Acura claims a higher - capacity transmission in the 2003 model employs
gear and clutch materials and a transaxle case that improve performance and fuel efficiency during low -
gear activities, such as towing and off - roading, by
utilizing slightly
wider gear ratios from first to fifth.
The system's variable steering
ratio is enabled by its steering rack, which
utilizes progressively
wider gear spacing so, as the wheel is moved farther off center, the steering
ratio is effectively increased, providing for both easy maneuverability in parking and city street maneuvers and outstanding calmness and stability when traveling at freeway speeds The steering
ratio is variable with an on - center
ratio of 15.13:1 and final off - center
ratio (at full lock) of 11.95:1, with a total of 2.23 turns lock - to - lock (compared to 2.73 on the previous - generation RDX).