How to use scanguage to accellerate? Which guages?

[RH77]

I have the same question about automatics...

If I'm accelerating up to 45mph+, I traditionally just give it a brisk acceleration, foot-lift-shift at 2500, get up to speed, and level-out at efficient cruise / DWL. It's worked well for a long time, but there has to be a better way.

2-Things: I often start in second gear (on level, slow starts or downhill). This obviously loads up the TC. Is this a good idea? Otherwise, I force-shift to second at 2000 RPM.

Also, So what number on LOD to shoot for? It seems to fluctuate quite a bit

Thanks...
RH77

[PaleMelanesian]

I typically run 80-85 LOD in my manual. It's hard to get that in an automatic. Instead, I aim for high-ish load (maybe 60) while still keeping it at about 1800 rpm, but especially below 2000. With the auto, I let the rpm dictate things more than the LOD.

Once it locks up in top gear, it's more like a manual. 90-95 LOD is where it unlocks, so I can push it right up to that limit. (at least in my Ody)

[99metro]

I have a SGII on my F250 6.0 diesel. I watch
Air temp,
instant mpg,
boost pressure, and
horsepower.

I think I x-gauged the boost, which is just barometric pressure in psia. HP is x-gauged too, I think. Between the horsepower and boost, it helps a lot on keeping the MPG in check.

My 99 Metro with the SG1, I watch IAT, TPS, MPG and the last varies depending on what I want to watch. Mostly LOD, MAP, MPH or coolant temperature.

[Matt Herring]

I watch rpm very closely on my SGII and never let it go over 2000 rpm (30-50 mph) unless I'm going uphill and need the extra power to maintain safe speeds in traffic. I tend to drive about 3-5mph under the speed limit so I rarely need any high rpm's unless I'm on the highway and even then I'm in the 2100 range at 60-65 mph.

If I rev to 2300-2400 rpm I'll take my foot off the gas and then reapply and the rpm will go from 2300 down to 1800-1900 while still maintaining the same speed. Not sure if there is a term for this but when I explain it to my friends I call it "resetting."

I did this in my 4runner and now in my Prius. The 4runner ran a little higher rpm but I still was under 2000 rpm at all times...even when accelerating up to speed.

[PaleMelanesian]

I call it "coaxing an upshift". Or sometimes, "@!#!$# why won't you shift already?!"

[RH77]

Originally Posted by PaleMelanesian

I typically run 80-85 LOD in my manual. It's hard to get that in an automatic. Instead, I aim for high-ish load (maybe 60) while still keeping it at about 1800 rpm, but especially below 2000. With the auto, I let the rpm dictate things more than the LOD.

Once it locks up in top gear, it's more like a manual. 90-95 LOD is where it unlocks, so I can push it right up to that limit. (at least in my Ody)

This is good advice -- I'll have to keep an eye on the TC unlock vs. LOD. The throttle-shift cable is a bit tighter, so the LOD might be a bit lower. I'll try it tomorrow

Originally Posted by PaleMelanesian

I call it "coaxing an upshift". Or sometimes, "@!#!$# why won't you shift already?!"

I get there often too -- especially with the darn "Hill Logic Control". D3 overrides the 2-3 shift logic, but 4th is completely up to the computer.

In normal driving, I just lift, it shifts, and give it the gas. Sometimes the process is too quick and it engages a bit hard on the next gear up.

RH77

[PaleMelanesian]

Since you have a Honda automatic, this might work for you.

My '04 Ody will shift into 5th (top) gear at 45 mph, with no exceptions. That's just the way it's programmed. However, it will hold it in top gear down to about 41 mph before downshifting. I can get it into that "limbo" territory by doing a quick D-N-D shift anywhere in the 41-45 mph range, and it'll drop right into top gear.

[RH77]

Originally Posted by PaleMelanesian

Since you have a Honda automatic, this might work for you.

My '04 Ody will shift into 5th (top) gear at 45 mph, with no exceptions. That's just the way it's programmed. However, it will hold it in top gear down to about 41 mph before downshifting. I can get it into that "limbo" territory by doing a quick D-N-D shift anywhere in the 41-45 mph range, and it'll drop right into top gear.

Mine is a 4-speed, so it hits 4th/Full TC at 35 mph on the dot and unlocks at the same point -- not a whole lot to do there. I'll try the D-N-D trick when it gets picky with the hill logic.

I tried The LOD numbers today and TC unlock happens at about 93 -- otherwise, the number fluctuates so much, I gave up on the number and went back to RPM/TPS-based acceleration.

The '06 TSX is a manu-matic 5-er that acts much like your Ody. I use the slapshift to hold 5th and give it about 80 TPS on hills (a bit under WOT -- likely it's electronically and changed to some other value).

It has an aggressive TC that tends to lock-up (and stay locked) with more throttle in M5, but unlocks at exactly 41 mph (and stays in 5th/unlock unless you're in full auto or level the load/speed). Slowing to 30-something forces down to 4th. I like that you can force high loads and low RPMs in that car with the slapshift.

Comaring our gear ratios:

Odyssey ... TSX
1st 2.563 ... 2.652
2nd 1.552 ... 1.517
3rd 1.021 ... 1.082
4th 0.727 ... 0.773
5th 0.520 ... 0.566
Final 4.428 ... 4.440

They look pretty close. Does yours have the electronic throttle? Nevertheless, in that car, I just force it into the higher gear ASAP. Since I drive the car 5-10% of the time, there's always a re-learning curve when I hop in. For short errands, I just take Teggy anymore despite my previous rogue intentions to maximize the Integra's mileage

RH77

[PaleMelanesian]

I'm pretty sure mine's a cable throttle. '05 was the new Ody, and ours is the older '04 model. 5th gear hits 2,000 rpm at about 70 mph.