Xterra Snow Driving

roman4189 · Dec 28th, 2004, 11:18 PM

Hi,
I live in New york, where there is a lot of snow, and the roads that i drive on don't get cleaned until later. I have a rear wheel drive Xterra which slides a lot if the roads are not clean. Now i have snow tires on, but are there other things that I can do to improve the handing on the Xterra.

04FrontierStock · Dec 28th, 2004, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roman4189

Hi,
I live in New york, where there is a lot of snow, and the roads that i drive on don't get cleaned until later. I have a rear wheel drive Xterra which slides a lot if the roads are not clean. Now i have snow tires on, but are there other things that I can do to improve the handing on the Xterra.

You may think about a set of tire chains, if the snow is real deep!

roman4189 · Dec 28th, 2004, 11:52 PM

what are tire chains?

Will · Dec 29th, 2004, 07:57 AM

Tire chains are just what the name implies. Chains that go around/on you tires. They are illegal in most states. I assume probably not in Hawaii though. Go figure. lol

roman4189 · Dec 29th, 2004, 12:26 PM

anything else that could help me?

druid · Dec 29th, 2004, 03:03 PM

You live where there's lots of snow and you don't know what tire chains are?? Strange...

Although I live in Canada ("Land of Ice and Snow"), I live in Vancouver, and we get maybe one dump of snow in a year, that promptly turns to slush. But we have chains, mainly to get to the mountains to ski.

Another option is studs in the tires. Again, may be illegal, esp. for some months in the year, so either have separate "summer" and "winter" tires or go for removable studs. In any case, get them for ALL FOUR TIRES!!!

Also: Xterra: RWD, light in the back, right? Add some weight in the back: sandbags, etc. to give more bite to the rear wheels.

Finally: learn to drive in the snow. There's a knack to it.

Lloyd

SPEEDO · Dec 29th, 2004, 03:08 PM

you'll notice a big improvement with the tire chains, they also have "cables" , their like the tire chains only made from cable, they work well also

**88pathoffroad** · Dec 29th, 2004, 08:40 PM

Tire chains aren't "illegal" by any means in most states if they're necessary. If they're NOT necessary however, I wouldn't drive around on 'em. Most times in snow zones they're REQUIRED. I don't know where you get that living in MI, Will....you' never use 'em?

04FrontierStock · Dec 30th, 2004, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will

Tire chains are just what the name implies. Chains that go around/on you tires. They are illegal in most states. I assume probably not in Hawaii though. Go figure. lol

that's funny you mention that Will, they actually ARE NOT illegal in hawaii..go figure?! What you would need them here for, I have no idea?

Will · Dec 30th, 2004, 07:28 AM

04Frontierstock- It was supposed to be a joke. You living in Hawaii and all

Will · Dec 30th, 2004, 07:42 AM

They are illegal in Michigan, to drive around on that is, along with studded snow tires, to drive around on that is. And no I've never had occasion to use them,tire chains that is. But I've only been driving for 48 years. So only time will tell. I use to love studded snow tires until they became illegal. Seems they decided they tore up the roads. Especially in Spring thaw. But if you've ever driven' on Michigan roads,secondary roads that is, you would be hard pressed to tell. But the expressways are,for the most part,pretty descent. Got to keep up the tourist image. Politics even in road repair. They're everywhere, They're everywhere.

Will · Dec 30th, 2004, 07:49 AM

Studded snow tires used to sing/make so much noise,you didn't need a radio. Let's see. Tractors and equipment(weight) on spring roads(secondary tar). Studded snow tires on those very roads. Farmers don't pay taxes(state sales or highway usage). Go figure. Politics again. They're everywhere, they're everywhere

Bror Jace · Dec 30th, 2004, 10:12 PM

"Studded snow tires ... sing/make so much noise,you didn't need a radio."

I'll second that. I have them on my Sentra right now. Studs are pretty extreme ... and actually reduce grip on dry or merely wet roads.

If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't get studs on my Nokian Hakkepelita snow tires.

Chains are even more extreme. Consider them only if you live atop a mountain.

roman4189, if you live in a really remote area which gets buried with snow, and you bought an Xterra, you should have gotten 4WD. Sorry, but that's the truth.

Anyway, you didn't. OK, so what kind of snow tires did you get? They are not all the same.

Still, you need experience behind the wheel in this vehicle. Even 4WD won't help you stop or steer better in the snow ... just get you going quicker ... which can be dangerous if don't know what you're doing. Just take it easy until you have a full season or two (with this type of vehicle) under your belt.

Will · Jan 1st, 2005, 08:12 AM

Very wise words. 'Nuf said'?