I did a thread search but came up empty-handed.

I was on a zoom video call with my very young nephew, and he's starting to get into cars. I showed him my RDX and he noticed the SH-AWD badge. "That's like AWD only better, right Uncle Vince?" His question caught me off guard and I realized I didn't have a simple answer for him. I described it how I understood it, and he says, "OK, cool." I suppose I could have said to go on youtube and watch a Motor Trend video or to the Acura site but I really wanted to nail this myself.

I used to teach my employees to practice and deliver their 30-second elevator speech to describe to potential vendors and clients what our company was all about to get them interested in our business. I did not achieve that with my young nephew and now I want to go back and start over. I sort of feel like I failed him.

I also recognize we've come a long way since we were young kids when we used to hang out with our dads or friends on a Saturday night in summer with the hood up, hanging lamp attached and describing how the carburetor works, and changing out the points, plugs and condenser. Everything seemed so simple then.

 

SH-AWD, by itself, is fairly simple as I understand it according to Acura.

Depending on demand, it will deliver from 0%, up to 70% of the total drive torque to the rear wheels and up to 100% of that to either rear wheel, as needed.

That's it. Don't confuse it with the other performance systems in the car like drive modes (i.e., Snow, Comfort, Sport & Sport+), transmission modes (Drive & Sequential) or Active Dampers. Those are separate systems and they all interact differently.

That's my 30-second pitch.

 

Yes. Like AWD, only better.

 

Sometimes the first answer is the best answer. Even from a 12 year-old.

 

...mouths of babes.

 

I would explain it this way.

There are many AWD vehicles on the road today. Some of these vehicles also claim to have torque vectoring AWD (which SH-AWD is a form of).

The purpose of these other AWD systems (in most cases) is simply to provide better traction on slippery roads whether that be ice and snow, or steep dirt roads.

The goal of SH-AWD is to provide better handling at higher speeds on curves. And it does a really amazing job at doing that. However my guess is that most drivers have never experienced the effects of SH-AWD.

The effect does not come into effect unless a lot of torque is being applied by the engine, and it goes against common sense to push down on the accelerator when you feel the RDX is already at it's limits in the curve. But if you take the chance and push down the pedal about 3/4 of the way through the turn, you will be surprised by how the RDX levels out and accelerates as the road begins to straighten out.

 

Try accelerating onto the highway off a cloverleaf in heavy rain. You'll feel it. Pretty amazing.

And don't forget to watch the little chevrons on the SH-AWD display.

 

Good point. I think instead of getting too technical with torque vectoring and wonky explanation, I should have simply described my experience driving with SH-AWD. Being my first vehicle with SH-AWD, I've felt the difference and as you say, most drivers have never experienced the effects of SH-AWD.

 

True, it's a lot of fun to watch. One of my favorite things to do while driving, next to ELS 3D!

 

For me the best way to experience sh-awd is to go into and empty snow covered parking lot. Turn off traction control and let it rip. It's truly magical lol.

 

In the scenario I described, accelerating around a curve in heavy rain, most FWD cars will plow or understeer. Most RWD cars will fishtail or oversteer. I have felt some drift on occasion but I've never gotten it beyond the point of control. I'd like to get a feel for where the limit is but I don't have a skid pad available to me.

So far, with less than 20k mi. on them, the Continentals are excellent in the rain and adequate in snow and slush. I don't know how long they'll be that way but I'll see.

 

It’s the PUSH! You’ll notice it in corners as long as you have power on.

 

I had a high speed, uphill sweeper to the highway. I loved gunning it with my 535, and I loved gunning it with my RDX.

I had to back off sooner with the 535, but both cars gave me lots of pleasure.

 

I think @RDX-Rick has it right; most AWD drive systems are about traction, SH-AWD is about handling. So SH-AWD helps you go straight better in the muck, but more importantly helps you turn better in the muck or when it’s dry.

It’s hard to explain to someone why that’s true without getting into how differentials work and stuff, but at some point it’s worth having that conversation with new car enthusiasts.

 

This is why they call it SH-AWD Super Handling-AWD

 

That’s when it goes into limp mode, right?

All kidding aside (kind of), I do love accelerating out of a curve. It is where the SH-AWD shines.

 

Spend a few minutes for yourself and watch a couple YouTube’s on the subject. But They never talk about racing or tire wear, which are both improved over rwd.

 

You guys have given me some really cool, relevant information to take in. I appreciate it. My global take-away is basically:

1. Discuss the experience of driving with SH-AWD which many drivers have not experienced
2. It's all about the PUSH
3. AWD = better traction control over most vehicles. SH-AWD is AWD *PLUS* superior handling on curves (which intellectually I knew but did not properly communicate)
4. Gather up technical information online

Once we get back to some form of normalcy after Covid and my nephew can come over for an actual visit I'm taking the little guy out for a spin and safely show him the experience of what SH-AWD is all about. He may get distracted with our Mission Impossible electronics and the ELS-3D, but it should be a good experience for him.

