Took yeti out again yesterday in successful attempt to drive a neighbour to local shop as he was running out of food.  Where exiting our cul de sac there is a steepish incline which another neighbour in his large 4x4 could not get up after many attempts. I just drove up, halted to make sure nothing was coming on very snowy main road and just quietly took off again with zero wheel spin. My neighbour now knows all about winter tyres.

19 minutes ago, Yetiflute said:

Took yeti out again yesterday in successful attempt to drive a neighbour to local shop as he was running out of food.  Where exiting our cul de sac there is a steepish incline which another neighbour in his large 4x4 could not get up after many attempts. I just drove up, halted to make sure nothing was coming on very snowy main road and just quietly took off again with zero wheel spin. My neighbour now knows all about winter tyres.

 

It's more fun when I did stuff like that in my old MK1 Fabia....& at normal summer speeds....not so much fun in my Golf as bigger & looks like it could have AWD....& its still amazing how many people do not "get" winter tyres even after all the ads, press etc since the bad winters of 2009-2001

Seriously impressed with the traction from my Goodyear Vector 4Seasons yesterday and today.  Successfully negotiated 20cm-30cm deep snow on the local roads, with a bit of help from the ORB.  Some slidiness but no hint of bogging down even reversing back into the drive at home (not dug out - hardly seemed worth it while the weather was still coming down).

 

Glad I got the Haldex clutch pump fixed before Christmas, too.  Might have been a little less straightforward with drive to the front wheels only, but I reckon it would still have made it.

 

Can't imagine having to give up the Yeti.  Seriously considering buying one of the last Drive editions before they disappear altogether.

To put my oar in the water, I agree with all the comments on winter tyres. I had an Octavia with them on and it was go anywhere car, even where 4x4s on summers couldn't BUT, the Yeti on normal tyres is still a very capable car. I overtook a BMW X5 with Xdrive sliding backwards down an incline with all four wheels spinnning, I didn't lose grip or traction at all. I also made a hill from a standing start after watching a guy in a massive Mercedes 4x4 slide back down about a dozen times.

 

I also agree with the more learned 4x4 drivers amongst us, some idiots think they are invincible because they have a 4x4. There is currently a Volvo on the kerb near where I live with its' front passenger side wheel folded under because he took a corner too fast in his 4x4. 

 

I am also very impressed with the ORB hill descent and braking capabilities of the Yeti with the ORB engaged.

 

Maybe a 4x4 driving course should be mandatory for those who buy such a car, I know a number of people who still do not get it and lift off when they lose traction with the fronts.

Mine's awful in the snow, summer tyres and a DSG box don't like snow.

with a manual gearbox you can set off in 3rd, it stops excessive wheel spin. Not possible with a DSG.

I had to resort to snow socks yesterday.

Edited 2 March, 20188 yr by vRS G60

I'd be happier going out in mine at the moment if I could get something out the washers.

The weather has been very kind to me, barely a snowflake since Wednesday evening and +0.5 today and no big frosts overnight with additive in the washer bottle fluid.

The washer fluid I can see is liquid.

The dsg does chnge down to increase engine braking when it senes it is needed. You will find it changing to say 3rd from 4th when applying brakes gently down a

Hill

3 hours ago, vRS G60 said:

Mine's awful in the snow, summer tyres and a DSG box don't like snow.

with a manual gearbox you can set off in 3rd, it stops excessive wheel spin. Not possible with a DSG.

I had to resort to snow socks yesterday.

My two previous 2010 and 2014 2wd Yetis on summer tyres were awful in snow, possibly the worst car I have used in such conditions in over 40 years driving. Pobably due to overwide low profile tyres.

Current 4wd Yeti can get up my steep drive through snow and get to the cleared roads nearby. If the main roads are iffy I probably wont venture out. Not worth the risk.

3 hours ago, vRS G60 said:

Mine's awful in the snow, summer tyres and a DSG box don't like snow.

with a manual gearbox you can set off in 3rd, it stops excessive wheel spin. Not possible with a DSG.

I had to resort to snow socks yesterday.

Suggest you put on a set of winter tyres. My 1.2 DSG is fine in the snow.

23 minutes ago, kenfowler3966 said:

My two previous 2010 and 2014 2wd Yetis on summer tyres were awful in snow, possibly the worst car I have used in such conditions in over 40 years driving. Pobably due to overwide low profile tyres.

 

My 2WD Yeti (on summers) is similarly awful in snow, but it's not quite the worst car I have ever driven on the white stuff.

That accolade goes to my Roomster Scout.  Over-wide tyres again.

