Posted: Aug 29 2007 at 1:01am | IP Logged

shiftless wrote: Just wondering if the traction package on '07 Frontiers is something that is really useful for only off-road junkets or is this useful for on-road driving at all?  I am looking at a 4x4 but won't be (intentionally anyway) taking it off asphalt.  I'm thinking that the limited slip option is sufficient for winter and bad weather driving. Also it would be nice to get the air bag package without having to get the moon roof.  You would think that they would not package safety features with non-safety related options, otherwise people (like me) may opt out of the safety feature due to the high cost of the package.

Hi.

The traction package includes Hill start assist, Hill descent control, and vehicle dynamic control. The HSA works automatically (no switch activation) when you are stopped on an incline and you let go of the brakes, the HDC only works when its switch is turned on and the vehicle is in 4WD mode, and the VDC is always on from the time you start the vehicle until you choose to turn it off by its switch. Also, switching to 4LO mode shuts off VDC. HSA and HDC are pretty cool features but really not necessary. With the automatic transmission you can easily double foot your pedals to keep from rolling back and just as easily switch to a lower gear to slow the engine to keep from descending too fast. The VDC is, however, a great feature. VDC is used for normal driving on paved roads.

The Nismo Frontier that I recently purchased included the traction package. I didnt really want it or even need it but I could not find a Nismo in Texas (im from Texas) that did not include the traction package so I just made due with it.

So, to answer your question, the only feature of the traction package that you would use on paved roads is the VDC. I hope this helps.