 

Agree with all the above post. SH-AWD is an upgraded AWD with better handling.

You can easily feel the grip and traction when taking high speed turn when taking the off ramp.

Its an awesome feeling knowing your on the edge and gassing it down actually improves the grip as all 4 wheels are doing their own thing. Theres a giddy smile after and you wanna do it again.

 

100%.

Even at the dealership with the sales guy, my wife and I asked about SH-AWD and we get the wonkiest explanation of how it worked but I think we would have been better served if he simply described the experience of it. I think I nodded my head "yes" just like my nephew did and said "OK cool." We test drove our RDX with kid gloves so didn't get a chance to "experience" it.

 

- Yes, the water pump is the most likely leak point for the coolant.
I recommend you have it replaced with OEM or Aisin brand kit.
The water pump is behind the timing belt so it's easiest to replace during a timing belt replacement.
- Oil leak could be from several sources.
2 common sources shown here: Main oil seal (Item 21) and oil filter adapter oil seal (Item 13).
Access to replace Item 13 is easiest if you remove the pass front tire.
Item 21 can be replaced during a timing belt replacement.
https://www.acurapartsforless.com/v-...gine--oil-pump
- There is a slight possibility the camshaft seals are leaking oil.
Again, those can be replaced during a timing belt replacement.
- If the rear main seal is leaking the transmission has to be removed for access to replace.

 

Wt?

 

Replied to wrong thread. Disregard.

 

Did they add the active dampers to the A-Spec for 2021? I'm pretty sure they were only in the Advance for '19 and '20. Most people thought that it didn't make sense to have a sport performance feature in the Advance but not the A-Spec.

 

While I don't know for sure, I doubt it. Would have made sense for the A-Spec to have them, but I guess Acura didn't see it that way.

 

This is one of the most underrated features of the RDX (and honda/acura in general). Even the low res version of this on the 1st gen RDX is quite interesting to watch.

My girlfriend has an HRV with Honda's standard AWD. Works great for snow, but the difference in torque vectoring is noticeable, both on the HUD and in the feel going around curves.

 

For me, SH-AWD is a promise delivered. The promise was the benefits of AWD in slippery conditions AND improved handling with true torque-vectoring. I've seen this system do both functions very well, considering the nature of the vehicle. It's rare to have a dual purpose system live up to the hype. And yes, the real-time display is fun to watch. Kudos to the engineers who built that system

 

Just wondering because the last time I looked at their "build and price" page on line, the suspension for both the A Spec and Advance were the same. But no mention of the active dampers.

 

IIRC, this only applies if accelerating through the curve. When taking a curve with the foot off the gas (e.g. when going downhill) SH-AWD doesn't help.

 

Right. Power must go to the pavement.

Light-footing it does no good either.

 

Took me awhile, but I found this on the Acura RDX website:

 

Yup. It's rather enjoyable to encounter a 4-chevron-turn light-up. Not sure what the max capacity chevron light up is - haven't pushed it that far...

 

The display goes way beyond 4 chevrons. Looks like as many as 10.

 

😵

A-Spec adds more chevrons!

 

Love it

 

You have to get the MDX/RLX/NSX Sport Hybrid if you want "sh" with tq vectoring that works with regen braking with or without engine power for a level above the mechanical sh-awd. The sport hybrid sh-awd works the same up and down the mountain switchbacks. The electronic dampers come standard on the 17-20 MDX tech and Adv sport hybrids. A lot of the 1st Gen RDX folks upgraded to Progress RSB and Eibach lowering springs to help improve the suspension when you couldn't use sh-awd in off throttle situations.

 

I ALMOST wish I had bought an RDX Advance with SH-AWD JUST to see the display!

No really, but the display looks cool! But probably would be a distraction while driving aggressively to get it to light up like that. haha

 

The real-time SH-AWD display is my default MID screen and the primary reason I take my eyes off the road. Not sure that's a good thing, but it is still interesting to watch, even a year later. It's even interesting in lower power situations. Sitting at a traffic light on a slight uphill grade will show a blank screen while your foot is on the brake, if you lift your foot, all four wheels immediately show a single chevron to indicate enough power to each wheel to hold you in place. Foot on the brake, all clear again. I've seen nearly every option of power delivery including: just fronts, just rears, left side only, right side only, a single wheel.. everything except diagonal. That scenario may require snow or ice conditions. It's just interesting to watch the system working.

 

Now I want that screen even more!

 

Perfect description DJA123. Agree - that it is also my default MID screen and I do observe the screen on certain turns which is sort of distracting, but I'm also not displaying 10 chevrons. (but would love to experience it)