Just turn the VDC off when you want to drift or break the tires loose.
Snow Mode and VDC??
- Thread starter faithy
- Start date
Is there a light that comes on to indicate the AWD has kicked in? I see AWD light up for a couple seconds every time I turn my FX35 on but I was in Colorado this past weekend on icy roads and couldn't tell if my AWD was on. I even slipped a little in a parting lot with snow mode on so I was getting concerned something might not be working properly.
Does anyone know why FXs (especially since they advertise AWD), don't have a AWD type button? I've always wondered this because even though I realize VDC will control when it needs to give power or not to give power to any of the 4 wheels, sometimes I would rather not even get into that kind of situation....being in the midwest and winters, I'd love to just know I'm driving AWD knowing that rear wheel drive cars SUCK in the snow and ice and sometimes as soon as you hit a patch, by that time it's too late, but maybe it wouldn't have been if the car was in AWD from the start.
Any comments on why Nissan did this?
Any comments on why Nissan did this?
Buy a 2003 FX45, I have an AWD button
. Puts it in AWD and splits power 50/50 front rear I believe and shouldn't go over 40 mph to avoid t-case damage.
That's going off memory, so could be wrong.
My QX4 had a cool locking differential and was a true 4WD vs AWD and had hi/low settings.
. Puts it in AWD and splits power 50/50 front rear I believe and shouldn't go over 40 mph to avoid t-case damage.That's going off memory, so could be wrong.
My QX4 had a cool locking differential and was a true 4WD vs AWD and had hi/low settings.
The FX drives very good in the snow, even when I had my worn all season tires on last winter.....night and day difference compared to my previous rear wheel drive car....but it wasn't like the VDC light was going off all the time controlling slippage....my understanding is when the VDC activated (potentially AWD activates or changes in ratios to any of the wheels, etc) you are notified as a user because it shows the yellow VDC light on the dash and can feel it. I have a hard time believing the FX is in rear wheel drive mode only during winters even with snow mode on and drives so well even when I'm driving aggressively and no yellow light indicating VDC is activating controlling slippage unless i really push it in the snow.
I think it's running in all 4 otherwise it wouldn't be so dam good in the snow...that's just what I noticed compared to other vehicles.....to me it even makes turns in the snow better than my wife's front wheel drive car in the snow with her having better tires last year. So what gives?
I think there is more than meets the eye from the documentation! hahaha...where is a Nissan engineer to explain this FX AWD phenomenon!? I have a feeling what we read from the consumer FX manuals is not what is really happening???
I think it's running in all 4 otherwise it wouldn't be so dam good in the snow...that's just what I noticed compared to other vehicles.....to me it even makes turns in the snow better than my wife's front wheel drive car in the snow with her having better tires last year. So what gives?
I think there is more than meets the eye from the documentation! hahaha...where is a Nissan engineer to explain this FX AWD phenomenon!? I have a feeling what we read from the consumer FX manuals is not what is really happening???
ED, I believe Jonas has that button in his, I have it in my 09 FX. I think you are talking about the Snow Mode switch, it cuts back power and delivers the power to 50/50 front and rear up to 20km/hr (12mph). If you go over that speed it just reverts back to the normal awd mode. You should not use this switch on dry pavement, only slippery surfaces..
this to me is more believable considering how good it the FX is off the line and on turns coming off the line even with bad tires in the snow.
If snow mode does activate full AWD 50/50 split up to 12mph, why is it limited to only that? If you are in snow mode...you are indicating you are driving in bad conditions...snow! When I'm driving 45mph in a 70mph highway because there is snow and ice everywhere...or even a rode going 20 when speed limit 40, I'm wanting AWD, not rear wheel!?? Why would they do this.
Also, in regards to "should not use this switch on dry pavement"....if it is wet outside and freezing temps, I always turn it on as soon as I get in the car....but the subdivision might have snow, but when I get on the main road and the highway of going 80-90 for 20 minutes, it's dry....I'm not flipping the switch on/off/on/off, but am going 10 minutes on snow, then 5 minutes on dry road, then 90mph on highway dry, then 10 minutes on snow, etc all on the same drive all in snow mode.....
Furthermore, my thoughts are that if it was at all damaging to leave it on when dry, I would think alerts would show on the dash or the ECU would handle it. Us enthusiasts are much more aware of what we should or shouldn't do, but not 98% of the other FX buyers, so this is also something I haven't gotten concrete evidence on yet irregardless of what I've read and/or heard from multiple people/forums.
