| SSpiro |
Will be buying Murano within next month or two.. I will be buying used. Trying to decide between the AWD or standard FWD. We get no snow in Florida, but average 40+ inches of rain a year..
How well does the AWD work in the rain? |
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| UncaDanno |
Hydroplaning is a lot like being on black ice: there is no traction until you get down to pavement.
No kind of drive, 4-wheel, all-wheel, front-wheel, etc., will do you any good.
Question: how often do you get into deep (> 4") sand? AWD could be a help there. |
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| SSpiro |
quote:
Originally posted by UncaDanno
Hydroplaning is a lot like being on black ice: there is no traction until you get down to pavement.
No kind of drive, 4-wheel, all-wheel, front-wheel, etc., will do you any good.
Question: how often do you get into deep (> 4") sand? AWD could be a help there.
Not often enough for it to matter... I would possibly take it down to the beach and drive it down to the water once or twice, but I normally don't even need 4WD for that (unless its deep, then I just avoid it). I could see AWD being beneficial in the sand.. |
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| TheGymKid |
Here is my opinion... since you put it out there and asked. : )
Honestly, living in Florida you wont ever need the AWD I bet. A lot of people think of SUV with 4x4 (AWD) when they go to buy, so if you are buying and plan on selling it again, it will help a lot on resale.
In Florida though, unless you plan on taking it off roading, then you wont need it. I live in Jersey and only plan on using/needing AWD for snow... no other reason. It will probably save you money now if you buy without it also. Good luck on making your decision. |
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| SSpiro |
| Yeah, I didn't even think about resale. Good point. |
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| dundonrl |
I traded in a 01 Explorer XLT 4x4 in on the 04 AWD Murano.. did I take the Explorer off road, you betcha.. I had mud/water flowing over the hood and hitting the bottom of the windshield before (large and deep mud hole) would I take the Mo through something like that? NOT a chance, since the Explorer was pretty much a station wagon built on a pickup platform and had the requisite streingth in it's 4x4 system that the Mo lacks ( low range transfer case being the most beneficial, with #2 being the more aggresstive tires from the factory)
However I got the Mo with AWD because in North Carolina where my wife drives it, does get snow. Now she's not that good of a driver in incliment weather, but it does give me a "warm fuzzy" knowing that she has it.. |
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| mikeyrider |
| If you've searched inventory from the Nissan site, you've probably noticed that AWD MOs are pretty rare in Florida. A few of the larger dealers MIGHT have one AWD in inventory. We bought AWD only because we split our time between Florida and western NC where it snows and we drive on forest service roads--and our dealer had to get an AWD from out of state. If you're staying on pavement in FL where it rains a lot, you'd be better off spending the $ on the stability option than on AWD, I think. |
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| Conman |
| It's probably not neccessary living in Florida. Besides the Mo is not really an off roader anyway... |
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| BordeauxMo |
Is it possible to get the VDC option and not get the AWD? (I mean, would you consider that route)?
Living in FL, I'd opt for that. The only reason we got the AWD is for the snow here. Had I still been living in FL, I wouldn't have worried about it.
I understand the resale value portion, but most likely you will LUV you MO and keep it for a LONG time, or, sell it in FL where the AWD doesn't really make that much of a diff.
Get whats best for your needs. |
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| hfelknor |
As a Floridian, I shy away from AWD, 4WD, etc.
I consider that just something else to break and I don't need to carry the extra weight around for every single day I own the vehicle.
I absolutely would never pay extra on a resale if a vehicle had AWD.
Homer |
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| jaak |
AWD isn't even necessary in Toronto, so to think it's needed anywhere south of there for real winter conditions, makes me laugh... Well except Buffalo and PA in the mountains, because Buffalo gets dumped on with snow and the altitude of the mountains helps do the same.
Now, to be fair, AWD does make the Murano chirp less when you gas it and your front wheels happen to be on that painted line at the traffic light.
Rain? If it's raining so heavy that you need AWD, you're going too fast and are going to end off the road in a corner or in someone's rear because you can't stop fast enough.
One place where it does work, is freezing rain.
I'm with Homer on this one. Less power to the ground and more losses through the drivetrain, plus additional weight and more to go wrong with AWD.
If it was dry road AWD, that would be different. But it's not. |
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| SSpiro |
quote:
Originally posted by jaak
AWD isn't even necessary in Toronto, so to think it's needed anywhere south of there for real winter conditions, makes me laugh... Well except Buffalo and PA in the mountains, because Buffalo gets dumped on with snow and the altitude of the mountains helps do the same.
Now, to be fair, AWD does make the Murano chirp less when you gas it and your front wheels happen to be on that painted line at the traffic light.
Rain? If it's raining so heavy that you need AWD, you're going too fast and are going to end off the road in a corner or in someone's rear because you can't stop fast enough.
One place where it does work, is freezing rain.
