[darrylburke]

Well.. after a full week of driving the Murano in the snow. All I can say is..

Disappointed..

First of all let me tell you what I'm comparing it two..

I'm used to driving a ford Expedition with "Part Time 4X4", in this case. if you are going around a corner (all conditions are snow!) to fast and the car is over steering.. the front axel kicks in and "pulls" you out of the slide very nicly (40% power in the front) so the front tires do not spin, but have enough power to straighten you out..

Now the Murano is VEY different.. if you are going around a corner to fast and start to understeer ( Due to the front wheel drive) it will then put 50 % power to the rear wheels, the next thing you know, the back end is whipping around so fast ( in an over stear) you can lose control very easily.. you are going from an understeer to an over steer in a split second.. This can be very dangerous for people who are used to RWD 4X4's.. (the majority)

Now.. don't get me wrong.. when it comes to "locked" AWD. there is no comparison to the 4WD, it blow's it away.. (especally from a standstill)
but it's the part time part of it , that really needs a lot of improvement..

 

[Taylormade]

Don't go around corners too fast in the snow.

 

[muran03]

Just wondering if you have VDC and whether that would make a difference. I have an SE with VDC and I find the handling in snow surprisingly good, even around corners. However, I think the handling could improve with a better set of tires. Goodyear Eagles are crappy in snow.

 

[Taylormade]

The truth has been spoken...Good Year tires are crap! Michelin or Bridgestone would be better but Tirerack.com doesn't have anything for this size yet.

 

[muran03]

Actually, I don't mind the Eagles. They are quiet and they stick well to the dry pavement. But I would never buy them again. I'll be looking for some big tread next time around ...hope I don't have to look to hard.

 

[darrylburke]

Just wondering if you have VDC and whether that would make a difference. I have an SE with VDC and I find the handling in snow surprisingly good, even around corners. However, I think the handling could improve with a better set of tires. Goodyear Eagles are crappy in snow.

yeah I have the SE with VCD, so far, I'm not that impressed with it.. I have another car with VCD (they call it stability management) and it's WAY better.

 

[darrylburke]

Don't go around corners too fast in the snow.

but what fun is that???