Well I sorry to say that my yeti didnt like the snow one bit . I think the dsg might be the problem as getting the finr balance between power input and good traction is way to fine a balance . My wife's Zafira auto being heavier managed no problem and it has a SNOW button that helps limit power to ensure smooth driving. Right now I think I shall go and try it out again ...see if if its me or the yeti ..

My Octy estate is DSG and has had no problems on anything yet. The difference is I have winter tyres. When I left home this morning I drove through 2 miles of re-frozen snow to get to the M9 at a temperature of -9, including a steep hill, and the traction control didn't even come on.

I think a legislation might be a good idea, but I can hear people mumbling "nanny state". The problem is some people, like myself do not really drive that often in the snow and whilst I think I would definitely need snow tyres, I might get some auto sock instead, not chains though as it will definitely create more potholes - more than we already have!!!

Ah, but they aren't snow tyres, they are winter tyres.They give much more grip once the temperature drops below around 7 degrees C.

I guess the problem in the UK is that we stretch north-south a lot, so conditions vary up and down the country. Living in Scotland now, I will put winter tyres on every year. Not sure I would bother if I lived where my brother is (Portsmouth).

Ah, but they aren't snow tyres, they are winter tyres.They give much more grip once the temperature drops below around 7 degrees C.

I guess the problem in the UK is that we stretch north-south a lot, so conditions vary up and down the country. Living in Scotland now, I will put winter tyres on every year. Not sure I would bother if I lived where my brother is (Portsmouth).

We need them around London at the moment. Certainly here in Croydon, as we are in a basin.

Mike

Car userbook say that if one want to use chains one have to have 205/55 -16.

So I guess its ok. I'm not gonna use chains but I see no difference.

I ask also the dealer who said its ok but it might not look so nice since the tyre is smaller. I dont care for this.

I guess that since 205/55 is narrower it should get better traction in snow. Also smaller fuel consumption maybe.

Also 205/55 is like a common size tyre so they are cheaper then 215/60. At least here in Norway they are cheaper.

I put 205x60x16 on mine. The narrower tyre must help.

Interesting the 4x4s in particular have managed with summer tyres with traction particularly, but how do you guys find braking? That's always been my worry really. When I had the summers on my SM would go, but sometimes a hairy moment getting it to stop. ( and yes I don't go too fast and leave big gaps)

Braking certainly isn't an issue with the winters, nothing short of amazing really.

Oh, yes! Braking is a seriously dodgy issue with the summer Dunlops. But I know this, and leave big gaps (very big), and slow gently well ahead of potential stops - carefully changing down and mainly using engine braking. When the final stop is required, the brakes can be very gently applied to achieve it. It works.

The golden rule is to work out in your own mind how fast you are prepared hit something. In the hope that others will apply this rule too, you then half this as a guide to safe speed. You can increase this speed where visibility and conditions allow an earlier response, and you can get some speed off before needing to actually brake.

But the summer tyres are never going to be as good as winters in an emergency situation (the kid on a sledge that shoots out into the road in front of you; its happened already this week), and you must set your speed accordingly. Sorry winter tyre wearers stuck behind me - you may be able to go faster and I'm holding you up - but I'm definately going to get kitted out with winters asap, so I won't next time!

Car userbook say that if one want to use chains one have to have 205/55 -16.

So I guess its ok. I'm not gonna use chains but I see no difference.

I ask also the dealer who said its ok but it might not look so nice since the tyre is smaller. I dont care for this.

I guess that since 205/55 is narrower it should get better traction in snow. Also smaller fuel consumption maybe.

Also 205/55 is like a common size tyre so they are cheaper then 215/60. At least here in Norway they are cheaper.

Ju3 those alloys with your winter tyres on look really good!

My 2wd yeti got stuck last night in snow and I had to walk 6 miles home.

TCS was the culprit, it reduced my revs so that I lost momentum on a hill. I couldn't get enough traction to get up even with it switched off.

To make it worse I had to witness two wheel drive fiestas and a transit van getting up the hill. Thanks to recommendations on here Im ordering snow socks for it.

Very disappointed in yeti's snow ability!! I'm in a bad mood today!

I was a bit despondent with my Yeti's snow ability till I changed to winters, now its really a snow beast. I sympathise with your mood, but it can get better!

My 2wd yeti got stuck last night in snow and I had to walk 6 miles home.

TCS was the culprit, it reduced my revs so that I lost momentum on a hill. I couldn't get enough traction to get up even with it switched off.

To make it worse I had to witness two wheel drive fiestas and a transit van getting up the hill. Thanks to recommendations on here Im ordering snow socks for it.

Very disappointed in yeti's snow ability!! I'm in a bad mood today!

I am also disappointed when I see Micra and 107 plouging up the slight slope, whilst leaving me spining behind. Especially given the higher road clearance. I looked stupid!

Edited 4 December, 201015 yr by My_Yeti

had to find it under the snow before i could drive it glad i have a black one

edit dam. flicker will not load pics for me :'( . got the link to work

My link

Edited 4 December, 201015 yr by wakev

Well here is one more experience.

I finally dug the SM out (6" of snow on the roof and bonnet, more around her).

Our road has been impassable to any but 4wd since Sunday and I have not bothered to try to use the SM this week.

I got in, started her (first time), popped on the Off Road button, and drove off. Effortlessly, out of the snow-bound space, onto the ruts, up the awful slope to the main road and away. I had to stop near the top as there was traffic - but she pulled away fine through the snow bank there.

On my return (the main roads being fine) I came back into the street, went along past my house and turned (effortlessly, even in thicker snow) and came back to my space, reversing into it.

Having watched this, various neighbours decided the road was fine. They dug their cars out and then their 2wd cars sat spinning and wiggling into the road and slipping dangerously, but not getting anywhere. Cue neighbours cursing and then fighting their cars back into their original spaces with a huge amount of work and pushing.

So - my SM (standard tires, not winter tires) did without a second's hesitation what the 2wd cars simply could not begin to achieve.

Quiet feeling of smugness in the Siberia that is Edinburgh. (Is smug the Yeti owner's normal emotion?)

Colin, whereabouts in Edinburgh are you? I'm in Fairmilehead, and we've had over 18" of snow since Sunday. Now that the snow has consolidated down to a more sensible depth my 140 TDI 4x4 is fine along the "tramlines" up and down the steep hill we live on. Unfortunately the stock Dunlops are hopeless at getting over the ridges of compacted snow between and either side of the ruts. We had to dig out a good ton or so of ice and snow before I could get it back on the drive this afternoon!

Apart from that it's been fine, even negotiating the completely snowbound (but level) parking area in front of my Mum-in-Law's place with no real drama.

I have a set of winter tyres on steel wheels on order which are due to be delivered next week, so hopefully it will have rather better grip on the slippy stuff once those are fitted.

commiserations everyone.

Stuck-ness and abandonment is what made THIS writer go buy a 4wd Yeti.

And I will never go back, (even on summer Dunlop Sports boots)

When i bought it after last winter had caused us all palpitations, I wondered if we'd ever see the like again. Hmmmpf. We have.

And I am one SMUG member of the SMOC. yep - a smug smoc.

commiserations everyone.

Stuck-ness and abandonment is what made THIS writer go buy a 4wd Yeti.

And I will never go back, (even on summer Dunlop Sports boots)

When i bought it after last winter had caused us all palpitations, I wondered if we'd ever see the like again. Hmmmpf. We have.

And I am one SMUG member of the SMOC. yep - a smug smoc.

My experience and feelings completely. I am sooooooo glad I chose my Yeti.

I've driven over 1,000 very snowy Scottish miles over the last 8 days and this being my first 4x4, I didn't really know what to expect.

Positives - Mine has been brilliant (again on standard Dunlops). Its climbing ability on snow and ice is gobsmacking, I can park it anywhere in deep, rutted and slushy snow and it will drive away as if it was on tarmac. The hill hold for descents is a little miracle and really is very useful on steep, snowy roads and tracks.

Negatives - The braking and steering on snow with the Dunlops is its Achilles heel. The confidence inspired by all the clever traction related, 4x4 & off-road button stuff can lull you into a false sense of security.

Finally a word of warning - If you have just used the 'off road' system to help drive up a steep, snowy farm track, don't apply the handbrake & switch off the engine before you get out to talk to someone but leave the engine switched on. Watching your Yeti slide backwards while your quick thinking pal pushes it sideways on the ice into a hedgerow is very embarassing.

I've driven over 1,000 very snowy Scottish miles over the last 8 days and this being my first 4x4, I didn't really know what to expect.

Positives - Mine has been brilliant (again on standard Dunlops). Its climbing ability on snow and ice is gobsmacking, I can park it anywhere in deep, rutted and slushy snow and it will drive away as if it was on tarmac. The hill hold for descents is a little miracle and really is very useful on steep, snowy roads and tracks.

Negatives - The braking and steering on snow with the Dunlops is its Achilles heel. The confidence inspired by all the clever traction related, 4x4 & off-road button stuff can lull you into a false sense of security.

