Riddler2222

As some of you might be experiencing, the Midwest is getting pounded with snow after a week of temps. in the 60s.

Currently I have 10" where I live and it's still coming down. I decided to work out of the house rather then deal with the unplowed roads. I haven't ventured to take the RL in it yet.

Have any of you gone out in it? How does SH-AWD handle in heavy snow?

GoHawks

My office closed today so I haven't gone out either.

sotiri

Chicago- North burbs.
It handles great.
06 with pax tires.
love the AWD.

neuronbob

We've only gotten heavy rain here in Cleveland with this system, but we did have significant snow a few weeks ago. I commented on the SH-AWD and the surprisingly competent Toyo Proxes 4 tires I used.

I think you'll be fine in the snow with moderate driving.

Javadog

Seattle was hit earlier this week with the storm you are now getting. I'm happy to report I was impressed and surprised how well my 06 Rl w/Perelli PZero's handled. I'd been dying to try out the system in horrible conditions after less than desireable experiences with my 03 TL. I've had a life of inclimate mountain driving, as I'm a skiier, and always drove 4WD Fords to brave the snow and ice. The RL SHAWD is awesome. Out handled my Expedition due to the low CG and active AWD. Put studs or a well reputed winter tire on and you'll get around town ( with caution, of course) with confidence. I can't say enough about my overall experiences with my RL.

Safe driving!!

bkw

Last year we had a few hefty blizzards around here and the RL + Wintersport M3's got me through perfectly.

Riddler2222

I took the car out in the afternoon to run over to the Post Office. I saw many cars get stuck turning into the sub division as they were not plowed. My RL went through it with grace and ease. I was extremely impressed at how well the car does in heavy snow. SH-AWD is a great thing!!!

AsianTL

I am glad to hear that.

CometVR4

Does the graph show any changes in the AWD in the snow as far as transfering power. Did wheels slip any? VSA engage?

GoHawks

Took my son to hockey practice this morning and several roads were still snowpacked with deep ruts. I was impressed. The car tracked perfectly and not once got squirrely. Never felt the VSA engagem so the AWD must do a good job of pulling it through.

Riddler2222

Funny you should mention that. I had it on display, and watched, the front wheels were getting much more power as it should and when the car gave me the feel of a slight slide, the car's rear and front adjusted immediately and the car was completely stable.

Driving home late last night, I did hit a patch of ice as I was breaking, the ABS kicked in and the car stopped straight with no pull to either side whatsoever. Very little vibration in the break pedal like older traditional ABS cars.

The RL gives me, as I hope it gives all of you, a great sense of safety and control even during adverse driving conditions.

***Side not, the tempature tonite was 14F, the heated seats warm up very fast and the cabin temperature warmed up immediately.

neuronbob

See, I keep telling people that SH-AWD is the shiznit. I'm glad that Acura has plans to intall it across its entire line of cars.

GoHawks

It's going to go down to 0 tonight. It just breaks my heart to see it so dirty.

Rich in NC

It's going to do better than most cars without 4 wheel drive but not as good as some 2WD cars with real winter snow tires. Acura's tires have very closed treads to keep them quiet. This severely limits their snow capability as the treads easily clog.

MIDRVR

Same storm hit MI area on Friday. Wife and I had a meeting together with others and then seperate appointments afterwards so we drove to the first meeting seperately. I followed her - (I was in my AWD Tahoe) her 06 RL had no problems with the 5 inches of mixed snow and ice (with reasonable driving). My only concern for the RL was ground clearance but there was no highspotting on snow/ice yet at 5 inches. She reported no trouble on turns, accelerating, braking and even the one-way bridges around here that get little traffic and ice quickly. Roads weren't plowed yet except for major ones - if we'd had 8-10 inches then I think she would have had problems with "plowing" snow and ice under the vehicle and eventually getting stuck. On plowed and semi-plowed roads - no problems.

CometVR4

Sounds good. I was just curious as to how well The RL performed. My mother used to have a 05 RL before she bought a RX350.
I used to take curves fast watching the display (Dangerous I know) just to see it SH-AWD work. I noticed it even shift power to the outside rear wheel even if you're off the accerlator.

Rob L

The AWD helps cover the crappy snow handling quality of the OEM Michelins.

I am prolly gonna get snow tires put on this winter so I can have the best of both worlds. Naturally though it probably won't snow much just like it didn't this past winter when we had I think 8" total of snow all winter.

In winter 05 (meaning jan-feb 05) I drove my RL after heavy snow falls and the tires are pure crap. Thank goodness the car had AWD or I'd have spun out a few times when merely driving in a straight line at a cautious speed.

Rich in NC

1. High performance, quiet treads that clog in the snow.

2. Considerably noisier slightly less grip and more wear tires that do better in the snow.

Choose one of the above.

lsbuffs

No problem in snow. On ice, OEM tires will take years off your life. I put on Dunlop Wintersport M3s last year, and just had them remounted last week. Night and day difference in icy conditions.