| Nitro |
We in Chicagoland had a foot of snow yesterday, so of course I took the X out to see how it handles. One word, Awesome!
Other cars and even trucks were barely moving. I was driving along no problem. The AWD really makes a difference. I hate not being able to get moving at lights, and have other traffic crowd me. Not with the X though. I was taking off almost like dry pavement, leaving everyone behind, and still not exceeding a safe speed. I could get 100 feet in front of everyone, and still only be going 35 mph.
I took it in an empty parking lot, and played around a bit. I wanted to get used to the breaks etc. I couldn't believe how fast it stopped. The tires are better then I thought. I was thinking of getting snow tires, but now I don't think I need them.
All I need is to wash that evil salt off. I'll take some pictures afterward. |
|
|
| JeffK |
Exactly my experience on my many trips to Vermont for skiing!
JeffK |
|
|
| MacJag |
I live west of Chicago Nitro and we too got about 8 inches of snow. Went out and had some fun in the X. Baby stops on a dime! Couldn't believe it.
It sounds like it'll be halfway decent to get er washed this weekend ad get the salt off. |
|
|
| diverman |
What tires do you guys have on you Xs?
I have the Cross-terrains and wondered if that is what have and if not, do the x-terrains perform as well as what you have on the snow? |
|
|
| shootist |
quote:
Originally posted by diverman
What tires do you guys have on you Xs?
I have the Cross-terrains and wondered if that is what have and if not, do the x-terrains perform as well as what you have on the snow?
Diver,
You live in San Diego. San Diego is paradise. You could drive on racing slicks in San Diego. Why worry about snow traction, and become just like the rest of the world? |
|
|
| markn |
| I've got a set of the Blizzack DM-Z3 on my 04 X. In this latest snowfall going up a long hill (600') in 6" of fresh snow I held the gas peddle at 3/4 throttle starting at 25mph to see what it'd do. The VSA light started flashing on/off rapidly and the X was swaying back and forth ever so slightly but gaining speed and going in a straight line. I couldn't believe how fast I was going (60) when I crested the hill. I don't know what my CT's that came on the X would do in the snow, but I doubt they would compare. The real test was when I slam on the brakes after I top the hill. This SUV stopped beautiful and this is were snow tires really shine. Getting any vehicle up to speed in the snow is easy given enough roadway. Getting it stopped in a panic situation is the real test of the tires and abs/vsa systems. I've had snows on all my vehicles since 1985 and imho it's a small price to pay when compared to getting out of a ditch without including the damage. |
|
|
| Steves '05 MDX |
I went up to Big Bear over the Christmas break for my first snow driving experience with my MDX. I've driven in snow & ice when I drove a CJ7 and also with a Scout years ago. Compared to my previous vehicles, I was very pleasantly surprised how well my X drove in the snow. :4:
We drove home after about 18 inches came down overnight and before the snowplows came up to our cabin the next morning. It was scary at first but we had zero traction problems. I used the VTM4 Lock to get started and after stopping a few times. It worked like a charm even when it got icy. |
|
|
| frostyra |
quote:
Originally posted by Steves '05 MDX
I used the VTM4 Lock to get started and after stopping a few times. It worked like a charm even when it got icy.
Did you try it without the VTM-4 lock? My guess is that you can't tell the difference. The VTM-4 system engages every time you accelerate, as well as every time wheel slip is detected! The MDX is far better in snow (in normal non-VTM-4-lock mode) than my '93 Explorer 4X4 with manually-selected 4WD. |
|
|
| Echo2625 |
Over the Holidays we had 12 ++ inches of snowwith ice on top of it and our X handled flwlessly with the Goodyear Fortera tires on it.
There is no way we need snow tires at all on this vehicle..
BTW...the X and the Forteras handle extreme amounts of rain as well. |
|
|
| 01MBMDX76 |
frostya,
I recently went up to Reno, Nv not the recent snow storm and I couldn't tell the difference when the AWD kicked in or not. wow I'm really getting bolled over by this MDX. I have the Bridgstone Turanzas and they handled the icy conditions just fine. I also have a 93 Ford Explorer with over 230K miles( original engine) and still running(my commute car) on its 5th set of rotors, 2nd transmission, 2nd/3rd recall set of tires (currently BF Goodrich), 4wd kaput, and check engine light that is just irritating...yet it pales in comparison to ride and handling(maybe due to newer car 01 vs 93) to the MDX. Naa the X is a great ride! |
|
|
| Steves '05 MDX |
quote:
Originally posted by frostyra
Did you try it without the VTM-4 lock? My guess is that you can't tell the difference. The VTM-4 system engages every time you accelerate, as well as every time wheel slip is detected! The MDX is far better in snow (in normal non-VTM-4-lock mode) than my '93 Explorer 4X4 with manually-selected 4WD.
I tried both ways. You're correct in that there did not seem to be much difference in acceleration traction. I do believe that side slip on ice was minimized. I saw other SUV's and P/U's sliding sideways while trying to get started. I could really tell the difference on deceleration on icy curves. It seemed to keep me in a straighter line than ABS alone.