By far the best car I have driven in snow was my Allegro, with its skinny rubbish tyres and absence of electronic wizardry.

 

Now retired, I leave my Yeti in the garage and either walk or use the bus until the snow clears.

Generally speaking, what difference would rim size have on performance in a winter tyre/wheel ie 16"/17"/18"

10 minutes ago, Ashaz said:

Generally speaking, what difference would rim size have on performance in a winter tyre/wheel ie 16"/17"/18"

Probably not much! More likely the width of the tyre will make the biggest difference. Narrower tyres seem to "cut" through the snow better than wide tyres which spread the weight over a larger surface area. It's why old cars with skinny tyres did quite well in snowy weather.

I think narrowest approved tyre for Yeti is 205.

Edited 2 March, 20188 yr by Expatman

Just now, Expatman said:

Probably not much! More likely the width of the tyre will make the biggest difference. Narrower tyres seem to "cut" through the snow better than wide tyres which spread the weight over a larger surface area. It's why old cars with skinny tyres did quite well in snowy weather.

I remember the first low profile tyres I had many years ago on my Fiat Strada 105TC.

Unfortunately, they were Pirelli P6 which were truly awful, aquaplaning so easily and having to accelerate sooo gently from stopped to prevent the wheels from spinning.

I changed to Goodyear NCTs and the difference was quite amazing but I wondered if skinnier (winter) tyres would be better in the snow.

Have waited almost seven years to try my Dunlop winter tyres out.  The last proper snow and ice here was in 2010 and I didn't have the Yeti then (1.2 DSG and I'm in the West Country).

 

Thought I was being all clever and confident this morning ... didn't go far, but after 300 yards I stopped to do a good deed and put the car partly on the (snow and ice bound but completely level) roadway and partly on the (equally snowy and equally level) pavement in order to keep it out of harm's way as best I could.  Did the deed for a few minutes and .... yup, couldn't get going again.  Had to use the snow shovel to clear the areas in front of the wheels and got underway.

 

Then, again.... tried to drive back onto my driveway - a very ordinary tarmac drive with just a couple of yards of slight, very marginal uphill as it abuts the pavement ... Nope, wouldn't go. Had to clear dig down to the tarmac with the snow shovel again. 

 

First time I've driven a DSG equipped vehicle in proper snow but have to say, after seven years of confident anticipation, it was a bit of a disappointment.

 

If it had been a manual I might well have taken off in second but am not aware of any way of doing that with DSG.  Presumably other autos are the same?  How might a new 4x4 Vitara with winter tyres on do in the same circumstances, I wonder?

Edited 2 March, 20188 yr by oldstan

Putting TC off might have helped.

DSG is brilliant in the snow, but suitable tyres are important.

 

Serious vehicles for snow are Automatic, like Icelandic Vehicles, reason being seemly changes, 

but then obviously tyres / traction is important....

Edited 2 March, 20188 yr by AwaoffSki

9 minutes ago, oldstan said:

Have waited almost seven years to try my Dunlop winter tyres out.  The last proper snow and ice here was in 2010 and I didn't have the Yeti then (1.2 DSG and I'm in the West Country).

 

Thought I was being all clever and confident this morning ... didn't go far, but after 300 yards I stopped to do a good deed and put the car partly on the (snow and ice bound but completely level) roadway and partly on the (equally snowy and equally level) pavement in order to keep it out of harm's way as best I could.  Did the deed for a few minutes and .... yup, couldn't get going again.  Had to use the snow shovel to clear the areas in front of the wheels and got underway.

 

Then, again.... tried to drive back onto my driveway - a very ordinary tarmac drive with just a couple of yards of slight, very marginal uphill as it abuts the pavement ... Nope, wouldn't go. Had to clear dig down to the tarmac with the snow shovel again. 

 

 

 

First time I've driven a DSG equipped vehicle in proper snow but have to say, after seven years of confident anticipation, it was a bit of a disappointment.

That's not good! I have Nokian D3's and haven't had any problems. Strange.

It could be my fault .... it could have been something I wasn't getting right - I just don't know what.  I will certainly try turning the the TC button off next time  - although it could be another seven years :-)  What would that do in those conditions?

On 3/1/2018 at 12:12, Llanigraham said:

A lot goes down to that little bit of rubber between you and the road.
Gravity and momentum exceeds many things!

 

As does stupidity and ignorance, I have seen MANY people driving far too fast for the conditions and TOO close to the person in front, not leaving an adequate stopping distance.

