xc60 2wd and snow

[jack101]

Would be grateful if current 2WD XC60 owners could post their driving experiences in the current weather conditions [snowy /icy roads].
Not sure whether I should go for the AWD or DRIVe 2WD version of the XC60
thanks

[jack101]

Forgot to spot this link
http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=86216

[155mph]

Having AWD does not guarantee to get you out of a tricky situation; it just improves your odds. With 2WD you need at least one of the 2 wheels to have traction, i.e 50% chance of getting stuck. With AWD, you only need 1 wheel to have traction, i.e. 25% chance of getting stuck.

Needless to say, if none of the wheels have traction, you are going nowhere.

Like yourself I am about to place an order, initially for the 2WD but decided the extra £2K was worth the extra power and piece of mind.

At least I do not have to shovel the driveway clear of snow just to make sure I do not get stuck.

[jack101]

Been driving a 15 yr old 2WD coupe for many years [and in the recent weather] and have coped with all the uk weather conditions I encountered over many many years.
The DRIVe 2WD having read the comments here would be more than enough for most uk drivers.

[BIG JOE]

Very poor. As a semi experienced snow driver, I just had to abandon my 2wd diesel in 1 inch of fresh snow and take a euro60 ride home with the family.

2 disappointing things:
* the car looks like a 4WD - hence the many toots from unsympathetic drivers as they drove past me at 10mph
* at my 1 year service (7.5kms) I was advised that "winter tyres wouldn't be necessary on this new beauty"

Lesson learned!

[Clan]

winter tyres on a 2 wd are better than normal tyres on a 4 wd .. try some winter tyres they will transform it .

[carlott]

Hi

Based on previous experience with AWD Cayenne, Audi TT on summer tyres and current FWD with winter tyres I'd say that tyres have a much larger impact on snow, ice, slush etc.

I've been travelling around this last few weeks in fresh and compacted snow and slush and have not come across a hill the FWD could not handle. And yes have seen several X5's, Q7's and others stationary or with the hilarious spinning 4 wheels.

AWD will probably be more helpful on mud, sand, grass etc but if your main concern is improved traction (both for pulling off and braking) in snow and winter I'd think about investing some of that 2k GBP on correct tyres.

Of course horses for courses and depends on where you drive and how mobile you wish to remain!

Rgds

C

[capt.hugh]

Originally Posted by Clan

winter tyres on a 2 wd are better than normal tyres on a 4 wd .. try some winter tyres they will transform it .

Which leads on neatly to summising that winter tyres on AWD are the way to go!

[VolvoXc60]

Originally Posted by capt.hugh

Which leads on neatly to summising that winter tyres on AWD are the way to go!

I can confirm that! Went to my vacation house expecting around 5cm of snow, not 30-40cm... 4WD and Wintertyres with studs no problem!

[wimorrison]

Originally Posted by carlott

...
I've been travelling around this last few weeks in fresh and compacted snow and slush and have not come across a hill the FWD could not handle. And yes have seen several X5's, Q7's and others stationary or with the hilarious spinning 4 wheels.
...

I do find it amusing when people make statements like this, all it serves to show is that the driver has either been lucky, or has been driving around in rather forgiving territory.

You are very welcome to come to my road and try your FWD with summer tyres on it, you can probably park it beside the other FWDs and RWDs that have been abandoned (again).

Strangely enough cars with winter tyres - even the FWD are making it up and down the hill - clearly they must have wasted their money on winter tyres as they are not required.