2009 Acura TL SH-AWD

[PeeluckyDuckee]

When you first begin to drive it does the awd system start off at 50/50 front/back power ratio? How is the system in the winter time, can you get it out of control at all (slipping and sliding)? Would be nice if one can actually switch between all three fwd/rwd/awd power ratios at will, like how 4x4 vehicles can switch to 2wd.

I am the few that prefer the older 2009MY as opposed to the newer 2012MY styling. The older model was more aggresive and bolder looking, the new revision is too toned down for my taste.

With the extra weight of the awd system can one realistically feel the difference of increase in torque/hp?

I have a '01 Honda Prelude and would hopefuly like to move up to the Acura TL within the next 6mnth to a year, be a nice upgrade for starting a family. Nice to have awd for winter, yet don't want an suv or caravan or cuv variant. If I didnt plan on the wifey driving this as well I'd definitely get the 6 speed manual.

Owners please chime in.

 

[Zenmervolt]

How is the system in the winter time, can you get it out of control at all (slipping and sliding)?

I'm not an owner, but I can answer this question.

Yes. You absolutely can get it out of control in the winter.

There isn't a car on earth that can't be pushed out of control in bad weather if the driver isn't paying attention.

ZV

 

[jlee]

I'm not an owner, but I can answer this question.

Yes. You absolutely can get it out of control in the winter.

There isn't a car on earth that can't be pushed out of control in bad weather if the driver isn't paying attention.

ZV

+1

 

[ballmode]

Pics of prelude?

 

[lavaheadache]

I'm not an owner, but I can answer this question.

Yes. You absolutely can get it out of control in the winter.

There isn't a car on earth that can't be pushed out of control in bad weather if the driver isn't paying attention.

ZV

are you implying that Gran Turismo was way off with the GTO and how it could miraculously pull through any turn at any speed with mad drift skills ? I thought that was "the real driving simulator" =)

 

[Throckmorton]

Pretty sure the Honda/Acura AWD cars are all FWD until the front wheels slip.

 

[jlee]

Pretty sure the Honda/Acura AWD cars are all FWD until the front wheels slip.

That's how the Ridgeline works, but I'm not familiar with the rest of the lineup. It wouldn't surprise me, though.

 

[T2urtle]

My g35x awd is rwd mainly u till slip.its awd till 12 MPH and then power gets shifted to rwd. The system should be a little similar to the sh-awd.

But u can easily feel the power difference between a rwd and awd.

I rather go with 2wd + snow tires now.

Sent from my Nexus One

 

[GoatMonkey]

The Acura AWD system does do some nice things to help steer the car though corners. It can give different amounts of torque left and right to the rear wheels.

But like everyone else is saying, it's not going to prevent you from losing control in bad weather. The tires are still made of rubber.

 

[PricklyPete]

Pretty sure the Honda/Acura AWD cars are all FWD until the front wheels slip.

From Wikipedia:

Acura TL[12]
The fourth generation Acura TL, introduced in late 2008 as a 2009 model has two major trim levels, a front wheel drive version, and an upmarket SH-AWD version. Similar in layout to the Acura RL, the Acura SH-AWD TL features a 3.7L 305 hp VTEC V-6, transversely mounted front engine in the Global Midsize Platform. The 2009 model uses a five speed automatic transmission, but Acura has also promised a new six-speed manual transmission for the 2010 model year. It remains to be seen if the 2010 model will also feature the newly announced six-speed automatic transmission featured in the prototype Acura ZDX announced at the April 2009 New York Auto Show. Unlike the Acura RL, the SH-AWD TL does not have the Acceleration Device.
SH-AWD operating parameters include:
Up to 90-percent of available torque can be transferred to the front wheels during normal cruising.
In hard cornering and under acceleration, up to 70-percent of available torque can be directed to the rear wheels to enhance vehicle dynamics.
Up to 100-percent of the torque sent to the rear axle can be applied to either rear wheel, depending on conditions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SH-AWD

 

[PhoKingGuy]

You're the only person who likes that ugly thing, lol

 

[exar333]

SH-AWD is not a great AWD system. I would choose Audi, Subaru, or BMW AWD systems before this. Just saying don't make your buying decision based on this tech...

I second PhoKingGuy's opinion as well, the recent TLs are UGLY.

