We got some snow in Denver today. The RL can spin some pretty awesome donuts with the VSA turned off. BTW, the rear diff does not like this kind of nonsense. I got a brief warning that popped up that said the rear diff was getting too hot.

[youtube]JRZy1srSrsY[/youtube]

 

Did you try it with VSA on?

 

I can't wait for some snow so I can go to an empty parking lot and do the same thing haha

 

I feel two ways about this.

The kid in me: Way cool!!!

The father in me: Hooning in an RL?!?



I suppose you kept it in manual and first gear?

 

that's awesome. first thing i did last year when i got her in the snow.

 

A couple months ago, the first time it snowed, I tried it not really thinking about it. The car just understeers and won't spin. I remembered the VSA right away, turned it off and tried again. This was the first time I had somebody with me to get it on video.
Exactly.

 

Too bad Acura did put enough ponies and torque under the hood to do that on dry pavement.

 

The trick is getting a car NOT to do that (like the RL) anybody can do donuts with a light rear end and a live axle, even a Ford F150. Some of us remember the muscle cars of the 70's, a donut is about all that they could do.

 

Is there any technique in doing donuts? besides leaving it in first gear in manual? can it be left in second gear?
Would like to try to do some donuts!!! looks funn

 

I was going to suggest that it could be started in second gear, but the point of that is to gain more traction. Otherwise, turn the wheel and floor it. Well, floor it until you reach 5500 rpm, and then try to lay off and maintain that level.

 

looks like snow tires are a pre-requisite or your next donut will be into a curb or a tree.

 

Not really a lot of technique to it. Just keep it manageable and under control. Keep track of your surroundings so you don't run into trees, light poles or curbs. 2nd gear will be too low and probably give too much traction at such a low speed to really spin the tires. If you don't have a lot of experience with purposely breaking traction and controlling a fishtailing car I suggest you find a very large open parking lot to play around in. As soon as you ease up a little, countersteer out of the spin and roll back onto the throttle the car will pull right back out of it.
The car has snow tires on it. Hankook W300 IceBears. They are just fine for snow and ice...any snow tire will break traction like that when enticed to. I'm not too worried about running into a tree or curb. I grew up in Colorado. Have a ton of experience driving in the snow. Have been to weekend autocross and track days plenty enough to know how to control a vehicle at speed and under varying traction conditions. I ran my Prelude with a race suspension and 215/40R17 Nitto NeoGens for a good 5 or so winters in numerous heavy snow storms and have never been in an accident in my life. Thanks for the concern though.

 

my concern was not for you but for everyone else thinking of doing that. If they skip the winter tire part they won't enjoy the end result.

 

I can do that with my Jeep on dry asphalt, but can't do it until the tires are ready to be replaced...cause they're gonna need it after such "fun". Having that other outlet, I would never even consider it with the RL and my 'spensive tahrs.

 

In that case, yes, I would highly recommend winter tires for this. All season or summer tires would get out of control quickly. I guess if you're in a big wide open parking lot it doesn't really matter though.
Yeah, I don't think the RL could do that on dry pavement, even with bald tires. My winter tires are free so I can burn them up all I want. I get a new set every season.

 

thanks,

so when this is done in snow, am i expecting to lose a lot of tread doing this on brand new all season tires?

 

Not really. The ice/snow should keep them sliding enough to keep them from wearing down a ton. I will say that after a couple times around I can smell burning rubber though. I checked my tires when I rotated them yesterday and didn't see any crazy wear on them.

 

Unless it's on an incline.

It will keep them colder too.

 

Really cool and tempting but I w'd never put my RL through that kind of stress, specially on these Montreal roads.

 

Sick nuts!!

 

In Russia, car spins you!

 

wow

 

Can't wait to get snow and see what the 2010 RL can do. I might get in trouble by the wife but wil see.