CanuckG35

Yeah, I thought it was a decent price as well. I've got a good friend that works for Tire Rack in Indiana so I've gotta talk to him now for a better deal. I've always had a dedicated winter setup and it certainly makes it easier and cheaper for the swap twice a year. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Are you still considering an 18" winter wheel/tire package. I priced a 17" package at tire rack (Blizzak DM-V1s and 5 spoke alloys) for $983.66 shipped to Calais.

No problem, anytime. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Yep, I certainly remember. If you get anything beyond 6 weeks durability with your Zymol, you are doing very well, but I know it's not impossible either. A wax's durability will soley depend on a person's washing habits along with many other environmental factors. On average though, if you can close to 6 weeks durability on a carnuba, you are doing good. You can absolutely detail/clay/wax/seal the paint on today's water based paints. The days of waiting for oil based paints to cure are gone. The typical routine for a detailer to do a new car prep is wash, claybar, polish, and then apply your LSP of choice. Claybaring is an important part of the process as it will remove all of the surface contamination for your paint. Brand new vehicles always should be claybarred as they always have rail dust and other surface contamination bonded to the paint. Lastly, although Zymol doesn't formuate their waxes to lighter or darker colours, however a number of manufacturers do like Poorboys, Dodo Juice, etc. IMO, it does make a significant difference. I hope this helps.

Same here, I'm quite excited myself for my Edge to arrive. :hyper: Again, I can't speak for the Edge since I don't have it yet, but with my Infiniti as soon as wheels with TPMS are mounted back on and you achieve a certain speed (60km/h IIRC), the light on the gauge cluster goes out. I can't imagine need to have a dealer reset it, but I could certainly be wrong. I plan on going with a 17" winter wheel/tire package. Smaller and more narrow tires provide better traction. It's nice that they are cheaper as well. When I order my winter package from tire rack, I will either ship to Calais, ME or have my brother in law pick them up directly in Indiana since he goes there often. Shipping to Canada is extremely expensive, approximately 75% more than shipping them to Calais.

I am not sure about the Edge, but on my Infiniti there is a light on the gauge cluster that stays lit until the TPMS are detected. I suspect the Edge would have something similiar.

Nice to see you over here on this forum as well. I personally never bother with TPMS for my winter setups. I don't feel the added $300 or so is worth it.

Sure, rub it in!!

Yeah, having a dedicated setup is not only much safer for your 20" wheels, you can do it at home yourself and do not need to take it to a shop twice a year to get the tires changed out.

Tony, I am in the same boat as you. I'll be taking delivery of my Edge sometime in late November and will be immediately swapping out the 20" wheels/tires with a winter setup. While I only have personal experience with one out of the four you listed (Blizzaks), I would highly recommend them. I've been running Blizzaks on my current RWD G35 Sedan as well as my previous RWD G35 and they perform extremely well in snowy/icy conditions. I am 98% sure I will be going with the DM-V1s and will more than likely be purchasing them from Tire Rack.

^ No problem at all, anytime. If you are looking to order a good tire dressing online, Poorboys Bold N Bright or Zaino Z16 are both fantastic products. If you are looking for an over the counter water based tire dressing, I would go with Meguiars M40 or their HyperDressing.

^ That's definitely solvent based.

I would not waste your money on that product, or any form of paint protection provided by a dealership. As a professional detailer myself, I can tell you that there is not one single detailer that I know would ever use a product like 5starshine. There are two forms of paint protection products, waxes and synthetic polymer sealants. Waxes are a natural product, whereas a sealant is a synthetic product. Carnuba waxes offter added depth and gloss to your paint (a wet look), however they are not very durable. Your typical wax only lasts about 4-6 weeks, then it will need to be reapplied. A sealant sometimes doesn't give quite the depth and gloss to your paint, however it's MUCH more durable than a wax. Your typical sealant will last 4-6 months before it needs to be reapplied. What detailers like myself do is combine both products so you get the advantages of both products. Apply your sealant of choice, let it cure for 24 hours, then apply your favourite carnuba. I would highly recommend a good sealant like Menzerna Power Lock, Poorboys EX-P, Zaino Z2 or Z5, Blackfire Wet Diamond, or Chemical Guys Jetseal. Any other questions, just let me know.

As a detailer, I have tried the vast majority of tire dressings on the market. My favourite and go to tire dressing for customer vehicles (as well as my own) Is Poorboys Bold N Bright. It's a water based tire dressing that provides a great matte finish, is extremely durable, and does not sling. Which one is "best" is a hard question to answer though as some people like the matte finish while others like the wet look. In any case, whatever tire dressing you choose, make sure it is water based and not solvent based. Some solvent based tire dressings can discolour and damage your tires as they change the composition of the rubber. Solvent based water dressings are typically gels, foams, or clear greasy liquids, while water based tire dressings are typically a milky white liquid. I hope that helps.

Well stated, and I completely agree. Like I mentioned previously, equipping yourself with proper winter rubber is first and foremost the most important safety precaution you can take in the winter. I would much rather be driving my 306HP RWD G35 with my Blizzaks over an AWD Edge with AS tires. It's funny how people think having a dedicated winter setup actually costs money. While they do cost up front, your point about saving down the road is bang on. I wish NB, like Quebec, required people to have winter tires. The roads would be much safer IMO.

My Infiniti intelligent key is just a shade under 3" long, so I guess this won't be a big difference for me.

Actually you did. I asked you this. You replied with this. We both agree that winter tires are the most important thing, I am just saying that 4 drive wheels are better than two and can provide some added safety in all types of weather conditions.

It's surprising that the Sport doesn't come with that option. Like you, I've had it my vehicle for many years now, and it's a feature I really like. Like sandjunkie already mentioned, perhaps you can do the mod yourself.

Congrats on the purchase, great colour choice as well!!!

For anyone wanting to get ready for the winter months and keeping your Edge clean, eShine currently has a sale on Optimum No Rinse. This is a rinseless wash product that comes in VERY handy in the cold winter months when you don't have access to a hose. http://www.eshine.ca/optimum_no_rinse_wash__shine_32oz-1609.php?cat=81

Exactly. Having my wife and daughter stuck somewhere doesn't seem all that "safe" to me.

So EVERY emergency maneuver requires the foot off the throttle?? I've personally had to swerve hard left and mash on the throttle at the last moment to avoid a wandering moose. I am not saying AWD vehicles are the best thing since sliced bread, however your blanket statement that they are simply an automotive scam and they offer NO additional safety is inherently incorrect. We'll have to agree to disagree on this one.

Thanks for starting this thread Dreamss. By the time I get my Edge in 6-8 weeks, it will be nice to have all the FAQs in one thread. Cheers, Shane

I 100% agree that the MOST important thing regarding winter driving is equipping your vehicle with proper winter rubber. No 4WD or AWD system will let you brake or corner better on snow or ice than a good set of winter tires. I NEVER run anything except winter tires on my vehicles in the winter. Blizzaks have been my personal choice of winter tire. Regarding your comment about AWD vehicles being the biggest scam in the auto industry, I couldn't disagree more. Are you actually saying that Subaru's AWD system, Audi's Quattro, or Infiniti's ATTESSA, etc adds zero safety in winter driving, wet road conditions, or even dry pavement conditions when you need to perform an emergency manoevure??? I beg the differ.