Sport Hybrid "beta tester" report: Winter driving
11-14-2014, 02:31 PM
#1
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Sport Hybrid "beta tester" report: Winter driving
First: I HATE lake effect snow.
Nevertheless, we got our first snow of the season overnight, and it was more than the forecasters here in Cleveland predicted. Everyone here is shocked about how much snow we got. Some areas are expected to have over a foot by the time we're done.
Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu..........
In any case, this presented an opportunity to test the Sport Hybrid's abilities on my snowy, icy commute this morning.
I can describe what happened, but pictures and videos tell the story better.
What I came out to this morning:
And to share with you all the experience of driving the Sport Hybrid in these conditions:
(using Google Glass with XE22.0)
Things to observe in the above video:
a) That squeaking noise is my wet shoe on the pedals. The car is SO quiet that you can hear that stuff. You can't hear the engine in this video. I could hear it, in the background, but that's it. This is a supremely quiet car.
b) The gas engine warms up before it allows pure electric travel. So in the trip from my garage to the end of the video, the engine is still warming up.
c) HUD happiness. I still love it ten days later. Very useful!
d) Mileage went down significantly because when you turn on the car when it's this cold, the gas engine turns on in order to charge the front battery and to run the accessories/heat. Will be investing in an engine heater for these conditions to reduce the time the engine requires to warm up.
Video #2: On the highway, in a turn...
Things to note in this video:
a) I have the power distribution monitor on both the HUD and the navi screen. Coolness ensues as you see how the system allocates power
b) Gas engine is fully warmed at this point, so the electric motors are allowed at times to help the car coast or accelerate under light throttle. On the video, you can see the tachometer drop suddenly to zero as the gas engine turns off. By the way, you can't hear this happening, again because the car is so quiet.
c) What is NOT quiet is that damn lane departure warning. That works really, really well, even in these conditions. I think sometimes it mistakes a line of ice for a lane marker, though.
Power distribution monitor:
Couple of things to note from this pic:
a) Gas engine is on, charging front battery/motor and running the HVAC.
b) Acuralink is activated. Those thin lines indicating traffic flow are sometimes hard to see. They really need to be thicker, or maybe dots like on the RL's navi. Seems like that would be a software fix.
More to come eventually.....
Nevertheless, we got our first snow of the season overnight, and it was more than the forecasters here in Cleveland predicted. Everyone here is shocked about how much snow we got. Some areas are expected to have over a foot by the time we're done.
Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu..........
In any case, this presented an opportunity to test the Sport Hybrid's abilities on my snowy, icy commute this morning.
I can describe what happened, but pictures and videos tell the story better.
What I came out to this morning:
And to share with you all the experience of driving the Sport Hybrid in these conditions:
(using Google Glass with XE22.0)
Things to observe in the above video:
a) That squeaking noise is my wet shoe on the pedals. The car is SO quiet that you can hear that stuff. You can't hear the engine in this video. I could hear it, in the background, but that's it. This is a supremely quiet car.
b) The gas engine warms up before it allows pure electric travel. So in the trip from my garage to the end of the video, the engine is still warming up.
c) HUD happiness. I still love it ten days later. Very useful!
d) Mileage went down significantly because when you turn on the car when it's this cold, the gas engine turns on in order to charge the front battery and to run the accessories/heat. Will be investing in an engine heater for these conditions to reduce the time the engine requires to warm up.
Video #2: On the highway, in a turn...
Things to note in this video:
a) I have the power distribution monitor on both the HUD and the navi screen. Coolness ensues as you see how the system allocates power
b) Gas engine is fully warmed at this point, so the electric motors are allowed at times to help the car coast or accelerate under light throttle. On the video, you can see the tachometer drop suddenly to zero as the gas engine turns off. By the way, you can't hear this happening, again because the car is so quiet.
c) What is NOT quiet is that damn lane departure warning. That works really, really well, even in these conditions. I think sometimes it mistakes a line of ice for a lane marker, though.
Power distribution monitor:
Couple of things to note from this pic:
a) Gas engine is on, charging front battery/motor and running the HVAC.
b) Acuralink is activated. Those thin lines indicating traffic flow are sometimes hard to see. They really need to be thicker, or maybe dots like on the RL's navi. Seems like that would be a software fix.
More to come eventually.....
Last edited by neuronbob; 11-14-2014 at 02:38 PM.
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11-14-2014, 02:43 PM
#2
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LDW is very "finnicky". I turned it off permanently on my Accord for this reason, far too many false positives.
Great videos!!
I'm completely sold on the RLX Hybrid. Unfortunately, house projects first.
