Worse handling on TLX vs TSX. What to do?
09-01-2015, 08:00 PM
#1
Worse handling on TLX vs TSX. What to do?
Hello all, it has been a while.
We got the 4cyl TLX tech about 3 months ago. I get to drive that car, while my wife drives the 09 TSX (She does not want to put the first ding on the new car)
Once in a blue moon when I get to drive the TSX again, it feels like the TSX simply handles much.. much sportier.
So my question: Is it possible to make the TLX better in handling by upsizing the wheels? Or do I have to change the springs? Or is there anything I can do?
We got the 4cyl TLX tech about 3 months ago. I get to drive that car, while my wife drives the 09 TSX (She does not want to put the first ding on the new car)
Once in a blue moon when I get to drive the TSX again, it feels like the TSX simply handles much.. much sportier.
So my question: Is it possible to make the TLX better in handling by upsizing the wheels? Or do I have to change the springs? Or is there anything I can do?
09-01-2015, 09:53 PM
#3
If the wheel/tire diameter on both cars are the same, the lower profile tires on the TSX can be one reason for the better/sportier handling.
OEM tire size on the TSX is either 225/50-17 or 225/45-18
OEM tire size on the TLX is either 225/55-17 or 225/50-18
Then there's the Double-Wishbone front suspension on the TSX vs the MacPherson front suspension on the TLX.
The TLX has a larger turning circle than the TSX.
According to Car and Driver, the TSX had mild under steer and got a 0.85G on the skidpad. The TLX didn't do as well as the TSX. It had moderate under steer and got a 0.83G on the skidpad.
Easy and relatively inexpensive things you can do to the TLX to improve handling:
- better tires
- upgrade rear sway bar
- check and change alignment (toe and camber) settings
OEM tire size on the TSX is either 225/50-17 or 225/45-18
OEM tire size on the TLX is either 225/55-17 or 225/50-18
Then there's the Double-Wishbone front suspension on the TSX vs the MacPherson front suspension on the TLX.
The TLX has a larger turning circle than the TSX.
According to Car and Driver, the TSX had mild under steer and got a 0.85G on the skidpad. The TLX didn't do as well as the TSX. It had moderate under steer and got a 0.83G on the skidpad.
Easy and relatively inexpensive things you can do to the TLX to improve handling:
- better tires
- upgrade rear sway bar
- check and change alignment (toe and camber) settings
The following 4 users liked this post by AZuser:
09-02-2015, 12:52 PM
#4
If the wheel/tire diameter on both cars are the same, the lower profile tires on the TSX can be one reason for the better/sportier handling.
OEM tire size on the TSX is either 225/50-17 or 225/45-18
OEM tire size on the TLX is either 225/55-17 or 225/50-18
Then there's the Double-Wishbone front suspension on the TSX vs the MacPherson front suspension on the TLX.
The TLX has a larger turning circle than the TSX.
According to Car and Driver, the TSX had mild under steer and got a 0.85G on the skidpad. The TLX didn't do as well as the TSX. It had moderate under steer and got a 0.83G on the skidpad.
Easy and relatively inexpensive things you can do to the TLX to improve handling:
- better tires
- upgrade rear sway bar
- check and change alignment (toe and camber) settings
OEM tire size on the TSX is either 225/50-17 or 225/45-18
OEM tire size on the TLX is either 225/55-17 or 225/50-18
Then there's the Double-Wishbone front suspension on the TSX vs the MacPherson front suspension on the TLX.
The TLX has a larger turning circle than the TSX.
According to Car and Driver, the TSX had mild under steer and got a 0.85G on the skidpad. The TLX didn't do as well as the TSX. It had moderate under steer and got a 0.83G on the skidpad.
Easy and relatively inexpensive things you can do to the TLX to improve handling:
- better tires
- upgrade rear sway bar
- check and change alignment (toe and camber) settings
Ok, I will upsize the wheels and get some performance tires.
About the rear sway bar: How much is it? Where can I buy it? Will it void warranty?
Whoa for the third item I don't even know what that means
Will have to do some research..Thanks for the help! Also, very useful facts on the comparison. Seems like from the beginning Acura never intended to make TLX 4c sportier than the TSX 2G.
