Automatics in the snow?
Discussion
Dunno tbh, I don't have a snow button so all I do with mine is turn the TCS off put it in D and take my foot off the brake/release the hand brake and it creeps off, then gently feed the power in, no issue at all, unless it is really slippery then you have to be very gentle with the accelerator.
I find an auto much easier to live with in snow.
I find an auto much easier to live with in snow.
Press snowflake and drive on... feels a bit odd at first, but works a treat on the snow/ice.
Our old 850 T5 had a winter mode, think it pulled off in 3rd, couple that with some traction control action and winter tyres, it'd go pretty much anywhere, add in the snow chains and it really would. Mrs SWH's old Vectra worked perfectly in snowflake mode, and the same effect can be had on our Saab 9-5 (GM box) by flicking it up into 3rd on the steering wheel buttons and pulling away. Works quite well on a muddy fields and wet grass too.
Clearly this doesn't help you stop of course
Our old 850 T5 had a winter mode, think it pulled off in 3rd, couple that with some traction control action and winter tyres, it'd go pretty much anywhere, add in the snow chains and it really would. Mrs SWH's old Vectra worked perfectly in snowflake mode, and the same effect can be had on our Saab 9-5 (GM box) by flicking it up into 3rd on the steering wheel buttons and pulling away. Works quite well on a muddy fields and wet grass too.
Clearly this doesn't help you stop of course
SWMBO's astra derv auto is next to sodding useless in snow, for some reason teh traction control wont switch off ( manual says hold button for 3 seconds, even the dealer couldn't get it to switch off)
soon as it hits snow and a wheel spins it just shuts the power off so you end up sat there with your foot flat to the floor with the engine on tick over and the TC taking up what little revolutions you are getting.
My Volvo T5 at teh same time just trundled up the hill with teh occasional spin on a wheel but quickly recovering itself.
soon as it hits snow and a wheel spins it just shuts the power off so you end up sat there with your foot flat to the floor with the engine on tick over and the TC taking up what little revolutions you are getting.
My Volvo T5 at teh same time just trundled up the hill with teh occasional spin on a wheel but quickly recovering itself.
SWH said:
Press snowflake and drive on... feels a bit odd at first, but works a treat on the snow/ice.
Our old 850 T5 had a winter mode, think it pulled off in 3rd, couple that with some traction control action and winter tyres, it'd go pretty much anywhere, add in the snow chains and it really would. Mrs SWH's old Vectra worked perfectly in snowflake mode, and the same effect can be had on our Saab 9-5 (GM box) by flicking it up into 3rd on the steering wheel buttons and pulling away. Works quite well on a muddy fields and wet grass too.
Clearly this doesn't help you stop of course
Our old 850 T5 had a winter mode, think it pulled off in 3rd, couple that with some traction control action and winter tyres, it'd go pretty much anywhere, add in the snow chains and it really would. Mrs SWH's old Vectra worked perfectly in snowflake mode, and the same effect can be had on our Saab 9-5 (GM box) by flicking it up into 3rd on the steering wheel buttons and pulling away. Works quite well on a muddy fields and wet grass too.
Clearly this doesn't help you stop of course
entwisi said:
SWMBO's astra derv auto is next to sodding useless in snow, for some reason teh traction control wont switch off ( manual says hold button for 3 seconds, even the dealer couldn't get it to switch off)
soon as it hits snow and a wheel spins it just shuts the power off so you end up sat there with your foot flat to the floor with the engine on tick over and the TC taking up what little revolutions you are getting.
My Volvo T5 at teh same time just trundled up the hill with teh occasional spin on a wheel but quickly recovering itself.
my Auto 850 T5 was superb in the snow last year (even up hills with snowsocks fitted)...didn't bother with the "winter" mode setting on the box (I tried it once but didn't like thje lack of "feel" while it was pulling away in 2nd gear)...I just left it in Drive and used throttle pedal accordingly, no problems at all soon as it hits snow and a wheel spins it just shuts the power off so you end up sat there with your foot flat to the floor with the engine on tick over and the TC taking up what little revolutions you are getting.
My Volvo T5 at teh same time just trundled up the hill with teh occasional spin on a wheel but quickly recovering itself.
mine doesn't have TC (1995)
Edited by y2blade on Friday 26th November 08:01
TheBlueDragon said:
Hi people,
It started snowing today in Sheffield and I've started getting worried. I've heard people talking about different ways to avoid slipping in the snow in manuals but noone seems to know with Autos.
So any tips on what i could do to avoind slipping in my 10plate Zafira 1.9CDTi
what are the tips you've heard of with manuals?It started snowing today in Sheffield and I've started getting worried. I've heard people talking about different ways to avoid slipping in the snow in manuals but noone seems to know with Autos.
So any tips on what i could do to avoind slipping in my 10plate Zafira 1.9CDTi
300bhp/ton said:
TheBlueDragon said:
Hi people,
It started snowing today in Sheffield and I've started getting worried. I've heard people talking about different ways to avoid slipping in the snow in manuals but noone seems to know with Autos.
So any tips on what i could do to avoind slipping in my 10plate Zafira 1.9CDTi
what are the tips you've heard of with manuals?It started snowing today in Sheffield and I've started getting worried. I've heard people talking about different ways to avoid slipping in the snow in manuals but noone seems to know with Autos.
So any tips on what i could do to avoind slipping in my 10plate Zafira 1.9CDTi
I've heard of problems with Autos when coming to a stop in icy conditions. As you slow down and the transmission tries to creep along while you apply the brakes I've heard this can induce some slippage. not fun when trying to stop at junctions i guess.
I don't know if anyone has suffered fromn this.
I don't know if anyone has suffered fromn this.
Ullevi said:
I've heard of problems with Autos when coming to a stop in icy conditions. As you slow down and the transmission tries to creep along while you apply the brakes I've heard this can induce some slippage. not fun when trying to stop at junctions i guess.
I don't know if anyone has suffered fromn this.
No probs with my 5.7 V8 and 320hp and an auto the other winter.I don't know if anyone has suffered fromn this.
Ullevi said:
I've heard of problems with Autos when coming to a stop in icy conditions. As you slow down and the transmission tries to creep along while you apply the brakes I've heard this can induce some slippage. not fun when trying to stop at junctions i guess.
I don't know if anyone has suffered fromn this.
But your brakes stop the transmission I don't know if anyone has suffered fromn this.
With an auto, the biggest benefit you have is the ability to "creep", use the brakes to control the tyres, try to stop them spinning too much, also when stuck you can go D-R-D-R-D-R-D-R-D-R-D-R-D-R-D-R-D-R-D-R-D-R-D-R-D to rock backwards and forwards keeping the momentum there.
Snow mode is good, also drop down gears to slow down (3-2-1), or more ideally use the tiptronic to drop down and change up sooner.
If you don't have a winter mode, just 'manually' select 2 when moving off.
I found the E30 absolutely fine in the snow last year (no winter mode though), if you can get over the creep, the gentle/smooth power delivery of the torque convertor makes progress a little easier than a manual with clutch imho.
I found the E30 absolutely fine in the snow last year (no winter mode though), if you can get over the creep, the gentle/smooth power delivery of the torque convertor makes progress a little easier than a manual with clutch imho.
digger_R said:
steady 5k rpm
5000rpm, in a diesel, in the snow? I'm genuinely interested in the thinking behind this, you'd be snaking all over the road scrabbling for traction I'd have thought, and when you do get traction you'll be off like a scalded cat, it doesn't seem like great advice for controlled driving?Gassing Station | General Gassing [Archive] | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff