Problem with all wheel drive and VDC on 2006 M35X

[andiamo]

I have a 2006 M35 X with 30 K miles that has a problem with the all wheel drive system functioning intermitently. The dealer can not find the problem. The VDC has also failed twice and allowed the car to skid out of control into oncoming traffic. All of my incidents have been in 2-3 inches of snow or slush. My tires are in good condition. Anyone have any similar problems or thoughts? This has now become a dangerous problem.

Tony

[antzrus]

I do know that if you are on the Goodyear OEM RSA's-you are taking your life in your hands. For way too many they tramline all over the road; especially in snow. I've got ContiExtremeContacts which completely fixed the problem; especially in snow.

I don't know about your belief that the 4x4 isn't working all the time. How would you tell?

[andiamo]

Hi Antzrus,

Thanks for your response to my problem. Yes I do have the original OEM Goodyear tires. Amazingly enough the dealer checked the tires and said they were fine , he never mentioned a potential problem. Thanks for the advice.

Relative to the all wheel problem. In a small snow storm last week in lane changing the car felt like a rear wheel drive vehicle. I was not getting any pull from the front wheels and the rear end would kick out as I completed my lane change.I was getting a rapid flashing yellow sensor light which I later found out could indicate an overheating of oil. Shortly after this incident I did smell something burning for a few minutes. The dealer still has the car, for four days, no problems found yet.

Thanks for your help, Tony

[antzrus]

Hi Antzrus,

Thanks for your response to my problem. Yes I do have the original OEM Goodyear tires. Amazingly enough the dealer checked the tires and said they were fine , he never mentioned a potential problem. Thanks for the advice.

Relative to the all wheel problem. In a small snow storm last week in lane changing the car felt like a rear wheel drive vehicle. I was not getting any pull from the front wheels and the rear end would kick out as I completed my lane change.I was getting a rapid flashing yellow sensor light which I later found out could indicate an overheating of oil. Shortly after this incident I did smell something burning for a few minutes. The dealer still has the car, for four days, no problems found yet.

Thanks for your help, Tony

From what I have been able to gather over the past year on these sites (I just joined this one) the RSA's are a real problem that Infiniti service folks apparently do not openly talk much about: "Hi, here's our $50k plus machine w/inadequate tires...."

I can't stress enough, be careful w/those tires, especially in the snow-I've been there, done that.

Let us know what they find besides; "looks OK to us..."

[szh]

Yup ... agreed! The Goodyear RS-A tires are mediocre (and expensive to boot!) tires. I definitely encourage you to replace them with good summer tires and if you do get good summer tires, remember not to use them in snow or freezing temperatures. Best to get a second set of cheap wheels and good snow tires in that situation!

Z

[MagicM]

The Goodyear rs-a is complete and utter 100% grade "A" JUNK. I live in Calgary which basically measures it's snow fall in feet, and taking the m35x for the first time during this winter was a mistake. Broke loose on gentle breaking, and there is a steep incline to get out of my area and it wouldn't make it up. Went 50 meters, turned back and headed home.

[tkeskic]

MagicMI hear you on the snow here (Calgary); I replaced mine last year and they are way better!tk

[scjconsulting]

When the car was 4K old, I replaced mine with Nokian WR tires and left the OEM tires at the tire store!

[infinitiandbeyond]

The flashing orange light is normal. It tells you when the AWD system is working.

In fact, AWD also works when going in reverse!

I can even do a backwards donut in this thing...

Ditto on the tires.

[infinitiandbeyond]

CAN'T do a backwards donut...sry