Driving in Snow mode all the time for better economy?

[KIA-STL]

Hello everybody. I just signed up to ask this question so ill give you a bit o background info.

I am the Internet sales manager at Jim Butler KIA in STL MO. One of the nice things about my employer is that I get a demo vehicle. So I get to drive whatever (within reason, no taking out the 11 LR Sport were selling for $75k, also just to be courteous I do not drive cars that are close to surpassing their mileage max for warranty as well) pre-owned car I feel. I drove my first G about 6 months ago as a demo and I fell in love. This car was a 08 G35x black on black with the premium package (not sure if thats what Infiniti calls it but it gave you the power pass seat, roof, power adj steering wheel, etc...). My last personal vehicle was a Mustang Cobra so I like quick, good looking cars and its a bonus if they sound good too! IMO, the G is the perfect melding of sport/luxury. Its not as plush (or what I call sterile!) as a Lexus and also not as raw as the Cobra was. They are just great. Plus with having a 22 month old, the car seat fits and the trunk is roomy enough for my wife, daughter and I to go wherever we want and bring all the accompanying equipment. So I like them!

My question is this,

Would driving with in snow mode increase fuel economy and if it does is doing so problematic or can it cause issues in the long term? From what I have found Snow mode decreases throttle response, makes the transmission shift earlier/softer (maybe just seems like its softer), and also the ATESSA locks and stays locked to 17mph or thereabouts. Other than the locking AWD it acts like the ECO mode on the KIA's I sell.

So what can you tell me?

[KIA-STL]

Anyone?

[telcoman]

Welcome to NICO

I drive a 6 sp manual but if driving in snow mode causes your RPMs to increase by the vehicle shifting into a lower gear you will not see an increase in gas mileage.

The 7 speed automatics get better mileage than the 5 speed autos because of a higher overdrive gear ratio which lowers the rpms at highway speeds.

I get my best mileage at below 3k rpms which is below 80 MPH in 6th gear

Telcoman

[KIA-STL]

Welcome to NICO

I drive a 6 sp manual but if driving in snow mode causes your RPMs to increase by the vehicle shifting into a lower gear you will not see an increase in gas mileage.

The 7 speed automatics get better mileage than the 5 speed autos because of a higher overdrive gear ratio which lowers the rpms at highway speeds.

I get my best mileage at below 3k rpms which is below 80 MPH in 6th gear

Telcoman

You have the snow mode backwards. It seems to me that the transmission shifts earlier, I would say it stays well below 3k when driving like normal.

I am certain that the earlier shifting and the lessened throttle response would increase economy but im not sure if the locked AWD negates that gain.

[audtatious]

The standard ATTESA AWD system starts the car at 25/75 F-R and goes to 5/95 at higher speeds (25mph-ish?). With snow mode the vehicle starts at a 50/50 split until 45mph

Not sure how that equates to better fuel economy.

[kmckis1029]

i would say no too, you are running two drive shafts longer than normal in snow mode.