| panamamike |
Hello all, new to the Pilot. I've been driving it for 300 miles so far. I've been pretty impressed with the general acceleration and handling. I feel confident behind the wheel. However, I did find a few trouble spots.
The car was terrible in the rain! Couldn't believe how bad the traction was on wet pavement. I spun out with very little effort and suffered from hydroplaning. The other concern is around cornering, the car takes turns well, but there is definite leans easily making me feel left confident.
I chalked up the skidding and hydroplaning to the tires. I'm hoping this is the case. I then recently read an article comparing HL 08 Pilot 09 and CX9 09. They put the Pilot in 3rd due to poor road behavior, handling and breaking. I was a bit surprised since I didn't feel that the Pilot lacked in the passing department. I also read that they attributed some of this to the Michelin LTX tires
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/d...rticleId=128367
They then went on to say how well the HL performed and said part of it had to do with iit's TOYO tires. Are they really going to put the HL ahead of the Pilot just due to the tires that come with it? Or is there more to the poor Pilot handling? Will new/different tires make the difference? If so, does anyone have recommendations on the right rubber?
Regards,
Mike |
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| N_Jay |
quote:
Originally posted by panamamike
. . . .. I feel confident behind the wheel. . . . .
quote:
Originally posted by panamamike
. . . . . I spun out with very little effort and suffered from hydroplaning. . . .
I would say you are OVERCONFIDENT behind the wheel! |
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| panamamike |
And your comments help how?
The skidding occurred going from a full stop to accelerating at a slow and reasonable speed on wet pavement. The tires spun with no grip, never had this issue with my 95' JGC. Likewise, hydroplaning occur while slowing down gradually, good thing I had a good distance between myself and the car in front of me. It really surprised me that this happened under non aggressive driving conditions. I have the less than stellar Goodyear Integrity tires that have gotten a fair amount of negative feedback here in the forums. |
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| rlapid |
| how many miles do you have on the integrities? your best bet might be to swap them out with a better tire. many here have reported huge differences in handling and ride after simply getting a better set of tires. personally, i've never experienced unintentional spinning out or hydroplaning with my integrities, even on snow and ice, and plan on keeping them until it is time for replacement. a quick search of the forums will yield tons of recommendations for replacement tires. good luck. |
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| macphanatic |
I've put two sets of Michelin LTX's on my wife's Explorer. Ever since, she has never had to use 4 wheel drive in the snow. Never had a traction issue. I believe that they are one of the best tires in their class. Can't wait to justify putting them on the Pilot.
The issue I have with the GY's is that if I am making a turn from a stop in the rain, the tires break loose way to easily. |
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| panamamike |
quote:
Originally posted by macphanatic
I The issue I have with the GY's is that if I am making a turn from a stop in the rain, the tires break loose way to easily.
macphanatic,
That's exactly what happened to me. I'm worried it could happen during emergency breaking situations. Here in Austin we get "flash floods" that can be an issue on roads. You say you like the LTX tires, the article I posted speaks negatively about them, any thoughts?
rlapid,
Bought the car used, it has 32k miles on it, I suspect the tires are original. They look to have some uneven wear.
Mike |
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| Sportymonk |
quote:
Originally posted by panamamike
... I have the less than stellar Goodyear Integrity tires that have gotten a fair amount of negative feedback here in the forums.
First let's get a little info. What year is your Pilot? If you have Integrities, you don't have an 09 as Honda (wisely) discontinued using them.
How many miles on it? Any mods?
I have an 05 and although the Integrity's met basic needs (black, round, held air) I upgraded to the Bridgestone Alenza's Quieter, much better road handling. Check the tire forum here, there is more than a Pilot load of info. :p |
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| panamamike |
06 Pilot, no mods, EX-L RES.
Mike |
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| rocky |
Does it have the GY integrities?
If so GET RID OF THEM.
There is plenty of advice on this board and opinions on just about every tire out there. Please do a search. Tirerack is a good resource as well
Install the rear suspension braces. Huge difference even with the crapyear tires
http://www.hondacuraworld.com/Merch...ategory_Code=HP |
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| N_Jay |
quote:
Originally posted by panamamike
And your comments help how?
