Are Snows Really Worth It?

[nuQ]

might have a decision to make soon. i drive a company vehicle, which gets a ton of miles, i also have my 91 sentra, which is a great knock-around, snow car, along with my Q. i'm debating whether to dump the sentra (for $$$ reasons), and put 4 good snows on the Q. anyone have any experience with snows on the Q? is it worth even driving in the snow with the Q, even with snow tires?? jeff

[PalmerWMD]

With dedicated snow tires a Q can be a great winter car.

Even if it doesnt have TCS, as all Q's have LSD standard.

Witrh Blizzaks even minnesota winters held no threat for me.Also the Q is one of the strongest starters that can be had good for winter..The extra large fueltank also ads a great degree of safety in winter.

If you use your Q in winter in PA, run a nice winter capable synthetic oilsuch as, MOBIL! 0w-30 or MOBIL1 0w-40, 5w-30 will also do.

Fred...

[elwesso]

I cant wait to get mine on....... Studded Bf goodwrich 215s........

The previous owner said that with the combo of the snow tires, TCS, and 2 50lb bags of sand or salt in the back, he had no worries.......

[SmithSR]

There are many excellent winter tires available! Studded or studless is the question. By far, the very best snow tire I have ever used or seen has been the Nokian HK1(studded). European rally groups/clubs have used Nokian brand for many years now. The Bridgestone Blizzak and the Toyo Observe are two very well known studless choices that offer amazing ice condition traction.

Be sure to get your winter tires mounted on an extra set of wheels. This will be so much easier, and after two winter seasons, will pay for itself(instead of paying a shop to dismount/mount, balance all four every winter and again in spring).

Check and see what TireRack offers... I'm sure Grant could hook you up..

[maxnix]

Whatever car you drive in the winter, one of the main considerations has to be whether salt is used on the roads. Any ferrous metal in particular has a shortened life when subject to such an environment.

[Jesda]

I've tried my best to understand LSD. I've googled the heck out of it and made sure to check howstuffworks.com, and despite all the fantastic mechanical explanations none of them basically say what it does.

When a wheel starts slipping does it simply apply power to the other?

-Jesda

[eQlipse]

Be sure to get your winter tires mounted on an extra set of wheels. This will be so much easier, and after two winter seasons, will pay for itself(instead of paying a shop to dismount/mount, balance all four every winter and again in spring).

Check and see what TireRack offers... I'm sure Grant could hook you up..

There are quite a few sets of 15" wheels on Ebay now!

[PalmerWMD]

Check and see what TireRack offers... I'm sure Grant could hook you up..

Amen to that.Grants email is [email protected] I think

Fred..

[PalmerWMD]

When a wheel starts slipping does it simply apply power to the other?

-Jesda

It limits the amount of difference in spin one wheel can have over another:ie when one wheel slips a lot the otehr starts turning with it some.

Fred...

[elwesso]

At tire rack they have cheapo steel wheels with your choice of hubcap for 45/piece........

[maxnix]

At tire rack they have cheapo steel wheels with your choice of hubcap for 45/piece........

A set of BBS 15" went for little more on Ebay not long ago. A much better solution than heavy and soon to be untrue steel wheels.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t & 2000 Q45

Discover the power of the button!

[nuQ]

thanks for all the info guys. as long as i have the company vehicle (ford turbo diesel van, woo hoo!!LOL), there's really no need for the extra car. kinda keeping it as an "insurance" thing in case i change careers (just got my degree and might be getting out of my current field if the $$$ is right). i held on to the original 15" pie pans, so the rims are no problem.still knocking around with the idea!

[elwesso]

I only suggested using steel ones because Id use them a total of about 3months........

[IvoryJ30t]

I've tried my best to understand LSD. I've googled the heck out of it and made sure to check howstuffworks.com, and despite all the fantastic mechanical explanations none of them basically say what it does.

When a wheel starts slipping does it simply apply power to the other?

-Jesda

depends, there are 3 main types of lsd. clutch type, helical, and viscous.

in a clutch type, there are clutch plates that are preloaded with a spring on both sides of the spider of the diff that force the wheels to turn at the same speed, unless making a turn.

helical has a complex setup of gears within the diff case that can transfer a predetermined amount of power to the wheel with traction. [helical lsd will not work with one wheel in the air, both wheels must have some degree of friction]

viscous units have a device thats filled with silicone viscous fliud that heats up when one wheel spins faster, becomes stiff and locks both axles together