the automatic car that loves to dance on ice

sabretoothtigger

A ton of metal sliding is a serious situation even if its not black ice just the normal stuff! It's amazing how much damage occurs even below 10mph with no resistance to stop the car

hothothot_3

I thought RWD was supposed to be better than FWD? not sure why, but im sure I was told that.

flyingscotno1

hothothot wrote: »

I thought RWD was supposed to be better than FWD? not sure why, but im sure I was told that.

For handling on a race track or sliding the back end yep probably better.

For traction on snow you want as much weight above traction and steering wheels and in a FWD car they have a big heavy engine over them which helps.

megc_2

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers! wrote: »

Well done on making yourself look like an idiot.

The OP's question was with regard to setting off from standstill with an automatic gearbox, which selecting 1, 2, or 3 on the gearbox selector will do precisely !!!! all to help.

The AA's advice is mostly regarding engine braking once moving, and reducing the likelihood of losing traction when slowing.

Actually, the AA's advice is spot on, and if you read it properly (on their website) it refers to starting on icy/ snowy roads.

In an auto (as in a manual) if your gearbox has a 2nd gear option (most do) you should start from stationery in snow conditions in 2nd, then move the gear lever into Drive as soon as you are moving. When braking, just touch them very gently, and if you feel loss of control, release and re-apply gently. Remember that in these sort of conditions, braking can require ten times the normal stopping distance, and therefore keep your distance from cars in front.
As the AA also advises, if you get stuck in snow, and your wheels are spinning, try putting a sack or old rug down under your driving wheels to help them grip, and don't stop until you are on snow-free road. Using the snowflake button will also help prevent this, by preventing your car engaging and locking in 1st gear when starting.
(I drove in German heavy winters for many years very safely and successfully in an automatic- it's not really that different from driving a manual. In these conditions you shouldn't be attempting to take off at a junction quickly, in any sort of car, now braking quickly!)

pitkin2020

megc wrote: »

Actually, the AA's advice is spot on, and if you read it properly (on their website) it refers to starting on icy/ snowy roads.

In an auto (as in a manual) if your gearbox has a 2nd gear option (most do) you should start from stationery in snow conditions in 2nd, then move the gear lever into Drive as soon as you are moving. When braking, just touch them very gently, and if you feel loss of control, release and re-apply gently. Remember that in these sort of conditions, braking can require ten times the normal stopping distance, and therefore keep your distance from cars in front.
As the AA also advises, if you get stuck in snow, and your wheels are spinning, try putting a sack or old rug down under your driving wheels to help them grip, and don't stop until you are on snow-free road. Using the snowflake button will also help prevent this, by preventing your car engaging and locking in 1st gear when starting.
(I drove in German heavy winters for many years very safely and successfully in an automatic- it's not really that different from driving a manual. In these conditions you shouldn't be attempting to take off at a junction quickly, in any sort of car, now braking quickly!)

that was what i said thanks for pointing it out, but it will be to no avail as pew pew is far more knowledgable than the AA....apprently

hothothot_3

thanks all. Now please confirm about the Traction Control - is it suitable to keep it on or off in snow and ice conditions? The manual says you might want to switch it off in order to let wheels slip in order to get out of snow you are "stuck in". but it doesnt say anything about normal driving in snow and ice conditions.

C_Mababejive

hothothot wrote: »

The advice is so conflicting. The car is RWD, automatic gearbox, has traction control button - but also automatically engages traction control itself sometimes (seems no way of totally turning it off). It is extremely difficult to drive from stationary and slips everywhere. Tyres are fine - yet not snow ones. It has that little snow flake button, it also has D, 2, 3, N and R.

please imagine you talk to a baby here how to drive the car from standpoint, exactly what to do to stop it dancing and swinging its rear. very embarrassing. Also shall I put alot of weight in the boot as suggested? (sorry my english not first language).

I'd advise that you keep your new car on the drive until the snow goes away. That way it wont get damaged. Its tricky enough driving FWD manuals in this weather and driving a RWD auto is a different level.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

megc wrote: »

Actually, the AA's advice is spot on, and if you read it properly (on their website) it refers to starting on icy/ snowy roads.

In an auto (as in a manual) if your gearbox has a 2nd gear option (most do) you should start from stationery in snow conditions in 2nd, then move the gear lever into Drive as soon as you are moving. When braking, just touch them very gently, and if you feel loss of control, release and re-apply gently. Remember that in these sort of conditions, braking can require ten times the normal stopping distance, and therefore keep your distance from cars in front.
As the AA also advises, if you get stuck in snow, and your wheels are spinning, try putting a sack or old rug down under your driving wheels to help them grip, and don't stop until you are on snow-free road. Using the snowflake button will also help prevent this, by preventing your car engaging and locking in 1st gear when starting.
(I drove in German heavy winters for many years very safely and successfully in an automatic- it's not really that different from driving a manual. In these conditions you shouldn't be attempting to take off at a junction quickly, in any sort of car, now braking quickly!)

An ordinary automatic gearbox in position 2 will not start in second gear. It will start in first gear, change to second, and go no higher.

The lower gear positions on a traditional automatic are ratio limiters, not selectors.

hothothot_3

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers! wrote: »

An ordinary automatic gearbox in position 2 will not start in second gear. It will start in first gear, change to second, and go no higher.

The lower gear positions on a traditional automatic are ratio limiters, not selectors.

so basically, just use snow flake button?

leehal

I have an Audi A4 automatic and unlike my previous 2 VW automatics it doesn't have a winter button, I was unable to pull away in anything other than 1st and couldn't get out of my street in the snow.

I have since bought 4 winter tyres and seem able to drive anywhere without any problems, cost me £500 for them, but I am hoping to get 2 or 3 winters out of them. Despite the high cost (mine were expensive as they are 18" low profiles, I was unable to buy any steel wheels for my car) - it is the best £500 I have ever spent on a car, I feel safer and am actually enjoying driving in the snow!