SH AWD in Deep Snow

[Bill_de]

Originally Posted by androcathr

You should have shut off the VSA when you got stuck

Now there's an original idea.

[aucjmo22]

Look like I''ll be purchasing the new toyo tires. Nino thanks for the info!

[8-2-mdx]

With VSA shut off how is the power being distributed to 4 wheels?

[symmetrical]

Originally Posted by 8-2-mdx

With VSA shut off how is the power being distributed to 4 wheels?

VSA is traction control I believe. Meaning when it detects wheel slippage, it will try to stop the slipping to occur I think by using the brakes.

With VSA off, it allows all four wheels to keep powering through in which is needed to plow through deep snow when you are stuck.

So basically it's still all wheel drive with it off.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong

[aucjmo22]

You're correct "symmetrical". If the sensors note that the wheel(s) are slipping and not gaining traction, the VSA, immediately prevents power, intemittently, to that specific wheel(s) until they picks up traction. Turning the VSA off prevents this from occuring and the wheels operate independently with constant power. You need this to get out of snow banks and tought spots.

[8-2-mdx]

Originally Posted by aucjmo22

You're correct "symmetrical". If the sensors note that the wheel(s) are slipping and not gaining traction, the VSA, immediately prevents power, intemittently, to that specific wheel(s) until they picks up traction. Turning the VSA off prevents this from occuring and the wheels operate independently with constant power. You need this to get out of snow banks and tought spots.

so power will be distributed equally to all 4 wheels at the same time i.e. 25% to each of the wheels? I doubt it... but if it is true that's awesome! It will be sort of the real 4x4 systems (like on Toyota land cruiser/ 4Runner etc.) that have central locking differential and/or rear locking differentials.

[aucjmo22]

8-2-mdx, the mdx is considered a 4 wheel drive vehicle BUT the front tires receive more torque when you accelerate. If you go on the Acura website it explains this in more detail. I don't want to mislead you and check out the link:
Is the Acura MDX?s all-wheel drive constantly in AWD? - Ask.cars.com

[MilesMDX]

4WD vs AWD: What's the Diff?

[aucjmo22]

good article, thanks for sharing.

[mmm666]

so what kind of winter tire do you guys like better? Michelin latitude xice xi2 or bridgestone blizzak ?

[CR88]

Originally Posted by mmm666

so what kind of winter tire do you guys like better? Michelin latitude xice xi2 or bridgestone blizzak ?

Wife has the xice and I have the Blizzaks on my '10 MDX. xice seems to have a better ride and are fine in regular snow but the Blizzaks are much better in deep snow and especially ice.

We had a storm in 2011 that dumped about 3' of snow on us in one day. My wife had an important dr. appt. that morning that she couldn't miss. I was a little worried but took our chances and plowed through without issue. There were a number of vehicles stuck including a Subaru Outback a Jeep and a dozen or so others. In fact the only time I couldn't make it down one of the roads was because it was filled with stuck cars.

We also have a VERY steep driveway and we can both drive up and down it with 8"-10" of snow on it. So, while both tires are good in moderate snow levels, in my opinion the Blizzaks clearly outperform the xice in the deeper snow.

[mmm666]

Thanks for you taking your time CR88. It took me 3 months to decide between Michelin latitude xice xi2 and bridgestone blizzak dm-v1. I went with Michelin latitude xice2. I was using goodyear fortera all season with my AWD during winter. I expect neither one will do well over all season anytime.. We haven't had snow in the past 3 weeks. so I couldn't test out my xice2.

[__raj]

Originally Posted by symmetrical

VSA is traction control I believe. Meaning when it detects wheel slippage, it will try to stop the slipping to occur I think by using the brakes.

Based on my own experience of not shutting off VSA in the tough conditions, the brakes are definitely applied when traction control is engaged. My car smelled like burning brakes and steam was coming off the disc brakes after spending 15 minutes to try and bash through 10-16"+ deep snow drifts. I never once applied the brakes hard during that time. Simply moved forward till stuck. Backed up and then took running starts to get further along.