Great videos!!
I'm completely sold on the RLX Hybrid. Unfortunately, house projects first.
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Acura_Dude (11-15-2014)
11-14-2014, 03:24 PM
#3
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Thank you so much for going through so much trouble to get this to us.
It's a relief to know we're in no trouble when the weather hits. :-)
Agree 100%. The solid lines are real time traffic from the car's cellular connection, and the dotted lines are "estimated" or "predicted" traffic based on past patterns.
:-/
If you set a route and assume the dotted lines, you can get into a bit of Dutch because it takes longer than you'd think for the reports to get back that what was a dotted green line needs to be solid yellow.
It's a relief to know we're in no trouble when the weather hits. :-)
:-/
If you set a route and assume the dotted lines, you can get into a bit of Dutch because it takes longer than you'd think for the reports to get back that what was a dotted green line needs to be solid yellow.
11-14-2014, 03:41 PM
#4
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^^^^ No trouble at all, and of course that is part of the point of the videos. Nothing untoward happened, though honestly those roads were not in terrible shape. Thank you, ODOT! I don't even have winter tires yet.....though brand new rubber with only a bit more than 500 miles probably handled the snow reasonably well. For RL owners: There is a "winter mode" for the wipers on the RLX! The manual doesn't call it such, but it does indicate on page 432 that one can raise the wipers when snow is expected. Not only that, but there is a "maintenance mode" used for changing the wipers; they are set so far under the hood that it would be difficult to change them in that position. Page 479 of the manual indicates that you do thus: turn the car off completely. While holding the wiper switch in the mist position (push the wiper stalk up), push the power button to on (one press), then off (another two presses). The wipers then move so they are high up on the windshield, allowing access to change the wipers. COOOOOOOOOL (though complicated)! Going to try it when I leave work shortly. Last, the wiper nozzles are also under the hood. I hope this keeps the fluid from freezing easily. I like the new location, where there is nominal warmth on a below freezing day.
EDIT: Correction of maintenance mode instructions
EDIT: Correction of maintenance mode instructions
Last edited by neuronbob; 11-16-2014 at 05:20 AM.
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11-14-2014, 04:39 PM
#5
Three Wheelin'
Many, many thanks Bob for all the information that you are passing on!!
Is the "winter mode" for the wipers the same as the RL?? That is do you just pull up on the wiper arm until it clunks into it's raised position?? I do find that feature of the RL very handy as it keeps the wiper blades resting on the warmest part of the windshield to keep them from icing up.
P.S. Whenever you get depressed about the cold temperatures, just remember it is probably at least 10 degrees colder up here where I am.
Is the "winter mode" for the wipers the same as the RL?? That is do you just pull up on the wiper arm until it clunks into it's raised position?? I do find that feature of the RL very handy as it keeps the wiper blades resting on the warmest part of the windshield to keep them from icing up.
P.S. Whenever you get depressed about the cold temperatures, just remember it is probably at least 10 degrees colder up here where I am.
11-14-2014, 04:52 PM
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Many, many thanks Bob for all the information that you are passing on!!
Is the "winter mode" for the wipers the same as the RL?? That is do you just pull up on the wiper arm until it clunks into it's raised position?? I do find that feature of the RL very handy as it keeps the wiper blades resting on the warmest part of the windshield to keep them from icing up.
P.S. Whenever you get depressed about the cold temperatures, just remember it is probably at least 10 degrees colder up here where I am.
Is the "winter mode" for the wipers the same as the RL?? That is do you just pull up on the wiper arm until it clunks into it's raised position?? I do find that feature of the RL very handy as it keeps the wiper blades resting on the warmest part of the windshield to keep them from icing up.
P.S. Whenever you get depressed about the cold temperatures, just remember it is probably at least 10 degrees colder up here where I am.
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timmins (12-29-2014)
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11-15-2014, 01:15 AM
#9
Three Wheelin'
I watched the videos again and turned my computer volume way up and I am most impressed by the quiet ride. Other than the squeaking boots, there is almost no noise at all, which considering the cold tires etc. is pretty remarkable.
The 2nd most impressive part of the video is that Dr. Bob didn't swear when he saw that the highway was at a complete standstill. You're a better man than I, Bob.
The 2nd most impressive part of the video is that Dr. Bob didn't swear when he saw that the highway was at a complete standstill. You're a better man than I, Bob.
11-15-2014, 02:09 PM
#10
Hmmm, so that's what snow looks like...
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11-15-2014, 07:28 PM
#11
First video first few seconds: Assuming the gauge on the left side of the dash is the coolant temp gauge... that is a tad too high?
