Not Impressed

[billh23]

I'd agree that the tires are probably causing some of my slippage they are still the stock rubbers. But practice? Give me a break. I've been driving in snow since I learned to drive, about 20 years ago. We just got another 6" of fresh snow today and another 4" is predicted for tomorrow. I don't need to practice driving in snow, thats how I go to work and grocery shopping!! LOL

And to the person who said doing a 360 is impossible with the VX on snow, I live in a circle, I'll show you how to do it anytime.. This thing is so light in the *** that I just give it a little "goose" on the pedal and the rear end kicks out like crazy.

[Navigator]

...I'd check the tire pressure and make sure it's @ 29 PSI. Higher presures will give you less of a road patch. Also we have no idea how much tread is on the tires, or circumstances beyond the vehicle such as ICE under the snow etc. What I can tell you is, I live in an area with plenty of snow and I never had your problem

[hitnrun74]

I have to think it's just a difference in driving style. I'm in Northeastern Ohio, with a foot of snow and lots of Ice. I'm running Kumho Ecsta 255/55/18 and haven't had the slightest trouble. I can oversteer if I want to, but other than that, i just cruise along. I tried to get her to spin around in a parking lot the other day, no dice. TOD and the vx definitely handles the snow and ice better than my nissan frontier in 4 wheel. The winter button is an excellent feature--those of you who aren't using it should start.

[newthings]

Being from California snow conuntry, but new to Oregon, (I just put on the cables and drive away) I found many folks scratching down the road on studs this January.
I asked at the local tire store and found most studded tires were a no name brand and cost about $60 each. They last about 3 seasons.
I looked at the Tire Rack web site and found the Bridgestone winter duler DM-Z2 performed better on an ice rink skid pad than the studded tires. The tire carries the same snowflake symbol as studded "Traction " tires, as they are known in Oregon.
I may try some next season.
Roy

[Navigator]

...and never look back. Best winter tires I ever used. Not sure if they are still available, but they had awsome ice traction. Never needed them on my VX, running on Michelin Cross Trainers, but on extreme ice conditions Blizzak is the shizzle. Search Google for availability.

[Sheik-YurBooty]

About 6 weeks ago or so when NYC had its first taste of snow for the season , I was the one who posted bout my VX going almost 360 from a stand still start at a stop sign. Being that it was my 1st experience driving the VX in the snowy weather, I figuered that I might as well give it a few more tries just to see if it was just something random. Ive been driving in these conditions over twenty years, so Im quite familiar with snow mishaps! Not to mention that Ive driven several other SUV'S with & without ABS.Well, since that 1st experience. I have been driving in the same conditions w/ the VX and this had happened again quite a few times. The slower I drive on side streets, I prey that the guy ahead of me keeps his pace. I stay so far behind ,others behind me start blowing their horns. It just doesnt do well when going slow. On the highway its a pleasure! Passing big rigs at 50mph is a piece a cake. The only problem is that eventually I must get off the highway. Its amazing just how a 4000 pound truck feels like it weighs 0 pounds when driving very very slow in these conditions.......Dont even think of telling me its the tires, allignment or anything else. Thats just the way it is! Regardless to all of that, I still LOVE my VX......Just keep in mind , that no vehicle is perfect! I just wish it were Spring again!....Drive safe you guys & gals.................Bruce........PS. How come no one mentioned about chains for the tires? lol

[Eckstream]

Come over my way next snowstorm and Ill show you how to loop it around..... Its kinda easy actually. Start from a stop with the wheel turned about a full turn slowly at 180 just stomp it and it loops right into some cool doughnuts. The key is to start the turn before you hit the gas..... Also I have a set of 15" Blizzaks used for one season if someone wants to take em off my hands make me an offer.

[MZ-N10]

i feel ripped...everyone gets to play with snow but me....
________
Buy bubblers

[VX_PA]

Originally posted by Eckstream
Come over my way next snowstorm and Ill show you how to loop it around.....

