Can regular use of the "S" Gear cause any damage to the car over time?

KoreanDrama

Member
Joined
Feb 12, 2016
Threads
4
Messages
16
Reaction score
9
Location
USA
Vehicle(s)
Honda Civic EX-T 2016, Honda Civic Hybrid 2003
Hey guys, question is in the title. Can regular use of the "S" Gear cause any damage to the car over time?
Sponsored

 

joserevelo

J Revelo
Joined
Jan 23, 2016
Threads
7
Messages
697
Reaction score
404
Location
Murrieta, CA
Vehicle(s)
Honda Civic
Vehicle Showcase
1
strongly doubt it, but driving the car hard/cold starts and not letting it warm up before going crazy will obviously give you problems way faster then if you drove it with care.. goodluck
 

Ultrafrozen

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 10, 2015
Threads
11
Messages
521
Reaction score
367
Location
Gavnzdad
Vehicle(s)
Gavnzdad
I've really been enjoying this car in "L" mode around town lately. Different clutch shift point slope is the only difference which allows higher engine RPM. I'm old but I still love the odd chirp from the tires now and then.
 

Pearl

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 15, 2016
Threads
10
Messages
323
Reaction score
377
Location
SWFL
Vehicle(s)
2016 CivicT
The best output for performance will always be higher revs but for longevity, obviously you wouldn't want to keep gnashing gears all your car's life just for the hell of it. Better to save for a red-light challenge.
 

Ultrafrozen

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 10, 2015
Threads
11
Messages
521
Reaction score
367
Location
Gavnzdad
Vehicle(s)
Gavnzdad
The best output for performance will always be higher revs but for longevity, obviously you wouldn't want to keep gnashing gears all your car's life just for the hell of it. Better to save for a red-light challenge.
What gnashing of gears are you talking about? The metal link belt is held at a different ratio in the V shaped sheaves (drive and driven clutch) to give a stepless transition from low to high ratio.

I'm just being a dick, I know what you mean and I certainly don't drive everywhere in L or S. It sure is fun when I do though and I'm sure Honda designed this CVT to protect itself just like any other modern transmission.
 


kshawn

Senior Member
First Name
Matthew
Joined
Apr 23, 2016
Threads
25
Messages
2,602
Reaction score
2,795
Location
Maine
Website
www.instagram.com
Vehicle(s)
2017 Civic SI
Country flag
What gnashing of gears are you talking about? The metal link belt is held at a different ratio in the V shaped sheaves (drive and driven clutch) to give a stepless transition from low to high ratio.

I'm just being a dick, I know what you mean and I certainly don't drive everywhere in L or S. It sure is fun when I do though and I'm sure Honda designed this CVT to protect itself just like any other modern transmission.
The CVT definitely loves to protect itself. Even tuning has been difficult because of it. And paired with a oversensitive ECU. Adding any power to this car requires a precise tune.
 

Pearl

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 15, 2016
Threads
10
Messages
323
Reaction score
377
Location
SWFL
Vehicle(s)
2016 CivicT
Oh, just an expression. If anything, Honda has proven that life begins at 7000rpm given the VTEC in the S2000. Generally though, I don't drive every day in S unless I'm in traffic and need to zip into different lanes. Still trying to get used to the CVT when I'm so used to a manual.
 

kshawn

Senior Member
First Name
Matthew
Joined
Apr 23, 2016
Threads
25
Messages
2,602
Reaction score
2,795
Location
Maine
Website
www.instagram.com
Vehicle(s)
2017 Civic SI
Country flag
gotta love the VTEC. unfortunately there's a earth dreams engine in our 1.5T
 

Ultrafrozen

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 10, 2015
Threads
11
Messages
521
Reaction score
367
Location
Gavnzdad
Vehicle(s)
Gavnzdad
Oh, just an expression. If anything, Honda has proven that life begins at 7000rpm given the VTEC in the S2000. Generally though, I don't drive every day in S unless I'm in traffic and need to zip into different lanes. Still trying to get used to the CVT when I'm so used to a manual.
I treat the D, S & L modes like normal, sport and sportier found on some automatic transmissions.
 

thepixelsedge

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 8, 2016
Threads
16
Messages
446
Reaction score
281
Location
Toronto
Vehicle(s)
2016 Civic EX-T
I treat the D, S & L modes like normal, sport and sportier found on some automatic transmissions.
Ya this is like me. I regularly drive in D, sometimes pop into S just for a little fun and the other day at a "red light challenge" as posted above, I put it in L. Only had it in L twice though.

I usually use S once every couples days or so for in-town driving. I find D more than usable on the highway.
 


djasonw

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 6, 2015
Threads
2
Messages
262
Reaction score
118
Location
Coconut Creek, FL
Vehicle(s)
2016 Honda Civic Touring, 2017 Toyota iM
Country flag
The only thing I notice in S is that the idle revs are higher which puts you in the sweet spot for the turbo to do its thing. I don't think L will change the idle revs but I am sure the gearing (for lack of a better term) will be better for scooting in an out of lanes. I'll have to try it this week.
 

thepixelsedge

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 8, 2016
Threads
16
Messages
446
Reaction score
281
Location
Toronto
Vehicle(s)
2016 Civic EX-T
The only thing I notice in S is that the idle revs are higher which puts you in the sweet spot for the turbo to do its thing. I don't think L will change the idle revs but I am sure the gearing (for lack of a better term) will be better for scooting in an out of lanes. I'll have to try it this week.
If you think S revs high, try L
 

3vilhomer

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2016
Threads
2
Messages
256
Reaction score
99
Location
new york
Vehicle(s)
civic EX-T
Vehicle Showcase
1
Country flag
My friend sat in my civic last night and I was driving it in S whole time, she said she don't feel any Turbo kick in at all, she said it moves like a V6, but don't feel any Turbo... maybe she's just use to her WRX lol
Sponsored

 


 


Top