'06 torque steer limiting mechanism - retrofit for earlier years?
09-25-2006, 01:25 PM
#1
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'06 torque steer limiting mechanism - retrofit for earlier years?
Hi!
New here. I haven't found anything solid in the archives, and a local dealer isn't forthcoming with the answer either, so...
What exactly did Acura do to reduce torque steer on the '06 TL manual? Did they just update the engine soft to reduce power in lower gears, or is there more to it?
What's involved in retrofitting this to earlier model years ('04-'05) and is it something that would be covered free of charge under warranty? If not, what would it cost? If it's just new software, then I'd assume upgrade would be very simple.
And finally, is it even worth bothering with, knowing that the downside will be power reduction? (On that note, does the '06 TL manual show worse acceleration on paper than the prior years because of this?)
I've read that installing the A-spec suspension already decreases the torque steer noticeably, so maybe further steps are not really needed...
Thanks for reading and responding to my newb questions.
Cheers,
Pete
New here. I haven't found anything solid in the archives, and a local dealer isn't forthcoming with the answer either, so...
What exactly did Acura do to reduce torque steer on the '06 TL manual? Did they just update the engine soft to reduce power in lower gears, or is there more to it?
What's involved in retrofitting this to earlier model years ('04-'05) and is it something that would be covered free of charge under warranty? If not, what would it cost? If it's just new software, then I'd assume upgrade would be very simple.
And finally, is it even worth bothering with, knowing that the downside will be power reduction? (On that note, does the '06 TL manual show worse acceleration on paper than the prior years because of this?)
I've read that installing the A-spec suspension already decreases the torque steer noticeably, so maybe further steps are not really needed...
Thanks for reading and responding to my newb questions.
Cheers,
Pete
09-25-2006, 01:54 PM
#3
Senior Moderator
He's referring to the LSD, which is available on every 6MT from 2004-6. There's no new fix.
09-25-2006, 02:00 PM
#4
Three Wheelin'
Originally Posted by neuronbob
He's referring to the LSD, which is available on every 6MT from 2004-6. There's no new fix.
Torque steer (the tendency for some front wheel drive cars to pull to the left or right during hard acceleration, especially in a turn) can be accentuated in high-performance front wheel drive cars when they are equipped with a limited slip differential. For 2006, Acura has taken steps to reduce torque steer in TLs equipped with a manual transmission. When the TL is in first or second gear, input from gear position, speed and steering angle sensors is used by the ECU to reduce power during acceleration, thus reducing torque steer. In first gear, torque can be reduced between 13 and 27 percent at full throttle, while in second gear, torque is reduced between zero and 10 percent. Torque output is reduced proportionately based on steering input--the larger the steering angle, the greater the reduction in torque. For those desiring maximum possible acceleration switching off the VSA also eliminates this torque reduction. This steering enhancement allows the TL to maintain the sporty, fun-to-drive character while providing more precise steering control.
http://hondanews.com/CatID3011?mid=2...57124&mime=asc
09-25-2006, 02:02 PM
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Originally Posted by geekybiker
There is a torque steer fix on the '06? Thats news to me.
http://www.hondanews.com/catID3014?m...57124&mime=asc
Quote from that page:
Torque steer (the tendency for some front wheel drive cars to pull to the left or right during hard acceleration, especially in a turn) can be accentuated in high-performance front wheel drive cars when they are equipped with a limited slip differential. For 2006, Acura has taken steps to reduce torque steer in TLs equipped with a manual transmission. When the TL is in first or second gear, input from gear position, speed and steering angle sensors is used by the ECU to reduce power during acceleration, thus reducing torque steer. In first gear, torque can be reduced between 13 and 27 percent at full throttle, while in second gear, torque is reduced between zero and 10 percent. Torque output is reduced proportionately based on steering input--the larger the steering angle, the greater the reduction in torque. For those desiring maximum possible acceleration switching off the VSA also eliminates this torque reduction. This steering enhancement allows the TL to maintain the sporty, fun-to-drive character while providing more precise steering control.
09-25-2006, 02:09 PM
#7
Three Wheelin'
Sounds like just a software fix. Maybe they can flash your ECU with the new software? In any case I wouldnt think its worth it since it doesnt actually fix anything apparently.
