VDC/Snow button have no effect

Z

zman32

Member
Location
Colorado Springs
I just purchased an FX35, 2005 with 57,000 miles.
We had some light snow in the Springs so I thought I'd try the "snow button".
Nothing happened, no light, no change in "feel" of vehicle.
I then tried the VDC switch, nothing.
VDC just springs in and out, it never "snaps" like a switch.
When I start vehicle, the VDC and AWD lights are briefly on.
I'm not sure what I should see for the snow light at start up.
The FX drives fine, but something is not right with these buttons.
I've searched but found nothing quite like this.
Any thoughts? Bad panel, fuse?

Thanks,

Tony Z
 
Not an expert here, but VDC lets you slip more, so you can floor the gas pedal and it will go, where the VDC will help control speed to minimize slippage/increase traction.

Snow button, is simply starting out in second gear, as it's easier to spin the tires on acceleration in 1st gear.

Am I right here guys/gals?

All the lights should flash as you start the car and disappear.

When you press the buttons, a light should come up and say, "VDC off" or "Snow" or something like that -- to be honest I NEVER used either button.

zman32 said:
I just purchased an FX35, 2005 with 57,000 miles.
We had some light snow in the Springs so I thought I'd try the "snow button".
Nothing happened, no light, no change in "feel" of vehicle.
I then tried the VDC switch, nothing.
VDC just springs in and out, it never "snaps" like a switch.
When I start vehicle, the VDC and AWD lights are briefly on.
I'm not sure what I should see for the snow light at start up.
The FX drives fine, but something is not right with these buttons.
I've searched but found nothing quite like this.
Any thoughts? Bad panel, fuse?

Thanks,

Tony Z
Click to expand...
 
buttons and lights

May I ask where the light is on the cluster?(left, center, right?)

Do you see it flash on briefly at start up?

I see AWD and VDC briefly at startup but no snow button
and definately nothing when I try to engage either.

Thanks

Tony
 
To really feel the effects of snow button

On a regular dry day, turn on snow mode - floor the accelerator.

Afterwards, turn off snow mode, floor the accelerator again. There is a substantial difference, and it will ensure you that snow mode is working.

Dont expect snow mode to change the FX into a lifted Hilux with oversized tires haha. If you really want the biggest day and night difference, invest in a set of nice snow tires ;-)
 
VDC is Infiniti's version of traction control. It will prevent you from losing control of the car if you push it past its limits by limiting your throttle and applying the brakes to the individual tires that are slipping. It is on by default and you will see an orange light in the dash that says VDC OFF when you push it. This is not to be confused with AWD (if you have it) which applies more power to the slipping (front) wheels on a slick/icy surface.

What snow mode does is seriously limit your ability to accelerate from a standstill to provide more traction is extremely snowy conditions. As pman stated, even when at WOT, you won't be able to accelerate as you would normally. There is no dash light for me for this but the button itself lights up when I turn it on (on my 08).

Feel free to correct me if I am mistaken on any of this, fellas.
 
zman32 said:
I just purchased an FX35, 2005 with 57,000 miles.
We had some light snow in the Springs so I thought I'd try the "snow button".
Nothing happened, no light, no change in "feel" of vehicle.
I then tried the VDC switch, nothing.
VDC just springs in and out, it never "snaps" like a switch.
When I start vehicle, the VDC and AWD lights are briefly on.
I'm not sure what I should see for the snow light at start up.
The FX drives fine, but something is not right with these buttons.
I've searched but found nothing quite like this.
Any thoughts? Bad panel, fuse?

Thanks,

Tony Z
Click to expand...


maybe the "Snow" feature only kicks in when needed... and your FX didn't feel that it was necessary at the time :dontknow:
 
VDC and Snow buttons depressed the light will come on the dash. Both of those buttons DO NOT click...they just rebound out.

I have a feeling your buttons are disconected. When I had my telescopic bushing replaced for my steering wheel...the dealer forgot to hook backup those buttons on my FX. Pushing them did absolutely nothing. Sounds the same as your deal. Maybe previous owner had something done under the dash and dealer never put the wires for the buttons back on. Previous owner never used those buttons so never knew they weren't connected.

I dont remember if it was at the button, or under the dash where the wires connect that they forgot to hook up.
 
Sounds like they are not working at all. This is what they are supposed to do------

Snow button...does two things:

1. Reduces throttle sensitivity. This means that if you slam on the gas pedal, it will purposely open the throttle (butterfly valve in the throttle body) much slower than if you were not in snow mode, resulting in a more controlled acceleration from stop.