11-15-2014, 08:23 PM
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The only coolant temperature indicator is a small light to the right of that meter and down.
11-16-2014, 04:53 AM
#13
^ Thanks George. Given past experiences of overheating an older TL, that gauge would probably give me a heart attack each and every time I see it ! Not to mention the off ramp scene, seeing the RPMs going to 0 ... panic! lost brakes! lost brakes! lost brakes! LOL. If I ever get an RLXh it will take some serious memory re-writing !!
PS. Colin : North of 60o we call the video winter conditions... the last BBQ of the season
PS. Colin : North of 60o we call the video winter conditions... the last BBQ of the season
Last edited by Tonyware; 11-16-2014 at 04:55 AM.
11-16-2014, 06:22 AM
#14
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I notice that in cold weather, when the blue coolant temp indicator goes off, the electric engines start working, or at least working better, in propelling the car.
11-16-2014, 07:14 AM
#15
I presume there is no analog temperature gauge?
11-16-2014, 07:35 AM
#16
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No. There is only a light next to the battery meter. You can see the little blue light in the first few seconds of my first video. It is blue until the engine is at operating temperature, then it turns off. That same light turns red if the gas engine is overheating. The analog temperature gauge of the PAWS RLX replaces the battery meter on the left.
11-16-2014, 08:11 AM
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You get used to it.
You know, the steering wheel is normally not even connected physically to the steering rack.
There's a clutch that connects the steering column to the steering rack in the event of an electrical failure.
The extent to which we are truly driving by wire today is amazing.
11-16-2014, 08:13 AM
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Just a guess, of course. What the hell do I know.
11-22-2014, 11:03 AM
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Freezing rain this morning. No problem at least starting in this car. With winter tires, this car would be unstoppable (well, actually it would stop better 
) other than ground clearance. I'm only doing this on all-seasons because they are brand new, i.e. enough tread to handle so far.
) other than ground clearance. I'm only doing this on all-seasons because they are brand new, i.e. enough tread to handle so far.
11-22-2014, 01:47 PM
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Decent all-seasons can handle it for sure. But if the temps get below about 15F I'd switch to real winter tires, otherwise you're sliding around on four large hockey pucks. 
11-25-2014, 09:16 AM
#21
Freezing rain this morning. No problem at least starting in this car. With winter tires, this car would be unstoppable (well, actually it would stop better ) other than ground clearance. I'm only doing this on all-seasons because they are brand new, i.e. enough tread to handle so far.
) other than ground clearance. I'm only doing this on all-seasons because they are brand new, i.e. enough tread to handle so far.
11-25-2014, 11:26 AM
#22
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Yes, wipers on Auto and rain sensing. Works fine for me, and believe me, we've had only about five dry days since I took delivery of my car.
11-25-2014, 05:00 PM
#23
I am a bit confused about rain-sensing mode (I never had it in my RL). If the camera/radar system increases the frequency of the wipers with heavier rain, what does the manual adjustment on the stalk (which increases frequency in intermittent mode), do in rain-sensing mode?
11-25-2014, 05:48 PM
#24
I am a bit confused about rain-sensing mode (I never had it in my RL). If the camera/radar system increases the frequency of the wipers with heavier rain, what does the manual adjustment on the stalk (which increases frequency in intermittent mode), do in rain-sensing mode?
Keep in mind there are several warnings about the use of the wipers/or heavy precipitation when using any of the functions which rely on the camera mounted on the back of the rear view mirror [the adaptive cruise control. the lane keeping assist, CMBS and lane departure warning]. If the camera view is obstructed due to fast wipers the computer may get faulty readings. Probably not really an issue i bet unless the precipitation is very heavy or the there is a build up of ice or snow in front of the camera.
11-25-2014, 07:17 PM
#25
But in Auto rain-sensing mode (not manual), the physical adjustment knob on the wiper stem still does something and seems to effect the frequency of the wiper action independent of the rain-sensing control of the camera/radar. Am I wrong about this?
11-25-2014, 08:46 PM
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What you're doing is adjusting the "sensitivity," that is, the point at which the wipers will start working when in automatic mode.
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fsmith (11-26-2014)
12-29-2014, 08:00 PM
#28
thanks Ken
im picking up my rlx hybrid tomorrow. it is a great car, but as my wife's car sit in the garage, the rlx will be outside in the snow in Ottawa. i did ask the dealer about the wipers location, he said that they have a heating element in the windshield like the mdx. i also have the 2014 mdx. still, being able to raise the arms to clear snow and ice is very important. so thank you again for the post. first time for me on this site.
