[CL9] who drives in D3 gear?

[unity]

Hi fellow members, I was interested to know if anyone uses the D3 gear (in automatics) for city stop/start driving? Is there any long term problems using this gear for city driving?
Thanks, Unity

[akina]

all D3 does is uses the first 3 gears.
therefore, i dont think theres a problem using it for any kind of driving except highway.

[aaronng]

No difference if you are not reaching speeds that need 4th and 5th gear. The only time is when you get out of traffic and do reach 60-80km. By then you might need 4th to save fuel. Might as well use D since the ECU will select the correct gear for low speeds.

[unity]

I find that I can be in 5th gear at 60kph and can feel the gear keeps cycling up and down at that speed while driving in heavy traffic. Using D3 seems to maintain the gear and the car is more responsive because it sits at a higher RPM. I read on Wikipedia that Honda recommends using D3 for stop/start city driving but I couldn't find reference to this in our Accord Manual.

[mattpearce]

If you want a manual buy a manual otherwise leave it in Drive and let the car do its thing.

[akina]

if u want more responsive than just use tiptronic or slam it down more

[unity]

If you want a manual buy a manual otherwise leave it in Drive and let the car do its thing.

It's not a matter of wanting a manual. I am asking people how they make the most out of their automatic in stop/start city driving in terms of performance and feul efficiency.

[aaronng]

In the city, D3 is fine because you don't get up to speeds that require 4th and 5th gear.

[Crapdaz]

It's not a matter of wanting a manual. I am asking people how they make the most out of their automatic in stop/start city driving in terms of performance and feul efficiency.

well, people these days couldn't care less when it's auto, they just leave it in drive.

As aaron has said you can utilise the drive gear options to reduce the usage of the higher gears as start stop traffic doesn't require those gears as you cannot reach speed.

Otherwise, akina mentioned use tiptronic for flexibility.

imho i'd just be one of those lazy people who wouldnt bother changing, tiptronic is a waste of time also as it's not manual.

But if i was really anal about fuel economy etc and money was a problem i guess i'd use different methods for an auto.

[Razer]

I realize the car is much more responsive and "powerful" if I leave it in D3....is there anything wrong if I use it as my drive gear all the time?? and for other auto euros out there..... u realize any big differences in consumption??

[Crapdaz]

D3 would limit your range.

have you done D3 up 80?
using D3 @ higher speeds will more likely consume more petrol as your car will be revving higher.
think logically more revving/higher revs = more fuel used.

[unity]

I realize the car is much more responsive and "powerful" if I leave it in D3....is there anything wrong if I use it as my drive gear all the time?? and for other auto euros out there..... u realize any big differences in consumption??

It feels much better in d3 doesn't it. I use d3 for mainly stop/start city driving and notice very little difference in fuel consumption. However, if I'm driving on 80 kph road with little stop starting then I notice a difference of about 1L/100km. I have not tested on the freeway yet. I'll let you know when I do.

[akina]

there is like no point to put it in d3 for stop/start city driving anyway...
u might as well leave it in d and it will achieve u the same.................
and if u wanna drive hard u might as well use tiptronic for even better control.

[unity]

Honda documentation itself says that using D3 is appropriate for that style of driving. Using D3 in those conditions gives a lot smoother and more responsive drive. In D and at 60kph you are in 5th gear, then you approach a small hill then the car downshifts to 3rd. Then someone makes a right hand turn and you want to shift left as quick as you can so you don't get stuck behind the turning car. Driving in D3 follows your input much better than being in D and having to put up with the lag time when you step on the gas.

[akina]

the difference in response time is probably less than half sec.

and i wouldn't want to be in 3rd cruising at 60. gg petrol. isn't that about 3000rpm constantly? or even more :s

[unity]

the difference in response time is probably less than half sec.

and i wouldn't want to be in 3rd cruising at 60. gg petrol. isn't that about 3000rpm constantly? or even more :s

My experience is that the fuel consumption in peak hour traffic in D3 is not significantly higher than if I were in D. The maximum speed I go in D3 would be 80kmp. At this speed the engine is reving at about 3100rpm.

[Razer]

D3 would limit your range.

have you done D3 up 80?
using D3 @ higher speeds will more likely consume more petrol as your car will be revving higher.
think logically more revving/higher revs = more fuel used.

Yea...when I reach bout 80 I see my revs pretty high so I just push it back up to D. TBH it feels totally different :)

[akina]

maybe its ok for u guys to stay at 3000rpm but for me... i'll go deaf in no time lol

also in peak hour traffic would have no affect at all coz even in D u won't use 4th or 5th coz u won't get anywhere 40+km/h

[unity]

3000rpm is not loud in my car. I hear more noise from the tires than I do from the engine. I manage to hit 60kph during peak hours on my way to work. Melbourne actually has (some) very good roads.

[akina]

heres the difference for living in sydney and having BC exhaust lol

[Crapdaz]

My experience is that the fuel consumption in peak hour traffic in D3 is not significantly higher than if I were in D. The maximum speed I go in D3 would be 80kmp. At this speed the engine is reving at about 3100rpm.

D3 @ 3100RPM is bloody high to rev as akina said GG petrol.

and if i were to stay at that rev and gear, i'd drone my ears out.


heres the difference for living in sydney and having BC exhaust lol
hahahahaha LOLMAO!

[unity]

Here is a little test I did on the freway tonight. In gear D3, speed 100km/hr, 4000rpm gives a fuel economy of 9.2L/100km.
In gear D, speed 100km/hr, 2000rpm gives a fuel economy of 6.4L/100km.
So definitely dont use D3 above 80km/hr unless towing.
I find that the Euro is still reasonably quiet at 4000rpm.

[johnnyofhk]

Here is a little test I did on the freway tonight. In gear D3, speed 100km/hr, 4000rpm gives a fuel economy of 9.2L/100km.
In gear D, speed 100km/hr, 2000rpm gives a fuel economy of 6.4L/100km.
So definitely dont use D3 above 80km/hr unless towing.
I find that the Euro is still reasonably quiet at 4000rpm.

what's the average speed in your trip computer for that fuel consumption?
i cannot even get near <11L/100km, :thumbdwn::thumbdwn: my average speed is 21 though

[unity]

I never really look at the average speed. What I did above was just a test. My usual consumption is about 8.9L/100km in mainly suburban Melbourne traffic. I have noticed this has improved the more kms I have done. Using BP ultimate 98 petrol.
It sounds like you drive a lot in peak hour traffic and spend a lot of time idle at traffic lights

[akina]

a stock euro is very very quiet, but the whole world changes if u start modding it.
before i got the euro i was expecting a big WHOA from vtec, after redlining it i wasn't so sure. so i decided on a CAI and everything changed since :)

i get anywhere between 10-12L/100km
10&#37;highway 90%suburb :(

[unity]

I am happy with a quiet Euro. If I want noise I turn my radio on or open the windows. Anything else would be irritating.