions, etc. and figured it out ourselves.
When I picked it up, I AGAIN said "Hey do you think I should stop using the economy mode, and the guy said, "Yes, you'll get better performance, the computer won't be searching for the best level for your transmission." FINALLY.
The other thing I learned that makes some sense is that you should NOT drive with two feet, right on gas, left on break, which some people are inclined to do in TRAFFIC. That also "confuses the computer".
I guess I'll see how it goes, I'm commuting with the car one day a week, still a big gun shy for now. Wanted to share this with any new owners who might benefit.
Wait, people drive with two feet (that's not a 6MT)??? I was taught at a young age to never do that.
My idiot uncle drove into a historical site trying to park his car. Out of nowhere, his Subaru shot forward into the side of a building. He tried to blame the car, but he drives with 2 feet.
This question must be from corporate. lol. "Tell them not to use 2 feet!"
I took my car in for the wonky transmission, and I got the same thing. "Do you drive with two feet?" I wanted to ask "on the steering wheel?" lol. I had to ask the service guy if he was serious. He said he was because apparently people do this. I just said "man, you guys are reaching for solutions now".
I'd say don't ever drive in Economy......as it is horrible. In all Hondas too. And unless you drive idiotically makes little difference mileage wise. I have stayed in sport 99% of time and I believe most others do. Eco and norm just retard the car's normal responses. worst economy mode was on the CRZ CVT. Call it "deploy Parachute" mode. cos that's how it felt.
The only thing you're right about OP is avoiding using Econ mode, but not for the reasons described. Avoid using it because it sucks the life out of the car and your soul, and really doesn't net you notably better gas mileage unless it's hot out (because Econ decreases the A/C). But you can manually match that by decreasing the A/C on your own and driving in Sport mode.
I actually get better fuel economy in the city by getting up to speed quickly (not redlining but like shifting at 3500-4000 RPM) and then cruising at a steady state than I do by accelerating like a grandma. It's only worse for fuel economy if you accelerate quickly towards stopped or slow traffic, because then you're wasting energy braking.
I actually get better fuel economy in the city by getting up to speed quickly (not redlining but like shifting at 3500-4000 RPM) and then cruising at a steady state than I do by accelerating like a grandma. It's only worse for fuel economy if you accelerate quickly towards stopped or slow traffic, because then you're wasting energy braking.
There was a long thread in the 3G forum many years ago that reflected the above observation. I agree with this assessment- you want the car to get into high gear ASAP- assuming you're not racing to another red light or stop sign.
The two-foot driving business is not only bad for the tranny, but will also make your mileage suck. It's very simple, when you see a Red light ahead of you, no feet on any pedals and simply coast until the light changes or you have somebody on your tail.
I use econ mode in my TLX all the time unless I'm in traffic. I've grown so used to it that normal mode feels that even with a light foot the power comes on pretty strong. The days I do decide to switch to normal are pretty fun though, feels like a different car
I use econ mode in my TLX all the time unless I'm in traffic. I've grown so used to it that normal mode feels that even with a light foot the power comes on pretty strong. The days I do decide to switch to normal are pretty fun though, feels like a different car
This sounds like a huge challenge. I just filled her up, I am going to try to drive on ECON the until next fill up.
This sounds like a huge challenge. I just filled her up, I am going to try to drive on ECON the until next fill up.
I made it a goal to drive in ECON mode for the first month (at least) just to compare my mileage vs my old 3G TL.
I've gotten so used to ECON mode that going to even normal mode surprises me with the amount of power the car has. I can't tell you how many times I haven't had a real smooth start from a complete stop in normal mode.
I don't drive like a grandpa or anything, but I try to make it as smooth a drive as possible. The only time I don't like ECON mode is when I'm trying to pass someone and it takes a good second or two for the car to respond to my input. Luckily I don't pass too often, but the few times I have to then I get a bit annoyed with the mode.
Highway mileage in Sport mode. I was driving somewhat conservatively but still passed a couple people. Total distance was 282 km (I didn't angle the shot low enough).
For you Americans, this is 37.3 MPG. I have an SH-AWD model, haha. I can only imagine what the I4 models get. The dash light is low washer fluid.
Holy smokes that's good^. I'm guessing this equates to like 700-800 a tank?
I don't think the I4's would get as good combined though since they are a little under-powered. I've noticed better mileage with my RDX compared to my previous '08 CR-V.
