AT questions get asked from time to time, so I'll repost my AT-SS FAQ here.
AT-Sport Shift
1 What is the Sport Shift mode?
The Sport Shift allows the driver to select gears on the AT manually. It is attached to a conventional automatic transmission with a torque converter. It is not an SMG (sequential manual gearbox).
1.1 General Usage
1.1.1 How do I activate SS?
From D, move the gear lever left to M. The gear indicator on the bottom-centre of the dash is activated.
1.1.2 How do I use the SS?
From M, tap the gear lever forwards to upshift, backwards to downshift. When released, the lever springs back to the middle position. There is no clutch pedal.
1.1.3 Are the gear ratios different in SS?
No, the gear ratios are fixed and the same as the regular AT mode.
1.1.4 Is the redline different is SS?
No, same as the MT, 7100 redline, 7400 rev limiter.
1.1.5 At what speeds can I engage SS?
SS can be engaged from D at any forward speed, including stopped.
1.1.6 Can I start in a gear other than first?
You can start in 2nd gear by upshifting at rest. The car will remember this and will auto-downshift shift back into second at the next stop, instead of first. You cannot start in 3rd or higher.
1.2 Behaviour
1.2.1 Does the SS ever shift by itself?
The SS never auto-upshifts by itself. It will auto-downshift as the car slows down. It may downshift when the grade level has changed.
1.2.1.1 At what speeds does the auto-downshifts occur?
5 -> 4: 52 km/h (33 mph)
4 -> 3: 32 km/h (20 mph)
3 -> 1: 10 km/h (6 mph)
The SS does not auto-downshift into 2nd on level ground, except when the last start was in 2nd gear, as described above.
1.2.2 Does the SS ever prevent a shift?
1. If an upshift would cause the engine to lug, the SS prevents the shift.
2. If a downshift would cause the engine to exceed redline, the SS prevents the shift. In both cases, the gear indicator blinks.
3. When the SS auto-downshifts, it locks out manual downshifts for about one second to prevent unwanted double shifts. In this case, the gear indicator does not blink.
1.2.3 Do hills affect the SS?
Hills raise the threshold speed of the auto-downshift. The actual increase depends on the severity of the grade. The max auto-downshift speeds are:
5 -> 4: 72 km/h (45 mph)
4 -> 3: 52 km/h (33 mph)
3 -> 2: 20 km/h (12 mph)
Therefore, it is possible for an auto-downshift to occur at constant speed, if the grade changes and the threshold auto-downshift speed rises above the current speed.
Note that SS will shift into 2nd gear on a grade, whereas it never does when level.
1.2.4 Does cruise override the SS?
No, unless you hold decelerate button on the cruise and slow below an auto-downshift shift speed, or the grade changes as described above.
1.3 Other Questions
1.3.1 Why do I sometimes I see the revs change even though I haven’t shifted, accelerated or decelerated?
That is the torque converter engaging and disengaging.
1.3.2 How does the SS compare to the MT?
1. No clutch.
2. The option to drive in full-auto “D” when desired.
3. Only 5 speeds, compared to 6 for the MT.
4. Higher gear ratios than the MT, especially top gear. Slower acceleration, but better fuel economy.
5. Approx. 100 lbs. heavier.
6.There is a torque converter, so more drivetrain loss.
1.3.3 How is the TSX SS different than other cars?
1. It accomplishes the actual shift faster than many cars (0.7s)
2. It does not start in 2nd gear by default (e.g. IS300)
3. It does not upshift automatically (e.g. 2003 TL-S)
AT-Sport Shift
1 What is the Sport Shift mode?
The Sport Shift allows the driver to select gears on the AT manually. It is attached to a conventional automatic transmission with a torque converter. It is not an SMG (sequential manual gearbox).
1.1 General Usage
1.1.1 How do I activate SS?
From D, move the gear lever left to M. The gear indicator on the bottom-centre of the dash is activated.
1.1.2 How do I use the SS?
From M, tap the gear lever forwards to upshift, backwards to downshift. When released, the lever springs back to the middle position. There is no clutch pedal.
1.1.3 Are the gear ratios different in SS?
No, the gear ratios are fixed and the same as the regular AT mode.
1.1.4 Is the redline different is SS?
No, same as the MT, 7100 redline, 7400 rev limiter.
1.1.5 At what speeds can I engage SS?
SS can be engaged from D at any forward speed, including stopped.
1.1.6 Can I start in a gear other than first?
You can start in 2nd gear by upshifting at rest. The car will remember this and will auto-downshift shift back into second at the next stop, instead of first. You cannot start in 3rd or higher.
1.2 Behaviour
1.2.1 Does the SS ever shift by itself?
The SS never auto-upshifts by itself. It will auto-downshift as the car slows down. It may downshift when the grade level has changed.
1.2.1.1 At what speeds does the auto-downshifts occur?
5 -> 4: 52 km/h (33 mph)
4 -> 3: 32 km/h (20 mph)
3 -> 1: 10 km/h (6 mph)
The SS does not auto-downshift into 2nd on level ground, except when the last start was in 2nd gear, as described above.
1.2.2 Does the SS ever prevent a shift?
1. If an upshift would cause the engine to lug, the SS prevents the shift.
2. If a downshift would cause the engine to exceed redline, the SS prevents the shift. In both cases, the gear indicator blinks.
3. When the SS auto-downshifts, it locks out manual downshifts for about one second to prevent unwanted double shifts. In this case, the gear indicator does not blink.
1.2.3 Do hills affect the SS?
Hills raise the threshold speed of the auto-downshift. The actual increase depends on the severity of the grade. The max auto-downshift speeds are:
5 -> 4: 72 km/h (45 mph)
4 -> 3: 52 km/h (33 mph)
3 -> 2: 20 km/h (12 mph)
Therefore, it is possible for an auto-downshift to occur at constant speed, if the grade changes and the threshold auto-downshift speed rises above the current speed.
Note that SS will shift into 2nd gear on a grade, whereas it never does when level.
1.2.4 Does cruise override the SS?
No, unless you hold decelerate button on the cruise and slow below an auto-downshift shift speed, or the grade changes as described above.
1.3 Other Questions
1.3.1 Why do I sometimes I see the revs change even though I haven’t shifted, accelerated or decelerated?
That is the torque converter engaging and disengaging.
1.3.2 How does the SS compare to the MT?
1. No clutch.
2. The option to drive in full-auto “D” when desired.
3. Only 5 speeds, compared to 6 for the MT.
4. Higher gear ratios than the MT, especially top gear. Slower acceleration, but better fuel economy.
5. Approx. 100 lbs. heavier.
6.There is a torque converter, so more drivetrain loss.
1.3.3 How is the TSX SS different than other cars?
1. It accomplishes the actual shift faster than many cars (0.7s)
2. It does not start in 2nd gear by default (e.g. IS300)
3. It does not upshift automatically (e.g. 2003 TL-S)