This topic is somewhat a headache because I've read so many cases of it being damaging and others trying to provide proof it isn't, then cases of what snow mode does and what it doesn't etc....I think it's one of the most unknown phenomenons and talked about frequently and responded already in 100 different ways from 100 different experts....at least that has been my observation after trying to truly figure out what the heck is going on from every topic related to this on the internet....and yet I still yearn for all these answers. hehe
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Jonas, I am on my 3rd AWD Infiniti and I never use the Snow Mode switch. The Infiniti attessa works so well in slippery conditions, I get great control and traction without it. Of course in the winter I have always ran Blizzaks on my Infinitis.
Jonas, here is an explanation I copied from some Infiniti literature about our awd systems. It is talking about the G35 awd but it is basically the very same as our system.
QUOTE
The key to the performance of the new all-wheel drive G35 is its state-of-the-art ATTESA E-TS™ all-wheel drive system, which is arguably one of the most advanced on-pavement all-wheel drive systems in the world.
The ATTESA E-TS, which stands for Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All Electronic Torque Split, utilizes an electro-magnetic clutch control design (in contrast to typical oil pressure clutch control) to provide quicker response, lighter weight (approximately 22 pounds lighter than a similar oil pressure clutch control design with center differential) and true variable torque distribution, ranging from 50:50 up to 0:100 percent front-to-rear ratio (versus fixed ratio competitive systems).
Some of the G35 system's benefits over front-wheel drive-based AWD systems with traditional center differentials include:
Faster torque distribution control response to changes in road conditions
Ability to adjust torque without the onset of wheel spin allows G35 to uniquely optimize the torque distribution based on driving conditions
Better base performance due to rear-wheel drive base layout (versus front-wheel drive based AWD layouts)
Better standing start performance on snow through use of Snow-Mode switch
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.
"Only the all-wheel drive G35 feels like a rear-wheel drive performance sedan, giving the drivers in Northern climates all-season driving enjoyment," said Igo.
Jonas, here is an explanation I copied from some Infiniti literature about our awd systems. It is talking about the G35 awd but it is basically the very same as our system.
QUOTE
The key to the performance of the new all-wheel drive G35 is its state-of-the-art ATTESA E-TS™ all-wheel drive system, which is arguably one of the most advanced on-pavement all-wheel drive systems in the world.
The ATTESA E-TS, which stands for Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All Electronic Torque Split, utilizes an electro-magnetic clutch control design (in contrast to typical oil pressure clutch control) to provide quicker response, lighter weight (approximately 22 pounds lighter than a similar oil pressure clutch control design with center differential) and true variable torque distribution, ranging from 50:50 up to 0:100 percent front-to-rear ratio (versus fixed ratio competitive systems).
Some of the G35 system's benefits over front-wheel drive-based AWD systems with traditional center differentials include:
Faster torque distribution control response to changes in road conditions
Ability to adjust torque without the onset of wheel spin allows G35 to uniquely optimize the torque distribution based on driving conditions
Better base performance due to rear-wheel drive base layout (versus front-wheel drive based AWD layouts)
Better standing start performance on snow through use of Snow-Mode switch
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.
"Only the all-wheel drive G35 feels like a rear-wheel drive performance sedan, giving the drivers in Northern climates all-season driving enjoyment," said Igo.
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Thanks Wayne...that answer cleans up a lot....
my confusion that still remains is....VDC kicks in when tires slip indicating to the user on the dash. and all this unique precent front/rear ratio splitting is achieved from ATTESA. SO, does that mean that this is only activated when we see the yellow VDC light come up? I'm leaning towards no since the car drives so well in the snow, but then how does it know how to distribute the ratios if the car is not slipping (no yellow light)? :confused.:
I'm an engineer and like to know the whole process
Also, keeping snow mode on in dry/wet conditions damaging makes no sense either based on my explanation above... :confused.:
my confusion that still remains is....VDC kicks in when tires slip indicating to the user on the dash. and all this unique precent front/rear ratio splitting is achieved from ATTESA. SO, does that mean that this is only activated when we see the yellow VDC light come up? I'm leaning towards no since the car drives so well in the snow, but then how does it know how to distribute the ratios if the car is not slipping (no yellow light)? :confused.:
I'm an engineer and like to know the whole process
Also, keeping snow mode on in dry/wet conditions damaging makes no sense either based on my explanation above... :confused.:
If I'm recalling this correctly...
