Brakes lock up in snow

[40belowceo]

I just drove my M for the first time in snow. At first everything was normal but as the snow got worse the brakes began locking up even at slow speeds I would never expect this from an AWD vehicle. Could it be that my tires are not meant for this weather? Im afraid to drive again in snow as I came really close to hitting another car. Please let me know what this could be. Thanks

[finikM35]

Probably tires. What kind you got.

[TDot]

How do brakes locking up have anything to do with tires? Unless you're talking about the car slipping and the brakes pulsating because of that. Don't think because this car is awd it won't slip. All that means is it has a little more control and traction than a 2 wheel drive. All cars slip and slide, just depends on how slick the road is. Snow tires or more tread will help...but then again, you didn't mention anything about sliding,

[atm0sphere]

yeah I had similar issues and lost control yesterday up onto a curb and then into a pole. it was all pretty slow, ~15mph when I lost it, 5mph @ the pole) but it looks like the damage will be severe, as the gas tank got punctured and when they towed it out the rear passenger side wheel got caught on the pole and is no longer straight. it really hurt to watch..

when the first tow that came got stuck for a while, he had to call someone else to help him move out, and a cop trying to slow people down in the area almost hit my M.

currently waiting for the insurance company to let me know what's going on..

just as a note of caution guys, once you lose traction, you may not get it back. I was completely out of control for at minimum 10-15 full seconds before it finally came to a rest on the pole. I honestly don't think I could have done anything to stop it once I was just sliding, but I do feel like s*** now.

[myother45isalesbaer]

I just drove my M for the first time in snow. At first everything was normal but as the snow got worse the brakes began locking up even at slow speeds I would never expect this from an AWD vehicle. Could it be that my tires are not meant for this weather? Im afraid to drive again in snow as I came really close to hitting another car. Please let me know what this could be. Thanks

Anti-lock brakes are not all they are advertised to be. They will not do much on ice or really slick conditions. They try, but the real issue is you need to know how to drive in bad weather. I am an old dog and we never had anti-locks on our cars. Don't let technology fool you into thinking the car will do everything for you. It won't!

[sergio1987]

yeah I had similar issues and lost control yesterday up onto a curb and then into a pole. it was all pretty slow, ~15mph when I lost it, 5mph @ the pole) but it looks like the damage will be severe, as the gas tank got punctured and when they towed it out the rear passenger side wheel got caught on the pole and is no longer straight. it really hurt to watch..

when the first tow that came got stuck for a while, he had to call someone else to help him move out, and a cop trying to slow people down in the area almost hit my M.

currently waiting for the insurance company to let me know what's going on..

just as a note of caution guys, once you lose traction, you may not get it back. I was completely out of control for at minimum 10-15 full seconds before it finally came to a rest on the pole. I honestly don't think I could have done anything to stop it once I was just sliding, but I do feel like s*** now.

Sucks to be you man...hope they fix it. No one wants to see their baby like that... Today I had a close call to losing control in the slush on the highway going about 100 km/h but thankfully I was fast to correct the car from spinning out completely

[sergio1987]

I just drove my M for the first time in snow. At first everything was normal but as the snow got worse the brakes began locking up even at slow speeds I would never expect this from an AWD vehicle. Could it be that my tires are not meant for this weather? Im afraid to drive again in snow as I came really close to hitting another car. Please let me know what this could be. Thanks

Like the others said, it has nothing to do with AWD. It will help under acceleration and somehow control but not braking. The tires most probably suck, or there was ice under the snow...too many factors could influence. And dont forget that our cars are VERY heavy so we need more room for stopping than a civic so keep your distance and buy dedicated winter tires like nokian( or blizzak in the worst case)

[atm0sphere]

Sucks to be you man...hope they fix it. No one wants to see their baby like that... Today I had a close call to losing control in the slush on the highway going about 100 km/h but thankfully I was fast to correct the car from spinning out completely

sure as hell does.

it's making me upset to think about.

[TXT]

Watch this short video showing how winter tires are very important in winter and they also show why a 4x4 vehicle also needs winter tires:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfuE00qdhLA

[40belowceo]

Hey All,

I drove my M last night in the dry streets and I believe it had to do with the tires. The tires have good thread on them but I noticed that they are racing tires and worthless in the snow. I will keep that in mind when it snows again.

My car was sliding after just lightly touching the breaks on Saturday and going about 10mph. It felt like I could not completely press down on them as if they were jammed with something preventing them from being pressed down

[elwesso]

Anti-lock brakes are not all they are advertised to be. They will not do much on ice or really slick conditions. They try, but the real issue is you need to know how to drive in bad weather. I am an old dog and we never had anti-locks on our cars. Don't let technology fool you into thinking the car will do everything for you. It won't!

While I agree with your last statement, I don't agree with what you say that they aren't what they are advertised to be. ABS was developed to be MORE effective than ice or other slick conditions. Of course we all know that cars without ABS you are supposed to pump the brakes to prevent the wheels from locking up. That's exactly what ABS does, except it can pump the brakes hundreds of times faster.

Your point though is spot on...... The real issue is that you need to know how to drive in bad weather. I think anyone should learn how to drive without ABS, traction control or anything.. My old Q45 has NO driver aids other than ABS.

