I just bought a new 04 Maxima a few months ago. My wife complains that when she brakes on wet pavement, she loses control momentarily. Also when she turns on wet pavement. She claims the tires shimmy from side to side really fast. Anyone experiencing this or have any suggestions?

Thanks.

MoDogg

 

Could it be the ABS kicking in? I'm not sure why the "tires would shimmy from side to side really fast", but does the brake pedal's resistance change and provide "feed back"? Do you have VDC? If so, maybe it is malfunctioning?

I've had no problems with wet pavement... I do not have VDC though.

 

I do not have VDC. What scares me is my wife says the Maxima does the same thing my Mustang GT does on wet road. I guess I will have to drive it to figure out what is actually happening. Is there any sensitivity level for the ABS to kick in? Just wondering if it is too high and can be lowered so ABS does not turn on.

Also, it is happening when she turns on wet road.

 

I don't have VDC and have not experienced this problem. I'm from the Dallas area also and suspect we are traveling similar roads in similar conditions. Only slippage I have had is quick acceleration from a stoplight on damp roads.

 

Maybe it's your wife, my wife complains also, I believe it's how you modulate the TQ
to the front wheels

 

I have VDC, and sometimes in Wet roads, i feel like the Maxima is slipping, but actually it takes more distance to stop than usual. ( VDC doesnot go off )

 

how bout slowing down before breaking (letting aoof accel., rolling, letting friction help)? esp. on wet roads. sounds like a lead foot not letting up early enough, then hitting the breaks a bit late, not realizing how fast your going.

 

You should take the car out yourself and diagnose the problem.

 

Probably more driver error than the car.

 

ABS only kicks in when the wheels get locked when she applies brake.

 

I think its user error on your wifes part. Is she braking or acceleration through the turn? that could be the problem

 

This is a common problem. I call it DWF (Driving While Female).

No offense to your wife, MoDogg. (And don't tell her I said that!)

 

Does this car have any of that funky traction control whereby the car can auto break to help with control under extreme conditions?

 

MoDogg - Help us out a little. Do you have an SE or an SL? Do you have TCS (Traction Control system)? Do you have the VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control) package (which includes TCS)? Was she driving your Mustang GT prior to getting the Maxima? If so, she needs to understand the GT is a 'pocket rocket' type vehicle, while the Maxima is now a large family sporty sedan. They will react quite differently to various driving conditions.