We presently own a Skoda Fabia Estate with 50K on the clock and 7 years old. It has been an excellent car. We sold a Nissan X Trail a couple of yaers ago and miss the 4X4 security in snow and for pulling a trailer. We have put a deposit down on a Yeti 4X4 SE as it is in a showroom and thus no waiting time. But it has not got the Off-Road button. I asked the dealer if this button was just a Hill Hold and he said yes and as we do not go off-road (only our own fields) this did not worry me. Now I am a little concerned as to whether the car will perform We live in a rural community and last winter wouldhave liked the added security of 4WD.

Can somebody please give me their consiedred view as to whether the car will perform OK in snow?

Hi Survey and welcome.

As I am aware, as you have/or will be getting a 4x4 you'll be fine in snow.

You will just be unable to select 4x4 manually thats all.

Is that right?? Someone here will put me right I just FEEL it.

The off-road button is not hill hold; that's a separate function (option on SE) of the breaking system. However a standard 4x4 Monster will cope with snow as long as you fit winter tyres (from experience the standard sports tyres are not up to much in snow).

Regard the off-road button, this just adds a little bit of enhancement to traction control on slippery surfaces and gives controlled decent (as long as the tyres have grip anyway).

Regards,

TP

Hi Survey and welcome.

As I am aware, as you have/or will be getting a 4x4 you'll be fine in snow.

You will just be unable to select 4x4 manually thats all.

Is that right?? Someone here will put me right I just FEEL it.

Nope, it doesn't turn on a four wheel drive mode, haldex 4 doesn't offer this functionality. As tp says it will simply recalibrate many if the electronic systems to improve the off road experience (and ability). :-)

The off-road button is not hill hold; that's a separate function (option on SE) of the breaking system. However a standard 4x4 Monster will cope with snow as long as you fit winter tyres (from experience the standard sports tyres are not up to much in snow).

Regard the off-road button, this just adds a little bit of enhancement to traction control on slippery surfaces and gives controlled decent (as long as the tyres have grip anyway).

Regards,

TP

So really, if there is a slip due to snow, 4WD will be automatically selected and it is more up to the driver to be easig off the throttle, select a higher gear etc.? I will not be fitting winter tyres at first - would rather see just how the car performs. I do understand the advantages of winter tyres though. What I am hoping is that the standard 4WD system will give that bit more security than a 2WD.

Hi Survey and welcome.

As I am aware, as you have/or will be getting a 4x4 you'll be fine in snow.

You will just be unable to select 4x4 manually thats all.

Is that right?? Someone here will put me right I just FEEL it.

So is that the only difference? The car selects 4WD when it detects a slip rather than the driver forcing 4WD via the button?

So is that the only difference? The car selects 4WD when it detects a slip rather than the driver forcing 4WD via the button?

Haldex is a fully automatic set-up that under normal driving conditions puts most of the drive through the front wheels, hence the good mpg available with this system. For more info see

My link

My link

Regards,

TP

Edited 17 October, 201015 yr by The Plumber

Haldex is a fully automatic set-up that under normal driving conditions puts most of the drive through the front wheels, hence the good mpg available with this system. For more info see

My link

My link

Regards,

TP

Thanks for this. So it looks as if I am OK after all despite not having the off-road button! I just was not sure especially after having had an Isuzu Trooper, Range Rovers, Discoveries and the XTrail.

To my understanding the off-road button is not necessary unless you plan to do some serious off-roading (but of course it's fun to have lots of options). As said earlier it

- reprograms the throttle response (to avoid unwanted revving in tight places)

- reprograms the anti-slip system (allowing more slip to help getting out of tight places)

- reprogams the ABS system (to allow better braking capabilies in off-road conditions)

- and then maybe som other fine-tuning that I can't remember right now

Of course it can be useful also on slippery/icy conditions, but as it won't cancel the laws of physics I would take winter tires over the off-road button any day

I think the confusing element here is that on previous 4 x 4 cars you had to specifically select the 4 x 4 system, often a different gear stick. The idea that you can drive the Yeti normally, whilst getting more than 20-25mpg, and the system magically kicks in when required is quite a radical one. That nagging thought of "is it really there, is it really working"? When you flick a switch to turn it on then you know you have 4wd, with the Yeti you do not have that.

To confuse matters further you can order an Off Road Button or Hill Hold control, things that really should be standard as part of having 4WD. I can fully understand a cautious question.