BTW - My tires are stock Michelin Cross Terrains. |
|
|
| Lacostacal |
I went up to our local mountains (Big Bear) last weekend during a major storm. You may have read or saw on the news the some 200 people that were stranded on HWY 18 going up the mountain.
My X performed spectacularly, in all conditions when many other SUV's were getting stuck in the snow. Most of the soccer mom Suv's, BMW, Lexus and the like had chains on, but not my X.
I do have 20" Falkens, which doesn't hurt. I did notice that three of the four TPMS lights came on, but I chalked it up to the fact that a lot of ice started to accumulate in the wheel wells. I guess I am supposed to remove the ice build up if I'm going to use my X like a snow plow.
Living in San Diego, I obviously don't experience any snow unless I go to it. The TPMS lights went off when I reached the bottom of the mountain. |
|
|
| uboltpb |
| Blizzard conditions in Northeast, our MDX did great in the OEM tires that came with the vehicle. |
|
|
| CTPYHA |
We probably have over 10 inches of snow by now here in Chicago. The X is performing great. I did not even clean my driveway, why? It goes right through anyway! I am very impressed... and BTW I have stock tires Good Year ... whatever... they are. Some people say they are not very good on snow. Well, if that's true I can only imagine what this truck (ops, did I say TRUCK?!) can do with snow tires!
:cool: |
|
|
| blkonblk |
I missed this action in NY/NJ Area. I'm still waiting to get my '05 MDX.
Its close to 18" snow and still going strong.
Thanks |
|
|
| MacJag |
| Chicago winters are back! Oh what fun it was driving down unplowed streets with 8 inches of snow. |
|
|
| slocko |
I live in Central NJ and I think I had 18-24 inch accumulation in my driveway.
I had to engage VTM lock to get over a little hump at the end of my driveway. The warning light was flashing on and off, so I had to baby the accelerator, but if finally went over the hump.
On the streets it was a pleasure to drive.
This is probably a dumb question, but does VTM work in reverse????? |
|
|
| Northern_MDX |
quote:
Originally posted by slocko
This is probably a dumb question, but does VTM work in reverse?????
VTM-4 Lock Mode works in Reverse as well. |
|
|
| Dick at Incline |
quote:
Originally posted by Northern_MDX
VTM-4 Lock Mode works in Reverse as well.
So the nice thing is you can put it in R, or 1 or 2, and select VTM-4. If you need to rock the car to get out of deep snow--been there done that,--you can just shift back and forth between R and 2 and the VTM-4 stays selected. |
|
|
| shootist |
quote:
Originally posted by Dick at Incline
So the nice thing is you can put it in R, or 1 or 2, and select VTM-4. If you need to rock the car to get out of deep snow--been there done that,--you can just shift back and forth between R and 2 and the VTM-4 stays selected.
Not to be a nit picker, but
VTM 4 is totally automatic. It sends torque to the wheels as it sees fit.
VTM 4 LOCK can be engaged by the driver while in 1,2 or R . VTM 4 LOCK overrides the VTM4 programming, and locks all the wheels together in drive. |
|
|
| CTPYHA |
That's the part of the manual I could not fully understand (yes, I actually read the manual, not completely, though) :rolleyes:
If VTM 4 is automatic (and it sure is) why does it need a manual lock? Other then, perhaps a start on the snow with a trailer attached. But even then it will take a fraction of a second before all 4 wheels start spinning... so what's the point of VTM 4 ? |
|
|
| Dick at Incline |
quote:
Originally posted by shootist
VTM 4 LOCK can be engaged by the driver while in 1,2 or R . VTM 4 LOCK overrides the VTM4 programming, and locks all the wheels together in drive.
That was my point--Select VTM-4 Lock and then you can shift back and forth between 2 and R and rock the car out of a problem, like being stuck in deep snow. I'm not sure why the VTM-4 lock will get you out, but VTM-4 Automatic may not? But that's the way it seems to work. |
|
|
| shootist |
Locking the rear differential is very effective in providing fantastic traction. Locking all four wheels together is even better. My Kawasaki Mule has both 4wd, and locking differential. THe 4wd is useful for better trail traction, but locking the rear diff will get me out of anything.
Anybody know the difference between a really good 4wd and a bad 4wd?
The really good 4wd will get you a lot deeper in the woods before you get stuck! |
|
|
| CTPYHA |
| Shootist, now if'll be kind enough to explain the diffrence... To me, a musician and a business guy 4WD is just 4WD - it's when all 4 wheels are spinning compare to 2 wheels on normal car or even 1 on very old ones. What's the benefit of locking rear differencial? |
|
|
| shootist |
quote:
Originally posted by CTPYHA
Shootist, What's the benefit of locking rear differencial?
