Hi guys,

Been looking to upgrade to a 05 or newer RL. I live in Reno NV, and it does snow occasionaly. I own a pilot, is the 4wd simular? Any one with snow feedback, good or bad?

Thanks
Jason

 

First question: I own a Pilot "4WD" and an RL. The Pilot is FWD and the 4WD system is part-time, activating only with slippery conditions. SH-AWD on the RL is full-time and provides both dry handling via torque vectoring, and wet/snow handling via the same tech.

Answer to second question:
https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-rl-2005-2012-76/snow-handling-495741/

https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-rl-2005-2012-76/rl-snow-traction-498840/

Cliff's: Handles snow great with good tires, either all-season or winter.

 

I posted this awhile back in one of my RL / LEGEND video searches, but it is pretty demonstrative....

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...L+&vt=lf&hl=en

 

Living in the northeast I'd been cautioned in another thread about the stock Michelin AS tires. I just purchased a set of used OEM rims and plant to mount Dunlop M3s (225/55-17). I used them on my 03 TL and was very satisifed in all respects (grip, handling, noise). There is a small penalty in mileage due to the extra grip (higher rolling resistance).

 

And I think the operative word with the Cliff's Notes is "good" tires. The OEM Michelin Pilot HX MXM4, like many OEM tires may not fall into the "good" category for many.

 

last year I drove from the grand sierra resort (the old reno hilton by the airport) to mt. rose and it was snowing a lot. I found the car performed pretty well. There were several inches on the ground. I was not slipping or sliding. My only issue was my windshield wiper. It was really bad and I couldn't see through the window. It was snowing pretty heavily, especially on the mt rose hwy, but the wiper was dismal. I know there is a tsb on this: 007-009 . I drove slowly, like 20 mph though, and I didn't feel like I was invincible, that's for sure..

 

Could you describe in a little more detail what was happening with the wiper in the snow.....was it just not keeping up with the snow, or did it get stuck? Do you think it is in the wiper blade design or did the wipers lack sufficient power to clear the snow? Also, would use of the squirters intermittently have helped...I find the need to do this sometimes if the snow is really wet and heavy.

I'd be interested to know what the fix suggested by the TSB was.

Thanks.

 

If I know how to do something it's driving in snow, having grown up in Vermont, and spent many a mile driving in snowy conditions.

There are two things that limit the RL's ability to drive in snow;

Ground Clearance

Crappy OEM Michelin tires.

That said, it's right up there with the Audi Quattro, in both dry and wet/snowy conditions.

I take great delight in rocketing away from stoplights while other 4 dr luxury sedans fishtail slowly away.

 

I couldn't keep the snow off the windshield. It just smeared on there and I was completely blinded. I basically had to stop because I couldn't see. It was frightening... I have the tsb.. but not sure how to attach here, so I am copying the text below:

Windshield Wiper Doesn’t Clean Snow or Slush From the Windshield
(Supersedes 07-009, dated February 16, 2007, to update the information marked by the black bar)
SYMPTOM
The driver’s side windshield wiper doesn’t properly
clean snow or slush off of the windshield.
PROBABLE CAUSE
There is insufficient wiper blade pressure against the
windshield.
CORRECTIVE ACTION
Replace the wiper linkage assembly and the driver’s
side windshield wiper arm and blade assembly.
PARTS INFORMATION
Wiper Arm and Blade Assembly: P/N 76640-SJA-G02
Wiper Linkage Assembly: P/N 76530-SJA-G01
WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION
In warranty: The normal warranty applies.
Operation Number: 740115
Flat Rate Time: 0.7 hour
Failed Part: P/N 76600-SJA-A01
Defect Code: 00503
Symptom Code: 06301
Template ID: 07-009A
Skill Level: Repair Technician
Out of warranty: Any repair performed after warranty
expiration may be eligible for goodwill consideration by
the District Parts and Service Manager or your Zone
Office. You must request consideration, and get a
decision, before starting work

 

Very interesting. Thanks. I hope the new parts eliminate the problem.

Judging from the date being before the 09 RL was released, I guess it is possible that the correction already exists on it.

 

FWIW, I had bad wiper performance on the passenger side only, and complained to the dealer about 1.5 years after delivery during a service. They fixed it under warranty. Not sure if they applied the TSB or not.

My issue was that the center portion of the passenger side wiper did not clear snow very well at all, and even in rain, left noticeable streaking.

The dealer replaced the blades and said the tension was adjusted to put more down force on the wipers. They work really well now in the rain. Have not had any snow yet, so we will see.

Bottom line, it cannot hurt to bring it into the dealer whether they apply the TSB or not, they seem to know how to fix it.

 

Road & Track did an evaluation of Acura's SHAWD the MDX, the RDX and then the RL....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=em-Cg0FOfRA