Thanks for the invite, but I'm kinda excited that there's an icestorm scheduled for tomorrow. I should be able to pull 360's in the ice. Oh, and I'm going to try everything mentioned here,
going slow (under 7 mph), starting with the wheels turned, and using the power button.

If it still feels controllable in the ice and under all the above conditions I'm gonna be back on here cutting on anyone mentioning snow problems. Or I'll just brag about my supernatural driving skills. LOL

[joe-yamma]

VX_PA, like you said, I have had no luck woth 360's in the snow... Ice, might be a different story
I think our lack of 360 ability definitely has to do with the BFG A/Ts!!! These tires have made my VX a totally different vehicle than it was with stock rubber. I am very confident in my VX's winter and off-raod capabilities now. Two good stories:
1.) One of my good friends worked at an Isuzu dealership right out of college... When I got my VX he told me about how he'd do 360's in the thing on wet pavement... He told me to turn the wheels all the way to the right and then floor it and it'd do 360's all day... I haven't tried it myself, but supposedly he had fun in a couple of VX's on the lot when he was selling them.
2.) I was playing around in our work parking lot after work with a guy I work with who has an 01 Jeep Wrangler and we were playing around climbing up this mound of plowed snow a little taller than our vehicles... We were taking turns climbing up it and I saw that he put his Jeep into 4wd, so I put the VX into 4low almost went right over the thing without even trying! Needless to say, he was quite impressed with the VX's angle of approach!

Joe

[technocoy]

apparently no one here has read their manuals or looked at their console lately.

WINTER MODE.

we just had snow and then ice last week. on the snow the VX performed flawlessly.

on the ice it was kicking out on starts, so i looked down and oh my GOD what is that? A WINTER MODE BUTTON! but what constitutes winter driving conditions? surely not ice and snow... jesus.

so i pushed this mysterious button, anxious to see what my actions would bring, and low and behold, my VX didn't kick out any more!!! even when i tried!!

really people i know we are not physics majors here, but i have driven a lot of 4 wheel drives, and not ONE performs well on ice. ice is slick. unless you have chains or studs, you slide. if power is going to 4 wheels or two it doesn't matter.

snow is another story, the VX performs VERY well in these conditions.

so, before you go knocking one of the best rally inspired, four-wheel drive vehicles ever produced, drive like you have sense and when it is winter outside.....

.... try pushing that big button that says WINTER MODE.

damn.
sorry for the rant.
technocoy.

[crager34]

Yep... winter mode works fine....

Until you hit 22 MPH then it automatically shuts off. I can understand that, but would be nice to have that option up to aobut 45 (city driving).

[VX_PA]

Who needs winter mode? "We don't need no stinkin winter mode!" To this date I have never even used winter mode. Shoot, last winter I didn't even have winter mode. It didn't work until after my engine was replaced in November 2003. I wouldn't have even cared if it didn't work, just don't need it. Come to think about it, I don't even use the power mode. Never once did I use it with the old engine and I haven't even pushed it since I replaced it. I get terrible fuel mileage without the power button pushed, why would I want worse mileage now with fuel prices on the rise again.

[joe-yamma]

Winter Mode does work quite well... The only time I have used it is on a very very (people who have been to Pittsburgh will understand) steep hill by my house that was covered in snow and ice and it worked very well.

But I can tell you that with my old tires, Winter Mode couldn't help.

Joe

[AlaskaVX]

Hey Raque, make sure your 4x4 is working. When my 4x4 went out the VX handled like crap on the roads (However thats the only time "winter mode" ever got some use, and it worked well). The TOD lights were still working. Seriously the VX handles sooo well on ice/snow that I am trying to get into some ice racing up here. If your start sliding out most of the time you can hit the gas and bam, 4x4 kicks in and gets you going straight. Either you have a lead foot, can't drive in winter, or your 4x4 is out. ABS is touchy you just need to drive a lot and you will get used to how to brake without ABS.