2 hours ago, Macdemon said:

 

As does stupidity and ignorance, I have seen MANY people driving far too fast for the conditions and TOO close to the person in front, not leaving an adequate stopping distance.

Yep, went out today and had a corsa right on my bumper. If I had to brake there’s no way he would of.

On ‎01‎/‎03‎/‎2018 at 13:15, Llanigraham said:

I suggest that is showing more your limitations as a driver, your understanding of how the system works, and the type of tyres you have fitted. I suspect what you actually noticed when pressing the ORB was the acceleration being limited.

A four wheel drive system will NOT stop you skidding, in fact in some situations it can make the situation worse, especially if you don't understand how it all works.

With a system like the Yeti's too many people ease off the accelerator as soon as they sense slippage. That is the WRONG thing to do, in fact you have to increase revs slightly.

 

 

Just seen this on the BEEB this morning.

 

"As soon as you feel the car start to slid back off the throttle, take your foot completely off it".

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/newsbeat-43263026/uk-weather-how-to-drive-in-snow-and-ice

 

Or is it different for a 4WD?

19 hours ago, oldstan said:

....If it had been a manual I might well have taken off in second but am not aware of any way of doing that with DSG....

There's no bar (AFAIK) to selecting D and moving straight into manual before releasing the brakes.  My DSG allows it, anyway, also the 6 speed DSG in my previous 2.0 TDi.  Crawling traffic, for instance (not that we get much round the lanes, or more likely following a tractor or horse!), going directly into manual 1st and doing a steady tickover? 

 

Waiting for engine braking (esp with the little 1.2 TSi) can be downright dangerous - it doesn't happen till late, and even then with little effect.  Anticipate the need and shift down early.  Fight for the rights of homo sapiens; don't be ruled by electronic gubbins !

Edited 3 March, 20188 yr by Brijo
Ref to DSG6

3 hours ago, Ashaz said:

Just seen this on the BEEB this morning.

 

"As soon as you feel the car start to slid back off the throttle, take your foot completely off it".

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/newsbeat-43263026/uk-weather-how-to-drive-in-snow-and-ice

 

Or is it different for a 4WD?

With modern ESP systems I would say letting off the throttle and letting the car do its own thing rather than trying to mash the throttle to try and straighten the car up. Otherwise your just fighting it.

 

ESP has brought my tail end in on the Superb half a dozen times the past few days, while going down the back roads at less than 20mph. 

5 minutes ago, SuperbTWM said:

With modern ESP systems I would say letting off the throttle and letting the car do its own thing rather than trying to mash the throttle to try and straighten the car up. Otherwise your just fighting it.

 

ESP has brought my tail end in on the Superb half a dozen times the past few days, while going down the back roads at less than 20mph. 

Thanks.

This is my first 4WD car so keen to get what info and knowledge I can.

 

I'm assuming the road tyres that came with the car would be better up a muddy, grassy slope (ie nothing to do with winter) than winter/all-season tyres.

Sorry for what must be pretty banal, obvious questions to others.

9 minutes ago, Ashaz said:

Thanks.

This is my first 4WD car so keen to get what info and knowledge I can.

 

I'm assuming the road tyres that came with the car would be better up a muddy, grassy slope (ie nothing to do with winter) than winter/all-season tyres.

Sorry for what must be pretty banal, obvious questions to others.

Just drive carefully and the car will do fine, I wouldn't particularly try to follow peoples advice too much as everybody is different and so is each situation you may end up in.

 

The tyres that came on your car are probably for tarmac, dry tarmac and wet tarmac and that's about it.

 

With the amount of snow we get I have never seen the need in winter tyres, I've never been stuck or struggled to get to work although they would of made life a bit easier. It all depends on if you can be bothered to store a set of wheels/tyres that you might only need for a week every 5 years.

 

On the other hand if you live somewhere which gets regular snow its a no brainer not to have winter tyres and they will be worth every penny

Edited 3 March, 20188 yr by SuperbTWM

26 minutes ago, SuperbTWM said:

Just drive carefully and the car will do fine, I wouldn't particularly try to follow peoples advice too much as everybody is different and so is each situation you may end up in.

 

The tyres that came on your car are probably for tarmac, dry tarmac and wet tarmac and that's about it.

 

With the amount of snow we get I have never seen the need in winter tyres, I've never been stuck or struggled to get to work although they would of made life a bit easier. It all depends on if you can be bothered to store a set of wheels/tyres that you might only need for a week every 5 years.

 

On the other hand if you live somewhere which gets regular snow its a no brainer not to have winter tyres and they will be worth every penny

I'm assuming (again) that you would need/can get off-road tyres for the summer?