ShadowGirl

It seems like a general concensus that the RDX does well in winter driving conditions. I'm wondering whether anybody has experienced how the RDX does when there is freezing rain? It doesn't happen very often here in Calgary, but when it does, I've seen more than a few accidents because the freezing rain creates a flat sheet of thin ice on the road, making for really difficult driving!

mau108

nothings good on ice regardless of vehicle or tires. Just drive slowly or try not to drive at all.

ShadowGirl

Thanks mau108 that's sound advice. I wouldn't expect the SHAWD to work miracles - if I drive like a maniac on icy roads, nothing will save me from going into the ditch! I'm used to driving a FWD, so I'm curious to see what a difference there will be on snow and ice in the RDX.

loulinjai

ShadowGirl, which part of Calgary are you from? just wondering.

ShadowGirl

Hey loulinjai...I see you're a Calgarian too! I'm in the far Southeast (Cranston). Not too many RDXs around in Calgary, which is actually one of the things I liked about it!

mau108

In terms of driving on ice and awd, I'd feel more safe in a heavy fwd then a heavy AWD. AWD does have a tendency to throw the rear end out which is more scary and hard to control.

NOW HERE IS THE BIG BUT, i am talking about the CRV Awd system not the SH AWD, the CRV AWD system is a bit different then the SH AWD found on the RDX.

ShadowGirl

Sounds like I'll have to do a bit of practicing when the snow starts to fly! I already find the RDX more responsive than my Accord (tho that's 10 years old now). I had to to dodge a flying rock today coming from the back end of a truck in front of me, and I was surprised at how quickly the RDX responded!

mau108

ya the RDX is awesome and I hope the AWD system reacts better in the snow then our CRV did.

neo1738

well for the most part, except for acceleration, which i think we agree is great in most any weather with the AWD, really what your wondering is how is the VSA. I have driven on icy and snowy rodes quite a bit up here in Upstate NY, and this vehicle handles pretty well as long as you keep it slow. I have only seen the VSA light kick on a couple times, and that is usually because of slippage. When this happens the car being throttle by wire, stops influx of fuel and air into the engine to reduce slippage. So long story short,

AWD will get the car moving.
VSA will help in ice and other slick conditions
All cars have 4 wheel stopping power, and people still have accidents, usually due to excessive speed.
Snow tires will help, but not much.

chipt911

I live in western NY where we get a bunch of snow and ice. My wife had a CRV and while that was better than a FWD, the RDX beats it hands down in winter weather. That's one of the reasons we bought it.

lumpulus

Studs work great...I used to be able to drive just about anywhere when I har studded snows on my RSX...unless the snow got too deep.

XLR8R

Freezing rain = zero traction. Now you have All Wheel zero traction instead of Front Wheel zero traction. (Studs would help though.)

mau108

studs would kill fuel economy lol

mav238

As one of the posters pointed out, if you have freezing rain, the regular tires on the RDX will not have next to no traction. On snow covered roads, the AWD should help significantly.

If you have to deal with freezing rain regularly in your Calgarian winters, then I suggest you swap out the all-seasons for some Bridgestone Blizzaks, it is not going to work miracles, but it should much than the all-seasons and help the AWD system to work more efficiently.