On my TLX, V6, Tech Package, I got 35.3 MPG this weekend, all highway drive, avg speed 64 mph, sports mode. City drive in NYC, however, is a different story. If I'm very lucky, I'll cross 12 mpg. All city drive is on Normal mode. I gave up economy after having two tank refills, each giving me less than 10 mpg.
Holy smokes that's good^. I'm guessing this equates to like 700-800 a tank?
I don't think the I4's would get as good combined though since they are a little under-powered. I've noticed better mileage with my RDX compared to my previous '08 CR-V.
Best I have seen with the 4 cyl is 5.6 ltrs per 100 kms over 480kms. The return yielded 6.8, so averaged the same as the 6. Average speed is around 95kph/59mph as per trip computer - actual speeds are up to 130, or 85mph. Why driving west gets better mileage - always - is a mystery that can only be explained by the net less of altitude of about 2500 feet. Everything else is against it - prevailing winds, loads.. Mileage total just over 600 miles - this is a very hard tank to brim.
I've tracked city stop-and-go driving as well as long distance treks ... over 70 tanks of gas-worth, actually... I can't tell much of a difference in the mileage obtained among the three. Sometimes Normal gets better than Econ and so does Sport. Therefore I just drive in Normal or Sport now. I've taken the exact same road trip in Econ in the past where my MPG varied by as much as 3 or 4mpg. I also have noticed that there is around a 1-2 mpg difference between hand-calc'ing and the computer's measurements in my car. Although with the latest round of software updates for my "normal" transmission (lol, Acura), ECON mode seemed to be rather rough... much rougher than it used to be. But I don't know if that will stay that way or not.
Last edited by Rocketsfan; 01-19-2016 at 06:38 PM.
Best I have seen with the 4 cyl is 5.6 ltrs per 100 kms over 480kms. The return yielded 6.8, so averaged the same as the 6. Average speed is around 95kph/59mph as per trip computer - actual speeds are up to 130, or 85mph. Why driving west gets better mileage - always - is a mystery that can only be explained by the net less of altitude of about 2500 feet. Everything else is against it - prevailing winds, loads.. Mileage total just over 600 miles - this is a very hard tank to brim.
Mine was 120 km/h, going from Calgary to Edmonton (so, net downhill about 300 m over 280-ish km). Hand calculated it was only off on the computer by 0.1 L/100km.
On the way from Edmonton to Calgary, I got 7.0 L/100 km (33.6 MPG), so a bit worse but not terrible.
@Rocketsfan, Economy mode doesn't actually seem to improve anything unless it's summer with A/C, and even then it's marginal just by reducing the A/C. Mostly it trains you to use less throttle and is less eager to downshift (which in city driving actually nets you worse mileage - it's better to get up to speed quickly as long as you don't have to brake soon).
it's better to get up to speed quickly as long as you don't have to brake soon).
Which is why I suspect Eco mode should be best in stop and go city traffic. I generally use Normal mode now but switch to Eco for said stop and go, and Sport for spirited driving on more open roads.
For you Americans, this is 37.3 MPG. I have an SH-AWD model, haha.
What was your average speed? With the 3.0L @ 342BHP RWD in sport+ I got 31.5mpg @ 72.5mph for 296 miles & 32mpg @ 70.5mph for 302 miles. Some long stretches, up to an hour, were at 90 mph to maintain the 70+mph average
Interesting that the smaller engine with turbos is not that far off the larger but less powerful N/A engine's fuel usage. Expect I could squeeze out a few more MPG with comfort or econ but don't have the patience for the lower responsiveness.
Last edited by BEAR-AvHistory; 01-20-2016 at 09:42 PM.
What was your average speed? With the 3.0L @ 342BHP RWD in sport+ I got 31.5mpg @ 72.5mph for 296 miles & 32mpg @ 70.5mph for 302 miles. Some long stretches, up to an hour, were at 90 mph to maintain the 70+mph average
Interesting that the smaller engine with turbos is not that far off the larger but less powerful N/A engine's fuel usage. Expect I could squeeze out a few more MPG with comfort or econ but don't have the patience for the lower responsiveness.
32 and 37 are a fairly big delta, no? The SH-AWD model is rated at 31, but I suspect their ratings are for doing more than steady state cruising.