I, like you, am banking on the Yeti giving me enough extra grip and security this winter without having to add winter tyres. The aficionados on here will push you for winter tyres but I am hoping that for regular road driving in the winter, cautious in the snow still, it will not be necessary. I guess we will only really find out after we have been through this winter.

Front Wheel Drive and suitable tyres every time. ( as opposed to 4WD on "slicks")

EXCEPT for pulling a trailer across a field, then one may actually need 4WD

I do also appreciate that in a hilly area 4WD may be necessary to climb hills if there is snow.

However for far too many (imho) 4WD is merely a "crutch" to cover deficiencies in their driving aptitudes.

And the very idea that one of the functions of the "off road" button is to limit engine revs so as to help protect the clutch.

God help us ( and the poor abused clutches)

Cheers

M

Edited 18 October, 201015 yr by dieseldogg

I think the confusing element here is that on previous 4 x 4 cars you had to specifically select the 4 x 4 system, often a different gear stick. The idea that you can drive the Yeti normally, whilst getting more than 20-25mpg, and the system magically kicks in when required is quite a radical one. That nagging thought of "is it really there, is it really working"? When you flick a switch to turn it on then you know you have 4wd, with the Yeti you do not have that.

To confuse matters further you can order an Off Road Button or Hill Hold control, things that really should be standard as part of having 4WD. I can fully understand a cautious question.

I, like you, am banking on the Yeti giving me enough extra grip and security this winter without having to add winter tyres. The aficionados on here will push you for winter tyres but I am hoping that for regular road driving in the winter, cautious in the snow still, it will not be necessary. I guess we will only really find out after we have been through this winter.

Don't forget that the 4WD will help you get going and keep going, but by itself does nothing for steering or braking. Only appropriate tyres will do that.

The standard tyres delivered with the Yeti are fine summer ruber, but really optimized for warm and wet - definitely not for slush and snow or ice.

I suspect I may be encouraging a stream of rants here but in for a penny...... I have no doubt that winter tyres are the real answer, genuinely I do, but most people do not want the expense of swapping tyres. For the 1-2 weeks of the year that we have snow and ice in the UK I am hopeful that the extra capability of the Yeti will see me through safely. I will still only drive very slowly off my estate but it should at least get me off it. I will still only make journeys that I have to if the snow is thick and I will still only drive at a suitable speed. In short, I will still be Uber safe in how I drive but the Yeti will give me that little extra comfort. I suspect that 99% of Yeti 4WD drivers feel the same as I do.

Incidentally surely the tyres that are fitted as standard can not be complete tosh. No, they are not winter spec but they must be half decent.

Winter tyre people - fill your boots.

The expense of a second set of tyres is nonsence argument against the excess year round fuel consumption of $WD.

However the nuisence of getting them changed & re-changed in our very mixed climate ?? may be a factor.

However however the lower winter temps also make winter tyres much more desirable even in absence of ice & snow, for added grip.

Proper winter tyres in the summer are also the business for climbing bare rock at going on for 40 deg inclination.

As per the demo "G" wagens at the Graz factory.

Stuck like excrement to a blanket.

********

so "horses for courses"

Edited 18 October, 201015 yr by dieseldogg

Incidentally surely the tyres that are fitted as standard can not be complete tosh. No, they are not winter spec but they must be half decent.

No ranting, your point and intentions during inclement weather are OK - for you.

I did a technical training course here locally last summer with the Yeti. The standard tyres failed horribly on straight line braking in the ice simulation skid pad.

No ranting, your point and intentions during inclement weather are OK - for you.

I did a technical training course here locally last summer with the Yeti. The standard tyres failed horribly on straight line braking in the ice simulation skid pad.

I accept 100% that for Scandinavia, Northern & Eastern European countries that winter tyres are a must.

I would also say that, following your advice on previous threads, when I change my tyres I will ask for wet weather tyres instead of the summer ones that we tend to get normally. That should be enough of an improvement for the UK weather. (you see, there are people that listen to your advice)

Edited 18 October, 201015 yr by EdmundBlackadder

I have some recent experience of snow tyres: Vredestein SnowTrac3 on a Nissan Micra in last years winter driving through slush and snow at various speeds. The grip was amazing and made the conditions so much less dangerous. Until you've actually experienced good snow tyres, it really is hard to appreciated just how big a difference they actually make. As a test: I stopped the Micra half way up the hill of icey packed snow and thought I would never get up it, but the car got up no problem with just some slippage; it made the ice packed snow feel like loose dirt.

