Winter Driving????

13709 Views 25 Replies 18 Participants Last post by Klamalama, Jan 22, 2014

RetVet13

Discussion Starter · Nov 23, 2013

I'm just curious if anyone has driven their Q50 AWD in any winter conditions yet? Snow ect... If so, in your opinion how did it handle? Would love to hear about it!

1 - 20 of 26 Posts

YasBean

· #2 · Nov 23, 2013

I drove on snow and ice today. It was solid. I am curious, though, just what the "SNOW" mode does. The Owner's Manual has no details about it. For example, does it keep some power to the front wheels? What about shifting? Should I stay in snow mode all the time, just in case I hit some ice, or only when in bad conditions?

Reactions: 1

infmike_q50

· #3 · Nov 23, 2013

YasBean said:
I drove on snow and ice today. It was solid. I am curious, though, just what the "SNOW" mode does. The Owner's Manual has no details about it. For example, does it keep some power to the front wheels? What about shifting? Should I stay in snow mode all the time, just in case I hit some ice, or only when in bad conditions?

It prevents your from over-accelerating. It also puts the car in 50:50 drive distribution until 15mph.

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SimpsonTide985

· #4 · Nov 23, 2013

Yeah, and it significantly reduces engine output to control wheel spin

volnedan

· #5 · Nov 26, 2013

This have been a major topic of discussion over on MyG37.com for years now. The most agreed upon answer is that it retards throttle response and modulates wheel spin higher than normal. No real facts to support locking the differential to a 50:50 split. Although this may have changed on the Q50.

Don't beat me up, Simpson...

Sinecure

· #6 · Nov 26, 2013

infmike_q50 said:
It also puts the car in 50:50 drive distribution until 15mph.

Can you show me something from Infiniti that confirms this? I suspect not. I've looked for it, and can't find it. It is a very common misconception and one that I'm certain is perpetuated by salespeople and/or techs who don't really understand what they're saying.

As far as I know (and I should know), all snow mode does is retard throttle response, especially at low speeds. Gives you slower acceleration so you are less likely to spin your tires. You can do the same thing yourself by being light on the gas pedal.

I describe it to clients this way: When I learned to drive in New Hampshire, I had a manual shift car. We would sometimes in slippery/icy conditions start in 2nd gear when starting from a stop on a hill. This tended to prevent initial wheel spin and gave a smoother, more grippy start. That's what snow mode feels like.

I would not bother leaving it in snow mode all the time.

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infmike_q50

· #7 · Nov 26, 2013

Sinecure said:
Can you show me something from Infiniti that confirms this? I suspect not. I've looked for it, and can't find it. It is a very common misconception and one that I'm certain is perpetuated by salespeople and/or techs who don't really understand what they're saying.

As far as I know (and I should know), all snow mode does is retard throttle response, especially at low speeds. Gives you slower acceleration so you are less likely to spin your tires. You can do the same thing yourself by being light on the gas pedal.

I describe it to clients this way: When I learned to drive in New Hampshire, I had a manual shift car. We would sometimes in slippery/icy conditions start in 2nd gear when starting from a stop on a hill. This tended to prevent initial wheel spin and gave a smoother, more grippy start. That's what snow mode feels like.

I would not bother leaving it in snow mode all the time.

I read that on here! I wish it were true.

bbrowne

· #8 · Nov 26, 2013

Snow and Ice

RetVet13 said:
I'm just curious if anyone has driven their Q50 AWD in any winter conditions yet? Snow ect... If so, in your opinion how did it handle? Would love to hear about it!

Had snow last week and besides the Steering lockup issue i had,
http://www.infinitiq50.org/forum/ne...ussion-forum/15314-steering-wheel-locked.html

The car handled great. Snow mode cruising at highway speeds or lower (50 mph) and it was great in snow mode. Anything above that i just went into eco and kept it slow and steady.

One weird thing is the back window was completey capped in ice and while using the rear defrost it sounds as if the window is going to break, even though it was just thawing, has anyone else had that issue>?

bkafrick

· #9 · Nov 26, 2013

bbrowne said:
One weird thing is the back window was completey capped in ice and while using the rear defrost it sounds as if the window is going to break, even though it was just thawing, has anyone else had that issue>?

Yep. So bizarre right? Kept on hearing those cracking type noises.

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sebounet

· #10 · Nov 27, 2013

Sinecure said:
Can you show me something from Infiniti that confirms this? I suspect not. I've looked for it, and can't find it. It is a very common misconception and one that I'm certain is perpetuated by salespeople and/or techs who don't really understand what they're saying.

As far as I know (and I should know), all snow mode does is retard throttle response, especially at low speeds. Gives you slower acceleration so you are less likely to spin your tires. You can do the same thing yourself by being light on the gas pedal.

