Is there a major difference in the steering of the new models and the '05's? I have an 05 that i took in for the recall today and they surprisingly gave me a new RL with 1400mi on it as the loaner. I noticed a vast difference in smoothness when turning the wheel and how easy it was to turn.

Didn't know if a lot was changed on the cars that would make that happen or if something is wrong with mine. lol

 

Brand new car vs. not so new perhaps?

LL

 

09+ introduced some changes, in particular see the last paragraph

ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED, SPEED-SENSING, VARIABLE POWER ASSIST RACK-AND-PINION STEERING

Precise steering performance is an essential facet of the 2009 RL. The goals were to combine a light effort, yet linear steering feel at low speeds with a heavier and more solid steering feel at higher speeds. Such a request is beyond the range of traditional steering systems, thus the RL uses a unique electronically-controlled, speed-sensing, variable power assist rack and pinion steering system. Together with SH-AWD™ and the neutral handling characteristics of the chassis, the RL is engineered to feel like a smaller car than it actually is.

Compared to traditional mechanically controlled hydraulic power steering, the RL's speed-sensing steering assist unit is controlled electronically. Not only does the system free up additional power, but the electronically controlled assist provides a very linear and direct steering feel regardless of vehicle speed. In particular, the on-center feel is very precise and linear, with no discernible "dead spot."

To further improve the RL's steering feel and accuracy, engineers changed the diameter of the steering valves, improved the design of the steering rack guide, and incorporated an all-new CNI steering joint. The previous design was constructed of a soft rubber-to-rubber coupling. On the 2009 RL, the new CNI joint has higher rigidity due to being made of steel matched higher durometer rubber. The result is better steering accuracy with more linear response. In addition, engineers developed revised electronic control parameters for the steering system.

 

Was it a 2011 or a 2010 loaner car that you drove?

 

Could be different tires (assuming you mean while driving).

 

im pretty sure it was a '10. but it had the tech package and wood grain and all that. surprised they used it as a loaner as they typically give out TL's and MDX's.

It was the electronic steering that was the difference. If you haven't driven one of them with this I urge you to go test one. Its literally night and day from the hydrolic system used in my '05. you could pratically steer with 2fingers. Its amazingly light.

Oh and the Sport drive you can drive in was fun. I liked the option to let the car just do the gears but in sport mode, while also giving u the option to shift yourself with the paddles.

Now if i had the 50-60K laying around id be all over that car but thats not the case here. lol

Also driving a white car just more so made me regret my black RL. such a hassel to keep the thing clean. haha

 

You are incorrect. I believe all 2nd gen RLs have electronic steering. I just looked my '06 up on Acura.com and found this...

Steering Type: Electronically controlled, speed-sensing, variable power-assist rack-and-pinion

http://owners.acura.com/Model/Specif...spx?id=Chassis

 

I noticed that going from RJ 22lb rims w/ Michelin Pilot Sport A/S to stock rims 30lb/each with Conti Extreme's the steering felt a lot lighter.

I have no idea why, but the difference was major.

As far as the RL it self, the steering effort is less at lower speeds and higher at high speeds.

 

037-

steering was lighter/easier with RJ or with stock wheels?

what "felt" better.... the lighter wheels or OEM? I dind't think OEM wheels weighed 30lbs..morel ike 25 or 26...or are they heavier on the newer RLs like yours???

 

The low profile tires should in fact help steering response compared to the 05's as 09+ get 18's. The different steering gear on the 09+ is what helps the the lightness.

Now 037's steering on his 09 would have gotten even more responsive/lighter duh to the lighter rims. Low end acceleration would have improved too due to the less rotational mass the motor would have to move. It would be equivalent to him gaining about almost 10ft/lbs more torque.

When I had my CL-S6. I changed my 30lb stock rins for 18lbs Volks. The added acceleration was sick but also the added torque steer because it was easier to turn those tires than stock.

 

GoHawks, I'm not an expert on US spec RLs, but in Europe they have sold two models from the start, one with hydraulic steering and one with electronic. The electronic was required to work with the Lane Keep Assist automatic steering. As well as a lighter feel the electronic has the advantage of slightly improved mpg.

 

steering effort was significantly less with stocks rims (which are 30lb a piece, 18")

 

See Cas2 post above yours. there evidently were changes made to make it even lighter. I have an 05 RL and i think 06 was when they introduced a bunch of tech stuff in the car like the backup camera. I have navigation but no rear camera in my car.

regardless the steering on that '10 was dramatically different than mine and it and im on stock rims and everything so its not something like that effecting my judgment.

 

I test drove the new 2011 RL last week on a variety of roads. The most surprising thing to me was how similar the 2011 drove compared to my 2006 (133k miles). I did like the smoothness of the 6 speed and it is somewhat more spirited off the line. I hardly noticed any difference in the steering if any at all.

The best part of the test drive was realizing (no surprise) how well engineered and built the RL is. 133k well cared for miles, many of them on the DC beltway, no rattles, no vibrations, and still drives very comparable to a brand new one (and still looks showroom new inside and out!).

My RL has new Michelin Primacy's and of course the brand new demo had stock Michelins too.

 

then the change was in 06 then b/c my 05 deff is way different steering wise. and my car has
nicer tires than the stock ones so its not that.

 

I'm not disputing that changes may have been made. My post specifically addressed the statement that electronic power steering was introduced in 2010 models, when in fact all 2nd gen RLs have electronic power steering.

 

Hawks is correct, all 2G RL came with EPS. Look at the 05 introduction info written in August 2004...

http://hondanews.com/channels/acura-...assis?query=rl

Compared to traditional mechanically controlled hydraulic power steering, the speed-sensing steering assist unit in the RL is controlled electronically. As a result, it provides a very linear and direct steering feel regardless of vehicle speed. In particular, the on-center feel is very precise and linear, with no discernible "dead spot."

The change in 09+ is the last paragraph I extracted from the 09 RL in Post #3

To further improve the RL's steering feel and accuracy, engineers changed the diameter of the steering valves, improved the design of the steering rack guide, and incorporated an all-new CNI steering joint. The previous design was constructed of a soft rubber-to-rubber coupling. On the 2009 RL, the new CNI joint has higher rigidity due to being made of steel matched higher durometer rubber. The result is better steering accuracy with more linear response. In addition, engineers developed revised electronic control parameters for the steering system.

 

ahhhhh gotcha. well still anyone with a pre'09 looking at a new car should test one out. i loved my car till i drove that '10 model. lol