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[Mr Skrunts]

Snow mode.

Numerous odd threads it has been mentioned recently.

Does it start in 2nd gear or 3rd?

 

[rustym95]

according to dvla driving in snow should not use first gear at all, allways use 2nd gear to take off in and dont use 5gear unless you have trackshion control., 2nd gear is best, dose not apply to automatics as they go into 2nd gear apon slip.  oh and allso applys to ice. , use gears to slow down and not brake hard.

[Jimbob]

Winter programme T
In the event of starting-off difficulties on
slippery roads, press button T (can be
operated only in D – T lights up). The
vehicle starts off in third gear.
The winter program is switched off b y:
z pressing button T again,
z manually shifting to P, 3, 2 or 1 or to P, 4,
3 or 2,
z holding the accelerator pedal in the
kickdown position for longer than two
seconds,
z turning off the ignition.
The winter programme automatically
switched off a t speeds in excess of app rox.
80 km/h.



So 3rd 

[Kaycee]

it puts the gear into 4 th gear and gives slip as you pull away its also useful in stop start traffic

[dbug]

it puts the gear into 4 th gear and gives slip as you pull away its also useful in stop start traffic

3rd gear as Jimbob says - see vehicle handbook

[jonnycool]

according to dvla driving in snow should not use first gear at all, allways use 2nd gear to take off in and dont use 5gear unless you have trackshion control., 2nd gear is best, dose not apply to automatics as they go into 2nd gear apon slip.  oh and allso applys to ice. , use gears to slow down and not brake hard.

You should use your brakes to slow down, albeit very gently - using the gears will only apply braking to the rear wheels and you'll lose your back end 

[Kevin Wood]

according to dvla driving in snow should not use first gear at all, allways use 2nd gear to take off in and dont use 5gear unless you have trackshion control., 2nd gear is best, dose not apply to automatics as they go into 2nd gear apon slip.  oh and allso applys to ice. , use gears to slow down and not brake hard.

You should use your brakes to slow down, albeit very gently - using the gears will only apply braking to the rear wheels and you'll lose your back end 

Absolutely. The above advice applies only for those who have no subtlety in applying either pedal, as does snow mode on an auto box, which is a waste of time, IMHO. Better advice would be to stay at home, TBH.

Kevin

[rustym95]

read your winter driving book all above is true, tap brake light and use gears to slow down in snow and ice. 3rd gear will burn out your clutch, ABS is good but it is also aproblem on snow and ice as snow to ice ABS thinks it has stoped when it has not. as car is still moving and wheels are not. was even on Ice road trucker.

[rustym95]

read your winter driving book all above is true, tap brake light and use gears to slow down in snow and ice. 3rd gear will burn out your clutch, ABS is good but it is also aproblem on snow and ice as snow to ice ABS thinks it has stoped when it has not. as car is still moving and wheels are not. was even on Ice road trucker.

also drop tyer pressure on all road tyers by 5-10 PSI depending on tyers fitted when driving on snow or ice.

[albitz]

Tapping pedal/using gears etc is now obselete,brake as normal and the ABS will do its best(which is a lot better than most humans best) to bring you to a stop.

[JamesV6CDX]

Tapping pedal/using gears etc is now obselete,brake as normal and the ABS will do its best(which is a lot better than most humans best) to bring you to a stop.

Agree in any other circs, but in snow,  ABS is useless....

[waspy]

Well i'm confused now by all these conflicting answers :-/
Just plant plenty of weight in the arse end, let out a little pressure & pull away steady with as little revs as poss.
We don't get any snow any way
I'm with Kevin, don't go out. You maybe the best driver on snow, but the arse that hasn't a clue will find you

[rustym95]

omegas do not have cold climat ABS, like most other cars, ford have it mercedes has it and a few others but have never seen it on vauxhalls, on these car when the temp gose to 3c or 0c cold climat control take over the ABS, traction control helps abit, independant braking is better, sweden have it fitted to most of there cars helps stop spining and sliding, and there tyers help best. but droping down gears it the best way here in uk, tryed and tested DSA even have a leaflet on driving on snow and ice and it is reccomended to use gears and less brakes to slow down has been that way for well over 20years, i past my test using gears insted of brakes and was the only one to pass on that day -6c out side at time. as he said to me dont rely on the car yous your judgement, things can go wrong with the ABS, TC in cold weather.

[Mr Skrunts]

Winter programme T
In the event of starting-off difficulties on
slippery roads, press button T (can be
operated only in D – T lights up). The
vehicle starts off in third gear.
The winter program is switched off b y:
z pressing button T again,
z manually shifting to P, 3, 2 or 1 or to P, 4,
3 or 2,
z holding the accelerator pedal in the
kickdown position for longer than two
seconds,
z turning off the ignition.
The winter programme automatically
switched off a t speeds in excess of app rox.
80 km/h.



So 3rd 

Cheers JB, I thought it was 3rd  (But you confused me in the welcome section) and there have also be varioues threads mentioning 2nd or3rd as well.

[Mr Skrunts]

according to dvla driving in snow should not use first gear at all, allways use 2nd gear to take off in and dont use 5gear unless you have trackshion control., 2nd gear is best, dose not apply to automatics as they go into 2nd gear apon slip.  oh and allso applys to ice. , use gears to slow down and not brake hard.

Rusty, My fault matey, I should have added I meant the snow button on the Auto's and not particular driving techniques.