The skidding occurred going from a full stop to accelerating at a slow and reasonable speed on wet pavement. The tires spun with no grip, never had this issue with my 95' JGC. Likewise, hydroplaning occur while slowing down gradually, good thing I had a good distance between myself and the car in front of me. It really surprised me that this happened under non aggressive driving conditions. I have the less than stellar Goodyear Integrity tires that have gotten a fair amount of negative feedback here in the forums.
My comment did no good at all (assuming that you did not notice the fact that you are overconfident in either your skills, the cars abilities or both).
The integraties that everyone like to complain about are not great tires, but they are not terrible either.
There is always a period of getting used to a new vehicle, and during that time it is better to drive more conservatively then less.
conˇfiˇdent [ kónfidənt ] adjective
Definition:
1. self-assured: certain of having the ability, judgment, and resources needed to succeed
2. convinced: sure about the nature or facts of something
We are confident that the market for our products is expanding.
3. excessively forward: bold and presumptuous in manner
I guess you are confident. I was thinking definition #1, and you were meaning definition #3 |
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| panamamike |
quote:
Originally posted by rocky
Does it have the GY integrities?
If so GET RID OF THEM.
There is plenty of advice on this board and opinions on just about every tire out there. Please do a search. Tirerack is a good resource as well
Install the rear suspension braces. Huge difference even with the crapyear tires
http://www.hondacuraworld.com/Merch...ategory_Code=HP
Yes I have the GY Int.
Also, would the dealer install the rear suspension braces or is this a mod they wouldn't support? Also, I have a 2WD, does that make a difference?
Mike |
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| macphanatic |
Do the suspension braces yourself. Very easy mod.
I have yet to meet anyone (personally) that has anything bad to say about the LTX's. I first looked into them at the recommendation of a colleague. His wife had problems with her Suburban being uncontrollable in a few inches of snow unless it was in four wheel drive. He took it during a snow storm to a tire dealer who recommended the LTX's. Drove home in two wheel drive without issue.
He was so impressed with their traction, that he put them on his old Suburban which he took up in the mountains when he went hunting. Drove over all kinds of trails and never had an issue with traction.
Another friend of mine is on his second set on a Dodge Ram 2500 with the diesel engine. He was camping with the Boy Scouts, when one of the trucks got stuck going up a muddy trail. He had no issue pulling the truck up the hill with is LTX's. He did say that there was mud all over the place by the time he got to the top, but he never lost traction.
My wife has been very happy with hers. In fact, she hasn't had a need for four wheel drive since she got the first set of LTX's.
I take CR reviews with a grain of salt. Too often, they don't really know what they are talking about. |
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| Medic721 |
having a 2wd does make a difference especially when accelerating from a stop. in the awd the 'power' is split front-rear giving less slip. Often when raining if I am heavy on the gas and near the pedestrian crossing lines my front tires will slip on the markings.
-Mike. |
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| NJGuy |
I would agree with N_Jay and rlapid here. There are better tires out there than the integrities, but they've met my day to day needs for driving. The only times I've lost traction with them are in situations where it was highly expected. I do have a 4WD model though.
To me it sounds like your driving style is a hair more agressive than the average driver. Don't be surprised if the Pilot leans a lot in turns, that's just the nature of the vehicle. If you wanted something with confidence inspiring handling you would have been better off with an MDX or another vehicle with a lower ride height.
Since the integrities aren't the tires for you, I'd recommend you check out the tire forum here. Being that you're in Texas, the Michelin LTX might not be the best tire for your needs. You could probably get something more peformance oriented if your Pilot never really leaves the pavement.
Upgrading your tires will help; but even if you do, you still might spin them when accelerating from a stop in the wet because you have a 2WD model. Most FWD vehicles similar to the Pilot in size, weight, and power will spin the front wheels under moderately hard acceleration in the wet. |
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| panamamike |
NJGuy,
Thanks for the input. I guess I've been spoiled by the Jeep with 4WD. I'll just have to adjust my driving somewhat for these different scenarios. I wasn't aware of the tire spin issue. Never had that problem in a 2wd sedan, but as you point out this is an SUV thus some different characteristics. |
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