| ginadoll1 |
| Has anyone taken their '07 off-road or through significantly deep snow? I know that they say it's capable of "moderate"off road conditions but I'm curious if anyone has any experience with it. And I'm wondering how it would handle in deep snow. |
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| ginadoll1 |
quote:
Originally posted by Luke
There was a discussion about that in this forum:
http://www.acuraworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73302
I think it will handle alright but there are certainly better systems out there for snow/ice.
Bottom line though is that you should have traction/winter tires.
Wow .. that was very worthwhile reading!! Thanks for sharing the info. Other readers in that forum recommended turning off the VSA for better traction in very deep snow. I guess I would do that as a last resort if I found myself in trouble. My reason for asking about this is because this vehicle acts and feels more like a sports car than a truck. |
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| SullyC5er |
quote:
Originally posted by ginadoll1
Other readers in that forum recommended turning off the VSA for better traction in very deep snow. I guess I would do that as a last resort if I found myself in trouble. My reason for asking about this is because this vehicle acts and feels more like a sports car than a truck.
Page 252 in your manual says that, "...when your vehicle gets stuck in shallow mud or fresh snow..."
Personally that's why I bought the MDX, "this vehicle acts and feels more like a sports car than a truck." I would much rather have the VSA 'tuned' for the street. ;) |
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| denholmes |
Right, wrong, or otherwise, I "tested" my new 2007 MDX after the first major snow storm here in Denver. I took the kids through an unplowed parking lot after about 18-24 inches of snow fell a couple days before Christmas.
I did several things "wrong" and I ended up stuck. Basically I slowed down, tried to turn (doing a donut), and hit a drift all at the same time. Too much snow was compacted up under me, and I was pretty much locked in. So after trying to go forwards, backwards, starting in different gears, etc., I started getting some warning lights and stopped trying. The user manual warns of stressing out the system too much when stuck in "shallow mud or fresh snow." I used the HFL and called a friend. (This is when you decide NOT to call your wife...)
The MDX seemed to do quite well in THIS MUCH SNOW. I really should not have been out there, but oh well. A few shovels later I was back in business.
I would like to understand how to turn off the VSA, although I doubt it would have made a big difference after I got stuck. Any thoughts?
Cheers. |
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| crazymjb |
Tires are almost as if not more important than your AWD system.
I am interested in hearing reports from someone with snows.
Mike |
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| Luke |
One thing I learned with my Toyota (which I assume is similar) that if there's sufficient snow, the skid control will work against you.
It will not allow the vehicle to gain enough speed to keep going so I think in these circumstances you're better off turning it off.
You do need to have a feel though how much max power is required and since the VSA will keep the vehicle straight, you have to manually counteract.
For icy and snow patched roads you should leave it on of course. |
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| SullyC5er |
quote:
Originally posted by denholmes
I would like to understand how to turn off the VSA, although I doubt it would have made a big difference after I got stuck. Any thoughts?
Cheers.
See page 352.
It says to switch it off if you get stuck, as it will be easier to free the MDX with it off. |
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| Corry |
You know, it's not just the car that matters.
The tires are very important as well as they perform different in snow, ice, wet, dry, etc...
Also the tire pressure as well.
I just got the 2007 MDX Elite (canadian version with ALL Options)
and it came with Michelin Latitude Tour HP. The sales guy told me that Elite is the only one with Michelin. The rest come with Bridgestone or BFGoodrich (i can't remember).
I was happy about Michelin as I had used the CrossTerrains before and quite happy with those.
I only drove it in a snowstorm once and it performed very well.
I just looked at the reviews for the Michelin Latitude and I am a little concerned now.
Here is the review:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...atitude+Tour+HP
It seems that this tire is THE WORST in deep snow and really bad on ice.
I guess I have to wait until next snowstorm and go for a drive without the wife and kid and really test the tires.
What tires do you have on yours? |
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| SullyC5er |
I have the same tire on mine. Keep in mind that the MDX is designed for performance driving. Even the VSA was tuned on the Ring...the same place they test Porsche, Ferrari, Corvettte, etc. Since the target market for the MDX is Porsche & BMW SUV's, the tire would favor performance driving on dry roads.
Tires will always be a compromise, dry vs wet...longevity vs traction...comfort & quiet vs grip in snow & mud. |
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| sobrien1087 |
Last winter I was driving my family in my wife's Sienna through the hills of Pennsylvania on Route 80 when I came over a rise and saw several flashing lights in the distance. It was lightly snowing at the time. As I began to apply the breaks in an effort to slow down I began to feel it - black ice - and instinctively the foot immediately came off the brakes.
In the distance I realized that several vehicles were already in the ditch on either side of the road and with the speed that I was trying to come down from I'd soon be on top of the situation. I simply remained focused in order to glide to a stop somewhere beyond the scene. As I was doing this another vehicle on my right, an SUV of some type - I couldn't really tell what at that time - over reacted to the situation. They slammed on the breaks, fishtailed off into the right guard rail, then skidded to the left in front of me, and when they hit the gravel on the left side of the road, flipped over two times before landing on their roof. It all began in front of me, and by the time I heard the thud from crash, it was out my driver's side window. Scared the crap out of all of us.
