Looks like we are having the first real snowfall of the season. I presume Snow Mode could come in handy, except I realize that I do not know what Snow mode does. Start car in higher gear? Activate always on AWD/power to all 4 wheels with power shift when slipping? Speed limiting? All of these? None of these? Thanks!

 

 

SH-AWD is a full time AWD system that is always active regardless of mode. The snow mode only makes it so it starts in a higher gear and dulls the throttle sensitivity to limit wheel spin on takeoff. I don't think it causes the AWD to be more reactive though.

 

That's correct.....starts in a higher gear. Recently changed the 20's out to winter tires. Snow mode, Comfort mode, whatever....an absolute beast in snow/ice. I don't know who makes the most advanced/best AWD system (this one....Subaru's...whoever) but it is impressive as hell.

 

Snow mode on most vehicles also changes the behavior of the traction control. Not sure if that's the case with the RDX though.

 

Had my Advance in 10"+ during hunting season. Was able to ascend up the 30 degree driveway to our farmhouse with ease in Snow mode. Have the 20" diamond cuts and Goodyear R/SAs on.
Did not feel the wheels spin and throttle did feel weak/mushy as others have stated. Next day I forgot to switch from Sport to Snow and was able to spin the wheels a bit, but it kind of felt like a snowmobile. Tracks very nice.

Watching the forecast here in NYC area this weekend too.

Regards ---------------

 

I tried snow mode today for the first time. The snow was not deep, so I did not notice the traction aspects, but when I approached a stop sign and took my foot off the gas, it seemed to slow more on its own to reduce the braking that needed to be done. Makes sense to try to minimize slides.

 

Testing today with the SH-AWD screen open, a definite emphasis on power to the front wheels.

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Nice, I'm in NJ waiting to see if I can put it through the paces in the snow. Excited to see what this thing can do.

 

This is me driving in Seattle. Grades are around 20-40% so it's pretty steep. We got a pretty good amount coming down. Made it through a parking lot w/ about 8" of fresh snow. Made it in slush / ice / snow w/o problems.

 

Do you realize that a 40% grade would be considered steep on a downhill ski run? Those didn't look like snowcats on the road. 20% grade is very steep but credible for a paved road.

 

What is % grade in degrees? Is 50% grade 45 degrees?

 

I posted this in my other thread -- but this is a road near my neighborhood. It pretty much is.

Slope grade wiki 100% grade is 45 degrees, 40%grade (21 degrees), 60% grade (31 degrees)

 

Yes, 100% grade means for every foot (or meter) horizontally, the slope goes up the same amount vertically. It basically forms an isosceles right triangle. (note the 45% at both angles)

 

I have a similar hill about a mile from my house, that I drive almost every day. I know it's about a 20% grade because I have numerous GPS traces from my bicycle to prove it. There are very few paved roads that exceed 20% grade, especially in northern climates, because they would be impossible to maintain. Besides, if they were there, some sadistic bastard would have included it in a bicycle event course and I probably would have ridden it.

BTW, if you don't have a GPS on your bike, you know it's about 20% grade when your front wheel starts lifting off the ground if you try to pedal while seated.

But it's nice to see that it's not just our local road designers that favor the direct approach to a problem.

FWIW my RDX SH-AWD with snow tires does fine on my local "paved ski jump", even when it's snow packed. And I have yet to bother with "snow mode".

 

Baldwin St in Dunedin, New Zealand is considered the world's steepest residential street at 35%

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baldwin_Street