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George Knighton (12-30-2014)
12-29-2014, 09:33 PM
#29
Three Wheelin'
Welcome timmins and congratulations on the Sport Hybrid purchase. You got yourself one amazing car. Feel free to post any and all of your impressions once you pick up your baby.
12-29-2014, 11:04 PM
#30
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im picking up my rlx hybrid tomorrow. it is a great car, but as my wife's car sit in the garage, the rlx will be outside in the snow in Ottawa. i did ask the dealer about the wipers location, he said that they have a heating element in the windshield like the mdx. i also have the 2014 mdx. still, being able to raise the arms to clear snow and ice is very important. so thank you again for the post. first time for me on this site.
2. You are the 7th beta tester, um, Sport Hybrid owner on the site, so you are in rarefied company!
3. There is not "winter mode" for the wipers as in the RL. I usually turn on the defroster as soon as I turn on the car and this warms the wipers quickly. I also have a video demo of "maintenance mode" for the wipers, which raises them for protection from snow, or to change the wipers.
Edit: pertinent thread here: https://acurazine.com/forums/third-g...e-mode-921954/
4. As you see in this thread, my Sport Hybrid is also an outside car and so far, so good. Too bad it's black....while I love black, it's hard to take care of. Post pics when you take delivery!
Last edited by neuronbob; 12-29-2014 at 11:10 PM.
12-30-2014, 05:26 AM
#31
1. Welcome to the site!
2. You are the 7th beta tester, um, Sport Hybrid owner on the site, so you are in rarefied company!
3. There is not "winter mode" for the wipers as in the RL. I usually turn on the defroster as soon as I turn on the car and this warms the wipers quickly. I also have a video demo of "maintenance mode" for the wipers, which raises them for protection from snow, or to change the wipers.
Edit: pertinent thread here: https://acurazine.com/forums/third-g...e-mode-921954/
4. As you see in this thread, my Sport Hybrid is also an outside car and so far, so good. Too bad it's black....while I love black, it's hard to take care of. Post pics when you take delivery!
2. You are the 7th beta tester, um, Sport Hybrid owner on the site, so you are in rarefied company!
3. There is not "winter mode" for the wipers as in the RL. I usually turn on the defroster as soon as I turn on the car and this warms the wipers quickly. I also have a video demo of "maintenance mode" for the wipers, which raises them for protection from snow, or to change the wipers.
Edit: pertinent thread here: https://acurazine.com/forums/third-g...e-mode-921954/
4. As you see in this thread, my Sport Hybrid is also an outside car and so far, so good. Too bad it's black....while I love black, it's hard to take care of. Post pics when you take delivery!
I will try to post as much as i can.
12-30-2014, 08:08 AM
#32
12-30-2014, 10:08 AM
#33
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12-30-2014, 10:57 AM
#34
Please post your experiences and questions.
12-31-2014, 05:27 AM
#35
Congratulations on the purchase of a terrific car, and welcome from the cold Northeast. So far, my Hybrid likes the cold; gas engine goes on for a few minutes to heat the car, then back to normal EV mode. Haven't had any real snow yet, but I, too, was a bit disappointed that the "raised lower stop" adjustment for winter driving in my '06 RL is no longer present in the RLX.
Please post your experiences and questions.
Please post your experiences and questions.
first off, the wipers do not raise like the RL for winter. i tried hard on a used RLX at the dealer's lot.
installed winter tires "Nokian Hakkap#@$##..." i have used them before and they are great.
the car is very quite even with the snows on.
only my wife could drive the car off the line on motor power. with me the engine would kick in 10' off the line.
drove it mostly in sport mode. when you peal off the line its like a 911 but with less drama. i had a Porsche 911 4S manual few years back (my douch bag middle-age crisis years) smelled the clutch few times off the line when i didn't do it perfectly.
i think this is the ultimate sleeper rocket. no fanfare, no look at me, no pump and circumstance just electric brutal quite power.
is this the most Canadian car ever or what?
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hondamore (12-31-2014)
12-31-2014, 05:40 AM
#36
is this the most Canadian car ever or what?[/QUOTE]
Hi Guys, before the Hoot Hoots or the What Whats, the above statement was not meant as a political statement or to offend anybody. complementing one's country is not insulting the others'.
Hi Guys, before the Hoot Hoots or the What Whats, the above statement was not meant as a political statement or to offend anybody. complementing one's country is not insulting the others'.
