Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: mars on 03 February 2009, 19:43:47

Title: Miggy in the snow
Post by: mars on 03 February 2009, 19:43:47
My 2001 2.2cdx manual is terrible in the snow. Couldn't get out of where we park which is only a small uphill slope. Gave up after ten minutes and tried the Picasso. Got up there first go with almost no wheelspin. I have Nankang tyres on the rear, could this be the problem. I have got about great in my works van too but can't seem to go anywhere in the Mig if it is icy! :(
Title: Re: Miggy in the snow
Post by: Jay w on 03 February 2009, 19:45:47
aha Naakang ditchfinders......

I had a set on my 2.6 CDX, they were nearly new and i ditched them, they are crap in the wet or snow......
Title: Re: Miggy in the snow
Post by: nick v6 on 03 February 2009, 19:48:28
i had the same problem this morning going out to do the shopping
took ages to get off the estate (alot of black ice)
even worse when i tried to get back on the drive
my drive has got a slight up hill slope and really narrow gates
i turned the tc off and gunned it
Title: Re: Miggy in the snow
Post by: ngrainqey on 03 February 2009, 19:50:30
lol omegas arnt the best cars for snow because they're rear wheel drive and have practically no weight over the driving wheels compared to a front wheel drive car!
Title: Re: Miggy in the snow
Post by: tunnie on 03 February 2009, 19:51:09
try reversing the Omega out  ;)

RWD cars tend to be worse that FWD as its always better to pull rather than push under snow.

I have a 2.2 manual and its managed fine, on Goodyear Ventures, which are very hard! But still seamed to get good traction in the snow.

I even went down a small track to park and take the dogs for a walk, very deep virgin snow, backed out pulled ok, slight spin but otherwise fine.

Title: Re: Miggy in the snow
Post by: hotel21 on 03 February 2009, 19:53:09
Quote
lol omegas arnt the best cars for snow because they're rear wheel drive and have practically no weight over the driving wheels compared to a front wheel drive car!
I was pleasantly surprised at how well the auto 3.2 with snow mode got on in the snow.  Relatively no slipping or sliding on the same hills that I had 'fun' on with the 3.0 manual Beastie...

Got a 7 month old labrador in the back - feed her well, but no replacement for a FWD engine and box, I fear...   ;D
Title: Re: Miggy in the snow
Post by: mars on 03 February 2009, 19:55:54
Quote
lol omegas arnt the best cars for snow because they're rear wheel drive and have practically no weight over the driving wheels compared to a front wheel drive car!


Yeah, realise about Rwd v Front wheel drive but I mean my Mig is totally useless. Had a 2.8 Capri years back and even that was better than my cdx in snow ;)
Title: Re: Miggy in the snow
Post by: TheBoy on 03 February 2009, 19:58:45
Must say, the tractor is much better unchipped in the snow.  Apart from purpose provocation, its been never well behaved in this weather.

Had to take a slight run up to reverse it up the slope on the drive though.
Title: Re: Miggy in the snow
Post by: VXL V6 on 03 February 2009, 20:07:14
The rear traction also varies with how much fuel (weight) is in the tank.

Title: Re: Miggy in the snow
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 03 February 2009, 20:09:08
Drop the rear tyres to 26psi......and put some weight in the boot.

I have had no problems (they heal and toe well for big wheel spins!)
Title: Re: Miggy in the snow
Post by: nick v6 on 03 February 2009, 20:09:18
drop a few slabs in the boot
 :y
Title: Re: Miggy in the snow
Post by: Welung666 on 03 February 2009, 20:09:36
Quote
The rear traction also varies with how much fuel (weight) is in the tank.

That explains why I didn't get far yesterday... the fuel light was on ;D
Title: Re: Miggy in the snow
Post by: VXL V6 on 03 February 2009, 20:12:56
Quote
Drop the rear tyres to 26psi......and put some weight in the boot.

I have had no problems (they heal and toe well for big wheel spins!)