2. Raises the AWD-RWD transfer speed. Like many others here, I don't know the EXACT speed at which the ECU tells the TCU to make a RWD powertrain. Again, from what I remember, this number is 19mph. In snow mode, you will maintain the AWD start for higher speeds than if the button was not depressed. The transmission will still be RWD biased and will revert to a RWD, just a little later on.

The '03 models did not have a snow button, but rather an AWD Lock button, which did the same thing except did not have the throttle sensitivity adjust that the snow mode has.


ATTESA E-TS traction system

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Infiniti's advanced Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system with Traction Control System (TCS) is standard on all FX models. VDC adjusts brake pressure and engine torque automatically in understeer, oversteer or slippery road surface situations, helping the driver keep the intended path.

The ATTESA E-TS™ (Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All Electronic Torque Split) all-wheel drive system utilized on 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. The system provides outstanding handling due to optimum torque distribution for front and rear SNOW MODE(50:50 up to 0:100). ATTESA E-TS™ also provides high starting traction performance and smooth, stable acceleration, especially in snow-covered or off-road situations with a 50:50 torque split at standing start.
 
zman32 said:
I just purchased an FX35, 2005 with 57,000 miles.
We had some light snow in the Springs so I thought I'd try the "snow button".
Nothing happened, no light, no change in "feel" of vehicle.
I then tried the VDC switch, nothing.
VDC just springs in and out, it never "snaps" like a switch.
When I start vehicle, the VDC and AWD lights are briefly on.
I'm not sure what I should see for the snow light at start up.
The FX drives fine, but something is not right with these buttons.
I've searched but found nothing quite like this.
Any thoughts? Bad panel, fuse?

Thanks,

Tony Z
Click to expand...
Tony, In my country it's usually cold and snowy in winter so I have a lot of experience using both SNOW mode and VDC OFF mode. Here's what I can say:

-When you push the VDC OFF button it shouldn't snap like a switch. So the effect is normal. But after you pushed the button the VDC OFF light should light up. The effect can only be felt on a rough terrain or on snow/ice (sometimes while turning on a wet tarmac). If you push it to the metal on ice with VDC ON - your car won't gain any rpm and the control system will try to catch your wheels and stop them from spinning. If the VDC is OFF then you'll be able to spin ALL FOUR WHEELS and if you do so, the SPIN light will flash. The system won't try to stop them from spinning until you try to brake (wheels will be caught by ABS).
-When you toggle the SNOW mode the button should light up itself and a green SNOW indicator should light up on a dash board (right side). After it your pedal will become much milder. The car won't accelerate as fast as it did before. It feels like a very careful throttle response. Also, when you turn on SNOW mode the AWD is supposed to be permanently on. I don't know if it is really true, as it is hard to recognize it, but dealer told it to me. From my experience I can say that it is impossible not to feel that the SNOW mode is engaged. The car really becomes quite different. As somebody said before, it also helps you to prevent wheel spin.

So, as you described it, it seems like there is a problem with the switches. Or somewhere deeper... If I were you I would contact previous owner and ask him if he made any changes to the car... And if he felt something like this before... And the best way is of course to contact a dealer.

Here's like I see it:smile (2):

---------- Post added at 03:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:46 PM ----------
zman32 said:
toy4x,

That was it! Finally got a chance to pull the dash apart. Both harness swinging in the wind. Works as advertised now.

Tony Z
Click to expand...
Ah, as I see now you fixed it)) Great! Happy for ya))
 
Someone once told me with the snow button on you can only drive a certain speed and not supposed to go past like 35mph. How true is that? That's one reason I have rarely used the snow mode for that reason.
 
I've driven almost 90 mph in snow mode.... a few times. FX is driving like a champ. My thought is if it's not supposed to be one after 35, then the FX computer will not allow it after a certain speed. They wouldn't make a button right in front of a person's face to press where it would damage the vehicle by you going a speed where on average everyone goes faster then. I mean someone could press it by accident or have it on without necessarily knowing. I don't see how anyone can say this would be bad.
 
I tried my Snow button for the first time yesterday (even though we dont have any snow here in ATL). It didnt do anything that I could feel on acceleration? If, as one poster said it starts out in 2nd gear, I couldnt feel that happening either? No snow flake light on the dash display either? I guess next time I take it to the dealer I will have him check it.
Happy new years eve!
 
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