The Nissan Path

This past weekend I took my 05 SE 2WD to the snow with show chains. One time, I pulled into the turnout into about 8 inches of snow. When I tried to go again, the car just sounded like I was gassing it while in neutral. I was able to get out by going in reverse.

Later, I was going up a small hill after stopping and the same thing happened where I gassed it and sounded like I was in neutral. I didn't hear any wheels spinning but I did spell burnt rubber.

Later I was trying to go up a slightly graded parking lot and the same thing happened again. The parking attendant said my wheels weren't moving.

Is there any problem or is that how it is to drive in snow/ice?

They probably didn't see the one tire spinning. The truck has an "electronic" limited slip differential which means it uses ABS to try to arrest wheelspin...it's not a real LSD. Doesn't always work really well if you get really stuck in the snow.

next time that happens, you can try using the redneck LSD method....

press your parking brake on a couple clicks and see if it helps. (at least that's what i'd always heard).

also can't remember, but aren't chains supposed to be on pretty tight so the tires can't spin inside?

Would I be able to hear only 1 tire spinning? It just sounded like I was in neutral.

The last two times this happened I was on an icy road.

Just to be clear...you had chains installed on the rear tires and you were unable to move on ice? If that's the case....I don't see how your tires were spinning. My experience with chains is that it feels similar to driving a small dozer and you would certainly feel the tires spinning.

Yup had chains on the rear wheels. Yah when I'm moving its sounds like a tank. The problem is when I try to get going when I'm stopped or when I'm moving slowly going up an incline.

Even if it was slipping, you'd certainly hear the ABS kicking in trying to sort it out. I know that if/when i start losing traction, the ABS kicks in making that annoying grinding sound trying to stop the slip.

I don't want to assume thing here, but you may have bigger problems somewhere.

when was the last time you checked your transmission fluid?

Possibly traction control kicking in too aggressively? Was VDC off?

Should have bought the 4wd. Yo uwould have pulled right through it.

I have no idea why people buy SUV's without 4wd.

If you bought it for the size and gas milage get a minivan then.