G37 Sedan

Snow mode

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Old 11-07-2012 | 08:44 PM
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Snow mode

fellas i got a dumb question. Back in March when i got my Xs, sales guy was telling me not to drive with snow on. Just use when I stuck. Of course there haven't been any snow since then (new England) till now. So since the roads got worst i decided to toggle the snow button. My drive was much better under 40. Not sure what that sales guy was saying, i'm gonna assume he was wrong.
Old 11-07-2012 | 08:50 PM
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Inexperienced salesman, you should use the snow button everytimes it snows , in my sedan I have used it actually today , since its snowing in NYC today and it was great.
Old 11-07-2012 | 09:03 PM
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I use it when it snows and when it rains. Since it doesn't always rain here the roads become very oily when it does. I definitely notice a difference in terms of handling. Not sure why a salesman would tell you not to use it though.
Old 11-07-2012 | 09:05 PM
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good looks, on the info. Think i read the same in the manual. and to keep it under 40 (i think)
Old 11-08-2012 | 12:03 AM
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Originally Posted by 2012G37
good looks, on the info. Think i read the same in the manual. and to keep it under 40 (i think)
You don't have to keep it under 40. If I remember correctly it only provides 50/50 distribution up to 43mph.
Old 11-08-2012 | 04:32 PM
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Its okay to use the snow mode at any speed.

The '04, '05, '06 X model's snow button locks in 50/50 AWD up to 12 mph and reduces the throttle response, and from '07 to '12 X models, the AWD lock function was deleted and the snow button only reduces the throttle response.
Old 11-08-2012 | 05:52 PM
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Throttle repsonse and traction control
Old 11-08-2012 | 08:22 PM
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Originally Posted by DocJohn
Its okay to use the snow mode at any speed.

The '04, '05, '06 X model's snow button locks in 50/50 AWD up to 12 mph and reduces the throttle response, and from '07 to '12 X models, the AWD lock function was deleted and the snow button only reduces the throttle response.
That's what I thought but I read somewhere that once you go past 18MPH then it deactivates and no longer affects throttle response.
Old 11-08-2012 | 08:50 PM
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Thank you all for the replies.
Old 11-08-2012 | 08:55 PM
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I did a quick forum search and this is the best explanation I found of the snow mode by GT-R:

No, the X always starts at 25/75 from a dead stop, not 0/100. If there is no slip, it goes to 0/100. In snow mode, the car is 50/50 up to 12 MPH and the throttle response is reduced. After 12 MPH, the car goes back to automatically managing torque distribution.

The ATTESA system is designed for smooth starts, better fuel economy and better traction and maneuverability on snowy roads than conventional all-wheel drive systems and minimal compromise of rear-wheel drive performance characteristics on dry roads.

The system's advanced torque split control strategy automatically transfers optimum torque to the wheels according to road and driving conditions. It provides outstanding cornering capability similar to a sports car due to optimum torque distribution to the front and rear wheels (from approximately 0:100 up to 50:50).

System sensors continuously monitor vehicle speed, throttle position and wheel spin (at all four wheels). When road conditions don't require AWD, the G35/G37 acts and feels like the award-winning rear-wheel drive G35/G37 sedan, with the system capable of sending up to 100 percent of the power to the rear wheels. The G35/G37 thus offers minimal compromise of rear-wheel drive performance and handling feel.

From a standing start, the ATTESA system adjusts the front-to-rear torque distribution, adding 25 percent to the front wheels for a more powerful start. The system then quickly adjusts torque distribution as needed, sending up to 100 percent to the rear wheels if conditions warrant, or adjusting the front drive percentage up to 50 percent as needed.

In cornering situations, the ATTESA system can detect traction needs throughout the course of a turn and react accordingly. With its millisecond response time, the system can shift toque back and forth between the front and rear wheels to help enhance stability and traction. For example, in entering a corner (under normal driving conditions), the system functions nearly the same as any rear-wheel drive car. Torque distribution is almost 100 percent rear. Once in the corner, the system is able to transfer to the front wheels that portion of the drive torque that the rear wheels can't handle. This results in outstanding, sports car-like cornering ability. When exiting the corner, torque can be quickly transferred according to the wheel spin of the rear wheels from 50:50 up to 0:100 for smooth acceleration out of the turn.

Another unique feature of the G35/G37 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.

I hope this clears up any confusion, period.
Old 11-08-2012 | 11:18 PM
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It will be rare that you need it on an advanced AWD system that already works brilliantly in the snow (see above detailed explanation). However, if you are stuck, or, if it is incredibly deep and/or trecherous slippery conditions, the snow mode will dull the response of the throttle and prevent the computer from potentially misreading variable traction conditions (drifting or lumps of snow interspersed with pavement) by locking it down to a 50:50 split. If you are going more than a very slow pace it reverts back to normal mode because it can't be that bad if you are going that fast.

Nevertheless, because it's computer controlled to only work at launch, you could turn it on in November and leave it on until April and who would know or care? Is something bad going to happen because you are launching at 50:50 instead of 25:75? (No!)
Old 11-09-2012 | 01:33 AM
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Contrary to popular belief, snow mode does not activate or lock awd. Snow mode reduces throttle sensitivity to help the driver control power output to avoid spinning the wheels when accelerating in snowy conditions
Old 11-09-2012 | 02:10 AM
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you should use the snow button everytimes it snows
Old 11-09-2012 | 09:20 AM
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Originally Posted by eljoker
Contrary to popular belief, snow mode does not activate or lock awd. Snow mode reduces throttle sensitivity to help the driver control power output to avoid spinning the wheels when accelerating in snowy conditions
That's only correct for X models starting in 2007. Prior to 2007, in the '04, '05 and '06 X models, the snow button does lock in 50/50 AWD up to 12 mph (and also reduces the throttle response).

Starting with the 2007 X model, the AWD lock feature of the snow button was deleted and the snow mode only reduces throttle sensitivity.
Old 11-09-2012 | 10:56 AM
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So who's right and who's wrong here? We're getting so many different responses. Isn't there an Infiniti dealer that's on this board? Maybe he can chime in and give us the official poop on this.


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