As a new G35x owner, I'm curious to know from more experienced 'x' owners how often you use your 'Snow' feature.

 

^ I use it every time I see the roads are covered in snow and ice. I have it turned on right now.
You can really feel a huge difference in throttle response when you take off. Very subdued.

 

Never use snow mode. The attessa system works perfectly for me as is, and I have been down some extremely heavily deep snow covered roads.
The Snow mode only takes affect below 20kms/hr (12mph) If you are going through a very deep drift out of your driveway from a standing stop it could be useful.

The most important thing is to have a good set of winter tires, even if you have an X.

 

I was thinking the same, I only ever used it when coming in/out of a driveway with a lot of snow, otherwise, I leave it off.

 

It's odd coming from my 92 Maxima, which not only had no input from the car other than my 'mad driving skizzles', and the fact that it's a manual tranny. I suddenly have this control freak watching and listening in on me. It's like my silent shotgun passenger.
I have to say I'm impressed with the subtlety of the input from the car vs. my input. It's a good balance.
As for the snow mode, yes I too found myself turning it off today. I just wondered if people generally save the snow feature for a massive snow storm, or if you find yourself using it even light snow, etc...
I used to sell tires, so they top my list of priorities. Especially snows.

 

This article describes it nicley. http://www.canadiandriver.com/2007/0...initi-g35x.htm

I should have been more clear. I prefer snow mode for city driving when the roads are covered (like today). It makes a noticable difference, even with snow tires, when you are doing a lot of stops and starts.
I don't use it for highway driving. It wouldn't make a difference.

 

I've only had the car since July and have experienced 2 good snow storms since. Snow mode locks up the centre diff 50/50 from start to about 20k. It seems to makes the VDC more invasive, reducing & restricting throttle response and opening. I would only use it starting out through deep snow/ice or on slippery grades.

I like the X but so far think the AWD is overly sensitive to wheel spin on acceleration leading to some bogging, followed by wheel spin with my foot already planted deeper to get going.

To have much fun I've had to turn off VDC...the bias to traction and stability is too good!

 

Interesting article. I've seen that before.

IIRC understanding of the ETS attesa system is it's 75/25 from rest and switches to 95/5 at speed.

The snow mode starts at 50/50 and at speed goes to 75/25.

Wheel slippage measured by sensors affects the ECU - throttle mapping, transfer to other axle etc.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATTESA

 

i only use snow mode if i have trouble getting my car moving from stops.

 

I use snow mode with VDC off for launches when I want to put some distance on the whining herd. Otherwise just leave it in normal mode, VDC on.

The problem with VDC on this car is it is far too eager to clamp down on wheelspin (as noted above - the bogging is downright dangerous sometimes...) but if you turn it off the car is nearly unmanageable so it's best left on most of the time. Sport mode on the trans should ease off on the VDC, but no...

 

Hi, I am new to the forum. I am looking at buying a 08 G35x. Sounds like the AWD system is pretty good in the G. This will be my first AWD car. Are there any special maintenance requirements? How reliable is the G AWD system?

Thanks

 

^I'm enjoying mine.

There are no special maintenance requirements other than the front diff fluid being replaced around 48k.

There doesn't seem to be any issues with either the first gen or second gen G AWD. Nissan has been making the attesa system for a long time beginning with the legendary GT-R.