It's magic when you're stuck. With both wheels rotating together, you kind of "bully" your way out of being stuck. I don't know why, but I can't explain how magicians make elephants disappear, either. |
|
|
| PsychoKnight |
| I've traveled along the edge of a small creek once and you can really tell the difference between automatic VTM and VTM-lock. On muddy rocks, traction slips and grips randomly at all four wheels and without engaging VTM-lock, I can hear and feel different wheels trying to engage torque and it proved to be very confusing for the VTM computer as a different tire would come across grip every few seconds. Once I engaged VTM-lock, I was able to progress fairly consistently without having to wait for the VTM to pick the right wheels to brake and right wheels to apply just the right amount of torque. I know this is an extreme test of 4wd performance, but that's the difference between having fully auto all-wd for driving on snow covered roads, and driving offroad in mud, snow or bouldering (grapefruit sized rocks) where differential lockup is absolutely necessary. |
|
|
| slocko |
Let me try to explain, even though I am new at this stuff also.
VTM without lock is the computer assessing slippage tire by tire and applying the necessary torque to each tire, individually.
VTM lock is you telling the computer to apply equal torque to all 4 tires at the same time.
That is my understanding.
quote:
Originally posted by CTPYHA
Shootist, now if'll be kind enough to explain the diffrence... To me, a musician and a business guy 4WD is just 4WD - it's when all 4 wheels are spinning compare to 2 wheels on normal car or even 1 on very old ones. What's the benefit of locking rear differencial?
|
|
|
| CTPYHA |
Now you are talking! :D
Thank you for explanations, it's clear now... |
|
|
| teckniks |
quote:
Originally posted by slocko
Let me try to explain, even though I am new at this stuff also.
VTM without lock is the computer assessing slippage tire by tire and applying the necessary torque to each tire, individually.
VTM lock is you telling the computer to apply equal torque to all 4 tires at the same time.
That is my understanding.
ahh.. interesting :2: |
|
|
| 01MBMDX76 |
| I get it, I get it(':2:') VTM on all 4 lock. Vtm off auto individual by feel of computer. Very interesting! Guess I'll go up to Tahoe this weekend and give it a go! VTM on VTM off VTM on VTM off...(':4:') |
|
|
| Dick at Incline |
The VTM-4 SYSTEM is an automatic all-wheel-drive system that kicks in the rear wheels (different amounts of power to each rear wheel) whenever they are needed for traction; the driver needs to do nothing to initiate this action. Normally the MDX operates in FrontWD, however the VTM-4 applies some power to the rear wheels every time you accelerate, no matter what the speed, and is VERY capable in snow.
The VTM-4 LOCK button is a "lock-the-system-on-no-matter-what" device, and shouldn't be used for any other purpose than getting unstuck.
When the VTM-4 Lock button is pressed. Pressing this button does not engage VTM-4, which is already engaged. Rather, it engages "VTM-4 Lock Mode." In this scenario, the system will send power to all 4 wheels only when the vehicle is in Reverse, 1st, or 2nd gears and traveling up to 18 mph. The four wheels are locked in 4WD with equal power being sent to Front and Rear Wheels, until 6MPH. As the vehicle goes faster, less and less power is sent to the rear until 18MPH when it goes back to normal VTM-4 AWD operation. Additionally, at less than 18MPH the two rear wheels are locked so they do not spin independently.
The fact that the two rear wheels are locked is a key. If you attempt to turn, it causes significant friction and heat. This is one reason the algorithm disengages the lock above 18mph -- you'd probably burn out the rear clutch packs if you tried turning at faster speeds. This is the other reason why VTM-4 Lock should only be used when you are trying to extricate yourself, and not for very long periods of time, and not with much turning.
Here’s a great Video on VTM-4: http://acura.com/images/media/abo_end_vtm.mov |
|
|
| 01MBMDX76 |
| Thank you. I'll just drive until I really need the lock on VTM4 (if I get stuck in the snow). Great video. |
|
|
| Our MDX |
The snow was like 8 - 10 inches on the streets.
it was fun to drive on an unplowed drive way of my friend's house.
Click here
We finally conquered the heavy snow that day.
I have to apologize because the spoken language is Chinese.
Have fun
Daniel |
|
|
| mdxx3 |
quote:
Originally posted by Our MDX
The snow was like 8 - 10 inches on the streets.
it was fun to drive on an unplowed drive way of my friend's house.
[...]
Daniel
Finally successful huh??! That was very nice - great video!! :29: |
|
|
| Dick at Incline |
| I think this is a perfect example of VTM-4 Lock. When you were first trying to get into the driveway, the front wheels were often spinning with very little drive on the rear wheels. Near the end of the video, it appears that you finally selected VTM-4 Lock, and then with all 4 wheels driving you went right up the driveway. Is that how it happened? |
|
|
| slocko |
That could be a video of my experience on my driveway, except I was leaving the driveway.
Good Job!!!
And great looking MDX!!!!! |
|
|
| Our MDX |
First of all
Thank you for your friendly response.
it was the second or third attemp that i put VTM-4 on.
Actually, the successful try was with the VTM-4 off. |
|
|
|
