I'm purchasing a new Maxima and came across the fact that the VDC (stability control) part number and cost changed for 2005 Maxima's after 11/2004. Anyone know what the change was? Was this just a price change ($900 down to 600) or was there a substantive change to the VDC system?

 

Perhaps....Economies of scale, since VDC is becoming standard on more vehicles now.

Just my guess, but I'd like to know the real answer too...

 

Is it possible to put VDC in a NON VDC Max Se.? from wut i heard.. its a chip that they plug in somewhere to activate the VDC and then wired through a switch on the dash.. is this true? can it be added now?

 

the VDC was mated with the traction control and full size spare
traction control is now standard,reason for the $300. price drop

 

Freezer is correct.

 

As NashMax said, freezer is exactly correct.

And, as the VDC package still comes with a spare wheel and tire that exactly match the ones on the car, this is a real bargain at $600. Any Nissan dealer would probably charge more than that just for an alloy wheel and OEM tire alone.

Roshan - No, the VDC cannot be added 'after the fact'. At least not without probably having to replace the onboard computer, as well as a lot of wiring and mechanicals. I would bet the cost would be in the thousands of dollars, if it were even possible to do so.

 

At least down here in TN, you can't even get VDC (or so i was told)

 

I think it is a what you were told problem. I just did a search on Nissan's website and there is at least one at Hippodrome Nissan in Nashville with VDC. You have to get a few packages to be able to add VDC, but you can get it here (TN).

 

I looked at the invoice for this new car and it listed "F01" for the VDC accessory code. I thought that F02 was the new code for VDC. This possibly is an older car than I thought and this is the old code for having VDC on the car. Based upon the above discussion, that this code is from before November 2004 when traction control was optional, I wonder if this car has traction control? ( It doesn't list traction control separately)
Was it possible to get the VDC option WITHOUT traction control previously? Or were they both bundled together under the F01 code?

 

92Max - You have TCS. I promise. Until November 2004, TCS was part of the VDC package. They were bundle together under the F01 code.


edit - To explain further, until Nov 2004, it was possible to order TCS as a 'standalone' without VDC. But it was not possible to order VDC other than with the whole VDC package, which included TCS. And I bet you have a full size alloy wheel and matching spare tire, also.

 

Thanks Maxima forum for putting my mind at ease. We put money down on a new 2005 Maxima SE, to be shipped up from LA. I wanted to make sure we had the right one before I pay to truck it up. It's red, with Latte interior, preffered package, power sunroof and VDC. It's being trucked up and I'll see it next week.
Had a terrible time tracking down a red one with latte interior and the above options (especially VDC). But we finally found one at a giant dealer in the LA area. Cost $900 to ship, but it's worth it.
We tried out the Avalon, but it was a luxo cruiser, not sporty. Seemed to big and boaty. Lot's of glitzy trinkets like butt blowers and start buttons (just like Dad's '54 Plymouth), and didn't have needed accesories like turning lights and, for my wife and I, auto tilt and telescope settings with the memory seating. We've loved our 92 SE to death, so a new Maxima SE was our first choice.
Keep up the good work.