Please bear with me as I pose this question to all the mechanical gurus, it may sound ridiculous.

In previous posts, I indicated that my girl is the one with the G35X and loves the car overall. But her and I don't prefer the RWD bias in inclement weather until slip is noticed, and therefore we need some more input.

This is were my quandry lies, would it be possible to reprogram the G35X when it is in snow mode. Instead of the car reverting back to 100% RWD bias over 18mph(not exactly sure the speed), would it be possible to reprogram the computer or piggy back it so that the car is atleast a 25/75 split all the time when snow mode is engaged, or just something better than the 0/100 split until slip is noticed.

Remember now, I am not familiar with the mechanics of AWD. What would limit someone from doing this, does the problem lie in programming the cars computer or do the mechanics of the awd system limit this from being possible.

I think I read that the new G35X is actually a 25/75 split in snow mode despite the speed.(Even over 18mph)

Thanks for the help and I look forward to all responses.

 

Can anyone even speculate on this??

 

I speculate that you might get better answers here: www.g35driver.com

Just buy her snow tires. We already told you the stock tires you had werent that great.

https://acurazine.com/forums/car-talk-5/fwd-cl-s-vs-infiniti-g35x-snow-359104/

 

Anything can be done, but I don't think anyone has done that yet for a few reasons. The G35X market is pretty small, and most who have one don't want to tinker with it, so finding an engineer who can do this is going to be about impossible. If you found someone willing to take the challenge it would cost so much it just wouldn't be worth it, and due to liability it may be hard to find someone willing to alter a relatively unknown system in the aftermarket world.

I also have a G35X and am not sure sure I understand why you are looking for this, I drove in a few nasty storms last season and the car performed great.

 

I know, but I am still curious.

Snow tires with 0/100 ratio is better than the original setup
Snow tires with a 50/50 ratio is even better.

There is no harm in curiousity.

Also, I understand that the stock tires were not that great but also the system is still lacking during inclement weather. If you want proof, check out this article from Canadian Driver, where the driver actually tests cars in snow weather and not just ideal conditions.

http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/pb/07g35x.htm

 

Yes, it can. Is there something out there that's available for the G35X that will remedy it? Not that I'm aware of.

Subarus come with a DCCD, which is a control module that enables you to alter the amount of power that goes to the rear wheels, which can effectively change the FWD/RWD bias of your vehicle. Maybe Cusco would have one, but expect to pay $$$ for it. I doubt you'll find value in it if they actually make one for the G35X or if they even offer a reflash for the AWD system (not sure if that's possible)

 

I am kind of looking for vice versa of what you are talking about. You are looking for more performance by changing the car to more of a rwd bias.

Now I am looking for something that will skew the AWD in snow mode to a closer 50/50 split. Obviously this is something that is only needed during snowy weather and not during regular driving.

The only reason I am wondering about this is because my gf got in an accident on the highway this winter, its a long story, so I won't rehash all of it. But after numerous months of speaking with many different Infiniti service techs, they all agree with my original logic. The Infiniti AWD system can not respond fast enough as higher speeds because the reaction time is cut so dramatically vs lower speeds (under 40mph) . In essence the 0/100 split even with snow mode enabled can still lead to big troubles because the fwd senses slip to late and can't kick in fast enough.

As for you being lucky to travel safely in bad weather, I am glad that you didn't experience the same situation, but just because it hasn't happened is no reason to assume nothing can be improved upon.

Read the article that I attached in the previous post and the reviewer agrees that Audi is a more stable bad weather awd system because of the more even fwd/rwd split.

Its reasonable and makes sense if you think about it and how the system can not react fast enough.

 

Kind of like this..
http://www.namotorsports.net/detail....cd/HAHALDEX.01

 

I remember reading your thread and I have to agree with some of the posters that driver error played a big part in what happened.

And as for the ATTESA-ETS system being relatively unknown in the aftermarket world, its been around for over 15 years, and ATTESA-ETS control systems have been around for a while too. IIRC the ATTESA-ETS system detects wheel slippage at 100 times/second so I doubt its the system's fault, or that it was too slow.

I know you and your gf practice all the time in snowy parking lots but thats in a controlled situation. Though its very unlikely and highly exaggerated, hypothetically saying if a WRC driver in a G35X was driving through snow and was engaged in a cell phone conversation (hands-free or not studies have shown) or even holding any sort of conversation requiring some level of thought that can distract a driver, he can mess up. Because all it takes is one second, one small lapse in concentration to make you panic.

The article you posted pretty much explains it. The ATTESA-ETS was designed for tarmac performance, with the benefit of being sure-footed in inclement weather. The Audi system has a FWD bias (all new non-AWD Audi models are FWD, while all non-AWD Infiniti models are RWD) so it responds better in snow.

If anything I doubt the ATTESA-ETS controller is readily available in the U.S. You will probably have to order it from overseas. There is a system available that will let you lock it into a 50/50 balance all the time, but again it will cost $$$ and it is a performance modification, whether you like it or not.

 

I'm sure you're aware of this but the G35X doesn't use a Haldex differential. I believe it uses a clutchpack differential. As you can see, that Haldex system for the VW/Audi is already pretty expensive. Its going to be even harder to find one for the ATTESA-ETS, and more expensive also. But if you're willing to spend over $1,000 then you can alter the bias, but I doubt you'll be available to do it yourself. Add more $$$ on top of that to tune the control system.

 

I mean, its unfortunately a moot point now if it was drivers error or not in regards to her accident. I understand your point in regards to hands free headsets and other distractions. But just as you said in the above quote that you agree Audi's AWD system is better in snow because of the FWD bias.

I understand the RWD bias during nice weather, but why when you engage Infiniti's snow mode button, why wouldn't they move the car closer to a FWD bias.

Because if the weather is bad enough that you have to turn on the snow mode, does spirited driving even matter???

Wouldn't that make more sense? I am not saying that the current system is horrible, but wouldn't you want the safest system possible.

All I wanted to know is if there is a way to reprogram the AWD only when it is in snow mode, not the overall performance during normal weather.

 

[QUOTE=I Go To Costco]I'm sure you're aware of this but the G35X doesn't use a Haldex differential. [QUOTE]

Ya, I am familiar, its just the closest thing that I could find in regards to what I am talking about.

And I would definitely drop a grand on this if I could change the snow mode ratio.

 

I wish I was able to offer some help in your search for the 50/50 bias device but it sounds like your GF just got the wrong car. Go get something that is better in the snow if it is that big a concern or at least change the tires to dedicated winters as others have suggested.

 

I agree with you 100%, but prior to purchasing the car, I was under the assumption that snow mode enabled the car to be a 25/75 bias at all speeds. If you read some of the reviews for the car, they do not truely represent the snow mode feature.

http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpconta...ticleId=101472

"The new G35x uses this electronically controlled system to automatically transfer optimum torque to the wheels, according to road and driving conditions. It provides torque distribution to the front and rear wheels from a 0-to-100 ratio in ideal conditions, up to fifty-fifty in inclement weather."

That is a direct quote, so it is a little misleading.


As for the snow tires, I 100% agree with you and we will be taking many other peoples advice and will be getting some Michelin Ice-X tires for next snow season.

THanks for the advice.

 

what yr is your G?

 

2004