This is absolutely right. Here in India if you were to see some of the roads that we drive on, even in today's modern world, you would be quite surprised to see little 2WD mini city hatchbacks and other cars buzzing along quite happily. My dad used to have an old Fiat 1100 and an Ambassador which is the Indian version of the Morris Oxford and we have been on some really bad roads and steep inclines in those cars. Very uncomfortable no doubt, for the passengers, but lack of 4WD never really stopped us! Of course, on the tea plantations where we lived, to get to the really steep bits (40-45 degree angle slopes etc) via muddy, slushy roads, we used to use our old Mahindra Jeep (which have built here since just after the second world war under license from Jeep.) and are still going strong in 2011, under the name Mahindra Major!

Of course high ground clearance helps a great deal when negotiating rutted, muddy tracks etc, but if the vehicle has a good torquey diesel with plenty of luggability, then for the most part, one can manage happily with 2WD. This is why more than 80% of all SUV's sold in India are sold in their 2WD avatar only!

Incidentally, we have the highest motor able road in the world sitting in the North of our country and many of the local people in those areas, buzz around in their little Suzuki Altos and whatnot.

2wd cars can go down some surprisingly rough roads, as I have done many times for work. Limitation is usually ground clearance, which is no different on the Yei from the 4wd, and the ability to get going again if you stop.

I look ahead and don't enter a section of terrain, or start up a slippery slope unless I am sure I can reach the other side or top, and that if needed I can get out again from there if I can't go any further. Often this is just entering with enough speed and the confidence to keep going, even as the car bounces around or is diverted along ruts. Steer into skids and keep the power on so the front wheels pull the car straight again and keep you progressing.

I remeber years ago meeting a contractor on site at the end of a very poor and muddy track across fields, who had struggled to get there in his Land Rover, whilst I had reached the same place in a Rover 214!

Any ideas on the "wading" ability of the Yeti and where the air intake on the 1.6 diesel is located ?

Sorry found answer here after posting:

My link

Edited 11 December, 201114 yr by rarrar

Any ideas on the "wading" ability of the Yeti and where the air intake on the 1.6 diesel is located ?

Sorry found answer here after posting:

My link

Which diesel?

Which diesel?

Greenline 1.6

The 2WD Yeti is quite capable in snow thanks to the ground clearance. Add a decent set of winter tires and you will be fine most of the time

and yes - I got out of there without any problems at all. 1.2 TSI DSG, by the way

The 2WD Yeti is quite capable in snow thanks to the ground clearance. Add a decent set of winter tires and you will be fine most of the time

and yes - I got out of there without any problems at all. 1.2 TSI DSG, by the way

Happy New Year Finland.

I see you have the same engine (and colour) of the Octavia I have on order.I understand from you post that the Yeti works well in snow and ice conditions.

I was wondering how you use the automatic gearbox in difficult conditions for example on an icy bend,do you manually drop it a gear ?? or use sports mode.

It has been some years since I have driven an automatic in winter.

Rgds

Keith

Oslo

was wondering how you use the automatic gearbox in difficult conditions for example on an icy bend,do you manually drop it a gear ?? or use sports mode.

It has been some years since I have driven an automatic in winter.

Rgds

Keith

Oslo

Leave it in D. it knows it is icy & cold due to all the sensors around the car. Drive gently just like you do in a manual.

Keith,

I don't know how far you are from here:

http://hauglandmotorsport.com/

but this guy will teach you EVERYTHING you need to know, and he has got serious Skoda history!!

Oh, don't you just love the sight & sound of a Mk2!

Didn't really think it was off=roading, more "soft-roading" as said in the title. I know the 4x4 are capable to do that easily, it is interesting to see what a 4x2 can do. Anyway, as noted, the extra ground clearance does help, especially when 1 of the wheels took off at 1:08

I did much worse with my Hyundai Atos, and it is still here, nearly 200000km on the clock, to tell the story

I do not consider subjecting my brand new Yeti to that though, at least not the first month.

Happy New Year Finland.

I see you have the same engine (and colour) of the Octavia I have on order.I understand from you post that the Yeti works well in snow and ice conditions.

I was wondering how you use the automatic gearbox in difficult conditions for example on an icy bend,do you manually drop it a gear ?? or use sports mode.

It has been some years since I have driven an automatic in winter.

Rgds

Keith

Oslo

Hi!

And Thanks! No problems with the DSG on slippery conditions, but then we don't have that many hills and winding roads over here...

Gently on the throttle when pulling away, and the DSG is more precise than the average guy with a manual - I'm really impressed! Otherwise, if you need a specific gear and want to avoid gear changes at critical times, just use the manual mode. The Yeti is excellent in snowy conditions, but that is largely thanks to the increased ride height, so I'm not sure it will be the same in an Octavia.