09-02-2015, 02:08 PM
#5
Ok, I will upsize the wheels and get some performance tires.
About the rear sway bar: How much is it? Where can I buy it? Will it void warranty?
Whoa for the third item I don't even know what that means Will have to do some research..
Thanks for the help! Also, very useful facts on the comparison. Seems like from the beginning Acura never intended to make TLX 4c sportier than the TSX 2G.
About the rear sway bar: How much is it? Where can I buy it? Will it void warranty?
Whoa for the third item I don't even know what that means
Will have to do some research..Thanks for the help! Also, very useful facts on the comparison. Seems like from the beginning Acura never intended to make TLX 4c sportier than the TSX 2G.
There is no sway bar upgrades that I know of. If you want to upgrade the suspension, RSR makes lowering springs and coilover suspension.
09-02-2015, 02:48 PM
#6
I will give you my opinions about why it handles worse. I might get flamed for talking negatively about car though.
First, TLX has longer wheelbase and a much wider turning radius than tsx.
Second, TLX comes with awful tires.
Third, the tsx like most older fwd honda/acura's has double wishbone suspension on all 4 corners. TLX has Macpherson strut setup. 99% of Acura owners won't know what I am talking about so it is smart for companies to save money using inferior mac strut setups.
Fourth, the rear steer system. Here is a quote from road and track review.
"It occasionally feels as though the rear steering is a step behind, leading to a spooky transition from understeer towards more neutral behavior."
The reality is new honda/acura fwd cars handle nowhere near where they used to a decade or 2 ago.
Even though TLX is a 4 cylinder it is one heavy bitch at 3.5k lbs. No 4 cylinder car should weigh that much.
New Acura buyers are more focused on luxury and tech features. They also care more about sound deadening than handling.
Just noticed most of what I typed was already posted by AZuser, oh well.
First, TLX has longer wheelbase and a much wider turning radius than tsx.
Second, TLX comes with awful tires.
Third, the tsx like most older fwd honda/acura's has double wishbone suspension on all 4 corners. TLX has Macpherson strut setup. 99% of Acura owners won't know what I am talking about so it is smart for companies to save money using inferior mac strut setups.
Fourth, the rear steer system. Here is a quote from road and track review.
"It occasionally feels as though the rear steering is a step behind, leading to a spooky transition from understeer towards more neutral behavior."
The reality is new honda/acura fwd cars handle nowhere near where they used to a decade or 2 ago.
Even though TLX is a 4 cylinder it is one heavy bitch at 3.5k lbs. No 4 cylinder car should weigh that much.
New Acura buyers are more focused on luxury and tech features. They also care more about sound deadening than handling.
Just noticed most of what I typed was already posted by AZuser, oh well.
The following users liked this post:
ErickUa5 (09-11-2015)
09-02-2015, 02:53 PM
#7
Senior Moderator
Return it. Get another TSX
Trending Topics
09-02-2015, 03:05 PM
#8
I will give you my opinions about why it handles worse. I might get flamed for talking negatively about car though.
First, TLX has longer wheelbase and a much wider turning radius than tsx.
Second, TLX comes with awful tires.
Third, the tsx like most older fwd honda/acura's has double wishbone suspension on all 4 corners. TLX has Macpherson strut setup. 99% of Acura owners won't know what I am talking about so it is smart for companies to save money using inferior mac strut setups.
Fourth, the rear steer system. Here is a quote from road and track review.
"It occasionally feels as though the rear steering is a step behind, leading to a spooky transition from understeer towards more neutral behavior."
The reality is new honda/acura fwd cars handle nowhere near where they used to a decade or 2 ago.
Even though TLX is a 4 cylinder it is one heavy bitch at 3.5k lbs. No 4 cylinder car should weigh that much.
New Acura buyers are more focused on luxury and tech features. They also care more about sound deadening than handling.
Just noticed most of what I typed was already posted by AZuser, oh well.
First, TLX has longer wheelbase and a much wider turning radius than tsx.
Second, TLX comes with awful tires.
