Snow n00b
Snow n00b
Hey, I got my Rogue a few months back and we've just gotten our first damaging snow fall here in Indiana. I just wanted to ask for some tips while driving in the snow with my AWD Rogue. I know about the whole false security with AWD and that I shouldn't get too cocky on the road, but i've been noticing that when I accelerate rashly the sign that has a car and slippery tracks under it turns on. Now at that point should I turn off vdc or should i just leave it as it is? When am I supposed to use VDC?
Re: Snow n00b
VDC is helping you to get a track on road. So when your car is slipping traction control will make sure so your car will go straight and won't spin. Try to make a donuts on a parking lot with VDC on and it will not let you do it. Turn VDC off and you car will spinning like my old A4 did (can't believe the video is still alive).
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... 2299579607#
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... 2299579607#
-
Nick 568
- Posts: 304
- Joined: Tue Oct 07, 2008 5:59 am
- Car: 2008 Nissan Rogue
- Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Re: Snow n00b
VDC is always turned on by default. The switch by your knee disables it. Even if you do disable it, once you turn off your car and restart it, the VDC system will be enabled.
The manual recommends only turning off the VDC if you are stuck.
I turn off my VDC whenever I drive under speeds of 50 mph in the winter. But that's because I feel confident enough in my abilities (I live in Alaska and have spent most of my driving life in the state) to correctly pilot the car through a slide and other situations in which the wheels are spinning. Also, I find it annoying when you're anticipating for a little bit of a slide to occur, and you're countersteering for the slide, and then the VDC kicks in and kills all power to the engine for what feels like forever...usually in the middle of an intersection too. But, maybe I just drive too fast. :P
I always leave the VDC on when going above 50 mph or in the summer since if I'm sliding at 50 mph, I figure I can use all the help the car will give me to prevent a major catastrophe. Also, I never turn it off in the summer because on dry roads it takes sooo much more to break traction from the tires, and again, I figure if I've gotten myself in a situation in which I'm spinning out of control in the summer, it's not intentional and that again, I want to avoid disaster.
The manual recommends only turning off the VDC if you are stuck.
I turn off my VDC whenever I drive under speeds of 50 mph in the winter. But that's because I feel confident enough in my abilities (I live in Alaska and have spent most of my driving life in the state) to correctly pilot the car through a slide and other situations in which the wheels are spinning. Also, I find it annoying when you're anticipating for a little bit of a slide to occur, and you're countersteering for the slide, and then the VDC kicks in and kills all power to the engine for what feels like forever...usually in the middle of an intersection too. But, maybe I just drive too fast. :P
I always leave the VDC on when going above 50 mph or in the summer since if I'm sliding at 50 mph, I figure I can use all the help the car will give me to prevent a major catastrophe. Also, I never turn it off in the summer because on dry roads it takes sooo much more to break traction from the tires, and again, I figure if I've gotten myself in a situation in which I'm spinning out of control in the summer, it's not intentional and that again, I want to avoid disaster.
-
philipa_240sx
- Posts: 3808
- Joined: Thu Jun 21, 2007 7:30 am
- Location: Canada
Re: Snow n00b
The Rogue has been my first VDC equipped vehicle. I actually like driving with it. It's not that intrusive... and if it is, then I'm driving way too fast!
Re: Snow n00b
Even with the VDC off, you will get the car slipping sign when the car feels the wheels are spinning, that is just an indication to you (time to ease the throttle to regain grip, except if you want the tires to spin on purpose).jitaroo wrote:... i've been noticing that when I accelerate rashly the sign that has a car and slippery tracks under it turns on. Now at that point should I turn off vdc or should i just leave it as it is? When am I supposed to use VDC?
Like Nick, I like to turn it off at low speed as I find it a little bit too intrusive (but I like to have a little bit of fun where there is snow, so that may be the reason
).As others as said, it is a safety feature to prevent the car from sliding, so it is better to keep it on. But when you are stuck in the snow, sand or mud, and you need to spin the tires to get out, you need to disable it by turning it off.