Snow and ice performance of T6
- Thread starter Buggirl
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- snow winter tyres
Last night, these tyres dragged the van up 400 yards of 10% constant gradient, snow covered ground. 90 degree bend at the bottom, ment no prospect of a run up either
This morning, 10 inches of fresh untouched snow in the the street and although it took a few runs at it, the van ploughed out furrows creating a path up to the main road.
Properly impressed with these tyres.
Do you need 4 tyres all round or just 2 for the fronts? I'm assuming your 2 wheel drive.
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WhiskyDisco
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A vote for Nokian winter tyres from me. I've been amazed at their performance. When the snow does settle, and you get stuck, reducing the tyre pressure will get you out of trouble.
Mines a 2wd. Just fitting winter tyres to the front will greatly benefit traction, steering and the braking efficiency of the front wheels.
However, the winter tyre compound has a higher coefficient of friction on snow and ice compared to a summer compound. So if you only fit winters tyres to the front, there will be a greater tendency for the van to oversteer.
Personally I prefer oversteer to understeer but generally (although not always) vehicles on the road are set up by the manufacturer to understeer. The idea being that most drivers will instinctively react to understeer in a manner that promotes weight transfer to the front wheels. ie lift off power and/or brake. This should help correct the course of the front wheels.
So just be wary if you only fit winters to the front. You may find the front and rear of the van want to swap ends.
4wheel drive on summer tyres or 2wd on winters?
2wd on winters for me.....
2wd on winters for me.....
I got some Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D on my new 18" wheels, and they were great in france a few weeks back on steep climb to the apartment we rented, where it was sheet ice that we slipped on when walking. The van just climbed up, where a freelander with 'socks' on got stuck, and a scenic type thing also got stuck.
Also drove up the road into Les Gets from Taninges at 1am in about 3 " of snow, climbing about 3 or 4 miles of road, and it was slippery, but the van coped fine.
Been great this last few days, although we've not had the thick snow but have been driving properly icy lanes.
Also drove up the road into Les Gets from Taninges at 1am in about 3 " of snow, climbing about 3 or 4 miles of road, and it was slippery, but the van coped fine.
Been great this last few days, although we've not had the thick snow but have been driving properly icy lanes.
From safety point of view having winter tyres only in front is extremely challenging on snow and ice. The van would willingly spin when turning, just touching brakes, even camber of roads could initiate the spin when slippery. Not even ASR, ABS or 4Motion won't stabilize.
Numpty of son decided to come home for weekend from his Navy ship, ignoring weather warnings and advice to stay on base. Delays etc followed, and no way back. Muggins has to fetch him....no trains/taxis running from Bristol into the sticks. Atrocious road conditions as predicted. Those knowing the A37 will understand the nightmare hills getting into Bristol Temple Meads. The van, a 2wd 150 on original wheels and tyres was so impressive...even with the traction light flickering at times. Went by several cars trying to get up hills into Knowle. So impressed. Always felt well planted, and only slewed slightly when I caught a snow covered speed hump.
Bedtime
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100% vote for 4motion from me. Standard all weather tyres from factory work great.
I’ve gone from a 200ps RWD Transit to a 204 4motion DSG with diff lock. I know this Is going from one extreme to the other, as the Ford was pathetic for traction.
It’s about convenience for me, the very valid points made about putting winter tyres in the Autumn on a 2wd are ok, until you’re on a sopping wet campsite in June ‘Oh I’ll just nip home and get my winter wheels’. Not for me thanks.
The everyday convenience of getting 4 wheels to purchase on wet tarmac turning out of a junction into a flow of busy traffic is a fantastic feature.
As far as the snow goes, my 4motion is doing things (with ease) that an XC90 I had a few years ago could not. I happened to pull of all things, a FWD T6 from a very muddy paddock recently, I wouldn’t have even driven the Volvo in, never mind attempt a drag out.
It’s a total no brainer for me personally. I wouldn’t have anything else, the snow has further underlined that.
The 2wd T6s are undoubtedly awesome, but why not have something better? Budget permitting of course.
I’ve gone from a 200ps RWD Transit to a 204 4motion DSG with diff lock. I know this Is going from one extreme to the other, as the Ford was pathetic for traction.
It’s about convenience for me, the very valid points made about putting winter tyres in the Autumn on a 2wd are ok, until you’re on a sopping wet campsite in June ‘Oh I’ll just nip home and get my winter wheels’. Not for me thanks.
The everyday convenience of getting 4 wheels to purchase on wet tarmac turning out of a junction into a flow of busy traffic is a fantastic feature.
As far as the snow goes, my 4motion is doing things (with ease) that an XC90 I had a few years ago could not. I happened to pull of all things, a FWD T6 from a very muddy paddock recently, I wouldn’t have even driven the Volvo in, never mind attempt a drag out.
It’s a total no brainer for me personally. I wouldn’t have anything else, the snow has further underlined that.
The 2wd T6s are undoubtedly awesome, but why not have something better? Budget permitting of course.
Was it a case of the top gear episode “if I pull my handbrake on, all of the clothes on that lady over there will just fall off”!My van told me off driving in the snow tonight, thought I’d tweak the handbrake as I parked upand it told me to please release the parking brake. Should know better, I’m 45 not 25.
My experience was much the same as yours: I'm running on Wolfrace Assassin wheels 8.5x20" 5x120 - but despite this, the combination of front wheel drive, good weight at the front and gentle revs, kept me moving. The bus was sure footed and well behaved in the snow - the traction control light was a handy notification to let the revs go and maintain motion... there was only a couple of instances where snow built up in front of the wheels,, but with a combination of backward /forwarding and gentle rev control got me moving again.
I had a 16 mile trip - that would normally take around 30 mins, but actually took 4 hours (which was in 1st or 2nd (mostly 1st @ 5/7 mph, with 2nd reserved for going up hill, following a little run-up)).
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Mine stayed in the drive, dammed if I'm taking it out in the snow and getting it dirty
60mph ??
That's a new one on me. Since when did this apply.
My 4 motions seems more than happy at the legal limit plus ??
That's a new one on me. Since when did this apply.
My 4 motions seems more than happy at the legal limit plus ??
And my velle why would 4motion be limited to 60?
The speed limit for a panel van on a dual carriageway is 60mph, a Kombi can do 70mph as long as it has an unladen weight of less than 2040KG. All the 4motion models being heavier are over this so can legally only do 60mph. Caravelle and California models can all do 70mph as classed differently. @David Levett @Caravellet6
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