We have a steep grassy bank about 15 feet long at our office and I've used it over the years to test my vehicles 4 wheel capability. Just guessing I'd say it is about 30 to 35 degrees (it is steep enough that when backing down this afternoon the RL's backup sensors were screaming because they were pointing at the ground). Front wheel drive cars won't go up the slope (our 02 RL would not). My 02 Silverado Z71 won't go up in two wheel drive. Our AWD RX 400h will barely go up as it is real unhappy with wheels slipping, bucking/jerking movements (as the rear electric motor switches on and off).

My 06 RL just went on up and over with no wheel slippage or hesitation. Maybe after it has 100K miles I'll stop using it for sales calls and jack up the suspension, put on some humongous big-cleated tires and make it into a true off-roading/rock clambering car.

This 2006 RL is a sweet car. Great AWD system for going up steep inclines. The SH-AWD display was interesting to watch as it showed power being diverted to both rear wheels.

 

Since you seem to do this often take some poictures next time and post them

 

I'm trying to get a mental picture of an RL all jacked up with humongous cleated tires, and my brain is slipping and jerking like the tires on your RX400h.
.
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I'm really afraid to see what that will be like.

Again, SH-AWD is the shiznit.

 

Backfire, thanks for the suggestion. Will take a picture sometime in the next week or so. Am traveling the remainder of this week. It has also rained which makes for tire ruts in the hillside (grass over red clay) and my fellow business owner (wife) gives me heck for de-beautifying the landscape.

 

The AWD system of the RL offers excellent traction regardless of what you throw at it. As far as traction is concerned the only limit is the tires. I wouldn't be afraid to throw it on any ROAD regardless of incline or surface material. It even does admirably on ice despite the all season tires. I drove mine off the road on a curve covered by gravel (very scary) and ended up on a wet, grass covered ditch. I drove out without any drama whatsoever. BTW if you do ever get stuck, simply turn off the VSA so as to allow some wheelspin, that should get you out of pretty much any sticky situation.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dXtQZk4nEU

Finally got around to making a video of my RL climbing up a steep hill. In the video you will hear a crunch sound as it first goes up the hill. The hook protruding beneath the trunk hill the concrete when the car changed angle. Fortunately, no damage was done. You will also note that I did not drive the car over the top of the hill. The hill has a quick transition at the top coupled with a 6" deep curb to the road. The RL is a bit short-legged and bottoms hard when crabbing over that transition whereas my Silverado Z71's suspension sits a lot higher which enables it to go over the transition.

Note the steps in the picture. It serves to show how steep the hill is. Also, note the willow oak in the picture. There were a lot of loose small leaves intersperced between the grass clumps. No slipping or sliding as the RL went up the hill. Our 2002 RL will not go up the hill.

 

Sorry, this is my first youtube upload and did not realize it takes youtube a while for the video is a made available. Please check back later to see the video.
Thanks,
wstr75

 

I'm pretty sure Acura has already made something like this.. the MDX

 

Interesting video! Thanks for the effort. Once again, we prove that SH-AWD is great at multitasking. Hopefully there's no damage to the hook on your car.

I'll go put on some offroad tires now!

 

I bet you freaked out that pickup truck that was going by as you came up the hill! Great vid!

 

haha... awesome video!

I love SH-AWD, period.

 

Cool vid.

Comments made me laff.


Although, my driveway is pretty steep as well (believe it or not, a little less than that), and the RL on ICE will still get on no sweat.

So grass is nothing

 

Front wheels spun a bit as you got up on the hill.

nice.