----- Original Message -----
From: Rich Johnston <richj50@bit-net.com>
> I'm considering buying a 92 Prelude Si with 4 wheel steering which would
> serve as a daily driver and GS autox car. Would I be better off staying
> away from the 4WS option?
There are no particular reasons for or against the 4WS option, other than
the increased weight -- something on the order of 50 lbs -- and maybe not
even that, since the computer module and the extra steering gear is in the
back of the car. Although the 4WS cars have been faster through high-speed
transient maneuvers and tight turns than their 2WS counterparts in road
tests, it was a pretty expensive option new, and the advantage just doesn't
seem to have been worth it to many U.S. customers. The option was dropped
in the U.S. around 1995 (I think) due to lack of sales, although cars for
the Japanese and European markets still had it through at least the end of
the 4th generation (1996).
The only operational problem I've ever heard of has been the system turning
itself off if the wheels are turned hard over when parked -- one of the
European long-term tests ran into this problem a couple of times. Failure
mode is simply 2WS (the rears lock straight ahead as soon as they reach that
point), and the testers reset the system by cycling the ignition with the
wheels straight ahead.
Jamie
'92 Prelude Si (2WS)
Speed Demon Racing
http://www.mindspring.com/~jsculerati/sdr
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