12-31-2014, 08:36 AM
#37
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Thread Starter
Good Day All,
first off, the wipers do not raise like the RL for winter. i tried hard on a used RLX at the dealer's lot.
installed winter tires "Nokian Hakkap#@$##..." i have used them before and they are great.
the car is very quite even with the snows on.
only my wife could drive the car off the line on motor power. with me the engine would kick in 10' off the line.
drove it mostly in sport mode. when you peal off the line its like a 911 but with less drama. i had a Porsche 911 4S manual few years back (my douch bag middle-age crisis years) smelled the clutch few times off the line when i didn't do it perfectly.
i think this is the ultimate sleeper rocket. no fanfare, no look at me, no pump and circumstance just electric brutal quite power.
is this the most Canadian car ever or what?
first off, the wipers do not raise like the RL for winter. i tried hard on a used RLX at the dealer's lot.
installed winter tires "Nokian Hakkap#@$##..." i have used them before and they are great.
the car is very quite even with the snows on.
only my wife could drive the car off the line on motor power. with me the engine would kick in 10' off the line.
drove it mostly in sport mode. when you peal off the line its like a 911 but with less drama. i had a Porsche 911 4S manual few years back (my douch bag middle-age crisis years) smelled the clutch few times off the line when i didn't do it perfectly.
i think this is the ultimate sleeper rocket. no fanfare, no look at me, no pump and circumstance just electric brutal quite power.
is this the most Canadian car ever or what?
2. Good to know that tire noise from winter tires is not intrusive.
3. I was going to say "you're driving it wrong"
until your next sentence.....4. Interesting comparison! Needs to go in an ad somewhere.
5. Yes, it is a sleeper. I continue to be astonished at this car's performance.
6. We like Canadians here.
Welcome to the club! Just don't show the secret handshake off or we'll have to kill you.
12-31-2014, 09:37 AM
#38
Good Day All,
first off, the wipers do not raise like the RL for winter. i tried hard on a used RLX at the dealer's lot.
installed winter tires "Nokian Hakkap#@$##..." i have used them before and they are great.
the car is very quite even with the snows on.
only my wife could drive the car off the line on motor power. with me the engine would kick in 10' off the line.
drove it mostly in sport mode. when you peal off the line its like a 911 but with less drama. i had a Porsche 911 4S manual few years back (my douch bag middle-age crisis years) smelled the clutch few times off the line when i didn't do it perfectly.
i think this is the ultimate sleeper rocket. no fanfare, no look at me, no pump and circumstance just electric brutal quite power.
is this the most Canadian car ever or what?
first off, the wipers do not raise like the RL for winter. i tried hard on a used RLX at the dealer's lot.
installed winter tires "Nokian Hakkap#@$##..." i have used them before and they are great.
the car is very quite even with the snows on.
only my wife could drive the car off the line on motor power. with me the engine would kick in 10' off the line.
drove it mostly in sport mode. when you peal off the line its like a 911 but with less drama. i had a Porsche 911 4S manual few years back (my douch bag middle-age crisis years) smelled the clutch few times off the line when i didn't do it perfectly.
i think this is the ultimate sleeper rocket. no fanfare, no look at me, no pump and circumstance just electric brutal quite power.
is this the most Canadian car ever or what?
Enjoy your car. I still look forward to getting into mine. It is a very different and unique drive. Much different than anything else I have ever had. Hard to describe in words that others can relate to but really fun to own.
12-31-2014, 10:10 AM
#39
1. Told ya.
2. Good to know that tire noise from winter tires is not intrusive.
3. I was going to say "you're driving it wrong" until your next sentence.....
4. Interesting comparison! Needs to go in an ad somewhere.
5. Yes, it is a sleeper. I continue to be astonished at this car's performance.
6. We like Canadians here.
Welcome to the club! Just don't show the secret handshake off or we'll have to kill you.
2. Good to know that tire noise from winter tires is not intrusive.
3. I was going to say "you're driving it wrong"
until your next sentence.....4. Interesting comparison! Needs to go in an ad somewhere.
5. Yes, it is a sleeper. I continue to be astonished at this car's performance.
6. We like Canadians here.
Welcome to the club! Just don't show the secret handshake off or we'll have to kill you.
12-31-2014, 10:11 AM
#40
I, too, still look forward to driving my car every time I get into it. Downside: I am constantly telling my wife/passenger on long trips how great the car is on the highway. After two years of hearing about the phantom car, and now me constantly telling her how much fun it is to drive, she thinks I should just shut up and drive the dumb car, or let her take the wheel. But stop talking about the car! I think I'd rather shut up and keep the wheel. (She drives a 2014 TL and likes it a lot but doesn't feel the need to talk about it.
Happ New Year, everybody.
Happ New Year, everybody.