Finally a word of warning - If you have just used the 'off road' system to help drive up a steep, snowy farm track, don't apply the handbrake & switch off the engine before you get out to talk to someone but leave the engine switched on. Watching your Yeti slide backwards while your quick thinking pal pushes it sideways on the ice into a hedgerow is very embarassing.

Great to hear further corroboration

I think most people know my views by now. Even without the off-road button, and on standard tyres, I have done my commutes to work across Wales this week with no problems at all.

From -15 temperatures to 9" deep snow drifts it kept going!!

Another smug smoc!!

Edited 4 December, 201015 yr by Llanigraham

maybe this could spawn a NEW organisation - the SMUG SMOC!!

Colin, whereabouts in Edinburgh are you? I'm in Fairmilehead, and we've had over 18" of snow since Sunday. Now that the snow has consolidated down to a more sensible depth my 140 TDI 4x4 is fine along the "tramlines" up and down the steep hill we live on. Unfortunately the stock Dunlops are hopeless at getting over the ridges of compacted snow between and either side of the ruts. We had to dig out a good ton or so of ice and snow before I could get it back on the drive this afternoon!

Apart from that it's been fine, even negotiating the completely snowbound (but level) parking area in front of my Mum-in-Law's place with no real drama.

I have a set of winter tyres on steel wheels on order which are due to be delivered next week, so hopefully it will have rather better grip on the slippy stuff once those are fitted.

Sunny Craiglockhart here, so only a couple of minutes drive away.

I have not (yet) seen another Yeti in Scotland.

And I know what you mean about the ruts - that and the stopping show the weaknesses of summer tires.

Interestingly the drive into work this morning was probably the worst of the week!

Yesterday afternoon and evening we had a thaw and some rain, then last night a hard frost. Unfortunately the thaw appears to have washed the salt away, and with an average temperature of -4 on the journey at 0730 this morning (I had a lie in!!) it made the roads "intresting". Patches of black ice then areas swimming with water, then roads still covered in a layer of refrozen snow. Surprisilingly they had the most grip. I tried a heavy brake on the one outside the box and the car hardly slid and the ABS didn't come on. However hard acceleration produced loads of wheel spin and the ETC light to come on. I know all 4 wheels spun; I could see the tracks afterwards!

Oh and I had to pour several buckets of hot water over the front of the car. One of the farms on the way in had a fair flood outside that ended up with what seemed like most of it spread across the front of the car. It was brown and smelly and froze!!

Oh, the joys of country living :'(

We get the mud from beet harvesting right now and the liquid manure spreading spring and fall.

Edited 5 December, 201015 yr by Agerbundsen

commiserations everyone.

Stuck-ness and abandonment is what made THIS writer go buy a 4wd Yeti.

And I will never go back, (even on summer Dunlop Sports boots)

When i bought it after last winter had caused us all palpitations, I wondered if we'd ever see the like again. Hmmmpf. We have.

And I am one SMUG member of the SMOC. yep - a smug smoc.

That's exactly where I came from. On Wednesday last with snow lying on ice and still falling, I felt totally safe and in complete control, even on hills up and down.

Can't speak for the stock summer tyres but I have Avon Ice Touring ST winter tyres.

My decision to get the Yeti is now totaly and completely justified (if it needed to be). A great all round car and quite probably the best I've ever had.

John

I have not (yet) seen another Yeti in Scotland.

There was a silver 4x4 parked on Woodhall Road yesterday.

One passed me coming the other way during my second test drive back in October. That was on London Road.

If you ever see one identical to yours in SW Edinburgh - even down to the colour - that'll almost certainly be me!

Edited 5 December, 201015 yr by ejstubbs

I have noticed that I can't climb the hill that goes past my drive, this has been ploughed and salted several times, but I can go back along the road and climbe the next parallel hill which is just as steep which has been left alone and is now compacted snow. The 2wd traction control seems to find grip in the compacted snow, that just isn't there in the slush which instantly fills the tire treads on the summer tyres.

I had thought the yeti 2wd was quite poor in snow initially but I can actually get further up the slope than most other normal cars before it stops. This is no use though if you can't actually get to the top!

Perhaps the reason we are all struggling is the councils use of salt turning everything into a slippery slush instead of cars being left to drive on the compacted snow like they do in other countries?

I wonder whether you are right, Ken. Yesterday morning the road outside my signal box was rough, refrozen, snow. Purposely I braked hard on it, and the car stopped almost normally, with very little ABS affect.. However hard acceleration produced lots of wheel spin and the ETC to come on.