RedsTL

Does anyone know why the TL-S 2008 has such a tight steering feel?

I love the feeling, and every other car I've looked at including my current loaner car (2012 TL) doesn't have this feeling. It just makes it seem more exact/professional when the steering is so tight and hard to turn.

Does anyone know other cars that have this feeling, is it a good thing, and do you prefer this steering as well?

RaviNJCLs

iTrader: (4)

^^^

I prefer it to be tight.

The 08TLs is more of a sport sedan and will feel tighter while the 2012TL is more of a luxury sedan and feels easier to turn.

Scotten

Everyone likes it tight!!

But.... my 07 is pretty tight. Takes some getting used to, but it's likeable once you're used to it.

turbo_oxide

i like it tight except when i have 5 ppl in the car... then i'll take the marshmallow ('10 SH-AWD) instead.

RedsTL

haha what does that mean? The steering wheel itself?

turbo_oxide

steering is loose and suspension is fluffy... not a bad thing, it's just a different feel.

quanaman

iTrader: (4)

I prefer it that way too

I drove a BMW x5 and the steering wheel was the tightest I'd ever driven. If takes getting used to for sure.

Blooze

Steering in assist in 3rd Gen is hydraulic as opposed to the electric assist that is used in the 4th gen and most other cars. That is why it feels "tighter".

Doon

i love it. great for ripping around corners.

Hammer5312

Could be a smaller wheel too....

leedogg

I thought the steering assembly of the typeS was different as well?

Bearcat94

It is. I don't recall if the ratio is different, but the pump assist 'engagement' is different.

I'll find the article. brb.


Edit -

Same ratios:

http://www.hondanews.com/channels/ac...specifications


http://www.hondanews.com/channels/ac...ura-tl-chassis

TmaX

iTrader: (1)

Yes the Type-S does have a tighter feel but like everyone above I prefer it that way too.
It definitely compliments the cars better suspension and handling characteristics from the factory.

Do a few mods in that category and it feels even better.

RedsTL

Very cool, thanks for the article and explanations!

I admit I have never driven a BMW, so I wasn't aware they also had the "tighter" feel.

truonghthe

BMW by far is the heaviest steering I felt, the lightest was Lexus. If you used to drive TL-S and some how you end up driving Lexus (especially the GS350) then GL. TL can change one lane highway then for the same turn rate Lexus will put you through at least two lane.

JTS97Z28

iTrader: (4)

I personally think I would have preferred the steering to be a little lighter myself. Just because the steering is tight doesnt represent it being a high performance, excellent handling car. Infact, one of the lightest steering cars I have owned was that Z06 beast in my avater. Also, the 2012 SH-AWD loaner I had for a week had incredibly light steering, but yet that car felt sooooo solid and tight compared to my TL-S. I still cannot believe that considering how big and heavy that new TL was, it felt like a go cart compared to my 07 TLS 6mt. Man, if only the 4G body style looked like a 3G!

quanaman

iTrader: (4)

Has anyone noticed how bad our turning radius is?

Maybe it's just me but it's really difficult to make tight u turns without having to go to a 3 point turn. I drove my fiance's 09 Camry and I had no problem making really nice tight uturns.

The steering wheel on that car was lighter too but the Camry isn't necessarily a "sport sedan."

RedsTL

Wow, very interesting take. I have a 2012 now and I can't believe how "cheap" the accuracy of turning feels.

SoftwareDrone

The steering is tight because it has to be. It's a high HP, front wheel drive car. If it were not tight, the steering wheel would jerk right out of your hands when you nailed it from a standing start.

RedsTL

Hence the base 2012 TL I currently have as a loaner

Rsoetidjo

I agree with that

JTS97Z28

iTrader: (4)

Well whats confusing me is why is it you guys think just because steering is light feeling that its "cheap". The steering in the 2012 SH Advanced I had for the week was light, but felt incredibly more precise and accurate than my 07 TLS (or my 08 TLS, or my 07 base). My 06 Corvette Z06 I had would out handle about 99% of the cars on the street and it has light enough steering to where I could turn it with my pinky finger if I wanted.
I understand its all personal preference, but to me the super tight steering is a little over board for me, and really has nothing to do with how "precise" the steering feels or anything like that. I love my TLS 6mt dont get me wrong, but just my opinion on the matter.



I agree to a certain extent, but I dont think its entirely true. My dad for example has a 08 Grand Prix GXP which is 303hp FWD V8. The steering feels nowhere near as tight as my 07 TLS 6mt. I can lay into that car from a stop just fine without it going out of control, sure there is torque steer, but any FWD car with decent power will have it.

James

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

James, I think you've hit it on the nail.
its not that this FWD is high powered, because other FWD cars(like you've mentioned) have had the same hp or higher.

The only high performance car I have driven; was a 2010 Challenger SRT. And I had that for a month.
Very simple to drive, and the steering isnt STIFF like my TL is.

flyromeo3

ahhh.....i remember the days off driving a car WITHOUT power steering.

flyromeo3

i just upgraded to the ASPEC suspension and my steering definitely feels a lot tighter than when i had the base suspension.

seems like suspension also plays a factor in this situation.

RainSupreme

I agree with this, however, anytime I've ever gotten on it from a standing start the torque steer always makes it hard to control

turbo_oxide

Maybe a better basis for comparison would be TL-S vs Base FWD 2012, not SH-AWD... if you're going to compare torque steer, that's more of an apples to apples comparison.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

the 4G TL has moved to an electronic Rack and pinion.

Apples to oranges.

jjcudak

I am glad I found this discussion...I used to drive a 2005 base RSX and a 2006 civic coupe before I got my TL.

It was a shock to go from those cars to my 08 base TL. IMO I like the electronic assist that my 06 civic had. I believe you can have precise steering without having to get an arm workout . I also use my TL for daily driving and don't do any extremely spirited driving (ehhh maybe once in a while) but this may be why my opinion differs from most of you.

All things aside, like the rest of you, I love my TL...but if I had to change only ONE thing I would choose to have the electronic assist. Im not sure there would be a second thing on the list that I would change..

JD TL-S

iTrader: (1)

The 07-08 Type-S is tight. The tightest. It can be made even tighter-Coilovers, Progress 24mm RSB. 245/35/19 Summer tires

And like others have said--I LOVE IT TIGHT <3