I purchased a nice used 05 Xterra last month and have been making some improvements. The tires are Cooper Discoverer H/T. The good news is that they seem to have ample tread left on them. The BAD news is that they perform VERY poorly on wet pavement.
I have to really watch it going around corners or it's easy to go into a skid. Also at stop lights, it's easy to spin (6 spd manual) on wet pavement- not as bad if I start out in 2nd.
SO what I'm trying to figure out is maybe it's the tires, or maybe with the short wheelbase this is normal handling for this vehicle. Slipping it into 4wd takes care of the starts at stop lights, but does nothing for cornering obviously.
Anybody else experience handling? Would appreciate longer term drivers sharing their advice. Thanks in advance!
You should not be in 4wd on wet pavement....as the diffs are going to be fighting you on turns, especially if you have/engage the rear locker, which will exacerbate that slippage even more.
The X has a part-time 4wd system, not AWD. That means its built sturdier for heavy off road work, but can be damaged if there's too LITTLE slippage. (Wet road = too little slippage)
The traction control, etc, has different programs for 2wd and 4wd...so 4wd on pavement is going to be WORSE (As you already noted), than 2wd.
4wd low range will be a lot worse than even the other combinations alone btw.
As for the tires, sure, they are not great in the wet. There are better choices.
I recommend checking out differences the drivetrain makes first though, to work on one variable at a time.
_________________________
- TJ
2001 Xterra '03 VG33, SE 5 spd, 305/70/16's, Revolvers, UBSkidderz, Doubled AAL's, 3"SL/2"BL, winch/bumpers, skids, sliders, OBA, Snorkel, pine stripes....
Friends don't let friends drive stock.
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