Remember in snow, tires are the most important thing. Tires are the only thing that touches both the car and the road at the same time...

[myother45isalesbaer]

Anti-lock brakes are not all they are advertised to be. They will not do much on ice or really slick conditions. They try, but the real issue is you need to know how to drive in bad weather. I am an old dog and we never had anti-locks on our cars. Don't let technology fool you into thinking the car will do everything for you. It won't!

While I agree with your last statement, I don't agree with what you say that they aren't what they are advertised to be. ABS was developed to be MORE effective than ice or other slick conditions. Of course we all know that cars without ABS you are supposed to pump the brakes to prevent the wheels from locking up. That's exactly what ABS does, except it can pump the brakes hundreds of times faster.

Your point though is spot on...... The real issue is that you need to know how to drive in bad weather. I think anyone should learn how to drive without ABS, traction control or anything.. My old Q45 has NO driver aids other than ABS.

Remember in snow, tires are the most important thing. Tires are the only thing that touches both the car and the road at the same time...

[svard75]

Hey All,

I drove my M last night in the dry streets and I believe it had to do with the tires. The tires have good thread on them but I noticed that they are racing tires and worthless in the snow. I will keep that in mind when it snows again.

My car was sliding after just lightly touching the breaks on Saturday and going about 10mph. It felt like I could not completely press down on them as if they were jammed with something preventing them from being pressed down

That preventing feeling is actually the ABS modulator. It fluctuates the brakes on-off-on-off-on-off very quickly depending on which wheel is still spinning to help with braking.

If you care to read about ABS this is a pretty good and easy to understand article http://www.drivingfast.net/technology/abs.htm

[40belowceo]

Thanks Msvara. Will do!

[myother45isalesbaer]

elwesso,

Your comments are right in in my OP. Tires are important so is learning how to drive in bad conditions. I think too many people think the technology built into the car will take care of everything. It will help for sure. But the technology is not going to help much if you don't completely understand what is does or will not do. Ultimately the driver is the one accountable for the car in my OP.

[svard75]

... Ultimately the driver is the one accountable for the car ...

+++1

[quinner49er]

I have never experienced the brakes locking up in the snow the way the OP described. However, when driving in snowy or icy conditions with the AWD X models, remember to engage the "SNOW" button on the console (in front of the cupholders). It makes a huge difference in the stability of the car in those conditions, especially when starting off from a stop or cornering.

As several others have pointed out you still have to drive according to conditions. This is especially true if there is lots of ice on the road. Other than studded tires, very little will keep you out of trouble on sheer ice. A great car will go a long way towards preventing a disaster, but an experienced and skilled driver makes all the difference in the world. As good as our cars are, particularly with AWD, it does not mean you or the car is invincible in poor driving conditions. May you all keep the rubber on the road!

[40belowceo]

I have never experienced the brakes locking up in the snow the way the OP described. However, when driving in snowy or icy conditions with the AWD X models, remember to engage the "SNOW" button on the console (in front of the cupholders). It makes a huge difference in the stability of the car in those conditions, especially when starting off from a stop or cornering.

As several others have pointed out you still have to drive according to conditions. This is especially true if there is lots of ice on the road. Other than studded tires, very little will keep you out of trouble on sheer ice. A great car will go a long way towards preventing a disaster, but an experienced and skilled driver makes all the difference in the world. As good as our cars are, particularly with AWD, it does not mean you or the car is invincible in poor driving conditions. May you all keep the rubber on the road!

I completely forgot to press that button. Will try it again when it snows and see what happens.

[sergio1987]

Does anyone know what EXACTLY "Snow" mode does... I engage it and I don't see any change in the car behaviour...

[svard75]

It reduces acceleration and engages the transfer plate so 50/50 wheel driving distribution occurs. What I am a bit fuzzy on is if it remains 50/50 after certain speeds.

[tomnan24]

Not sure about the speed but I read a review about the M-X and switching to snow mode changes to 30 front 70 rear and moves to 50/50 if it senses slippery conditions. Not sure if that's what Infiniti says or not. I believe the review was by USA today.

[tomnan24]

Another comment: Driving in NE Ohio I have learned in 48 years of driving(and growing up with rear wheel drive cars) that steering is much, much easier if you leave your foot off the brakes when sliding and try straightening out the front tires. As with all things in snow and on ice, nothing works all of the time.

[myother45isalesbaer]

Another comment: Driving in NE Ohio I have learned in 48 years of driving(and growing up with rear wheel drive cars) that steering is much, much easier if you leave your foot off the brakes when sliding and try straightening out the front tires. As with all things in snow and on ice, nothing works all of the time.

You are absolutely correct. Learning how to drive in bad weather is the most important thing. It does not matter much if you have a 2 or 4 wheel drive. The car is not going to do everything for you regardless of the technology built into them. ABS and other buttons help, but people need to understand they are just assistants. The driver is in control not the car.

[lovemycarM35]

I lived in Massachusetts all my life it snows and it snows, it's snowing right now over the years I've learned to drive in bad weather my advice is to slow down keep two cars length stay off hills if you can. My M sits in the garage all winter but I have another I drive in the snow same thing applies.