Automatic cars in snow.

[jayymannon]

Sorry if this a has been done before or if this is in the wrong section.

Having never driven an automatic, I'm wondering how they are in more extreme conditions, snow etc.

I've seen a couple people (YouTube) mention that automatics are not as good as a 'good' manual driver in the snow.

I'm looking at new car options and one option (Yaris) would be an automatic. Due to my job, I potentially need to drive at all times of day and night and potentially on snowy roads (albeit very rarely).

Would a set of all season tyres negate any issues or would I be better off with a manual?

Thanks.

[zedx19]

What type of automatic gearbox does a Yaris have? It will make a difference, I just put my DSG equipped Golf GTi in manual mode, never had a problem in the snow.

[PositronicRay]

Small light car + skinny tyres= great in snow.

My wife used to romp past heavy, over tyred 4x4 suvs in her 107.

[aeropilot]

Tyres and knowing how to drive in snow is the important factor.

As said, it depends on what type of auto (my guess is a Yaris may have a cvt type gearbox?) and I have no idea how those horrid CVT's cope with snow....?

All season tyres will be better than 'normal' tyres, winter tyres even better, but for a small fwd car, all-seasons would be about the best combo.

I've driven old 70's and 80's era auto's in snow with no bother (both rwd and fwd) back in the day, no real drama and my DCT gearbox BMW 135i as well in snow with no drama (but with winter tyres fitted)

I'd be inclined to want a manual Yaris rather than a auto if the auto is a cvt (but that's me being an old git and having a loathing of cvt gearboxes)

[vikingaero]

PositronicRay said:

Small light car + skinny tyres= great in snow.

My wife used to romp past heavy, over tyred 4x4 suvs in her 107.

Small light car + skinny tyres = automatic gearbox = brilliant in snow.

Just nudge the gear lever from D to N (it won't go into R or P unless you pull/push the detent) if you need to when braking, and flip it back instantly for drive.

On many autos there is sometimes a winter mode/snowflake button which when activated will allow the vehicle to accelerate very gently in 3rd gear in D so excess torque doesn't overcome traction.

[Fastdruid]

Older ones were hilarious as they'd go up and down the box like crazy but modern ones even without a special "snow" option will be fine. Typically outside of "sport" mode they all try and change up as early as possible anyway (because emissions) and many will even pull off in 2nd under light throttle.

[vikingaero]

Anyone remember when the E36 BMW was first launched and they had magazine (yes remember those) adverts proclaiming that the ESP/TC would solve the problems with traction........ Errrrrrr. No!

[jayymannon]

aeropilot said:

I'd be inclined to want a manual Yaris rather than a auto if the auto is a cvt (but that's me being an old git and having a loathing of cvt gearboxes)

The CVT is putting me off a bit, but it does suit my needs in all other ways. Small, efficient, hopefully reliable. But the Auto is the only option in the UK, I believe other markets do get a manual option.

[vikingaero]

jayymannon said:

aeropilot said:

I'd be inclined to want a manual Yaris rather than a auto if the auto is a cvt (but that's me being an old git and having a loathing of cvt gearboxes)

The CVT is putting me off a bit, but it does suit my needs in all other ways. Small, efficient, hopefully reliable. But the Auto is the only option in the UK, I believe other markets do get a manual option.

What's wrong with the CVT. I hated the CVT in my Mums Jazz at first - it's biggest failing being noisy, but for city traffic it's better than DSG/torque convertors because it's not as jerky. Gadzillions of cabbies in their Priuses and assorted other CVT boxed cars can't be wrong.

[Pica-Pica]

vikingaero said:

Anyone remember when the E36 BMW was first launched and they had magazine (yes remember those) adverts proclaiming that the ESP/TC would solve the problems with traction........ Errrrrrr. No!

I had an E36 2.5 I6. Moving away on wet uphill-sloping grass? Fairly easy.
Contributory factors.
1) driver skills
A distant second
2) tyres
Way, way in the distance would be transmission type.

[jayymannon]

vikingaero said:

What's wrong with the CVT. I hated the CVT in my Mums Jazz at first - it's biggest failing being noisy, but for city traffic it's better than DSG/torque convertors because it's not as jerky. Gadzillions of cabbies in their Priuses and assorted other CVT boxed cars can't be wrong.

I think the noise, like you say, is my main gripe. Although, the reviews of the newest Yaris seem to suggest it's much better than in the previous generation and is less of an issue now.

Thanks for all replies so far.

[SkodaIan]

jayymannon said:

But the Auto is the only option in the UK, I believe other markets do get a manual option.

It is possible to get a brand new manual Yaris, you just have to specify the GR version . As well as being manual, they are a bit quicker than the 1.5 hybrid too......

Seriously though, the 1.5 hybrid CVT will be no worse than any other modern car in snow, and fine if you fit all season tyres.

[Hol]

PositronicRay said:

Small light car + skinny tyres= great in snow.

My wife used to romp past heavy, over tyred 4x4 suvs in her 107.

Agree. It very much depends on the chassis and tyres, not just the auto gearbox.

My wife’s old SLG AMG was absolutely dreadful because it had huge great rear tyres and the traction control (which kept re-engaging despite me turning it off) would lock the brakes on the rear wheels as soon as they started spinning. I think it just assumed that the car was swapping ends.

[Luis Nazario]

There is one Yaris available in the UK (second hand) with a manual, which should be pretty good in all weather conditions......

[McGee_22]

Tyres are the difference - not the gearbox.

My automatic gearbox rear wheel drive E39 Touring with winter tyres was night and day better in the snow than my wifes AWD manual Impreza WRX on normal tyres.

[Sporky]

I had manual Yetis, now a DSG Golf Alltrack. Yetis on winter tyres, Golf on CrossClimates. Both Haldex AWD, so somewhat comparable.

I don't think the gearbox makes that much difference. Tyres and driving style do.

[Filibuster]

So you questioning the gearbox of a car for winter (snow) duty, while at the same point only maybe considering a set of all season tyres?
Either buy a full set of winter tyres or at least some proper 3PMS all season tyres and you are good to go in any automatic car.

[pointer7]

I have an automatic Volvo S60 and never had an issue.

Either stick it in manual 2nd gear to pull away or leave it in D and let it pull away on creep first, always been fine for me

[Fastdruid]

Filibuster said:

So you questioning the gearbox of a car for winter (snow) duty, while at the same point only maybe considering a set of all season tyres?
Either buy a full set of winter tyres or at least some proper 3PMS all season tyres and you are good to go in any automatic car.

To be honest if going for something mundane I'd just get some CrossClimate+. IMO they're pretty much the perfect "UK" winter tyre as full blown winters are OTT for the mildness of the UK (ok, maybe in the northern depths of Scotland full winters are justified). Sure they're a bit compromised in summer but still better than cheap budget tyres, they'll last ages and perform brilliantly in any snow or winter conditions.

[RazerSauber]

Of the 2 cars I've driven in the snow (torque converter and automated manual), both were absolutely fine.

Most Americans buy auto cars and they seem to cope fine with levels of snow we never get close to.