Unless you've got a DBW model.... Brake pedal cuts the throttle  :'(

Pain in the butt when you want to dry the front brakes out after going through a ford!
Title: Re: Miggy in the snow
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 03 February 2009, 20:27:39
Quote
try reversing the Omega out  ;)

RWD cars tend to be worse that FWD as its always better to pull rather than push under snow.

I have a 2.2 manual and its managed fine, on Goodyear Ventures, which are very hard! But still seamed to get good traction in the snow.

I even went down a small track to park and take the dogs for a walk, very deep virgin snow, backed out pulled ok, slight spin but otherwise fine.


yep..they have traction..but no brakes in snow :-/
Title: Re: Miggy in the snow
Post by: Jay w on 03 February 2009, 21:02:34
80l LPG tank right over the rear axle helps a lot  :y :y

I have lowered the tyre pressures and have been using the snow mode a lot recently.

If it was a manual i would not use 1st gear at all in this weather
Title: Re: Miggy in the snow
Post by: HerefordElite on 03 February 2009, 21:06:08
mine was fine today with snow mode on but when i turned it off and had a little 'play'  ::) i slightly overcooked it - had it at about 85deg in the road then it gripped and snatched back to 60 deg the other way :-[
Title: Re: Miggy in the snow
Post by: Entwood on 03 February 2009, 21:15:54
Set of snow chains .. £35 ... take about 3 minutes to fit, 2 minutes to remove,  well worth it in these conditions.......  fit to car, drive off snowy, slippery, slightly hilly estate, reach gritted main road ... stop in bus stop, remove, throw in boot. When returning do as the BOL says ....    :)
Title: Re: Miggy in the snow
Post by: Omegavirgin on 03 February 2009, 21:24:37
12 bags of multipurpose compost helped with grip a lot. Had a play later and took out my fence panel......Nearly peed myself laughing
Title: Re: Miggy in the snow
Post by: Kevin Wood on 03 February 2009, 22:36:35
70 litres of petrol, 60 litres of LPG and a bootful of junk and they behave pretty well.

Better then Mrs. KW's MX5 which swapped ends on her today.  :o ::) ;D :-X

Kevin
Title: Re: Miggy in the snow
Post by: Lazydocker on 03 February 2009, 22:44:19
Yes... I've got about 60l of petrol and full has tank and it's been fine... Only really let in when provoked ::)
Title: Re: Miggy in the snow
Post by: albitz on 04 February 2009, 00:00:58
My drive is pretty short and  steep and I had a hell of a job reversing up it this morning,once out on reasonably level ground it wasnt too bad.
Title: Re: Miggy in the snow
Post by: djdaveyp85 on 04 February 2009, 00:36:06
I have nankangs all around! They are the worst tyres in the world! I cannot drive up an incline at all in the snow. Gonna pick up some tyres later this week 2 off another member up here and buy some good branded ones for the rear wheels! I have spend 3 hours tonight digging snow off my street so i can get my car on my drive!
Title: Re: Miggy in the snow
Post by: stuart30 on 04 February 2009, 01:00:53
Quote
aha Naakang ditchfinders......

I had a set on my 2.6 CDX, they were nearly new and i ditched them, they are crap in the wet or snow......

Sorry gotta disagree...never had a problem with nankangs,in fact for the money i find them suberb.

Id say its probably more a case of heavy right foot and RWD.

Lets be honest any tyre isnt going too be great in the Ice.
Title: Re: Miggy in the snow
Post by: The Barge Captain on 04 February 2009, 01:32:48
Weld the TC switch in the off position!!

I spurn your boring FWD cars and fling snow in your faces from my rears
Title: Re: Miggy in the snow
Post by: jerry on 04 February 2009, 08:19:38
Ive got a 2.5v6 auto and must say I love this car but is quite possibly the worst combination you can have for driving in snow and ice!Used to have a fwd prelude vtec that just stuck to the road so a rwd auto at twice the weight is just a little bit different. Must say that, like the rest of you, trick is to put some weight in the boot, use the "snowflake" button and, above all, get the right tyres (saw a very nice Saab with sports tyres on that was never ever going to go anywhere stuck the other day simply because his tread gave him no traction in the snow whatsoever). Rwd might be good for some fun but on a long drive home on, too often ,ungritted roads at night, relaxing it aint!!
                                                                            jerry :)
Title: Re: Miggy in the snow
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 04 February 2009, 09:23:14
Well, as already said.