 

[vshah]

SH-AWD is not a great AWD system. I would choose Audi, Subaru, or BMW AWD systems before this. Just saying don't make your buying decision based on this tech...

I second PhoKingGuy's opinion as well, the recent TLs are UGLY.

I've never heard anything but good things about it. It does seem to be tuned more for sporty driving than snowy driving though.

an obviously biased test: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJZxVefta68&feature=related

I think at worst, it is as good as other systems. My dad's RL has it. It is much harder to make it understeer than one would think

also aren't bmw AWD systems just open differentials, using brakes to transfer power to different wheels?

 

[KIAman]

The SHAWD implementation is actually pretty slick. Motortrend did a comparison on the track of the TL-SHAWD vs S4 AWD and although the S4 spanked the TL in power, their track times were almost identical because the TL would gain on the S4 through the turns, while the S4 pushed ahead on the straits!!!

Edit: Correction, Automobile Magazine

http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/driven/1008_2010_acura_tl_sh_awd_vs_2010_audi_s4/index.html

 

[exar333]

I've never heard anything but good things about it. It does seem to be tuned more for sporty driving than snowy driving though.

an obviously biased test: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJZxVefta68&feature=related

I think at worst, it is as good as other systems. My dad's RL has it. It is much harder to make it understeer than one would think

also aren't bmw AWD systems just open differentials, using brakes to transfer power to different wheels?

I should have been more specific, my apologies. SH-AWD is great on pavement but has a ton of documented issues on snow/ice. That may not be a concern to some that do not need to drive in those conditions, but it does matter quite a bit to me.

 

[Throckmorton]

From Wikipedia:



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SH-AWD

Exactly. 90% of the power goes to the front wheels normally.

 

[vshah]

Pretty sure the Honda/Acura AWD cars are all FWD until the front wheels slip.

the honda cr-v is like this (only sends torque to rear in response to slip via a viscous coupling).

SH-AWD is a totally different system, and doesn't just change things in response to slip. any sort of acceleration, be it in a corner or a straight line, will send torque to the rear wheels well before any slip occurs.

the RL, and probably other sh-awd cars, have a display in the info screen that shows you how the torque is being apportioned.

 

[PricklyPete]

Exactly. 90% of the power goes to the front wheels normally.

I was agreeing with you and just providing backup.

 

[Throckmorton]

the honda cr-v is like this (only sends torque to rear in response to slip via a viscous coupling).

SH-AWD is a totally different system, and doesn't just change things in response to slip. any sort of acceleration, be it in a corner or a straight line, will send torque to the rear wheels well before any slip occurs.

the RL, and probably other sh-awd cars, have a display in the info screen that shows you how the torque is being apportioned.

I bet it doesn't feel like RWD though.


Here's what I don't get... Why send 90% of torque to the front normally? It's not like it improves gas mileage. The entire drivetrain is spinning regardless of the torque split.

 

[vshah]

no, it feels like RWD biased AWD, whenever you are pushing it hard enough to be able to tell the difference. You can still tell it is AWD though. Also, my only experience with it is in the RL, a certified Old Man's Car.

As to why they default to front...I don't have a good answer for that. I'd be curious to know.

 

[PeeluckyDuckee]

SH-AWD is not a great AWD system. I would choose Audi, Subaru, or BMW AWD systems before this. Just saying don't make your buying decision based on this tech...

I second PhoKingGuy's opinion as well, the recent TLs are UGLY.

The latest 2012 styling refresh seems to not induce as much vomiting from the Acura crowd, but yeah for some reason I don't follow the mass mindset and actually find it quite unique and attractive. I quite like both the front and back grille.

 

[KIAman]

As to why they default to front...I don't have a good answer for that. I'd be curious to know.

My wild ass guess is that these vehicles were designed to be FWD with AWD components put in.

What that means is that the front axle is already designed, developed and validated to send the power to the wheels most of the time.

Also the chassis is already designed, tested and calibrated for a FWD drive and feel.

/end guess

 

[vshah]

yeah, I was thinking something along those lines as well

 

[PeeluckyDuckee]

Was looking at the G35/G37 as well and for some reason I found the grille on those horrendous looking. As much as a better deal the 2008/2009s are compared to the TL I can't but think the G35/37 sedans are made with older folks in mind. The rear is pretty bold and unique, but the front grille and lights ruins it for me.