Hey Guys,

Just wanted to update everyone on how the sways react to about 5-6 inches of snow. Today was the first real snow storm and I wanted to test how to car reacts with the sways, I have the front a full stiff (second hole) and the rear on middle and the car sucks. The back end keeps sliding out so I am assuming I will have to change the rear to full soft :/. Any one else share there Snow stories!

 

To be honest, it just sounds like the typical AWD acting the way it normally does in 'Winter' conditions...in other words: it detects wheel slip, activates awd, appropriates the right amount of Torque to the wheels with best traction, and THEN you regain control of the car, etc.

Not really too sure if your sways are causing the fish-tailing...also, are you running All Season Tires or Winter Tires or Summer Tires? Tire choice will make a HUGE difference in terms of the amount of grip you are getting...especially in the rear axle since our cars prefer RWD

Once again, I would say it's slippage from Tire choice or not modulating throttle appropriately, but I guess there is a chance it COULD be from sways

 

My medium-setting Hotchkis allowed for more oversteer so in snow I just drive slower and make sure I have my winter treads.

 

Yup tires will make a huge difference. Last year I was running the stock dunlops on my xS, this winter I got some blizzaks lm-25s. Very noticeable difference.

Although I don't have aftermarket sways, but I do have the S rear sway bar + GTSpec rear braces. The car will fishtail no matter what in the snow and ice when you give enough gas.

 

I'm curious which tires the OP has as well. In addition, what sways?

Agreed you have to drive with a very light throttle foot in this type of weather, snow tires or not.

I'd also suggest going to an empty unplowed parking lot and drive around a bit. Get a feel for how much throttle it takes to break the rear end loose, how easy it is to recover, etc. Do a few panic stops too.

 

My tires is a big problem, their all season from a company called milestar. They came with the car when I bought it. But it happen when it rains as well. I have had winter tires on my other cars from a company called Nokian, probably some of the best snow tires I have used. I just wanted to know if this was normal or not.

 

PS I dont really like the rear coming out so much, I want a even feeling so I might just adjust the rear to full soft

 

That should help with reducing oversteer. Nokian makes some of the best all-season snow tires (WRG2).

It's not very easy to slide out the backend on an X when it is raining.

 

I drove my 2010 X Sedan in the snow for 5 days in New Mexico up and down winding roads covered in snow and never experienced any "fishtailing".
I have all season Kumho Solus KH16...the dealer put them on the car when I bought it last year. They seem to have decent traction...don't ever break loose in rain either.
The KH16 are grand touring; I will replace them with all season ultra high performance next time. I liked the Toyo's I had on my 350Z...they also did well in the snow and rain.

 

I know a lot of people w/ upgraded sways who just disconnect them in snowy months.

 

Yeah thats a pain thought taking them off, then installing them again. I rather just put the rear in the softest setting. Also I think the tires have a little too do with it as well. But overall i'm happy with the car in the snow. its a lot better than FWD and RWD.

 

The AWD tends to fish tail with the stock all season tires. Put some dedicated winter tires in the car and you'll see a huge difference.

 

don't take them off, just disconnect from the end links

 

Yeah, I would definitely say it's the tires more than anything...rented a loaner with all seasons 2 fridays ago and it was doing some serious fishtailing the first hour I had it, since I had gotten used to my snow tires.

Nokian, from what I've heard, are supposed to be super sticky in the snow, not sure if they are available from where I buy tires though...

I would really say that the sways are prolly not the real problem...