The shovel is for the Nissan Sentra. I don't have one for the G35x.

 

I too live in the KC Metro area, and this week, our snowfall was epic, 13" plus at my house. Our '06 G35x sedan with Goodyear Eagle RS-As performed spectacularly. I do turn off the VDC under snow/ice conditions, but the car can literally plow fresh snow. Entering our garage from an untouched uphill driveway, with a coat of ice from freezing drizzle just before the snow, it pushed in enough snow to fill a 40 gallon barrel.

I have praised the Eagle RS-A, but I consider it a great tire at a bad price, just too darn high. I have bought replacement Yokohama and Falken in the past, on similar cars, at a lower price, with acceptable results, keeping in mind how much money I saved.

For all-season, if I have the bucks, I go for the Goodyears.

 

Just curious why you turn off VDC and how does it help?

 

I only learned of turning VDC off by reading in this forum. I don't know the technical explanation, but in practice it appears NOT to apply braking forces to driven wheels that slip under accelleration. On snow and ice, in my practice, the driver experiences customary road feel and can make the customary throttle and steering changes to combat wheel slippage, without the (unwanted) assistance of a driving computer.

Perhaps a more seasoned driver will chime in with a more comprehensive explanation.

 

I can understand turning off VDC to get going on an ultra slick surface since turning off the system dumbs down the traction control, but once rolling, turn it back on. The stability control system in this car has saved my butt numerous times on slick snow and ice. It can react far quicker than I can. Yes, it's abrupt sometimes, but it's amazing how well it works. There's no way I could get around in the snow without the VDC and electronic traction control systems engaged most of the time.

 

No, I get your point and can see it being effective. And there are a few certain instances where AWD helps, but for me, its sitting in a lot and when it snows, I just jump in and go. At home, its in a heated garage, so i just pop the garage door open and go. I don't ever need to parallel park so that point doesn't really affect me.

 

+1 the wind blows up here in Fargo so when getting onto the interstate to head into town, it is generally solid ice. I have hit it with VDC off (but I was testing my tires) and seen what would happen. It was scary lol I can only imagine some dumb unsuspecting person who just nails the gas and the car flings around on them.

With VDC on, it just goes slip slip and keeps me going straight.

 

Another Midwest driver here. What's this parallel parking thing these guys are talking about

 

I think it's a conspiracy theory, man.

 

Get snow tires. They don't just help in snow, they also help in colder temperatures. I have no problems getting around with my snow tires + RWD and we get anywhere from a dusting of snow to 12" in St. Louis.

I've never been stuck once. It is silly to say that snow tires are unnecessary if you're getting stuck

 

That's my strategy as well. I only turn the VDC off when i'm trying to park or push through some deep snow that I could possibly get stuck in. If i don't, the ABS and T/C are fighting me all the way.

However, turning the VDC off...it's still active. I've spen up my tires pretty well trying to drift in a snowed over parking lot and was surprised to see my SLIP light come on. SO it's still active, but just with higher limits.

Once i get moving however, i turn the VDC back on. It's quite effective, and i praise the YAW sensor on the system in the snow as it's done a GREAT job keeping the car stable when driving through snowy corners. I've experimented in parking lots with it on and off and it does a good job keeping the car tracking straight ahead.

Actually...out of 365 days a year, the only time i turn the VDC off is either at the drag strip, or when manuvering slowly in deep snow.

 

HAHA...you need to come down to the Big Apple...New York City.

You will run out of gas trying to find a parking spot.

 

Perfect example.

http://blog.***stein.com/wp-content/...2/parking1.jpg


Mr BMW is too afraid to try to dig his car in there, so he leaves it in the lane...where a bus or plow will nail it eventually. Of course, not every road is this wide in the city.



EDIT. The filtered word is like RAG, but starts with F. Copy, paste, edit to see

 

IMG didn't work.

 

Yeah it's filtered. See my edit.