This is my first winter with my Maxima and I am a college student going to school in NH. Last winter I didn't even attempt to drive up here with the Max because of the crappy Potenzas. Finally got rid of them and bought new Falken ZE 512 tires. Do you guys think my car will be ok for winter driving, or should I take my fathers subaru Outback up(which i really don't want to do). O ya, I have the 17" stock rims too if that helps, thanks

 

they handle good enough (then again, i never lived through an entire winter) and with the stock ground clearance it gets better.

 

With any tires but the stock potenzas you'll be fine.

........but you'd have more fun in the snow in the outback

 

No matter what tires you put on the Maxima, it won't be as good in the snow as the 4wd Outback. However, you should be fine in all but very deep snow with the Maxima and the Falkens.

I live in NJ and have driven many times in 6+ inches of snow with the Max (using Michelin Pilot A/S, which should be similar in snow to the 512's), having no problem even going up steep hills.

You should be fine with the Maxima and the 512's.

 

I would personally suggest getting separate winter tires if you can afford it. I had to get it as it snows like crazy in Canada and the Max was terrible in snow.

 

just pull the ebrake around turns and gas it



^this is bad advice, just so you know



it handles like any other car with fwd, exept more power

that outback would be safer

 

snow drifting is a blast!

 

I agree. When I first bought mine, we got hit with 2' of snow. I sat in a parking lot in a car that can go over 150 mph and couldn't move. The next winter (last year), I had the Pilot Sports on mine and it handled as good as any two wheel drive car I've been in. Bottom line: make sure you have good tread and make sure they're NOT Potenza's!

 

Speaking Of Tires I Have The Stock Potenzas And They Are Crap I Went Around A Curve At 45 And Almost Lost It What Are The Best Aftermarket Tires Ive Heard Michelin And Falken Whats A Good Price? Im Sure Once I Get A Rsb And New Tires Ill Take That Curve No Problemo

 

The thing that could go against you is torque. Like if your in heavy snow and just tap the gas, your wheels go spinning. I spent last winter with the potenzas, they didn't do too bad. I never spun out. I got stuck on an uphill though and alsmot got hit by a plow.

 

Traction Control would also help out... I had my car running ok in the snow ok last year... I don't think it's that bad if you drive safe...

The e-brake idea is great if you have room.. go to empty parking lot and try it out..

 

Thanks for all the imput. I think I will stick with the Maxima for the winter. The Outback was fun to drive in last winter though, but now I have the Falkens, so I'll try them out.

 

If you have a spare grand to throw away, or, as I prefer to tell my fiance, invest, get the michelin's (I'm on my second set). You'll love them. If not, then look here for advice: http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=331724

 

For slightly longer lasting treads, you're paying almost double with the Michelins... performance wise, they're pretty much the same... I went with the Falkens cuz I don't have money to throw away... 380 bucks for 4 tires, mounted and balanced...

 

www.edgeracing.com

www.tirerack.com

Internet + Google does wonders... you should try it sometime... along with our Tires and Wheels forum...

 

Like everyone already said... the Falkens are fine in the snow... but you can't compare the Max with an AWD Outback in the snow... you'll get by with the Max w/Falkens, but if ya wanna do crazy stuff, then go with the Outback...

 

For $700 I got dedicated snows... OEM 16" nissan wheels AND snow tires...forgot what kind, but they've been very good to me. I'm going to put them on in a few weeks so I should go dig them out of the barn soon.

Thanks for reminding me

 

snow driving is all about the driver's skills...but....
my 512's did fine last winter, even driving up into some gnarly snowstorms in the mountains. The maxima has great ground clearance stock...That said, since I lost ground clearance with my LTB and springs, I'm gonna be running Dunlop Wintersport M3's this season.....

 

this is also my first winter with the maxima in college in upstate ny
i have the stock se 16" with Michellin Energy MXV4 they have 7k on them.
i think i should be fine
btw it started snowing already..not that bad yet

 

the energy MXV4 is so-so in the snow...I had them on my previous car and they were better than potenzas, butnot great....be extra careful on turns, they grip ok from start/stop in snow, but not too well on curves....

 

Just drive carefully

 

if you want good tires ive heard that the pirelli p zeros are great... i think im gonna get them

 

if you get lots of snow up there you should get winter tires, in jersey when the snow melts, it would freeze over night and the road gets icy and very dangerous.

 

Won't the helical LSD help in the snow/rain? How does that work? And what's all this talk about the Outback? I know its 4wd, are they (all Subies for that fact) really safe in the snow? I'm really considering trading for the Legacy GT, but if the HLSD works to help traction for the Max, I'd rather keep the Max. That FWD vs. AWD question is really beginning to bother me now. Any ideas? Thanks.

ShysMax
2002 SE
6Spd.
12K

 

Well, lets think about this: Wide, crappy tires, 255 hp, aluminum engine block, front wheel drive (about the only positive here)... what do you think? Buy snow tires or REALLY good all-weather tires.

They handle GREAT in the winter, as long as the winter's in Florida!

 

I have a friend w/ a wrx who got the Falken ZE tires and they are so much better than the ponteza's. (stock wrx's come w/ pontezas as well) you should be fine w/ the max in the snow just drive safe and dont go 80 when drifting...also GBAUER you have such a sexy paint job...the gril and the engin...niceeeeeeeeeeee

 

Bostonmax-there is no question get dedicated snows on 16" steelies . I had Nokian Hakkas on my Max and it is unbelievable in the snow. As long as the snow wasn't over the front bumper I would take out my Max and leave the Z71 4x4 at home. Honestly you would be amazed ,if you do that you will be fighting with your dad to take out the Max in the snow instead of the Suby. For your safety and others, if you get regular dumps of snow in the winter do it.

 

Yeah... they also handle great if ya wanna do donuts in a big parking lot...

Get snows if its gonna be bad around ya and ya think you'll be driving a lot... if not, I'm sure Falkens or something similar are good enough....

 

My mom is making me get snow tires and put them on my stock 15" steelies next winter..otherwise i can't drive lol

 

bought 4 17" blizzaks for the oem wheels on my 02' 6spd, they are awsome in the snow and ice, very predicable handling and braking. not so great over 70mph on dry pavment, I have 350z 18" and bridgestones for the summer.

 

I have the same Falkens on my 2003 SE and live in Maine. They are much better than the pontenzas but be very careful I am going to invest in snow tires soon. Have had some very close calls.

 

my 95 max handles awesome in the snow

down hills, through a couple feet of snow, ice
don't matter, its the jimmy jam jawn, better than my 4x4 blazer

 

I thought this thread was dead! Who brought it back anyway?

 

I use stock rims with Michelin MXM4's for non winter months and Michelin Alpins on steel rims for winter. No problems in the snow.