Milliron

Driving to work exuberently today because I didn't have my kids in back for once. There is a quick turn near my house that is a bit dangerous as it is blind, under an overpass and quite tight. My two week old TL takes it with aplomb, however, and it showcases the capabilities of SH-AWD.

I scanned the road leading up to it for ice (it's 19 here today), and everthing seemed pretty dry. Came into the turn rather fast and . . . went sideways on black ice. I was headed right into a pickup with a trailer sitting at the light.

Traction control kicked on, the back end swung back in, I was still sliding sideways and was preparing for impact, but the TL dug in and we made it. I must have missed the guy's trailer by inches.

Lessons:

1. That turn is nothing to play with.
2. Cold all-season tires blow.
3. The TL is a better car than I am a driver.

Now, if you'll excuse me I'm going to pry the seat cushion out of my ass.

docboy

Glad to hear your okay.

Black ice is definitely nothing to scoff at, even if you have AWD or snow tires.

IMHO, Acura's traction control AND SH-AWD is worth the extra cost, esp when a scenario like yours unforseeably occurs.

bagbklyn

Note to self the tires are more important than the driver in certain conditions. I think many don't realize how important tires are. I think with winter tires you would have been fine like you said all season cold tires won't do it.

Kingmeow

Yikes! Glad your two week old TL didn't kiss the big one. It would have really sucked! All wheel drive doesn't mean all wheel stop.

SebringSilver

Get proper snow tires. When mated to a good AWD system, winter driving can be both fun AND safe.

Six Shifter

lessons all realized nearly 20 years ago when I had the opportunity to own an AWD 2 door Audo Quattro Coupe in Northern England. lessons most people in SUV's will never realize because they think they're invincible.

PetesTL

On ice, snow tires and/or AWD won't make that big of a difference. You just have to be very careful. (AWD and snow tires can give you a false sense of security that you can tackle ANYTHING.....until you learn the hard way).

ckrieg

haha lucky! Thing to keep in mind about awd when sliding out of control: keep on the gas and look where you want to go, forget about what you might hit. It will pull you out

xrays

Scary! Glad to here you are okay. Black ice can kill you..literally!
There are certain laws of physics that no amount of snow tires, AWD, traction control, VSA, or anti-lock brakes will let you escape.

jangkai

Wow you got lucky! Did you counter steer?

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

Glad you are ok.

Milliron

I had very little room to move. Mostly I let the ABS chatter and steered my way out of it. When I straightened out, I hit the gas. It seemed to take forever. I was sure I was going to hit the guy's trailer.

I could feel the traction control kick in, and really I didn't fishtail much at all, but I was on a single lane road underneath a train overpass. Zero room for error. The SH-AWD saved it. If I had been in any other car, I would have slid right into the truck.

Yep, still puckered from that one and driving like an old lady for the time being.

YetiTL

Glad to know you're alright! That was Fate special Christmas present for 2009!

Mistakes happen to all of us, at least you seem to have learned some good lessons, you'll be a much better driver now!

And yes, we can't escape the laws of physics, even with a full array a subsystems, AWD and good driving skills.

I hope your granny driving style will go away next spring, now you'll be able to exploit SH-AWD for much funnier stuff!

Have a great day!
-YetiTL