I was going 115 km/h, steady state most of the time (passed maybe 3 trucks the whole trip), flat road, over a distance of 282 km. My speed averaged out to 108 km/h. There wasn't that much traffic so I almost never had to slow down. The speed limit on that highway is 110 km/h. It's also winter so I didn't want to go too fast, but I suspect if I went faster my mileage would go down a bit. I was also in Sport mode. I don't think the mode really makes a difference unless you're using A/C. It should be the same for your car. If you're already in the highest gear, a more aggressive mode that holds gears for longer isn't going to matter unless you're wearing heavy boots that tip in the more responsive throttle.
I think my mileage is largely due to VCM. I find it doesn't activate until you're crusing at steady state for about 10-15 seconds straight it seems. I can very very subtly feel the slight vibration from the engine when VCM is engaged, but I really have to try to feel it. My passengers don't know it's doing it at all.
Mine was a summertime trip from Raleigh NC to Charleston SC & back. Probably 95/98*F with A/C in Auto. Car was in 7th out of 8 most of the time. S will also hold 7th, I would need to go to Comfort or Econ to get into 8th.
Performance cars have come a long way in fuel economy. Never going to match most DD's but that's a known when you get one.
As for the delta I go by cost of fuel as opposed to the MPG. If I did the math right 32 vs 37 would cost me about $5.05 more for the trip at the current rate for 93 octane down here.
Don't have VCM but can feel a slight vibration if I am in to high a gear for the speed which I noticed in Economy. Would get on your nerves on a long trip.
Last edited by BEAR-AvHistory; 01-21-2016 at 12:13 PM.
The other thing I learned that makes some sense is that you should NOT drive with two feet, right on gas, left on break, which some people are inclined to do in TRAFFIC.
No shit. Why would you ever drive with 2 feet in an automatic? That's not what they teach you drivers ed, even today. It's a bad habit that people are picking up on their own and I don't know why.
No shit. Why would you ever drive with 2 feet in an automatic? That's not what they teach you drivers ed, even today. It's a bad habit that people are picking up on their own and I don't know why.
Econ mode on my wife's keys (2) and Normal/Sport for me (1). She's unaware but it helps keep her driving sedated... more or less same reason i didn't go for the Tech Package: more features would have made her a worse driver not a better one.
Econ mode on my wife's keys (2) and Normal/Sport for me (1). She's unaware but it helps keep her driving sedated... more or less same reason i didn't go for the Tech Package: more features would have made her a worse driver not a better one.
Each to his own. My default setting in my 2015 3.5 was normal and I have been driving in normal most of the time for the 9 days I have had my 2016 2.4. Generally a good balance of acceleration and fuel economy. I use Sport for spirited driving where needed (or wanted), and Eco for stop and go traffic.
For the 2.4, I have averaged 9.9 litres/100 km in almost all city driving, a good chunk of that going to and from work 3 days per week in higher traffic times. Pretty pleased with that for a brand new vehicle. My broken in 3.5 would have been around 11 - 12 litres/100 km this time of year for similar driving.
I have a V6. My daily commute is pretty much city driving with some high speed sections. I'm normally in Normal mode, but I did one tank in Sport and didn't notice any difference in mileage measured directly, not via the car computer. If I'm on a long highway drive I switch to Econ thinking I might get better mileage but I've not done any actual measurement. Driving even at 70 mph I get high 30 mpg as reflected in the cars computer.
No shit. Why would you ever drive with 2 feet in an automatic? That's not what they teach you drivers ed, even today. It's a bad habit that people are picking up on their own and I don't know why.
I've driven 2-foot all my life (and I'm an old guy), and I'm a big advocate for it.
The original reason they taught not to do this was because years ago when there were as many manual trans cars as automatics, the fear was that if you got out of an automatic trans car and into a manual trans car and had a panic stop situation, you might end up mashing the clutch out of habit, confusing it with the brake.
Personally, going from manual to automatic and back isn't a problem for me, but I can see how someone accustomed to an automatic might do that, and have an accident.
I'll tell you this: I can stop sooner using 2-foot than you can using one foot. The time it takes to let off the gas, move over to the brake and press it is milliseconds, but that's enough to travel yards at any kind of speed. And in traffic, with my left foot hovering over the brake pedal, I can react a LOT quicker than if I had to use only one foot.
Use one foot if you want to, just don't rearend me, trying to get to the brake. :wink:
If I'm on a long highway drive I switch to Econ thinking I might get better mileage but I've not done any actual measurement.
You won't get better mileage in Econ unless you heavily use the A/C (Econ throttles the A/C). I've tested it many times. Sport always forever. Econ can go fuck itself. Worst mode ever.
01-12-2016, 08:37 AM
The TLX comes in a 4 LITER?!?
