#ForcedInductionFamily - Project AWD Boosted Honderp

[SlimKlim]

Yeah that one is what they're using for their new standard automatics and you have the little button on top for Park. The SSG I posted and the SMG/DCT shifters do not have Park. Which is really stupid and needlessly confusing to your average driver. I think they're supposed to be parked in reverse?



I actually don't hate the column shifters on the Mercs. It's not trying to fool anyone, its just a modern interpretation of the old-fashioned 4-speed shifter on the old W180 220S, the first S-class they sold here.



I've actually driven one of those and it is heavenly. Clutch is buttery smooth and you can 1-finger that shifter all day long.

[WRXtranceformed]

Awesome, I love the collection of odd shifters. I have grown to really like the rotary dial selector in the Jag. I'm not a huge fan of the column stalks for some reason, the Sierra trucks still have those. I guess it feels too old school for me.

The service guy called and told me the RDX was ready. He also apologized for the other numbnuts telling us we needed new struts, apparently the struts are 100% fine....as are my alignment specs. They did an alignment 4 times and figured out that their machine was busted. The car was in proper alignment after the first round, it was just reading incorrectly. So yeah I guess we are neutral all around

[ViPER1313]

This is one area that I wish someone would actually step in and regulate a few standard designs for shifters. The gear selector is a vital piece of safety equipment, and button shifters don't lend themselves to quick muscle-memory reactions the same way that stick based shifters do. If the accelerator sticks on a standard column shifter, a bump of the shifter from D to N is all that is needed, which even someone who is ham-fisted and flustered can accomplish in about half a second. On a button shift auto, you have to look down, then press N for 2 or 3 seconds, which in a 300hp car may equate to 30+mph of gained speed while waiting for the car to come out of gear. Same thing goes with pushbutton start.

[Senor_Taylor]

This is one area that I wish someone would actually step in and regulate a few standard designs for shifters. The gear selector is a vital piece of safety equipment, and button shifters don't lend themselves to quick muscle-memory reactions the same way that stick based shifters do. If the accelerator sticks on a standard column shifter, a bump of the shifter from D to N is all that is needed, which even someone who is ham-fisted and flustered can accomplish in about half a second. On a button shift auto, you have to look down, then press N for 2 or 3 seconds, which in a 300hp car may equate to 30+mph of gained speed while waiting for the car to come out of gear. Same thing goes with pushbutton start.

I actually really agree with this. It also leads to safety when driving multiple cars. Few things are more disorientating than getting out of a car with one style shifter and getting into another. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. :dunno:

[Jake]

I dunno, I thought the rotary shifter in the Ram I rented was alright last summer. But I also didn't see what was wrong with the column shifter either...

[WRXtranceformed]

Really got a chance to put the Dunlops through the paces over the Christmas break. We put +/- 1000 miles on them making a big loop from CLT to BF WV to NOVA and back. They got a little bit of everything from straight and twisty highways to gravelly mountain roads and a LOT of rain. Impressions:

- Tires were a little noisy in the first hundred miles or so but quieted up nicely
- They were very comfy over minor pavement imperfections, which helped to soften the feel of the firm suspension this car has and made it a much more livable highway driver
- There is a little bit of numbness on turn in (which was expected per the review videos I watched) but they still provide plenty of corning confidence and grip wasn't an issue. It made them feel like more of an SUV tire that you could still hoon a bit on if so desired
- These are flat out the most competent rain tires I have ever owned. Even with light surface water you could hear the tread pushing water up into the wheel wells which was incredible. We drove through some pretty heavy rain at some points and the car handled itself like it was on dry pavement. When traffic was non existent and it felt safe-ish to do so, I purposely put the car through a few standing puddles at the edge of the road at about 45-50mph. The car gave a slight steering wheel kick and then the tires gripped the road, pretty incredible. I'm sure you could still hydroplane if you tried really hard but it would be pretty difficult to do with this rubber.
- Gas mileage right now is about the same, maybe 1mpg less, which could have more to do with being loaded down with luggage, presents etc. and having been stuck in a ton of traffic last night getting home.

A+ would recommend (for now anyway!)

[JPolen01]

Even with light surface water you could hear the tread pushing water up into the wheel wells which was incredible.

Noticed the same thing with my new BFGs. They did really well in the rain this weekend as well. And I got my Visa rebate card in the mail. :thumbup:

[WRXtranceformed]

Oh nice I totally forgot about the rebate! Ha. We had our mail held until today so hopefully it is here when we get home from the GMC dealer

[WRXtranceformed]

Not a ton to report in 6 months, tires are still really awesome although oddly noisy on only one patch of new highway here. I noticed a small leak on our driveway over the past month or so around the rear of the SUV. I assumed it was the differential or something in the rear. Wife had been complaining that it hadn't been "cornering" the same. Took it in two days ago for an oil change... turns out it was a leaking, blown strut! Guess the roads are as bad around here as I thought.

