Snow mode 7AT retrofit?

marcussoori

Does anyone know where the snow mode button is located in the new cars?

Is it possible to retrofit the button and the feature itself, like a tranny ECU or car ECU software version upgrade? Perhaps it's something the dealer could do for us?

Thanks in advance!

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370zproject

take the z out in snow.,.. no... uhm but a cheap used corrolla its not me doubting you in the snow its everyone else "oh look at that red z in the snow!?! "BANG they hit yea

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cossie1600

You do know half the SUVs on the road are worth more than your 370 right? Calm down.

I would personally hold the car in the right gear for the snow. I never liked automatic transmission and snow as it can sometimes get trapped in the wrong gear.

370zproject

yes but dont u know half the people on the snowy roads cant drive worth crap in the snow im just saying buy a junker just for snow vs risking repairs to ur z

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christian370z

You are better off just using the throttle carefully. Snow modes are generally no more helpful than just gently modulating the gas.

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DLSTR

+1. Unless you are climbing up a hill etc, just let the car idle out of a stop. Simply take your foot off the brake and the car will move, easy on the throttle and continue. Also having snow/winter tires on the car would be good as well.

Cmike2780

Even with snow tires, I would be hesitant to take the Z out in the snow unless I really had to. It just wasn't built for that type of weather. Factor in the fact that it sits relatively low to the ground and rear wheel drive and your just asking for it. An old front wheel drive beater Corolla with all season tires would be safer to drive in the snow than our Z with the stock summers tires.

I'm not saying its impossible, on the contrary. Many on here have used a winter tire setup with some succedd. Personally I'd rather not risk it. It's not a Ferrari or Lambo by any means, but its still pretty expensive.... to me anyways.

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wstar

From the descriptions it sounds like "Snow Mode" is basically 2nd-gear-start and some kind of "smoothing" on downshifts (probably changed the shift points and/or lockup to avoid the little jerk we get on 3->2->1 coming down to a stop sign in gear). I don't know why, but I've never tried to see if 2nd-gear-start can be accomplished on the 2009 7AT (e.g. by pressing upshift before you take off). I'll check today at lunch.

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UNKNOWN_370

Rwd with snow mode??? Lol. With fwd, you have a better chance of slipping and staying straight vs. Rwd where you slip and usually go sideways. Maybe snow mode will help slightly for the few people that know how to drive in snow??? But for the most part all wheel and fwd drive is best for snow.

You should see these texans in snow. They think because they have awd, they can do 60mph on ice. Texans average 10x more accidents in snow than anywhere eelse in the country. People will say its because they aren't used to snow but, it snows every year. Despite the countless warnings about driving fast in the snow and ice, they fly in it. That's not lacking the knowledge, that's just being plain stupid.

Driving in bad weather is 50% common sense 40% skill and 10% technology.

370zproject

heres th reason i say dont do it.... 2011-01-10_14-20-12_911.jpg

2011-01-10_14-20-19_817.jpg

2011-01-10_11-42-10_998.jpg my driveway is on a very small slope... i backed up....i love the crunchy sound of snow.... then slowy pressed the gas looked was slideing sideways .. looked at the reves... 2k... i was slideing sideways at 2k rpm.. so in order not to hit the railroad ties.. i had to gun it ... so i called into work that day.. someone came and took me to work a short while later

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marcussoori

Thanks for the opinions on whether or not I should drive in snow, whether or not I should use snow tires, and whether or not I should drive a fwd or 4wd car/SUV.

I would prefer never to drive in snow, and I'd love to have a fwd or 4wd car for the winter. As it is, I have used snow tires on my daily driver 370Z each winter in the Midwest and have only been stuck in snow once. A poster above was correct in saying that much of snow driving is common sense...but great tires really help!

Now, back to the original question: is it possible to take my car to the dealer to have the snow mode switch installed and related transmission/engine functionality enabled? As far as the switch is concerned, does it replace the blank button cover on the 7AT shift plate surround?

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b1adesofcha0s

I thought snow mode was only for Euro and JDM spec 370Z's. Is it offered in the US on newer models? I guess whether or not you could retrofit it depends on how it works and what it actually controls.

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wstar

I don't have any inside knowledge, but my presumption would be that merely adding the switch is probably insufficient. It's probably new software in the ECU and/or TCM for the 2011 model, that the 2009 wouldn't have had (and flashing your way up to a new model year generally isn't a viable plan either due to other incompatible minor changes in wiring/sensors/etc, and is probably prevented by the ECU part number anyways).

I tried 2nd-gear-start by upclicking before taking off today, and that doesn't work either. But still, the bottom line is while the Snow Mode is nice, you can get the same effect by adjusting your driving habits. There's nothing magic about snow mode really that careful gear selection and throttle/brake control can't accomplish (which you'll have to be mindful of regardless of snow mode anyways).

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UNKNOWN_370

To answer this question we would need exact details on how snow mode will operate. Otherwise giving you a direct answer is a shot in the dark. At minimum the ecu will be reprogrammed and it may be very costly. Also because you will be altering your current stock ecu, it may void your warranty? The ecu is one tune that will void any mechanical part of your vehicle. If they do the job and let you keep the warranty? They will most likely replace the whole ECU which would cost thousands. Half the time nissan tries to void on there own nismo products. It may be easier to trade. Especially if you have a good relationship with your local dealership.

azn370z

I think in snow mode the car starts in 2nd gear. I've actually driven in the snow twice in the 370z and i had no problems driving on the highway and city streets. I was able to drive up my driveway, which my 350z couldn't.

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