A 4x4 Yeti with SnowTrac3 tyres would be super safe and what price can we put on safety for ourselves and our family?

Looking forward to ordering my Yeti...

We presently own a Skoda Fabia Estate with 50K on the clock and 7 years old. It has been an excellent car. We sold a Nissan X Trail a couple of yaers ago and miss the 4X4 security in snow and for pulling a trailer. We live in a rural community and last winter wouldhave liked the added security of 4WD.

Can somebody please give me their consiedred view as to whether the car will perform OK in snow?

Well there is a coincidence. We swapped an 03 X-Trail for a 4x4 SE 140 last December. The Yeti performed very well in last winter's snow and ice. I used to put the XT into Auto mode and I guess the Haldex does much the same thing. One benefit of the Yeti is that there is less to stop. I did use the Off-Road button quite a lot and the Hill Descent was a top feature.

I do not think you will be disappointed with your choice.

Well there is a coincidence. We swapped an 03 X-Trail for a 4x4 SE 140 last December. The Yeti performed very well in last winter's snow and ice. I used to put the XT into Auto mode and I guess the Haldex does much the same thing. One benefit of the Yeti is that there is less to stop. I did use the Off-Road button quite a lot and the Hill Descent was a top feature.

I do not think you will be disappointed with your choice.

Did you change your tyres or are you on the Skoda originals?

Did you change your tyres or are you on the Skoda originals?

The original Goodyear. Can't afford the luxury of winter tyres.

The original Goodyear. Can't afford the luxury of winter tyres.

Me either. It does show though that the originals on a 4WD can do a good job. Last winter was as rough as it will get in this country and North Wales is an area that often gets badly affected. If you managed okay then that is very encouraging.

Well there is a coincidence. We swapped an 03 X-Trail for a 4x4 SE 140 last December. The Yeti performed very well in last winter's snow and ice. I used to put the XT into Auto mode and I guess the Haldex does much the same thing. One benefit of the Yeti is that there is less to stop. I did use the Off-Road button quite a lot and the Hill Descent was a top feature.

I do not think you will be disappointed with your choice.

As I have said my Yeti will not be coming with the Off Road button. However as Macdemon has said - the auto select 4WD will kick in. Plus I am an experienced 4WD driver having towed caravans and trailers so am aware of throttle resoinse, choice of gear etc in snow. Fingers crossed! Will be mightily disappointed if it will not perform much better than a 2WD (with similar tyres)!

My 2p's worth...

Winter tyres are for winter, whether that be dry, wet, snow, ice etc. anytime the temp drops below 7 degs, you are better off with them.

I live in South London and will be using them from when I pick up my Yeti, before christmas, until March/April time.

TP recommends them as he had an interesting experience going down a hill last year when he did a 180 and ended up not in control of his Yeti.

They will add to the safety of you car. (any car)

Mike

My 2p's worth...

Winter tyres are for winter, whether that be dry, wet, snow, ice etc. anytime the temp drops below 7 degs, you are better off with them.

They will add to the safety of you car. (any car)

Mike

+1

That sums it up for me 100%.

I accept 100% that for Scandinavia, Northern & Eastern European countries that winter tyres are a must.

I would also say that, following your advice on previous threads, when I change my tyres I will ask for wet weather tyres instead of the summer ones that we tend to get normally. That should be enough of an improvement for the UK weather. (you see, there are people that listen to your advice)

Well, that is very gratifying.

The winter driving conditions here in Denamrk is not all that much different from Northumberland, and about 30% of cars do not change to winter tyres. Most get away with it. If you do not have to commute any significant distance or drive mostly in the city, then summer tyres will get you around.

Personally, I do want to go where and when I want to, so for me, the choice is very clear. I also do some long trips south, where winter tyres are required by law if there is any snow etc. on the road - again no choice and a very safe feeling to be in a very capable vehicle with appropriate shoes. On last winters' trek to Southern Spain, it was snowy and slippery all the way down to central France, rainy with mudslides in Andalucia while there, and snow again in many places all the way from Barcelona (4 inches and -6°C) to Northern Germany. Wthout all the right kit, I'd have been a nervous wreck. As it happened, we passed over the Pyrenees in fine fettle, amazed over all the truck parked along the road and in every lay-by.

Edited 19 October, 201015 yr by Agerbundsen