Third, the tsx like most older fwd honda/acura's has double wishbone suspension on all 4 corners. TLX has Macpherson strut setup. 99% of Acura owners won't know what I am talking about so it is smart for companies to save money using inferior mac strut setups.
Fourth, the rear steer system. Here is a quote from road and track review.
"It occasionally feels as though the rear steering is a step behind, leading to a spooky transition from understeer towards more neutral behavior."
The reality is new honda/acura fwd cars handle nowhere near where they used to a decade or 2 ago.
Even though TLX is a 4 cylinder it is one heavy bitch at 3.5k lbs. No 4 cylinder car should weigh that much.
New Acura buyers are more focused on luxury and tech features. They also care more about sound deadening than handling.
Just noticed most of what I typed was already posted by AZuser, oh well.
09-02-2015, 03:14 PM
#9
That'd be the obvious solution. There's just no way to get the sport handling and luxury enhancing chrome door handles of the TSX onto the TLX.
09-02-2015, 03:20 PM
#10
The I-4 TLX's rear bar is 24.7mm in diameter. The V6 TLX rear bar is 25.4mm in diameter.
Acura | Press Releases Article | Acura.com
Multi-Link Rear Suspension
Multi-link rear suspension with Amplitude Reactive Dampers provides optimal handling agility, driver confidence and ride sophistication. Geometry, including rear toe control, is optimized for handling competence, stability and a sophisticated ride in a variety of urban, highway and open road scenarios. The system includes multi-link control arms, control-arm bushings that are optimized for the best blend of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) isolation and handling precision, and Amplitude Reactive Dampers. Both the 4-cylinder and SH-AWD models have a 24.7 mm diameter rear stabilizer bar, while the front-wheel drive V-6 has a 25.4 mm diameter stabilizer bar.
Multi-link rear suspension with Amplitude Reactive Dampers provides optimal handling agility, driver confidence and ride sophistication. Geometry, including rear toe control, is optimized for handling competence, stability and a sophisticated ride in a variety of urban, highway and open road scenarios. The system includes multi-link control arms, control-arm bushings that are optimized for the best blend of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) isolation and handling precision, and Amplitude Reactive Dampers. Both the 4-cylinder and SH-AWD models have a 24.7 mm diameter rear stabilizer bar, while the front-wheel drive V-6 has a 25.4 mm diameter stabilizer bar.
The following 2 users liked this post by AZuser:
advan031 (09-02-2015),
audioxbliss (09-03-2015)
09-06-2015, 09:42 PM
#11
Probably your wheel and tire combo. I just traded my 14 TSX Tech for a TLX V6 Tech and the handling is much better on the TLX. The car does not plow as much and has a much sharper turn due to the PAWS. V6 cars come with 18" wheels and 225/50 series tires. TLX is much smoother, quieter, faster and has better audio, navigation and bluetooth. No comparison. I am thrilled.
Last edited by joflewbyu2; 09-06-2015 at 09:45 PM.
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Christopher. (05-02-2018)
02-12-2018, 12:09 PM
#15
Burning Brakes
https://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/...alkaround.html
Too bad they don't do that kind of stuff anymore.
08-08-2018, 08:37 AM
#16
From what I understand about the 2018 they revised the shocks/springs at higher rate, they also got a better steering ratio depending on the driving modes.
I have the 2015 tech and yeah handling is not good at all. What I have noticed tho is when I buy those 5 G jugs of water and them in the rear passenger seat, so this added more weight/force onto the chassis which makes the car more planted when driving.
I will do the rear sway bar upgrade as the the cheapest and easiest way to improve handling
I have the 2015 tech and yeah handling is not good at all. What I have noticed tho is when I buy those 5 G jugs of water and them in the rear passenger seat, so this added more weight/force onto the chassis which makes the car more planted when driving.
I will do the rear sway bar upgrade as the the cheapest and easiest way to improve handling
08-29-2018, 10:13 AM
#17
get some koni yellows and pair them up with a spring that will suite your needs. h&R or eibach springs paired with koni yellows will greatly imporve the TLX handling. Dial out the understeer by increasing the rear sway bar thickness. Get a proper alignment.
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