Fortunately we sailed through unscathed, but there was a situation where the best tires and all wheel drive systems in the world wouldn't have made a difference. |
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| SullyC5er |
| Kudos to you!! Driver Skill!! You're right, no tire, brake, handling system can ever replace driver skill. All the times I have been at the track, 99% of the accidents were not mechanical...it was driver skill or actually lack-there-of. |
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| sobrien1087 |
quote:
Originally posted by SullyC5er
Kudos to you!! Driver Skill!! You're right, no tire, brake, handling system can ever replace driver skill. All the times I have been at the track, 99% of the accidents were not mechanical...it was driver skill or actually lack-there-of.
We were around 3 hours from our home at the time, and after coming through it all decided to look for the nearest hotel. I had enough for the night. Plenty of family hugs when we pulled off at the next hotel.
Unfortunately the only real lessons you can take away are those gained through experience. I had never experienced a situation *as scary* as that one, but at least had plenty of practice in snowy and icy conditions. I think one of the best things anyone can do, especially younger drivers without a lot of experience, is go out to an empty parking lot sometime in rain, snow, etc. and experience your car's performance. You will learn much from the practice - both how the car can handle, and more importantly how you will potentially react when it's for *real.*
All said and done however - I hope I don't ever have to reenact that scenario any time soon! |
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| SullyC5er |
quote:
Originally posted by sobrien1087
I think one of the best things anyone can do, especially younger drivers without a lot of experience, is go out to an empty parking lot sometime in rain, snow, etc. and experience your car's performance. You will learn much from the practice - both how the car can handle, and more importantly how you will potentially react when it's for *real.*
I agree completely. I grew-up in RI. When I was a teen, I would go with my friends to parking lots after it snowed and do all kinds of crazy stunts, but it helped when we needed to do a quick manuver on the street.
I think most driving lessons are lame. At Road Atlanta, Audi sponsors a teen driving program where they practice skids and control...a very good program for the young (and old too) drivers. |
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| vapors |
quote:
Originally posted by Corry
You know, it's not just the car that matters.
The tires are very important as well as they perform different in snow, ice, wet, dry, etc...
Also the tire pressure as well.
I just got the 2007 MDX Elite (canadian version with ALL Options)
and it came with Michelin Latitude Tour HP. The sales guy told me that Elite is the only one with Michelin. The rest come with Bridgestone or BFGoodrich (i can't remember).
I was happy about Michelin as I had used the CrossTerrains before and quite happy with those.
I only drove it in a snowstorm once and it performed very well.
I just looked at the reviews for the Michelin Latitude and I am a little concerned now.
Here is the review:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...atitude+Tour+HP
It seems that this tire is THE WORST in deep snow and really bad on ice.
I guess I have to wait until next snowstorm and go for a drive without the wife and kid and really test the tires.
What tires do you have on yours?
I have the same concerns about the Michelin Latitudes that came on my 07 X Sport. I had similar problems with the Dunlop Grandtrek's that came on my 05 Toyota Sequoia. Even my Sequoia in 4WD with the center differential locked would slip and perform badly with the Grandtreks. I just put Bridgestone Deuler AT Revos on my Sequoia and it is much better :)
We haven't had a lot of snow here yet this year, but my 07 X has performed just fine with the Michelin Latitudes so far (better than my 02 X). Just looking at the tread pattern, though, you can tell they are designed for handling on dry pavement rather than snow. I am confident that, with a set of studded snow tires, or just all season tires with a more aggressive tread pattern, there is nowhere my 07 X wouldn't go.
S. |
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| Corry |
It's funny you mention Dunlop Grandtrek.
I had these tires on my Toyota 4Runner and they were really really bad. They were fine at the beginning but after a while the rubber seemed to have hardened and traction on wet or snow was terrible.
I changed them for the Michelin CrossTerrain which were simply amazing compared to Dunlop. |
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| vapors |
quote:
Originally posted by Corry
It's funny you mention Dunlop Grandtrek.
I had these tires on my Toyota 4Runner and they were really really bad. They were fine at the beginning but after a while the rubber seemed to have hardened and traction on wet or snow was terrible.
I changed them for the Michelin CrossTerrain which were simply amazing compared to Dunlop.
Yeah, they were horrible. Have you ever looked at the reviews on tirerack.com. Check this out:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...=Grandtrek+AT20
I not only had problems with traction, but also with very unusual tread wear, despite proper alignment of my Sequoia. They were bald only on the outside edges after only 16000 miles.
BTW, the Michelins that come stock on the X Sports don't get very good reviews on tirerack either :( I wonder if this is why people are having problems with traction in snow as well. Check it out
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...atitude+Tour+HP
It's always a compromise. Do you want better handling on dry pavement and less road noise or better traction in mud/snow and more road noise. It depends on where you live, but I will probably put something on for next winter with a more aggressive tread pattern.
S. |
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| vapors |
That pretty much confirms what I thought about the Michelins :(
Those Nittos are really cool looking tires. I wish I lived in a dryer climate so that I could put those on my X! |
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| Corry |
Those Nitto's are NICE !!
They don't seem to be selling them in Canada. I may give them a call to find a dealer or maybe drive to Buffalo... |
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