I got my QX50 about a week ago and what a fun car it is from a pure driving perspective compared to the Mazda CX-7 I owned before. It is form over function for sure but in my case just what I was looking for! I got the Journey AWD with the three option packages. I am familiarizing myself with some of the new technology features. There is plenty of new stuff to get used to.
I did not find any good information on the snow mode button. The manual simply states that "engine output is controlled to avoid wheel spin." I thought that is what the AWD already does. See the link below.
AWD:
http://www.infinitiusa.com/now/technolo ... drive.html
Is there any actual documentation from Infiniti that explains what the button really does?
New QX50 Owner
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mk15
- Posts: 63
- Joined: Fri Feb 14, 2014 1:03 pm
- Car: 2014 QX50 AWD Journey
Obsidian black with black interior
Re: New QX50 Owner
Hey, Welcome to the club!
AFAIK, Snow Mode retards throttle response so you don't put too much power to the wheel. It also probably cuts back engine output faster when wheel spin is detected, but I can't really test this in the tropics. Maybe someone in the north can fill us in.
You find the QX50 more "pure" ? I found the CX-7 a lot more engaging and fun, but at the same time I had my CX-7 heavily modified, with the suspension completely non-stock.
So I guess it's like comparing apples and oranges.
I do find the "deadness" of feedback from the rear a little unsettling. In the CX-7 I could feel the road/vibrations coming from the rear, the QX50 has this floatiness to it during hard turns. I'm assuming this is due to the brake-based torque vectoring* (?). I find it artificial feeling. It works though, but the missing feedback is something I haven't gotten used to yet. *I could be wrong about the brake-based torque vectoring and it might actually have a full blown rear LSD. I haven't really looked into the nitty gritty on this car. I had my fill of modifying cars with the CX-7. Too many custom one-off parts = breaking the bank, esepcially on an "SUV". XD
But on the flipside, if I didn't already know the steering was drive-by-wire, I would had thought the QX50 had some form of mechanical steering linkage. There's not as much feedback as a car with true mechanical steering control, but it fools most people.
AFAIK, Snow Mode retards throttle response so you don't put too much power to the wheel. It also probably cuts back engine output faster when wheel spin is detected, but I can't really test this in the tropics. Maybe someone in the north can fill us in.
You find the QX50 more "pure" ? I found the CX-7 a lot more engaging and fun, but at the same time I had my CX-7 heavily modified, with the suspension completely non-stock.
So I guess it's like comparing apples and oranges. I do find the "deadness" of feedback from the rear a little unsettling. In the CX-7 I could feel the road/vibrations coming from the rear, the QX50 has this floatiness to it during hard turns. I'm assuming this is due to the brake-based torque vectoring* (?). I find it artificial feeling. It works though, but the missing feedback is something I haven't gotten used to yet. *I could be wrong about the brake-based torque vectoring and it might actually have a full blown rear LSD. I haven't really looked into the nitty gritty on this car. I had my fill of modifying cars with the CX-7. Too many custom one-off parts = breaking the bank, esepcially on an "SUV". XD
But on the flipside, if I didn't already know the steering was drive-by-wire, I would had thought the QX50 had some form of mechanical steering linkage. There's not as much feedback as a car with true mechanical steering control, but it fools most people.
Re: New QX50 Owner
The QX50 does not have drive by wire. That is only on the Q50 with certain options.
Re: New QX50 Owner
I think there may already be some threads on this topic. As I recall (and experience suggests) all the snow button does is lock out first gear to minimize tire spin. In combination with the AWD system and stabiity and traction control it seemed to work pretty well during this past very snowy New England winter.tdf2001 wrote:I got my QX50 about a week ago and what a fun car it is from a pure driving perspective compared to the Mazda CX-7 I owned before. It is form over function for sure but in my case just what I was looking for! I got the Journey AWD with the three option packages. I am familiarizing myself with some of the new technology features. There is plenty of new stuff to get used to.
I did not find any good information on the snow mode button. The manual simply states that "engine output is controlled to avoid wheel spin." I thought that is what the AWD already does. See the link below.
AWD:
http://www.infinitiusa.com/now/technolo ... drive.html
Is there any actual documentation from Infiniti that explains what the button really does?
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mk15
- Posts: 63
- Joined: Fri Feb 14, 2014 1:03 pm
- Car: 2014 QX50 AWD Journey
Obsidian black with black interior
Re: New QX50 Owner
I stand corrected. At least it's got more steering feedback than the totally numb 4runner.YAC wrote:The QX50 does not have drive by wire. That is only on the Q50 with certain options.
