Hey all. This coming winter will be my first with the RDX. I'm curious which works better in the slippery stuff, if at all. Regular "D" mode or Sport "S" mode?

Thanks!

 

IMO, they are the same except sport won't go above third gear unless you use the paddles.

Just put it in D and use the S for fun.

 

you can downshift in D mode if you ever need to engine brake just paddle down. I'd still use the brakes, cheaper to replace then a motor or tranny :P, then again if its your life and the life of others in your hands, do what you need to do to stop the vehicle.

 

I have a Saab with "winter" mode. What does is that starts the car in third gear, preventing slippage from too much power on the wheels. I have not had a chance to "really" experience the RDX in the snow, but I would think that it does not matter much since the AWD would be taking care of it. Also, braking is what really matters in the winter, so pay more attention to that...

 

biggest benefit is being able to LEAVE the car in the gear

last winter, tremendous amount of snow....

yea awd all the time helps, but being able to leave it in 2nd especially for going thu snow/unplowed stuff in the morning helps big time...also given the nature of power delivery in the RDX....its unlike a punchy v6, wheel slippage doesnt come right away unless ur on the pedal hard, but at that point the awd/vsa should be holding it back

so yea, just like any other car with selectable gears thru the shift....engaging lower gears obviously helps...we just have to do it in S mode but its a pretty normal thing

 

fyi sport mode doesnt go above 4th gear unless you manually upshift after 45mph.

as far as our car you can be in drive, paddleshift up to second to start out of u think you will have a problem. honestly after 2 ny winters with this thing, i havent had 1 problem going in the snow (if you do turn off vsa might help) biggest problem as with all cars is stopping, and that is what snow tires and smart driving are for. best of luck and enjoy your winter, this car rocks in the snow!

 

Thanks everyone for your replies! I agree, being able to hold a gear is an awesome benefit in the snow. I leave pretty early in the morning for work so if there is fresh snowfall it's usually not plowed yet. From all that I've read so far the RDX does just fine with stock rubber thanks to it's SH-AWD. Looking forward to it.

 

Comfort but thinking of switching to the "SPORT" dark side.

 

Really reviving an old thread here I would put it in drive and be lite on the gas and the brakes. This way you prevent spinning and sliding in the snow. Get some nice Michelin Cross Climates 2's!

 

It is my first winter up here in Canada with the RDX. I have an 07 and put on my old sti winter setup. These things are actually really good surprisingly in the snow!
I can whip it around corners and almost drive as If i'm in normal weather. Anyway I used the S mode just so I could control what gear I was in for added stability.
The only shame is I wish these things came in stick. I live out of town, out of the city so I would suggest Bridgestone Blizzaks to anyone who has to drive on unplowed back roads.

 

I don't think they would have enough sales to fund a manual rdx for financial reasons.

 

I've been using Nokians for winter for a few years. If they're good enough for a Finland winter a north east Washington winter should be a cakewalk. I've driven on a foot of snow over ice with no issues.
They have gone 208 mph on ice with them, so I'm good
https://www.nokiantires.com/innovati...t-on-ice-2013/

 

208 mph on ice wtf in a lambo?

 

1. Also running Nokians. Always good, always long lasting.
2. I think the car is better in the snow with stability off, at least if you're flinging it around for fun. I leave it on for highway travel but there's more fun on tap with it off. Usually running S-manual at that point.

 

Audi

 

Quattro

 

Keep it in D. I've been in the snow in mine a couple of times. The AWD keeps traction in control. Watch your braking like stated above tho...

 

Sport Mode with paddle shifters

 

...and VSA off.