Seeking Advice for Driving in Snow

[KikoTheAkita]

I just took delivery of a GT2, with AWD and 18" all-season Bridgestone Potenzas. I haven't had to venture out onto snow covered roads yet, but being in New Jersey, it's just a matter of time. My main question is: what drive mode would work best for driving in snow? Would it be useful to use the paddle shifters to stay in a lower gear and utilize some engine braking, like you would with a manual? Any other features that you would turn on or off? Thanks.

 

[mldavis2]

The computer does the work of "torque vectoring" power to the ground (actually away from the slipping wheel). You can force 2nd gear in manual, I think which might help a bit on launch. I wouldn't use a lower gear for braking because the brakes themselves will do what's needed to prevent wheel spin and the transmission will downshift as you slow down on a closed throttle. I think the net effect would be the same as downshifting which could cause wheel slip as the computer figures out what's happening - but that's only milliseconds.

 

[Clearly Canadian]

Anything except sport mode — I think I read somewhere that sport mode maintains a stronger RWD bias at all times. Another option is using custom mode and setting everything to sport except the AWD setting.

 

[Kazz]

Welcome! I've had mine in Comfort or Eco while in snow and have no complaints other than I can tell they're all-season tires and not dedicated winter tires. I've had dedicated sets of summer wheels & tires and winter wheels & tires on all of my previous vehicles and am a bit spoiled by that. That said, the car doesn't get itself into any trouble with traction so far. I, of course, am still babying it. LOL

 

[MICHIELLE M ETHIER]

I just took delivery of a GT2, with AWD and 18" all-season Bridgestone Potenzas. I haven't had to venture out onto snow covered roads yet, but being in New Jersey, it's just a matter of time. My main question is: what drive mode would work best for driving in snow? Would it be useful to use the paddle shifters to stay in a lower gear and utilize some engine braking, like you would with a manual? Any other features that you would turn on or off? Thanks.

 

[MICHIELLE M ETHIER]

I just took delivery of a GT2, with AWD and 18" all-season Bridgestone Potenzas. I haven't had to venture out onto snow covered roads yet, but being in New Jersey, it's just a matter of time. My main question is: what drive mode would work best for driving in snow? Would it be useful to use the paddle shifters to stay in a lower gear and utilize some engine braking, like you would with a manual? Any other features that you would turn on or off? Thanks.

 

[MICHIELLE M ETHIER]

Did you ever figure out which drive mode was best for snow? I have only had my Stinger for a few months but the snow is beginning to fly here in Michigan and I am confused as to which mode would be the best. Thanks!

 

[Dan1028]

Did you ever figure out which drive mode was best for snow? I have only had my Stinger for a few months but the snow is beginning to fly here in Michigan and I am confused as to which mode would be the best. Thanks!

Haven't had the opportunity yet, myself, but I would recommend Eco if you're concerned. Reduced throttle response will help with wheelspin and the balance of AWD should be neutral and not biased toward the rear. Paddles can be used for engine braking and starting from a stop in snow/ice.

 

[eflyguy]

The manual suggests manually shifting to a higher gear for smoother application of power to the wheels and, likewise, I would think comfort and ECO would also soften throttle operation a little.

If you're not comfortable driving in those conditions, you could find a large, flat open space (parking lot perhaps) and practice there when bad weather arrives. Getting to know what works and how things feel in those conditions is something best learned not in traffic or the tight confines of public streets.

Not saying you (Kiko) can't drive, this is just general info. Taught my daughter in similar circumstances when she was about 12. Then, whenever we had snow and ice, she'd rush to pull the golf cart out of the garage and proceed to drift around the driveway!

Paddles can be used for engine braking and starting from a stop in snow/ice.

Down-shifting for engine braking can be pretty dangerous in slippery conditions..

 

[MerlintheMad]

My first snowy day I am going to use Smart and put the shifter into manual gate, and start in 2nd gear on any slick surface. By using Smart, you are in Eco by default unless you get a bit more "spirited", then it moves to Comfort: also, the drive train "learns" your driving style, which seems very smart to me for use in winter driving conditions: the more the car helps me drive sedately the better off we both shall be!

 

[WildBill]

Down-shifting for engine braking can be pretty dangerous in slippery conditions..

I agree, I do not see using engine braking in slippery conditions as recommended practice.
If you use engine braking and the car starts to break traction due to the deceleration it is not an immediate reaction to upshift.
If you were in a higher gear and using the brake pedal to decelerate, when you feel slippage you just let off the brake. Much quicker and much easier to modulate.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I agree, I do not see using engine braking in slippery conditions as recommended practice.
If you use engine braking and the car starts to break traction due to the deceleration it is not an immediate reaction to upshift.
If you were in a higher gear and using the brake pedal to decelerate, when you feel slippage you just let off the brake. Much quicker and much easier to modulate.

If you use the paddle shifters you can upshift instantly while braking. Also, there is no reason to downshift with paddle shifters: as the cars slows down, it downshifts automatically and is very conservative about it too, i.e. the downshifts come very late, at c. the point where the engine would begin to lug. So, no danger of breaking traction from automatic downshifting.

 

[WildBill]

If you use the paddle shifters you can upshift instantly while braking. Also, there is no reason to downshift with paddle shifters: as the cars slows down, it downshifts automatically and is very conservative about it too, i.e. the downshifts come very late, at c. the point where the engine would begin to lug. So, no danger of breaking traction from automatic downshifting.

What I'm talking about is people shifting into a lower gear and leaving it in manual mode to come down a grade. I'm not talking about how the car shifts in automatic mode.
Instantly is relative. The car is fairly quick at upshifting but not as quick as you can ease up on the brake pedal. I just don't think that a person's reaction to getting into a slide while coming off of a hill in the snow (using a low gear and engine braking) would be to upshift. People will get themselves into more trouble by hitting the brakes more.

On level ground I don't think it makes much difference. My perspective is that road conditions can change quickly in the hills and mountains with curves and drifts. Ill take a higher gear and brake thank you very much.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I'm not talking about how the car shifts in automatic mode.

Neither am I. Slowing down shifts down automatically, even in manual mode.

I agree, the use of higher gears is always best; avoid downshifting on ice and snow.

 

[Waynerm002]

If your car is AWD with AS or Winter tires, you don't need any special setting to drive the car, although Sport mode would probably not be at it's best in snow depending on what you want to do. You can drive the car in any mode and be fine. It's pretty much up to you and your right foot on the accelerator pedal to control the speed. The tires will handle the traction along with the safety systems to keep you straight. Even the RWD with good tires for the conditions will do fine.

 

[Dan1028]

The manual suggests manually shifting to a higher gear for smoother application of power to the wheels and, likewise, I would think comfort and ECO would also soften throttle operation a little.

If you're not comfortable driving in those conditions, you could find a large, flat open space (parking lot perhaps) and practice there when bad weather arrives. Getting to know what works and how things feel in those conditions is something best learned not in traffic or the tight confines of public streets.

Not saying you (Kiko) can't drive, this is just general info. Taught my daughter in similar circumstances when she was about 12. Then, whenever we had snow and ice, she'd rush to pull the golf cart out of the garage and proceed to drift around the driveway!



Down-shifting for engine braking can be pretty dangerous in slippery conditions..

I agree completely. My comment was pretty much in line with what Wild Bill said. The paddles can be used to start in a lower gear on a downhill as opposed to a higher one which will keep the car from accelerating faster. Likewise, a higher gear can be selected for starting from a stop.