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27 Posts
Thought I'd post some things I've noticed about my RL. I'm 63 and retired in 2012 from the tire and auto service business. I was the "go to" guy for tire, alignment, general service and tire warranty claim and processing. Those years give me a different perspective on what I like and don't like in a vehicle. Yes, I'm one of those people who trades new cars frequently. I traded a 2016 accord LX for this RL last week. I'll list a few likes, one mild dislike and some observations on my 2WD RTS.
I like the digital speedometer. Analog is best for temp and fuel since critical info grabs your attention at a glance. On the RL, the wheel doesn't block my view of the instruments like most do when adjusted for me.
The sunglasses holder is only shaped and small, kind of odd in such a large vehicle.
I'm glad Honda put reasonable size tires and wheels on. The Firestone OE tires are good. Mine are faultlessly round and balanced. In my years in the tire bizz, I grew to despise oversize wheel and tire combos. The added weight, cost, fragility of very low profile tires and wheels, poorer ride, greater difficulty to keep balanced and all for the sake of "style" or "stance". Sorry, rant over.
Like the torsion springs for the trunk lid instead of gas streets. But I wish Honda had used some gas struts for the hood. At least the hood is aluminum and short.
Minor dislike is the a/c compressor. Honda has stayed with the older cycling clutch design while most of the industry has gone to non-cycling designs. These use a variable swashplate that controls the amount of refrigerant pumped while the clutch remains engaged full-time. Both systems work fine but the newer variable displacement compressors eliminate cycling.
For the curious here, take care if you remove the engine cover. I managed to loose two of the four grommets. Got some new ones and lightly greased them all. You can use your fingers the feel the front pins aligning, then push the whole cover down gently. If all the pins and grommets are aligned, the cover goes on with almost no force.
I like the digital speedometer. Analog is best for temp and fuel since critical info grabs your attention at a glance. On the RL, the wheel doesn't block my view of the instruments like most do when adjusted for me.
The sunglasses holder is only shaped and small, kind of odd in such a large vehicle.
I'm glad Honda put reasonable size tires and wheels on. The Firestone OE tires are good. Mine are faultlessly round and balanced. In my years in the tire bizz, I grew to despise oversize wheel and tire combos. The added weight, cost, fragility of very low profile tires and wheels, poorer ride, greater difficulty to keep balanced and all for the sake of "style" or "stance". Sorry, rant over.
Like the torsion springs for the trunk lid instead of gas streets. But I wish Honda had used some gas struts for the hood. At least the hood is aluminum and short.
Minor dislike is the a/c compressor. Honda has stayed with the older cycling clutch design while most of the industry has gone to non-cycling designs. These use a variable swashplate that controls the amount of refrigerant pumped while the clutch remains engaged full-time. Both systems work fine but the newer variable displacement compressors eliminate cycling.
For the curious here, take care if you remove the engine cover. I managed to loose two of the four grommets. Got some new ones and lightly greased them all. You can use your fingers the feel the front pins aligning, then push the whole cover down gently. If all the pins and grommets are aligned, the cover goes on with almost no force.
