DSG in the snow

[p3eps]

For the last week I've been driving an old 'R reg Saab 900S Automatic!  I was given a shot of it from my fiancee's uncle (who is a Saab dealer) as her BMW wouldn't move (much!) in the snow. 
The Saab isn't a bonny car, but its an absolute treat to drive in the snow.  It has huge balloon tyres on about 14" alloys and it sticks to the road like glue.  I've had very little wheelspin over the last few days, and have been driving past people stuck everywhere!
I was a bit dubious about having an Auto, but its great as it creeps along without you having to push the gas.

[oldboyracer]

Well over the last couple of days I've driven in some of the worst snow that I can remember (and I'm 60)
After reading some of the stuff about not being able to start off in second if you have dsg I was a bit worried.
But I've had no problem whatsoever. Just stick it in drive (don't touch the accelerator pedal) and let her move off, the dsg and electronic lsd look after things for you. (just like being in a taxi  )

[Tailpipe]

For the last week I've been driving an old 'R reg Saab 900S Automatic!  I was given a shot of it from my fiancee's uncle (who is a Saab dealer) as her BMW wouldn't move (much!) in the snow. 
The Saab isn't a bonny car, but its an absolute treat to drive in the snow.  It has huge balloon tyres on about 14" alloys and it sticks to the road like glue.  I've had very little wheelspin over the last few days, and have been driving past people stuck everywhere!
I was a bit dubious about having an Auto, but its great as it creeps along without you having to push the gas.

Well, it might just be your lucky day because SAAB is for sale. GM doesn't know what to do with it, so it is trying to dump it. So far no one has come up with anything like a reasonable bid. Who knows, for the price of an R you could probably buy the whole company!!!!!!! On second thoughts, i think I'd rather have a Golf R.

[Rolfe]

Well over the last couple of days I've driven in some of the worst snow that I can remember (and I'm 60)
After reading some of the stuff about not being able to start off in second if you have dsg I was a bit worried.
But I've had no problem whatsoever. Just stick it in drive (don't touch the accelerator pedal) and let her move off, the dsg and electronic lsd look after things for you. (just like being in a taxi  )

I was probably panicking a bit, looking at the snowy hill ahead, and causing the wheels to spin.  I think your strategy is probably sound, but it needs a cool head.

I just ordered a pair of these auto-socks someone was recommending, though I don't suppose they'll arrive before the thaw.  Looking at the web site, and listening to what others have said, I suspect I'd have got Mum to the Christmas concert if I'd had these with me that night.

Rolfe.

[GolfTi]

Ladies/Gents.

Automatics have always been a problem in ice/snow.

If you didn't know or your dealer didn't tell you then you know now.

Same with summer tyres.

Sorry but...

[p3eps]

Well, it might just be your lucky day because SAAB is for sale. GM doesn't know what to do with it, so it is trying to dump it. So far no one has come up with anything like a reasonable bid. Who knows, for the price of an R you could probably buy the whole company!!!!!!! On second thoughts, i think I'd rather have a Golf R.

If Spyker don't buy it today, Saab is gone apparently.  I doubt GM would let anyone take it really as a Saabs is direct competition for their Insignia.  I wouldn't want to own the 900S I have just now... but as a car for the snow its ideal.  It seems to go anywhere without problems, and feels very safe.  It actually has a Winter Button that limits the revs, but I haven't had to use that yet!

For the few days a year we have snow, I think I'll just stick with my R!  I'm sure I could buy about 20+ of these 900's for the same price though  

I find automatic great in the snow... as above - stick it in D and release the brakes.  The car takes off on its own slowly.

[Rolfe]

Well over the last couple of days I've driven in some of the worst snow that I can remember (and I'm 60)
After reading some of the stuff about not being able to start off in second if you have dsg I was a bit worried.
But I've had no problem whatsoever. Just stick it in drive (don't touch the accelerator pedal) and let her move off, the dsg and electronic lsd look after things for you. (just like being in a taxi  )

I think you're right.  It's logical, and I'd sort of worked it out myself.

I got into deeper snow than I intended on the way out of the lab car park (they'd only skimmed the depth of the snow down to a drivable level) and for a minute my wheels spun in both directions.  Realising that back the way I came was the better bet I just stuck the car in reverse and let off the brake without touching the accelerator.  Worked a treat.  After I was back a bit, I shifted to drive and did the same.  Perfect.

I doubt that would get you up too much of a hill, but on reasonably flat ground it was fine.  It's all about forgetting your instincts and doing the logical thing.

BTW, there was supposed to be a CD or DVD about proper use of the DSG, but I never heard what happened to that.  Is it available?

Rolfe.

[Rolfe]

Who first mentioned AutoSocks?

I've ordered a pair, as I said, though that's for future insurance now as the thaw seems to have set in.

Anyway, on Sunday I was out with the rest of the chain gang clearing the snow on our road, and a little car sped up the road to the empty house at the top of the hill.  The new owners, apparently, but they've had to postpone their removal (from Friday) because of the snow.  I learned that far from being horrified by the Siberian landscape, they were longing to get into civilisation, as they have been renting a house in a tiny hamlet three miles away at the end of a dead-end single track road right up in the hills.

There is no way anything short of a tractor, or maybe a tank, could have got up there, in my opinion.  But apparently the New Couple have been doing it in their ordinary little runabout.

Which is wearing a pair of AutoSocks.

Rolfe.

[p3asa]

I mentioned them earlier in this thread with some links. I have since found out however they can deteriorate very rapidly i.e. one journey if driven on partly covered snow roads

[Rolfe]

I suspected they were for "get out of trouble" only, to be removed as soon as any usable traction was regained.

I intend to quiz the new neighbours at some point to find out exactly how best to avoid damaging them.  I mainly want them for moving around the village (especially in and out of our own side road and my drive) if it's very thick, and getting up the brae to the main road.  I wouldn't keep them on beyond there - if you need that sort of thing on the main road, go home I think.

Might get you through a snow drift as well I guess.

Rolfe.