Tips for driving big automatic in snow?

[jaysmith60]

Thanks, will switch to ECO mode (perhaps for the only time). I hadn't really considered manual change up either so this will help too.
Fingers crossed!

[gaby]

And eyes open? I hope you will get home safe

[Deman77]

85% of the stress is taken away by winter tyres. A rear wheel drive car on winter tyres will drive circles around a Range Rover on summers.

If you have to use summers or all season just remember that rolling she’ll give you the best grip - if you accidentally lock up your wheels (ABS is still pretty stupid) and see yourself sliding uncontrollably towards the bumper ahead release the break and let the wheels find rolling grip. It’s worth practicing this in an empty car park first thing after snowfall as it can be nerve wrecking in real situation - a cabby taking me home yesterday completely froze up locking in the 5mph bend and almost slid into my neighbor’s car. This has never been necessary with winter tyres for me.

In deep snow where you have to accept some slippage with any tyre and don’t want software cutting out power unnecessarily - turn off ASC (button in right (flick left) Sensus screen) but be very careful with throttle. That is recommended by Volvo too I believe, but that is temporary for deep snow, you want it on otherwise so it puts the power on wheels with most grip.

Chuck a set of snow socks for that one time you may need them if you not on winters. Try putting them on before - you don’t want to learn in freezing cold.

[nu11eaf]

Originally Posted by jaysmith60

Thanks, will switch to ECO mode (perhaps for the only time). I hadn't really considered manual change up either so this will help too.
Fingers crossed!

You will find driving an auto so easy even in snow and you wont want a manual gearbox again, I have never had to set off in higher gear myself or even change modes, just steady away, but the options are there.

[Considered1]

I’d be taking it out of eco mode downhill as this will mean “coasting” and zero engine braking!

[Lexman8]

Originally Posted by Considered1

I’d be taking it out of eco mode downhill as this will mean “coasting” and zero engine braking!

Good point.

[Deman77]

Originally Posted by Considered1

I’d be taking it out of eco mode downhill as this will mean “coasting” and zero engine braking!

That’s only at 40mph+ unless it changed from 2 years ago. Presumably if it’s bad enough for you to use eco to pull away you are not driving at 40+

[Lexman8]

Originally Posted by Deman77

That’s only at 40mph+ unless it changed from 2 years ago. Presumably if it’s bad enough for you to use eco to pull away you are not driving at 40+

An even better point.

[Considered1]

still very little engine braking with these 8 speed geartronics.

[apnicolle]

Winter tyres plus 4wd meant absolutely no problems at all. My main concern was leaving much more room than usual for people that drive like idiots in the snow as they invariably slid towards me - two different little bmw bread vans seemed to be doing their best to go sideways on slightly snowy flat roads and nearly acheived hitting other cars on both sides of the road!