I'm with Homer on this one. Less power to the ground and more losses through the drivetrain, plus additional weight and more to go wrong with AWD.
If it was dry road AWD, that would be different. But it's not.
You make good points... and one has to wonder how hard it would be to find an AWD in Florida as it is.. |
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| jaak |
Nice Avatar! LOL!!!:19:
Aww... You changed it.... |
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| dkfchan |
I regret a lot getting AWD but not VDC. I don't think I even use it once! I never seen the AWD light came on at all unless I play it with AWD lock.
I should order the 2WD with VDC as VDC is more useful than AWD in rainy day.
Off topic. It is bad that Nissan force people to get loaded before getting VDC. They should make VDC standard. For model 2003, I understand they needed to test the market.
Now is the third year! |
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| teonek |
| AWD ON light dosen't come ON when AWD is operating. It only comes on when you turn on AWD Lock. I never seen the VDC light come ON even on Polish bad, bumpy, all of holes, one of the worst in Europe roads with lot of corners, snow and ice in winter and water in other months. So I think AWD helps a lot. I want to admit i'm driving fast |
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| Eric L. |
| Neither the AWD or VDC light comes on when either system is operating. When VDC is active, the SLIP light blinks on and off. This is misleading, since sometimes the SLIP light is triggered by the traction control only, and VDC is not actually active. I guess the rule of thumb is that if your SLIP light is blinking, slow down! |
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| teonek |
| Yes it is my mistake, it's SLIP light in MO not VDC. So i have never seen it blinking. |
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| Eric L. |
quote:
Originally posted by teonek
Yes it is my mistake, it's SLIP light in MO not VDC. So i have never seen it blinking.
You'd have to make a VERY abrupt maneuver to get the VDC to switch on dry roads. Its easier on fresh snow. Just turn the wheel and jam the gas, you'll see the SLIP light blinking almost immediately. |
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| dkfchan |
quote:
Originally posted by Eric L.
Neither the AWD or VDC light comes on when either system is operating. When VDC is active, the SLIP light blinks on and off. This is misleading, since sometimes the SLIP light is triggered by the traction control only, and VDC is not actually active. I guess the rule of thumb is that if your SLIP light is blinking, slow down!
Interesting.... Then how do I know if I am in AWD or FWD? I read the manual and the AWD light is on only when there is a problem. |
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| Eric L. |
quote:
Originally posted by dkfchan
Interesting.... Then how do I know if I am in AWD or FWD? I read the manual and the AWD light is on only when there is a problem.
You won't know. The only way to be sure is to use AWD lock, but that switches back to automatic AWD after 19mph (03-04) or 6mph (05). The manual is very explicit to say do not use AWD Lock on smooth roads (I would guess, it would damage the transfer case). |
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| Corin |
| I've had AWD kick on when on wet roads, especially on hills. No light or anything, but I can feel it. Front starts to slip, then rear tires grab. I have a really steep hill by my house that is always fun to peel out during wet weather. Can't do it on the MO... :( |
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| Corin |
| Oh, and I don't have VDC either, because those stupid marketing morons didn't want to give me VDC without me buying a fully-decked-out version. Buttheads. |
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| Eric L. |
quote:
Originally posted by Corin
Oh, and I don't have VDC either, because those stupid marketing morons didn't want to give me VDC without me buying a fully-decked-out version. Buttheads.
Yeah I was kind of mad to have to get the leather and BOSE in order to get VDC. I considered VDC a must have feature. Oh well, I guess I will have to "suffer" with the comfy leather seats, and the better than avg (compared to other cars) BOSE. :D |
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| MightyMo |
| I could tolerate the leather & Bose to get VDC, but it's the sunroof for a tall bloke like me that makes it totally unacceptable. |
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| SugarRushMurano |
quote:
Off topic. It is bad that Nissan force people to get loaded before getting VDC. They should make VDC standard. For model 2003, I understand they needed to test the market.
I completely agree with you.
Like the hilander and toyota rav4, the VDC comes standard in their Safety Package (in addition to ABS and Eletronic Brake Dist).
I think Nissan should consider doing the same if they want to compete with toyota, as most people these days, will look for a vehicle that has ABS-VDC-EBD and expect these tech to be standard equipment.
Yet, getting a VDC-FWD is better that getting AWD is not entirely accurate. They both do different thing and they complement each other a lot..... |
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| jaak |
I'm intriqued by the thought of VDC and the technology looks good. However, I've not missed it. Just like I've not missed having to turn off the traction control numerous times with my Maxima.
I'll get VDC on the next one, as long as it still has a switch to turn it off. |
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| L8Shift |
quote:
Originally posted by Corin
Oh, and I don't have VDC either, because those stupid marketing morons didn't want to give me VDC without me buying a fully-decked-out version. Buttheads.
In the Metro DC area it's hard to find the VDC w/o the Tech. package...
The Infinity FX35 has the VDC standard I think.... |
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