Climbing in snow/ice

[barrysharp]

Having never driven an AWD vehicle I'd like to know if the XC70 AWD should be driven any differently when negotiating an uphill/downhill with snow/ice on the road.

In my current Volvo 745 wagon if I have to embark outside in snowy weather I usually throw some dead weight in the rear to help provide traction to the rear wheels. Would this be necessary for the XC70 AWD.

When I approach the snow covered uphill I avoid having to stop and attempt to gather momentum before the climb and try to gracefully climb at a constant speed -- barring other traffic of course. Shoul my technique be different with the XC70 AWD?

What about the downhill stretch?

Does having DSTC mean driving any differently?

Assume chains aren't being used.

Thanks.

[xcny]

I have never had any problems with traction on the XC. And I tried to get it stuck. We had plenty of snow this winter in New York, and I live around Riverdale which is very rocky and has a lot of hills. The area is also private, so snow removal takes place last there.
Moral of the story: The XC had no problems even stopping on an uphill and then driving off from a complete stop. I actually have a post here somewhere when I pulled out a Ford Bronco from a ditch with my XC that day, much to the surprise of the Bronco driver.  
Anyway, love the traction on the XC, never got stuck in snow yet, but can't say iI never tried. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/devil.gif

[budrichard]

Don't worry about a thing. Just get in the vehicle and drive no matter what the road surfaces are like. The AWD system will do all the thinking for you. The downside is that you never realize what the road conditions are actually like until you drive a different vehicle or when you exit the vehicle and find the road is very slippery! Don't put any weight in, don't gather speed for the uphill run and be prudent on the way down. DSTC is again an aid to good driving and if you see the DSTC light coming on, slow down. We had a short blizzard yesterday(2-3"/hour snowfall-whiteout conditions) and my wife came home in the 99XC with not a problem, the 2003 should be even better. -Dick

[wiz]

Agree with Klim & Dick.  We had 12 inches of snow last Friday, I stopped the car in the middle of a hill near my house, then stamped on the accelerator (not the first time I've tried this trick) and the car went right up the hill as if there was no snow.  Just be careful on the way down.  The car takes care of everything - no special skills required.

[lausch]

I agree with the feedback and input offered by wiz, budrichard and xcny. I too have "tested" the XC in 8" of snow. It is an excellent performer, predictable and confidence-inspiring. I feel better knowing my wife and two young children are in the XC versus our 4WD 4Runner.

[wiz]

Personally I am disappointed in the performance of the XC in the snow.

I like going sideways and that's tough to do in this car... http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[xcny]

You have a point, wiz. I love going sideways and with all the traction controls and DSTCs, it is a little tough getting this baby to slide. But I have also driven a rally car and proud to say that I can drift my XC in the snow. This past Friday I literally drove completely sideways in an empty parking lot. That was the most fun I have had in the past year driving the XC.   http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/devil.gif I know some of the members of this forum will think it is not safe and just plain stupid, but I say it is fun, and safe as long as you know what you are doing. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Willy]

Hello Wiz,
I think I know of a way to go sideways in the snow: drive backwards until you have some speed, then angage the emergency brake, fun guaranteed (if you have enough space).
Promise me you won't try it  http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/devil.gif
Willy

[Hiro's XC]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (wiz @ Feb. 12 2003,12:50)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Personally I am disappointed in the performance of the XC in the snow.

I like going sideways and that&#39;s tough to do in this car... http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Not if you step on it hard enough&#33; &nbsp;http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sly.gif

Jason

[Ab_Fab]

Hi All,

This post interests me. A strange thing happened the other day. I was preparing to pull my boat up a slightly slippery ramp and guess what, the front wheels on the XC start spinning and getting no grip. I had to take my foot off the accelerator and press it very gently, as I would normally have to do in a front wheel drive car. I assumed it was because the car had to be moving for the AWD to kick in, but after your posts about getting good traction in the snow from start I am now confused. Any ideas?

Cheers
Neil

[Hiro's XC]

You are right about the motion. if you had the slightest movement from the rears you would have dumped the power to the back and took off. You can alway put it in reverse putting the power to the back, them roll back a few inches quickly shift to drive and take off.

Jason

[Ab_Fab]

Good idea Jason on reversing Jason,

So am I right in assuming then that AWD does not kick in until there is some motion, or are you just suggesting that as I am towing the automatic change to rear wheel drive would make the difference (obviously rear wheel drive cars are better than FWD for grip as the weight is over the driving wheels)?

Cheers
Neil

[Hiro's XC]

Both, But more to get the motion.

Jason

[budrichard]

Remember to compare apples and apples. Prior to 2003 the AWD system was not electronic and no DSTC available. For 2003 it is the Haldex system and DSTC is available. For me unitil we get some more slippery conditions so I can experiment more, the jury is still out. -Dick

[Hiro's XC]

Dick,

Good point....Well Chicagoland is supposed to get 6-10 inches on V-day.....

Jason