The trouble is, nobody is setting thier car up for the conditions!

Lower the tyre pressure and load the boot up....it will be more stable than any front wheel drive car then.

I have been traveling 100 miles a day this week (as every week) along a mix of back roads, major roads (although very bad on Monday) and motorways and have had no issues at all.

But I took SENSIBLE steps to make sure the car was right for the conditions!  :y
Title: Re: Miggy in the snow
Post by: Andy B on 04 February 2009, 09:28:12
Quote
.....

But I took SENSIBLE steps to make sure the car was right for the conditions!  :y

I can't seem to find the Halo smileys  ::)  ::)  :y :y :y

I do too though. I leave the Omega on the drive & drive the shed. It's FWD and who gives a monkey's left ? if it hits anything?  ..... apart from another car!
Title: Re: Miggy in the snow
Post by: Martin_1962 on 04 February 2009, 10:25:22
I have had no problems - got cheap Conti tyres currently, half tank of petrol and of course the 70l LPG tank
Title: Re: Miggy in the snow
Post by: Mr Skrunts on 04 February 2009, 10:44:19
Quote
Well, as already said.

The trouble is, nobody is setting thier car up for the conditions!

Lower the tyre pressure and load the boot up....it will be more stable than any front wheel drive car then.

I have been traveling 100 miles a day this week (as every week) along a mix of back roads, major roads (although very bad on Monday) and motorways and have had no issues at all.

But I took SENSIBLE steps to make sure the car was right for the conditions!  :y

Totally agree with you Mark.


Lower tyre pressures and a decent tank of fuel are things we can all do in a jiffy at a local petrol station.

If any one remembers the Jermemy Clarksons arround the world motoring series, when he went to Iceland they drop thier tyre pressures even lower for the deep snow to gain maximum traction.

As one member has allready mentioned, Snow Chains, a while back Debs posted calender pics of her Miggy with chains on, there was a quick chat about them.  £25 plus post on the bay.  If the weather goes back the way it was in the 70's and 80's then maybe a good investment.  They say history repeats itself.
Title: Re: Miggy in the snow
Post by: JueV6 on 04 February 2009, 11:35:17
miggy had to come out yesterday as the red frontera has a lack of gearbox due to replacing the rear crank seal and the blue 1 is still waiting for the rocker cover gasket.

18" wheels and TC on. very little wheelspin and was not snaking like alot of others.

Title: Re: Miggy in the snow
Post by: Tony H on 04 February 2009, 19:01:04
Quote
Quote
Well, as already said.

The trouble is, nobody is setting thier car up for the conditions!

Lower the tyre pressure and load the boot up....it will be more stable than any front wheel drive car then.

I have been traveling 100 miles a day this week (as every week) along a mix of back roads, major roads (although very bad on Monday) and motorways and have had no issues at all.

But I took SENSIBLE steps to make sure the car was right for the conditions!  :y

Totally agree with you Mark.


Lower tyre pressures and a decent tank of fuel are things we can all do in a jiffy at a local petrol station.

If any one remembers the Jermemy Clarksons arround the world motoring series, when he went to Iceland they drop thier tyre pressures even lower for the deep snow to gain maximum traction.

As one member has allready mentioned, Snow Chains, a while back Debs posted calender pics of her Miggy with chains on, there was a quick chat about them.  £25 plus post on the bay.  If the weather goes back the way it was in the 70's and 80's then maybe a good investment.  They say history repeats itself.
To 3lb per square inch if I recall correctly  :o
Title: Re: Miggy in the snow
Post by: Mr Skrunts on 04 February 2009, 19:03:45
Quote
To 3lb per square inch if I recall correctly  

Couldnt remember if it was 4 or 12 psi, but still low.  Now sure what sort of tyres they were that were designed to run at such low presures.  But I loved there tyres re fitting method when they came of the rim. ;D