Winter performance questions

[kev500]

Hi,

I bought a new Versa SL Sedan a month ago and really like it. I live in Canmore, Alta, Canada and am curious about what kind of winter performance and reliability I can expect.

I have ABS...just wondering if anyone who has driven their Versa on icy/snowy roads can tell me how the Versa handles in those conditions.

Also...I've had cars in the past that started easily in the cold and there was no need to plug them in, even if it got below -25 or -30 degrees Celsius. Can anyone tell me if starting in the extreme cold without it having been plugged in has been a problem.

Thanks in advance.

[Martin Roy]

I'm in the same boat as you are ! I guess I'll find out myself in a few months. Good thing the block heater comes standard.

[BBISHOPPCM]

I live in NH, and in the few chances I've had driving this car in snow (fresh, and packed), it handled well beyond my expectations.

[ThirstyRoss]

I'm in the same boat as you are ! I guess I'll find out myself in a few months. Good thing the block heater comes standard.

The block heater does not come standard, maybe in Quebec they are throwing it in for cheap, but it's definitely not part of my Versa here in Toronto.

Also, man there are a lot of Versa's in Quebec, you guys love Nissans there or what? We got passed by seven Versa's when we drove through Quebec (all of which were significantly exceeding the speed limit), and none in New Brunswick or Nova Scotia.

[sambot]

After driving a turbodiesel, I found driving the versa in winter a thrill, but then I'm easily entertained.

My goodness - the car actually started without needing plugging in. I found the versa pretty good on unplowed and icy Edmonton roads. It got through the back alleys better than the mazda van. The ABS brakes work really well, without any sliding, which I experienced with my old car, which also had ABS brakes.

I'm looking forward to seeing how it will make it through an entire winter.

[XterraVersa]

This winter of weekly snow storms & two 30"+ blizzards, the Xterra stayed in the garage.

The Versa's light weight, front wheel drive & skinny tires are ideal for winter/icy driving. Not having ABS is a blessing the way they deice the streets here. The tires lock, cutting through the slop to solid ground & stopping.

I only got stuck once in the ally behind my garage. The snow was deep enough to high center the Versa.

[Martin Roy]

The block heater does not come standard, maybe in Quebec they are throwing it in for cheap, but it's definitely not part of my Versa here in Toronto.

I don't get it... My dealer told me it came standard on all Nissans in Canada. I wasn't charged more for it. Do you have the SL Hatchback ? Anyone else can confirm ?

Also, man there are a lot of Versa's in Quebec, you guys love Nissans there or what? We got passed by seven Versa's when we drove through Quebec (all of which were significantly exceeding the speed limit), and none in New Brunswick or Nova Scotia.

Well, we there are more people in Québec than in NB or NS, so chances are you'll see more Versas . I must admit the popularity of the Versa is quite surprising considering the fact that they advertise way less than other companies.

[ThirstyRoss]

Yep, I have the SL Hatchback.

Anyone know if/how I can visually verify if the block heater is installed?

[Martin Roy]

There should be a black electrical cord rolled up behind the front (lower) grille. Other than that, I don't know how it looks like.

[bradkenyon]

i bought mine in january and it was snow storms here and there the first two months i owned mine.

i would suggest snow tires, the only reason i got thru winter without an accident was because i was being very careful with it being a brand new car and all. any other car, i would of driven normal, right into an accident or two in those snow storms.

[matttail]

A heater block is a blocky thing that sits in your engine coolant line somewhere. It's job is to heat up the coolant, letting it circulate through the engine. It's probably about 3 or 4 inches thick, about 5 or 6 inches tall. It's normally attached to the rubber tubing that something like 2.5 or 3 inch diameter. The electrical cord goes right into the side, and then should be safely routed around hot engine parts up to the front where you can find it to plug it in.

[ThirstyRoss]

There should be a black electrical cord rolled up behind the front (lower) grille. Other than that, I don't know how it looks like.

I will check for it and report back. Our townhouse has underground parking so I shouldn't actually need the block heater regardless, but it'd be nice to know!

Thanks!

[Bubs daddy]

Can't offer my experiences with those questions. Carry on...

[marleyfan]

As far as I know the block heater is standard on all Canadian Versas. I know my SL has it. As far as winter handling...last winter when we had a couple of significant snowfalls here in the Vancouver area I found that my V handled beyond my expectations. Now I know that Vancouver winters aren't the best standard to judge by but having grown up in Southern Ontario I do have some knowledge of winter conditions. I found that even with the stock tires it handled very well. With snow it would be almost unstoppable......well almost.

[Martin Roy]

How about doing a "worst winter contest", where we all share our experience about driving in winter conditions . I'm just curious to see which part of North America has the worst winters. For my part, in Québec, the weather is so unpredictable, it can either be huge snowfall or ice storm (freezing rain) and everything inbetween. One thing is sure, I'll be getting winter tires this fall.

[sambot]

So which is worse - driving in deep snow, driving in an ice storm or driving on a "clear" highway with patches of black ice, or driving in a snowstorm on a highway with black ice? Given my druthers, I'd do anything to avoid driving on the dreaded black ice, having once hit a patch, do a 360, hit another patch and hit the ditch, at 110 km/hr.

Let's just agree that winter driving is a challenge.

[Martin Roy]

I agree, black ice is a b*tch !

As for driving in deep snow, I kinda like it. The handbrake is making it fun
Modified by Martin Roy at 10:26 PM 7/15/2007

[frankoV]

OK, I'm only almost a Versa owner -- pick it up Saturday. I'm told that a block heater is standard but now I wonder -- I'll have to check.

And the worse driving in Canada is where you are at the time. I've lived Quebec to Alberta: the white-outs in Winnipeg and near Saskatoon are terrible, the roads between the two are awful, but the 401 is ridiculous becasue so many drivers don't know how to winter drive!

[michelkenny]

As far as I know, the block heater comes standard on all Versas in Canada. Probably even ALL cars in Canada.

[frankoV]

Probably even ALL cars in Canada.

Looked at a Mazda . . . and . . . nope.

[christyhallow]

Hi, live in freezing-cold WI (this week sub-zero wind-chills), the '08 Versa is garaged. No prob.s starting. No prob.s running. Have been looking for input on "best" climate-control settings. Reg. oils changes maintained. Best deal-for winter driving: Went to Sears ......("after" phoning 5-dealers and "bet" with husb.): Blizzaks (spelling?) and wheels on which to mount them=wonderful! Of course, one can't slide around "every" corner without a care! Watch out for those pot-holes! Overall, after re-sealing the factory glue-job (trunk-area provided a nice swimming pool), the only problem "worrisome" continues to be the "noise" (cannot "hear it" but one feels thru steering-wheel) when turning steering wheel/on occasion/slow-turning (garage assures there is no prob.;keeping eye-on). Overall, love-the-car; wish it held-road better in high-winds/winds changing directions. Winter-driving: Don't drive like an idiot and watch-out-for-skidders coming your way! Add winter-tires and check oil/filter and air-pressure/tires. Recommend Versa '08? Yes!