Normal driving:
50/50 power delivery up to 12mph
100% rwd after 12mph
Snow Mode:
Limited throttle response regardless of speed
50/50 power delivery up to 18-20 mph
100% rwd after 18-20 mph, but AWD sensitivity is increased
So you can use it on any surface since it's really an electronic system, you will just see a performance hit.
There was a lot just written and I'm admittely too lazy to read it all -- but in short, I agree with GEE35FX that I have never used my AWD button (which is now I think a "Snow" button on newer models).
I accelerate, I slip in snow, it engages, I am fine.
I can see where Jonas wants it on from the get go, to avoid slippage. The AWD engages so fast not much of a concern for me, I like the AWD symbol lighting up to tell me the car is ATTESA is working properly.
I really like the 4WD of my QX4 (yes, repeating myself), leaving it in 4WD auto vs 2WD (RWD) or 4WD Lock. My dash had 4 tire diagram where each tire would light up if there was power going to that corner. Really neat.
I accelerate, I slip in snow, it engages, I am fine.
I can see where Jonas wants it on from the get go, to avoid slippage. The AWD engages so fast not much of a concern for me, I like the AWD symbol lighting up to tell me the car is ATTESA is working properly.
I really like the 4WD of my QX4 (yes, repeating myself), leaving it in 4WD auto vs 2WD (RWD) or 4WD Lock. My dash had 4 tire diagram where each tire would light up if there was power going to that corner. Really neat.
Alright, I think some of you are confusing the differences between AWD and 4WD.
AWD is essentially an intelligent 4WD system where it reverts to either a ratio of or a 2WD setting when traction is good.
You CANNOT DAMAGE the FX35 AWD system by keeping the AWD Lock/SNOW Mode button ON. The reason there won't be any damage is because when traction is good, it will revert back to a 2WD setting.
In traditional 4WD vehicles, they have to manually select 2WD mode or 4WD mode. Their 4WD mode locks the front and rear drive wheels and this should only be used on non-paved roads. If they keep the vehicle in 4WD mode and drive at high speeds on paved roads, this WILL CAUSE DAMAGE.
AWD is essentially an intelligent 4WD system where it reverts to either a ratio of or a 2WD setting when traction is good.
You CANNOT DAMAGE the FX35 AWD system by keeping the AWD Lock/SNOW Mode button ON. The reason there won't be any damage is because when traction is good, it will revert back to a 2WD setting.
In traditional 4WD vehicles, they have to manually select 2WD mode or 4WD mode. Their 4WD mode locks the front and rear drive wheels and this should only be used on non-paved roads. If they keep the vehicle in 4WD mode and drive at high speeds on paved roads, this WILL CAUSE DAMAGE.
flyingcolonel
Member
No, sorry, you won't have AWD. It simply limits the amount of throttle input to help keep the rear wheels from spinning so much. A RWD FX will always be RWD. Suggest you read your owners manual. If you don't have one, they are available online.
Marvin McMurray
Member
I know this is an old thread but. Others may read it.
An FX35 or 45 is a rwd BASED system that uses a fully electronic AWD system that uses an electromagnetic clutch, combined with a ball and ramp system to apply pressure to a wet multidisk clutch inside the transfer case, which engages the front driveshaft thus sending torque the front wheels.
This clutch pack, is, as far as I can tell, pulse width modulated by the attesa control module, In order to provide the needed torque split, up to 50/50 front to rear.
If your clutch pack is worn or any components are worn internally, then it will not work properly and will feel like it's in 2wd, as the clutch pack cannot Do its job properly.
I am currently looking at modify to allow full manual control via a toggle switch to provide 50/50 split for winter conditions. It is in my opinion a performance designed system modified to appease a market and sell vehicles.
I personally don't like it. I had an chevy equinox that was 100x the superior in winter road conditions. I hated almost everything else about it tho.
I love my FX45, but it's useless in the winter conditions where I live, without having full manual control of the 4wd side of things.
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skywalker999
Member
i remember when i ad my 2004 fx35 on snowy roads with snow and vdc on it was horrible especially on curves until someone told me to disable vdc
with vdc off you have more control on snowy roads but now my 2011 it's completely different the system works a lot better
with vdc off you have more control on snowy roads but now my 2011 it's completely different the system works a lot better