I describe it to clients this way: When I learned to drive in New Hampshire, I had a manual shift car. We would sometimes in slippery/icy conditions start in 2nd gear when starting from a stop on a hill. This tended to prevent initial wheel spin and gave a smoother, more grippy start. That's what snow mode feels like.

I would not bother leaving it in snow mode all the time.

Here it is, it's from infiniti, but the link don't work anymore

Another unique feature of the G35 AWD system design is the addition of a Snow-Mode function, which reduces throttle sensitivity and fixes initial torque distribution at 50:50, helping avoid wheel spin for smooth starts on snowy roads. At speeds above 12 miles per hour, the Snow-Mode function allows the central computer processing system to take over again, continually monitoring traction conditions and changing the torque distribution as needed.

another proof,

http://infinitinews.com/en-US/infini...uery=snow+mode

The ATTESA E-TS™ (Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All Electronic Torque Split) all-wheel drive system utilized on the FX45 and FX35 AWD uses an advanced torque split control strategy that automatically transfers optimum torque to the wheels according to road and driving conditions. It provides outstanding cornering capability due to optimum torque distribution for front and rear (50:50 up to 0:100). The system also provides high starting traction performance and smooth, stable acceleration, especially in snow-covered or off-road situations with the 50:50 torque split at standing start.

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Reactions: 1

Klamalama

· #11 · Nov 27, 2013

After these 2 days of rain end, temps are supposed to dive to 20F. Should be plenty of salt-covered ice around. That's 2 reasons not to take out the Q .

volnedan

· #12 · Dec 3, 2013

bbrowne said:
One weird thing is the back window was completey capped in ice and while using the rear defrost it sounds as if the window is going to break, even though it was just thawing, has anyone else had that issue>?

Not to hijack this thread, but yes I did experience the same cracking sound when rear defroster is turned on with ice/frost on rear windshield. Definitely did not sound normal and hopefully its not a problem when it gets really cold up here (<20deg F).

TomP

· #13 · Jan 17, 2014

Drove all over Buffalo NY last week in zero degree temps. It drove great and I really am appreciating the heated steering wheel :
)

Klamalama

· #14 · Jan 17, 2014

Like backup cameras, never thought much of heated steering wheels. My X3 had it. OH WHAT JOY! Then the RX-350 didn't have it, and I really missed it. The heated steering wheel was a primary reason to get the AWD.

maddsiick

· #15 · Jan 17, 2014

The Q handles really well in the snow. The only complaint I have is with the Run Flat Tries. They handle OK in the snow but the fact that they are more susceptible to damage under cold temperatures really pisses me off. I already had to replace one of my tires because the sidewall ripped and I barely touched a hole, if there even was a hole in the road. Apparently a lot of people who have Q's up in NY have had to replace a tire or two already because they are popping/damaging under the cold weather conditions. A lot of people are also swapping them out after having to replace them.

That's my only complaint about it. Other than that, the car performed great in the snow.

944Nick84

· #16 · Jan 17, 2014

Drove my AWD Q in the snow a few weeks ago, about a foot of snow overall and my car was plowed in. All I had to do was dig a path to the door and clean the windows, and was able to pull out of my spot like I was driving a truck. Once on the road I was very impressed with the Q50's handling abilities in the snow, sport mode with traction control off made it even better. Have to agree with maddsiick in saying that the run flats are horrible especially being in NY.

Reactions: 1

selzini

· #17 · Jan 17, 2014

I really am appreciating the heated steering wheel :

Amen to that. I also never thought it was "needed," but in the recent frigid weather, it was great having it come on automatically. I could feel the warmth through my gloves.

maddsiick

· #18 · Jan 17, 2014

Same here. I find myself using it more and more now. It's also nice when its cold out and you come into the car and the heated steering wheel comes on automatically.

lKoRTy

· #19 · Jan 17, 2014

Has anyone experienced steering wheel to become stiff (with DAS) while either doing a moose test or trying to counter-steer a drift? Today was icy and I gave it some gas while turning right, so read end broke loose a little (awd), but wheel became very stiff and harder to counter-steer. Same happened in dry conditions when I tried to "avoid" an obstacle, sharp left, then sharp right - steering wheel became stiff.

selzini

· #20 · Jan 17, 2014

lKoRTy said:
Has anyone experienced steering wheel to become stiff (with DAS) while either doing a moose test or trying to counter-steer a drift? Today was icy and I gave it some gas while turning right, so read end broke loose a little (awd), but wheel became very stiff and harder to counter-steer. Same happened in dry conditions when I tried to "avoid" an obstacle, sharp left, then sharp right - steering wheel became stiff.

I'm not trying to be funny, or in any way criticizing(in case there was a typo there). What the heck is a moose test?

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