kenju4u

Just wanted to say I am loving the 4matic performance in the snow. I am in the northeast and with all the snow we have been getting its been fun. Drove through unplowed streets and highway this morning and the car just amazes me. sticks to the road and hunkers down like none I have experienced before.

I also own a AWD Infiniti FX35 and it usually starts sliding left and right even with bigger tires and deeper threads.

Cheers
-Ken

CrisT

Having a larger surface in contact with snow/ice is an disadvantage. Thats why rally cars have ridiculously narrow wheels in winter rallies.

Happy to hear that about the 4matic. A few years ago it wasn't considered one of the best AWD systems, at least not on the SUV's.

Sportstick

Hi Ken,

Glad you're enjoying your car.....a couple of thoughts.

- The larger tires on your Infiniti are part of the reason it performs more poorly in the snow. Bigger is worse in the snow. Use the narrowest tires possible for best winter traction.

- Even though at least one of the four driven wheels is finding traction and helping move you through the snow to get you going, unless you have winter tires, you need even more caution for braking and turning. The OE tires are quite limited in sub-freezing temperature traction, as the compound used will become hockey-puck hard. Even though you are able to get moving, a sudden need to change direction or stop could put you at higher risk than if you have winter tires.

(PS.....fabrics and forums have threads.....tires have treads)

And a happy winter "Cheers" to you as well!

Pete7874

Which tires do you have?

We have the all-season Conti DWS, and I must say I am very disappointed in their winter performance. Part of it is that they're too wide (245 in the rear). But still, seeing how people were raving about these tires, I was expecting better. The car fishtails very easily, does not turn well and does not stop well in the white stuff. Kicking myself for not getting dedicated winter wheels/tires for it. Next time...

Ron Jr

My 2008 was not 4Matic. After the first winter I had it I vowed never to buy a car that was not AWD. I used to drive sideways in the 2008.

Sportstick

It was the tires.

Huz-Z

Take it from a Canuck who has driven for more than thirty snowy winters - you WANTS some snow tires!

Sportstick

^ A wise man with the voice of experience.

Pete7874

OH, I know... I have proper winter tires on my rwd BMW, and it works beautifully.

95_993

We're getting another foot of snow tomorrow.....wish I had snows this year.

JohnnyC300

I'm riding on stock conti pro all seasons at 52K miles and they feel fine in the snow with my 4matic, I'm lovin' it. Is this even possible? I need to check the tread...

doublej

Fellow Canuck here. Going to buy winter tires (don't know if I should buy them now or get them in Oct/Nov - don't know when I can get them the cheapest).

Have a 2014 C300 4matic sport, was wondering what tires you got and sizes (I have the staggered setup).

Thanks!

JohnnyC300

Just want to update today I parked in various places around NYC with large snow banks and the car had no problem cutting through them to secure spots, while I noted other struggling.

Only thing I noticed was some scraping noises underneath when driving over large compacted jagged ice, any danger in doing this? Again it's my first winter with the car (or any!).

Citation Driver

We only got about an inch of snow in the DFW area, but I was dead in the water with the OEM Contis. They suck! I ventured out yesterday, only to turn around and go home after a few blocks, Couldn't even get up my driveway to the garage, just normal slope, not steep. RWD sucks in snow. The wife's Volvo goes like gangbusters on the slippery streets with all-seasons on board. Hate the OEM tires on the MB.

95_993

The stock contis on my 4matix are not great or good winter tires, BUT I managed to make it through he peak of the storm that delivered 14 inches of snow on Wednesday. I adjusted my driving style a bit knowing the car was a little greasy on the oem tires. Ground clearance was the only limiting factor for me. Made it 30 miles each way back and forth to my office.

Snow tires are a definite for next winter as I know this car can do way better.

acr2001

I'm in NYC too, and yes there is some danger in doing this. I ripped one of the under-body panels off just yesterday parking in an icy spot. Luckily it was a very small panel on the edge of the front bumper. I found the plastic rivets (undamaged) and had to crawl under there in the ice to re-attach it.

Even on terrible all-season tires, these cars do get great traction in the snow. I never get stuck, the only problem is what you pointed out - snow or very solid jaggy chunks of ice hitting the underside of the car. Last week I had the car half off the ground driving on a foot of icy snow (snow holding much of the car up from the frame / skid panels) and I was still able to pull out of it with about 30 second of rocking - drove through that foot of snow for a good 30 feet once I got the car moving. Can't imagine driving without AWD, I even love what it does in rain / dry roads.

Heisenberg Merc

I live in the okanagan and hit the ski hill at least twice a week, good winter tires are a must. I purchased Multi Mile Arctic Claw TXI and studded them, 225 45 17 and I run staggered summers. They are a little noisey but worth it. I have had zero issues with these tires and they grip like my ex on her alamony payment.
You should consider this, if you get in an accident and dont have winters on you may be found at fault. More and more provinces are makeing winter tires manditory, I know they are in Quebec and BC. If you get caught on the highway without them you get a fine. Just a matter of time until the rest of the country follows suit.

Waldi12

fellow Canuck here as well, I got my 4matic on Dec. 31 and first season drove with all season that came with it (Conti) and did ok, no issue son the snow. Did buy winter tires for next winter and wow, had no issues at all ( used TireRack as even with shipping was less expensive than local shops since got tires and rims)

boom132

This is my first winter with a 4matic... I have to be honest... this is by far, the best winter car I've owned. It handles the snow with no issues... and I too am weathering the winter storms; in Maine!!

tonyteetime

We are expecting 4 to 8 inches of snow by this Thursday night. Time for some fun !

greggangi

I have a 4matic wagon. Couldn't wait to drive in the snow. Deep snow was not problem. Impressive. At night, the roads were icy, but not that bad. I could not stop. Slid down a hill while the ABS did it thing and lucky i was able to stop at the bottom when it flattened out, skidded right past turns and everything. I had an old 1998 and it seemed better.
Should I get winter tires/rims to swap for ski season? It has AMG rims and 245/40r18 tires. These look awesome, but this is my drive to tahoe on the weekends car...

95_993

Well, this winter I have winter tires and aside from the low ground clearance, the car has performed well.
On a variety of nasty road conditions (snow, ice, slush, deep stuff). I am in Boston.

Khan28

4matic is great in the snow. I slapped on some cheap Chinese Sailun Ice Blazer winter tires on a set of used MB rims and they've been great for 2 seasons so far. Even cheap winter tires will do a far better job then all seasons which in reality should be called 3 season tires. I was leaving SUVs behind in the nasty weather.

thesaintusa

FWIW I have winter tires on my C63 507 and it does just fine in the snow. Clearly not as good as my wifes C300 4matic (with winter tires), but I have no worries about driving in the winter. When the snow gets too deep for the C63 I just take the Jeep Wrangler.