I don't suppose anyone has tried to a mod to introduce more steering feedback?
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Audimontreal
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Thu Dec 12, 2013 4:10 pm
- Car: 2008 EX 35 AWD Moonlight White
- Location: Montreal, Canada
Re: New QX50 Owner
Regarding the ''Snow Mode'' and as explained by another member:
Ex-35 always runs in 4-wheel when you start from a stop then it shifts power to the rear when your car has momentum. 99% of the times the all the power is transferred to the rear and all-wheel drive only activates if it notices that you have lost traction. One way of testing all-wheel drive is when you accelerate hard in corners there’s a light that goes on the dashboard to indicate that your sliding and that usually means all wheels drive activates and you can actually feel it.
The Attesa awd system you have in your car is smart. It based on RWD and AWD kicks in when needed. However when you start your car it distributes power to all the wheels depending of the hard you accelerate how much power goes where. All said the Attesa can change from 0-100% RWD. None of the other AWD system capable to do this. Audi which i know is always 100% Quattro mode...
Most they can do is 85% range. back to the topic. It starts AWD till 12 mph(19 kmh). Then it depends on the situation it turns either RWD or partially AWD if you drive it hard it hangs in AWD longer.
Once you hit the snow mode it turns into 4x4. Literally goes to 50/50. 50% of front and 50% of rear wheel. Same applies here too. Till 12 mph. Then it goes again the same rule. Depends from the sensors but mostly you go back to RWD. If the road is slippery it goes to AWD longer. As long as needed. Also cuts the throttle so you cannot accelerate as hard and it starts from second gear for easy start.
Ex-35 always runs in 4-wheel when you start from a stop then it shifts power to the rear when your car has momentum. 99% of the times the all the power is transferred to the rear and all-wheel drive only activates if it notices that you have lost traction. One way of testing all-wheel drive is when you accelerate hard in corners there’s a light that goes on the dashboard to indicate that your sliding and that usually means all wheels drive activates and you can actually feel it.
The Attesa awd system you have in your car is smart. It based on RWD and AWD kicks in when needed. However when you start your car it distributes power to all the wheels depending of the hard you accelerate how much power goes where. All said the Attesa can change from 0-100% RWD. None of the other AWD system capable to do this. Audi which i know is always 100% Quattro mode...
Most they can do is 85% range. back to the topic. It starts AWD till 12 mph(19 kmh). Then it depends on the situation it turns either RWD or partially AWD if you drive it hard it hangs in AWD longer.
Once you hit the snow mode it turns into 4x4. Literally goes to 50/50. 50% of front and 50% of rear wheel. Same applies here too. Till 12 mph. Then it goes again the same rule. Depends from the sensors but mostly you go back to RWD. If the road is slippery it goes to AWD longer. As long as needed. Also cuts the throttle so you cannot accelerate as hard and it starts from second gear for easy start.
Re: New QX50 Owner
I asked the sales person for any additional information on the snow button of the QX50. He said that "snow mode just reduces throttle sensitivity to help the driver control power output to avoid spinning the wheels when accelerating in snowy conditions."
I have read somewhere (I can't find it anymore, unfortunately) that the 50-50 power shift to front and rear is not active anymore on the QX50. Can anyone confirm this? If not, I will go back to my sales guy and bug him one more time and report back. Thanks!
I have read somewhere (I can't find it anymore, unfortunately) that the 50-50 power shift to front and rear is not active anymore on the QX50. Can anyone confirm this? If not, I will go back to my sales guy and bug him one more time and report back. Thanks!
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mk15
- Posts: 63
- Joined: Fri Feb 14, 2014 1:03 pm
- Car: 2014 QX50 AWD Journey
Obsidian black with black interior
Re: New QX50 Owner
excerpt from US manual for QX50 section 2-42
"When the SNOW mode is activated, engine output is controlled to avoid wheel spin."
Which is in line with the less sensitive throttle response.
"When the SNOW mode is activated, engine output is controlled to avoid wheel spin."
Which is in line with the less sensitive throttle response.
Not sure what you mean. The AWD models have 50-50 split when AWD does kick in, otherwise it's 100% RWD under normal conditions.I have read somewhere (I can't find it anymore, unfortunately) that the 50-50 power shift to front and rear is not active anymore on the QX50.