I make it a point to make friends with my service writers and techs. We like our guy a lot and I brought him and his crew a box of Krispy Kremes for taking care of us so well. At first it looked like I may have to pay out of pocket for the strut but he decided it would be covered under warranty. Dunno if the donuts had an effect there or if my bumper to bumper covered struts too (struts considered wear and tear? I don't know). Either way all is well. The front rotors also needed to be resurfaced and pads replaced. I got Akebono pads at AAP for $35 cheaper than they wanted to charge me for pads at the dealership...and I think the Akebonos are actually the OE pads. Nice.

Our RDX is also on the Takata recall list and they finally ordered parts for us which should hopefully be in soon. I'm not going to lie I haven't been real comfortable with my wife driving around with a potential grenade in her face, to the point where I even considered shopping for a new vehicle. But after that is taken care of soon it looks like we still plan to keep this for a while. Wife loves it and it would take a lot to get her to part with it, so I am fine with that

Oh, and I put on some OEM mud guards for her for her birthday. Gives it a lower, wider looking stance :thumbup:

[ScottyB]

I make it a point to make friends with my service writers and techs.

this is a super good idea and i'm surprised i don't see it more often. its not just service stuff either, if you get the techs to like you you'll find its muuuuuch easier to test drive the tasty stuff, get things covered under warranty, and get some sweet trade in deals.

I got Akebono pads at AAP for $35 cheaper than they wanted to charge me for pads at the dealership...and I think the Akebonos are actually the OE pads. Nice.

i recently dumped the Hawk LTS pads on our Xterra for Akebono's which are supposedly a downgrade (i couldn't deal with the dust/noise of the Hawks) but they've been better performing and almost completely dust free. AND cheap. could not be happier. i hope yours turn out to work as well for you as they have for us.

[WRXtranceformed]

I make it a point to make friends with my service writers and techs.

this is a super good idea and i'm surprised i don't see it more often. its not just service stuff either, if you get the techs to like you you'll find its muuuuuch easier to test drive the tasty stuff, get things covered under warranty, and get some sweet trade in deals.

I got Akebono pads at AAP for $35 cheaper than they wanted to charge me for pads at the dealership...and I think the Akebonos are actually the OE pads. Nice.

i recently dumped the Hawk LTS pads on our Xterra for Akebono's which are supposedly a downgrade (i couldn't deal with the dust/noise of the Hawks) but they've been better performing and almost completely dust free. AND cheap. could not be happier. i hope yours turn out to work as well for you as they have for us.

Yeah bro! I have the same mentality toward any important service advisor, especially people who generally get yelled at a lot like airline agents. If you take a minute of your time to be nice to them and talk to them like human beings, you would be surprised how often the gates part and things that are "not possible" become possible. I was on the way back home from Austin on Wednesday and asked if I could get on standby for an earlier flight. There were only a couple of open seats and the ticket agent looked super tired, so we started talking about that and we chatted for about 5 minutes. Turns out the ticket agent was also the gate agent for my flight, and he saved the last open seat for me

I hope so too on the pads! The AAP parts guy said he liked the Akebonos even better than the Wagners they sell. Didn't you have a somewhat new set of tires too that we were comparing side by side? How are those going?

[ScottyB]

I hope so too on the pads! The AAP parts guy said he liked the Akebonos even better than the Wagners they sell. Didn't you have a somewhat new set of tires too that we were comparing side by side? How are those going?

yeah i was looking at your tires but ended up with BFG Comp-2 A/S's. still an amazing tire. i used to run my Kumho 4X's like 6psi higher to get the same lack of sidewall flex as these BFG's have, yet the BFG's still ride better. tire tech just keeps getting better.

[WRXtranceformed]

On to the next chariot for wifey

[Jake]

Any reasons in particular why you ditched the RDX? Seems like it treated you guys pretty well.

[JPolen01]

New CRV? Continues with the boost right?

[WRXtranceformed]

Any reasons in particular why you ditched the RDX? Seems like it treated you guys pretty well.

It was a good car for the most part but some QC issues and aging electronics/interface were starting to bug wifey. There were also a few maintenance & repair bills coming up (windshield repair, oil change and 60k service). We knew we weren't going to keep it much longer so it didn't make sense for me to put more money in it. I raked the dealership over the coals on the new car pricing and got them to get to a trade in value on the RDX that benefited me so the timing was right.

New CRV? Continues with the boost right?

2017 CX-5 AWD grand touring with all option packages. It's got a few more horses and torque than the 2016/2016.5 but it's peppy enough for wifey and it's her dream car... so bye bye boost!

[Apoc]

it's her dream car...