Acura TL SH-AWD Traction Test

This was a trial run to test the effectiveness of the SH-AWD system in the 2009 TL.

This ramp/roller test demonstrates how well an all-wheel drive system can get a vehicle moving if only one wheel has traction.

The rollers are used to simulate an icy surface. The right rear roller is covered with a plate, making this the only wheel with traction.

In theory, any modern AWD system with traction control should be able to get a vehicle moving if one wheel has traction. But the reality is that this is not the case for many AWD systems — especially if the vehicle is on an incline. The steeper the incline, the harder the AWD and traction control systems must work to get the vehicle moving.

The SH-AWD system in the TL was capable of climbing the ramp no matter which wheel had traction.

[ruzzelladrian]

I'm very impress with Acura's AWD system. It immediately detects and send power to the rear. Wow.

[onilovni]

My 6 speed manual 2010 Acura TL A-Spec SH-AWD has a long name but it's a hell of a car. It had a lot of issues though; wheel bearing, worn out camshaft lobe, driveshaft change but there is simply no equivalent these days!

[nighthawkjA]

I love these Gen of Acura’s one of my Favorites.

[Fusion]

I own a 2012 TL with SH-AWD. Never had to use this in dangerous situations, but nice to know what it can do.

[DerangedIntellectual]

capable against Canadian winters, as long as you have winter tires👍good stuff

[mrgold]

I always purchase an Acura with sh-awd. Very small mpg hit compared to the fwd models; but, way more fun to drive sh-awd at any speed and weather conditions.

[adricrz]

I hope this question isn't too hard to answer, but, what color is that TL? Is that a custom color? It looks like it has a tint of purple on it, or perhaps it's just the reflection of the building? Thanks in advance! (couldn't find a purple color code for 2009 TL)

[VladimirYerokhin]

Could you please do a comparison between a Subaru and Acura's SH-AWD system. I haven't found a single place that has done this comparison on a ramp like what you have.

[CriticalTechReviews]

This is awesome. It aced this just like a Subaru. Wonder how the G37x system compares.

[drakedrake]

I have the 08 MDX which has the same system 👌👍

[Branhawk]

Drove my 08 mdx through a foot and a half deep snow the other day. It’s not really built for that but it made it!

[kris]

Now let one of the front wheels be the only one with traction and see what happens. From what I had read this system only has clutch pack LSD in the back.