| broffneck |
I've been driving my new X for a week now and I've noticed that handling on this car is not exactly the best... (or is it just me) I find myself breaking more often on curves on the same road I would take with my other car (1994 acura legend).
I don't know...maybe it needs a little breaking in, or maybe I need bigger tires
whadayathink |
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| evoge |
The X is wider and better handling than many SUVs, but remember it still has a relatively high center of gravity and won't handle like a sedan--even one from 1994. Lower, stiffer H&R springs for the Odyssey, sport shocks, and more rubber on the road might do the trick, but the same amount of $$$ could buy time well-spent at a Skip Barber or Bob Bondurant school.
Braking in a curve is not always a good idea. I believe high-performance driving schools spend a lot of time trying to re-teach people to actually use more power through the curves. Any driving school grads out there? |
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| DaleB |
Several things to consider. Yes, tires need some breaking in too. The Legend is a nice handling car. But any SUV has a much higher center of gravity. It will not handle as crisply.
Make sure tires pressures, cold, are 32 to 34, the same all around.
Did you not notice the handling on a test drive? If you drive similar vehicles, you will find the MDX is generally superior in handling compared to most in it's class.
Bigger tires might improve handling some, but I would not make any drastic changes before getting used to it. Most of us find it handles just fine for it's intended use. Having driven mountain roads numerous times, I find it does very well on curves at speed.
Well, that's true evoge. You need to brake prior to the curve to approach at the best speed, then lay on the gas as you exit the turn.
I think he just meant he has to slow down more than on his Legend. |
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| The X-men |
quote:
Originally posted by broffneck
I've been driving my new X for a week now and I've noticed that handling on this car is not exactly the best... (or is it just me) I find myself breaking more often on curves on the same road I would take with my other car (1994 acura legend).
I don't know...maybe it needs a little breaking in, or maybe I need bigger tires
whadayathink
I find the handling on the MDX not the best too. I drove my friend's BMW M3 the other day, and it handles much better. I also find myself braking on shape turns with the MDX while with the M3, I would just power my way thru the turn.
You are comparing apple and oranges lmao. |
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| badulla |
Almost any (not every) car will handle better than an SUV. Higher center of gravity, and more weight are the main reasons. Tires also have some impact as well.
Having been to a few driving schools I will confirm you guys are right about braking in a turn. You lose traction when braking and you lose traction then cornering.....so if you try to corner and brake at the same time you are losing that much more in traction. Try to do one at a time.
You should always brake before a turn if you are carrying too much speed into it. Coast through the apex. Accelerate on your way out. Just some other tips which should help your handling. When making a sweeping turn (lets assume a right turn), approach as far to the left as possible then turn slightly so that you are all the way on the right hand side of the road when you hit the apex of the turn. Then exit by pushing the car out to the left side of the road again.
Hard to explain without pictures...but think of it as you want to take a long smooth turn. Smooth turns = fast.
I think the MDX handles very well compared to other SUV's. The X5 and X3 have it beat....but I wouldn't want either of those over my MDX. |
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| robrecht |
quote:
Originally posted by badulla
... Higher center of gravity, and more weight are the main reasons. ...
Yes, weight. Cornering is actually acceleration. Weight is the enemy of acceleration. Isaac Newton would drive a Miata. |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by robrecht
Yes, weight. Cornering is actually acceleration. Weight is the enemy of acceleration. Isaac Newton would drive a Miata.
Haha..I was just visualizing that, and he would be chomping on an apple.
They have brought the weight distribution in the MDX closer to the ideal 50/50, and it helps some, but there is only so much you can do with what you have. Overall, they have done a very creditable job. |
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| robrecht |
quote:
Originally posted by DaleB
Haha..I was just visualizing that, and he would be chomping on an apple.
With his long curly locks blowing in the wind ... |
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