mmgio

I have a 98 five speed with michelin x-ice tires.Don't get me wrong I make it everywhere I go in PA snow storms.They are on the stock gxe 15 inch rims 205/65. It feels like there is no weight on the front of the car for traction which I can't believe is true because most of the weight is on the front of the car.Also the rear sags more than the front but it seems all maximas are like that with stock suspension.I think part of the problem is an overly responsive throttle pedal.I find it hard to be soft rolling on the throttle.Just wondering some of your thoughts.

Maxima_Joe

iTrader: (384)

First gear is useless in the snow. Start out in second.

jlguru

My 97 Max SE 5 speed was great in the snow as long as I didn't use 1st gear. Skip 1st gear entirely or shift almost as soon as the car starts rolling. Then shift early to higher gears as necessary, and keep the rpm's low. The 3.0 v6 has great low end torque and won't complain at all. By driving at low rpm's in what is normally too high a gear you have a much greater ability to finesse the throttle and not get excessive wheel spin.

I almost preferred driving that car over my 4x4 truck in bad weather.

Live long, and prosper
Jerry L. Gubka

Truff02

iTrader: (1)

+1

I drove my 4th gen for several winters in northeast Ohio with zero issues. just start in 2nd and you'll be just fine.

asand1

iTrader: (1)

I'll second that.

catty0320

I put my slushbox into 2 with o/d and am fine in the worst snow, I do better than trucks.

gto400no1

iTrader: (5)

I've always found the 4th gen to perform excellently in the snow. I have just as much confidence in my Maxima as I do my fullsize 4x4 Blazer. Only issue with the Maxima is clearence as with any car.

99SEL4ME

Well, I have a 5 speed and don't have issues with starting in 1st gear. However I do run my stock SE wheels with 4 Toyo Observe snow tires. The difference over all season tires is night and day.

Trini Boom

iTrader: (5)

Since I upgraded my wheels to the 2002 SE 17" rims and leaving my suspension as is, I have been doing much better than cars and trucks and never got stuck even if they didn't plow the street. I usually go in 2nd gear with O/D off and I am fine.

Dan0myte

iTrader: (1)

The VLSD transmission 0wns the snow.

Maxima_Joe

iTrader: (384)

lol at you auto guys that put your car in 2nd gear. All that does is prevent it from shifting to 3rd. 1st gear is still used.

Bassbreaker

iTrader: (8)

cashoit

I agree with OP, car handles poorly in snow. then again i am on all seasons

shawnroberts54501

My 98 GXE has yokos with warn treds and i still go thru unchartered 6 plus inch snow no sweat i'm so impressed and in love with this car.

ctsnyper

Hahaha I was going to say that....I love how people don't even understand how their transmissions work...Heaven forbid they ever try to drive a manual...lol

shift_5

I credit my success in 10'' snow drifts to my lip and lsd trans. There was snow coming up over top of the car and on the side windows. It was pretty wild. Other than those snow drifts, it did fine on the packed roads.

Trini Boom

iTrader: (5)

I am well aware that I am still using 1st gear as well as 2nd gear. I am in NYC so when we got dumped on recently, I was able to make it home. I know how my tranny works...lol

jlguru

HaHaHa .... HeHeHe, The original poster was talking about a 5-speed manual transmission. It's amazing to me how many participants on this board don't know how to read and/or spell. Don't they teach that in grade school anymore?

oVeRdOsE

I live in Quebec (snow about 4-5 months a year) with my 5 speeds. I have no problem with the response. And I do feel like if the front is heavy, lot of fwd car cant do what mine does. Plus I have ebach pro kit springs...

I think the difference is my toyo g02 observe tires.

Cebby

iTrader: (6)

Love my 4th Gen Max, but it is by far the worst car I've driven in snow. I had a '00 SE with "traction control" (aka ABS to limit wheelspin) and it was tolerable.

mmgio

Thanks for all the responses.It's funny how some of you say how good it is in the snow and some think it's lousy.I am talking about the cars with out lsd.The guy from canada has an lsd trans if it is a canadian car.Do you guys pull out in 2nd gear on a snow covered incline? I have never tried that from a stand still on a hill figuring it would stall or I would have to ride the hell out of the clutch.

gto400no1

iTrader: (5)

It's all about the tires. Even quality all seasons will make a world of difference.

mmgio

I am running michelin x-ice snow tires and before that I had bridgestone ws50 snow tires which are a tremendous improvement over all seasons but thought it would be really good in the snow and was slightly disappointed.I still get around but don't feel comfortable doing it.

ineedamaxima

I have a 5sp with Blizzaks on the stock 5 spokes and I *pray* for snow. It's a blast!

Seriously, you guys on all seasons don't know what you're missing!

asand1

iTrader: (1)

I dont have an auto maxima so I can't say in this instance, but MOST autos in second will start in second and stay in second. They are built this way with snow, ice, and mud in mind.

Daniel1120

iTrader: (1)

Im runnnin general exclaim uhp tires. We got snow the other day and they handled great. Alot of fun tho droppin it in 1st and doing doughnuts in empty parking lots.

billycox

i thought this too, but after leaving the overdrive on, and letting the rpms stay under 2, i slip out of control on some snow and crashed into a curb. i think it really depends on the conditions, there's all different kinds of snow

wirelessdude04

iTrader: (24)

mine sucks, coilovers, summer tires, slammed, solid bushings and motor mounts

NmexMAX

iTrader: (22)

That's because unless you have an SSV4, you cannot skip 1st entirely in an auto. And I'll echo the point again, but as long as you have proper tires, everything is fine, and by proper I mean dedicated winter tires if you climate supports it.

Those are not even recommended to be driven under 30ºF. I had them on one night on my way home from snow in a fairly potent late November snowstorm, and that was the night I decided to finally get dedicated snows.

Besides, Dallas doesn't get real snow.

bigorangexj

i've had my '96 for 3.5 years and winters. first year was crap tires, but then got all season radials (dunlop) and have to say it has never been too great.