jerolynn

I am a new member and wondering if anyone else has had the handling issues that i have had on ice. My Nissan Altima's backend fishtails when I am on any type of ice, no matter if it is just a small patch.

This makes it very difficult to handle. Has anyone else had this trouble? Is there a way to help this out?

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mikejamesbyma

Fishtails? I can understand if there is a little movement, but I find it hard to believe that the second you hit ice your backend kicks out. I have a little bit of an understanding of what you mean I think. When transitioning from dry road to an icey patch my car will become a little unsettled. It's important to really understand how your car reacts to all road conditions. I have come to learn that when this happens it's best to SLOW DOWN and don't over correct for any movement.

Also, get yourself some snow tires to help with grip. They make a big difference.

__________________

03 Altima 3.5
4AT, Muff delete,
ebay CAI w/AEM filter
vias mod
Vogtland springs/KYB GR-2/Godspeed camber arms
Transgo RE4F04B-HD2
- (valve body removed)

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jerolynn

Thats just what I want to do ...buy new tires for a new car. I think there is a bigger issue with the car. Many people know about the handling of the car on ice & even on grooved roads. Service manager at the Nissan dealership even says that his car is the same way.

I have driven for 35 years and have never driven a car like this one. I was driving slow on ice. Actually I was going 30 mph and everyone else was going 50 mph. So... I am glad you and having luck with your car but I am looking for someone who actually knows what the problem is.

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mikejamesbyma

I don't really care how long you've been driving for, if you are uneasy about driving on ice then drive 20mph. You need to learn about snow/ice tires and what the reason for them are and why all season tires will let you down under 7 C. You're not going to find anyone that knows what the 'problem' is because there is no real problem. Load balance and sh*tty factory tires coupled with an uneasy driver make for a bad combination.

__________________

03 Altima 3.5
4AT, Muff delete,
ebay CAI w/AEM filter
vias mod
Vogtland springs/KYB GR-2/Godspeed camber arms
Transgo RE4F04B-HD2
- (valve body removed)

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Penguinchit

Tires...It's all tires. If you pit decent winter tires (REAL winter tires) against the best all-seasons you can buy, the winter tires will win hands down every time. Different rubber compound, treading and siping. They make a world of difference. I will never have all-seasons for any car ever again.

__________________
05 3.5SE AT

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Unclear_Motives

Seriously??

There is no "problem" with nissans that makes them fishtail on ice. That's just silly...period.

A front wheel drive car like the altima is designed inherently to prevent exactly what you are describing. The technical term for fishtailing is "oversteer" and it is almost non-existant in the altima...intentionally because most drivers would not know what to do in that kind of situation. So quite frankly, your car is designed to compensate for your lack of driving skill.

Even if you wanted to fishtail on ice, you would have to jerk the steering wheel left or right, then yank the emergency brake, lol. Is that what you're doing?? In traffic?? That's just crazy...

I think you need to leave the driving to someone else...really.

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KCelia

At first I thought Jerolynn may be a new driver, or maybe inexperienced at driving on icy roads. I see later that he/she wrote they have a lot of driving time in, not sure about the second part of my query though. Personally I have had no problems with my Altima in bad conditions, but as others have also noted, I change tires for the winter season.

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MrHiggles

I had problems in my Camaro but not the Altima. I never accelerate on a icy patch and I usually slow WAY DOWN when a patch comes up. Seriously. I go from 60 to sometimes 10-15mph. Ice sucks.

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bigaudiofana

I have trained myself for skidding. I find empty parking lots and purposely lose control and regain it. Using front wheel drive power and hand brake are my tools. Oh and not a lot of speed.

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Penguinchit

If you get some McDonalds trays, you don't need lots of speed. But you need lots of trays because they wear down pretty fast.

__________________
05 3.5SE AT

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bigaudiofana

I prefer dollar store cookie sheets.

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dsmmace

Have them test the car for rear spring sag and get a wheel alignment.

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Keysman72

Today was the first time I had to drive me call on ice and snow. I live in Ohio and yesterday was in the 40's and rain. Overnight the temp dropped to 15 and the rain on the roads froze and snow moved in. I was pleasantly surprised how the car handled and drove this morning. I lowered my speed to 40 on the back country roads I drive for the first 15 miles of my trip to work. I had no issues of " fish tailing" . I could have drove faster than 40 but felt safe at that speed. After driving a HHR for 4 years it felt like a 4WD in comparison. And this was on the OEM tires that came with it. I think winter driving is 70% driver and 30% vehicle.

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KEYS... 2012 2.5SL Ocean Gray, Charcoal Leather
Both Conv. Pkgs and Premium Audio

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