Nissan Frontier Forums: Poor handling in snow/ice

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Topic: Poor handling in snow/ice

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brenda
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Posted: Jan 07 2012 at 12:26pm \| IP Logged

This is my first posting. I have a 2007 Nissan Frontier King
Cab XE 5 speed 4x2 with 235 75R15 tires. I live in Colorado
and have had a horrible two winters with this truck. Last year I
kept 120lbs sand in the bed, this year 180lbs sand. I drive
very carefully, shift carefully, but I am constantly swerving,
sliding and doing 180's. With snow/ice I purposely drive
isolated roads so I don't do damage to anyone, but it sucks.
Are there better tires or vehicle improvements that I can do to
drive safer in winter? Will I have to resort to swapping out
winter and summer tires each year? The tires that came with
the truck are Starfire.

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kcidmil
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Posted: Jan 07 2012 at 2:22pm \| IP Logged

well if everything i've seen for starfire tires are the
pattern you have, no wonder you're all over the place.
Tires are a huge factor, one of the biggest next to your
foot on the gas pedal.

You can get away with a good all season/all terrain tire
for year round.

BF Goodrich T/A KOs are among the leaders. I had good
luck with Toyo Open Country M/Ts, but for a 2wd I'd look
towards the A/Ts. Honestly I'd stay away from Cooper and
Michelin. Coopers have harder rubber, so they're better
off for highway driving.

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lakota
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Posted: Jan 07 2012 at 4:23pm \| IP Logged

Good advice above!..

The last I heard it was still legal to have studded tires in Colorado. These are metal inserts in the tread with adjustable metal studs. These tires are best for ice and depending on the tread good in slush and snow. I personally like less horsepower and an automatic transmissions on Colorado winter roads. Narrow tires dig deeper into the snow and slush and the wide tires tend to 'float' on top better... kind of like driving on sand. I use BFG AT KO 31x10.50x15 inch tires.

As a kid I practiced driving on ice and snow in large parking lots.

Have a Warm one.. Don S..

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davidjbrady
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Posted: Jan 07 2012 at 7:14pm \| IP Logged

what about not stepping on the gas until clutch is fully engaged? Do not step on the gas when shifting gears until your left foot is totally off the clutch.

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kcidmil
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Posted: Jan 07 2012 at 8:48pm \| IP Logged

davidjbrady wrote:

what about not stepping on the gas until clutch is fully
engaged? Do not step on the gas when shifting gears until
your left foot is totally off the clutch.

alas if that would only work with X-runner

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brenda
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Posted: Jan 07 2012 at 9:48pm \| IP Logged

Thank you for your replies. I will be buying new tires in the
summer and will take your advice. At this time I have
perfected correcting a spin, but I am sure tired of it. Having
children in the car increases the anxiety. From now on, I
will never buy a 4x2 truck for Colorado. However, with all
the driving I do, a 4x2 was just a whole lot cheaper.
Fortunately I live on the plains and only have snow/ice a
couple times a month.

The part about shifting is good advice. That is when I had
the most trouble. Putting in the clutch slowly will cause it
to spin, along with letting it out. I will try keeping my foot off
the gas until the clutch is out.

All the other cars I drive are fabulous. I can actually relax
my grip.

Thank you.

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