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09-25-2006, 02:09 PM
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There is a new fix for '06. The engine management computer reduces power to prevent torque steer on MT models...
For 2006, models with the 6-speed manual transmission receive changes to help reduce torque steer depending on how much the steering wheel is turned and how much throttle is applied. When the TL is in first or second gear, power to the front wheels is proportionately reduced based on input from speed and steering angle sensors, resulting in enhanced steering precision when accelerating through a corner.
http://www.hondanews.com/CatID0000?m...58086&mime=asc
For 2006, models with the 6-speed manual transmission receive changes to help reduce torque steer depending on how much the steering wheel is turned and how much throttle is applied. When the TL is in first or second gear, power to the front wheels is proportionately reduced based on input from speed and steering angle sensors, resulting in enhanced steering precision when accelerating through a corner.
http://www.hondanews.com/CatID0000?m...58086&mime=asc
09-25-2006, 02:13 PM
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Originally Posted by geekybiker
Sounds like just a software fix.
09-25-2006, 02:16 PM
#10
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It basically cuts power if the ECU thinks it'll result in torque steer. It only works when the VSA is on, and only applies to the 6MT, if I remember correctly.
I drive with the VSA off most of the time, so it's nothing desirable.
I drive with the VSA off most of the time, so it's nothing desirable.
09-25-2006, 03:53 PM
#11
Senior Moderator
Originally Posted by ndx2
It basically cuts power if the ECU thinks it'll result in torque steer. It only works when the VSA is on, and only applies to the 6MT, if I remember correctly.
I drive with the VSA off most of the time, so it's nothing desirable.
I drive with the VSA off most of the time, so it's nothing desirable.
09-26-2006, 05:27 PM
#12
www.seattlewhips.com
This was/is the stupidest solution to a problem. I.E. torque steer is lessened if the car is accelerating slower, therefore make the car accelerate slower to lessen the torque steer.
The torque steer on the TL is not that bad anyway.
i don't know if there is a huge difference btwn the 04/05 and 06. I have an 05 6MT. probably not noticeable but still the concept behind the solution is dumb. maybe the only solution, but i don't like the way Acura describes it... as if its some great engineering achievement.
01-20-2007, 06:43 PM
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05 vs 06
Everyone says that it’s a dumb solution. However, I found when I got a loaner from the dealer (06”TL) it handled a lot better during high speed acceleration. Better than my (05”TL). Keep in mind these are both Automatic transmissions. I swear something was improved on them as well, I could really feel a difference. I never thought my car was that bad I guess just realized how good it could be. What does everyone else think that has driven our owned both model years?
01-22-2007, 09:18 AM
#17
I have an '06MT with the software enhancements to the VSA to attenuate torque steer. I'd give it a C-. The car is still quirky in 1st or 2nd when you punch it hard with the front wheels turned. It pretty much goes away once you get into third.
I would say that the enhancement almost makes things worse, because it doesn't work consistently. I test drove an '05MT and an '06MT before I bought mine. The '05 consistently pulled hard and oversteered when you got on it in a turn, but did it predictably, whereas the '06 will start to pull and then stop. Your instinct is to correct when it starts to pull and as a result you can end up oversteering. I also find that when the system kicks in to start to reduce horsepower is variable, so it is difficult to fully trust it.
I don't think it's worth spending a lot of money to install it on an '05. I'd test drive an '06 with it before you take a the plunge.
The torque converter in the AT dampens the torque steer quite a bit and as a result, I think you can drive the AT harder in the lower gears with less concentration.
I would say that the enhancement almost makes things worse, because it doesn't work consistently. I test drove an '05MT and an '06MT before I bought mine. The '05 consistently pulled hard and oversteered when you got on it in a turn, but did it predictably, whereas the '06 will start to pull and then stop. Your instinct is to correct when it starts to pull and as a result you can end up oversteering. I also find that when the system kicks in to start to reduce horsepower is variable, so it is difficult to fully trust it.
I don't think it's worth spending a lot of money to install it on an '05. I'd test drive an '06 with it before you take a the plunge.
The torque converter in the AT dampens the torque steer quite a bit and as a result, I think you can drive the AT harder in the lower gears with less concentration.
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