Is the awd lock system in the nx the same as my old rav4 many years ago in which the system locks the awd upto something like 38 mph and disengage. If thats the case, does it reengage itself after the speed drop below 38 mph?

 

Yes, locks until some speed (I think 40-50km/h) then is automatic after that (it will still use the AWD above those speeds). Once back under, it will be off still.

 

Thanks, so its basically for accelerating from stop.

 

...or to start moving in snow...

 

If you're talking about aggressive acceleration, the rear wheels will be engaged when needed by the system.
The lock button is for snow or terrain, when you're needing constant grip in low speeds.

 

I was thinking about in the snow, if the button is meant for slow speed driving, then it should re-activate when you drop back down to the lower speed,

 

There's almost no reason to ever use it, it will automatically activate and shuffle torque as necessary. I'm in a winter climate and have tried launches on snow covered roads with it on and off and there's practically no difference.

The unfortunate part of the NX (unlike the older Rav4's) is the traction/stability control will activate before it really utilizes the AWD. I have a 3rd gen Rav4 v6 as well, it will shove power to the back first and then if that's not enough the traction control activates. The NX on the other hand will cut power (AWD lock switch enabled or not) first.

If you first turn off the traction/stability system (hold the trac off button until the cluster lights up lol) then use the AWD lock switch, then it will be beneficial.

 

Use the button is you are losing momentum before the Automatic AWD kicks in.
Agree with no1SomeGuy that the system works well in most situations.
Towing your snowmobiles up a gravel road to your cabin in the woods...? Use the button.
You can not screw this up, if you press it deliberately or accidentally and drive fast...it turns off.
Press it accidentally while reaching for the heated steering wheel button...won't engage over 20 mph.

 

So I guess the idea is to start out with torque to all 4 wheels as oppose to start out with front wheels and then apply torque to all 4. The idea is that if you start out with all 4 engage, the stability system has less of a chance to kick in.

 

That's the point. All other situations, the system will figure it out by itself, within its limitations. Your choice of tires has more effect than the system limitations.

 

How are the oem michelin primacy perform in the snow, anybody have any experience with those in the snow? Thanks.

 

check it out at www.tirerack.com

 

There are quite a few Michelin Primacy models, some of which are NOT all-season tires, so it's difficult to answer your question.

My 2017 F-Sport came with Primacy MXM4 all-season tires, and I couldn't be happier with the performance of the NX and the tires in the snow on city and country roads in the Pacific Northwest that include quite a few inclines, but I always "cabled-up" when heading to the ski areas just because it seemed prudent and the authorities were requiring "traction devices."

The Primacy MXM4 has some sort of feature that causes it to increase traction at low temperatures for improved braking and handling in the wet, as well as better overall performance in the snow...and we have both weather features where I live. In addition, I love the quiet ride and cornering.

As mentioned in a previous post, I run 36psi in my tires (4 psi above recommended)...and like the handling characteristics in all weather conditions...although I have been known to drop the tires to 32psi for even better traction when there is widespread neighborhood or mountain snow that hasn't been plowed.

 

Thanks for the response, I have the all season Michelin primary all season tires 19".

 

Brand new All Season of any make runs great (kind of) in snow for the first year. But OEM stock tires are terrible (95% of the time).

Year 2 will wear down quite a bit after the second summer and you can tell/feel right away in the 2nd winter.

I still prefer snow tires for winter and the all season for the spring/summer for safety reason and not because it is do-able