XCMark
11-22-2003, 04:30 PM
Denver got it's first significant snowfall this morning (and still snowing) so I took out the XC so I could familiarize myself with the electronic AWD and compare what it does to the 4WD I was used to for 7+ years. I first drove it on the road, in traffic, stopped, started, turned, checked all the heater controls, defrosters, etc. Then I took it to a wide open, empty, snow/ice packed parking lot where I exaggerated certain turns, stops, etc., and this is what I observed:
1. My first concern: while stopped at a light and ready to make a left turn, I treated the turn as if on a dry day, meaning I didn't baby the turn reeaaall slow, so I could see how the reation would be. I turned normally and was surprised (disappointed?) that the wheels slipped and I actually fishtailed significantly. I thought the power went to the wheels that slipped?
2. Applying the brakes (not slamming or abruptly) the pedal vibrated very noticeably, but I presume that was the ABS working... my last 4WD SUV (5-spd manual) had ABS but I never felt any vibrations. Normal?
3. Still a bit confused after reading the manual with regard to defrosters... I hit the buttons and it automatically turns the AC (normal for condensation control says the manual). Fine, but my wipers had ice clumped to them and therefore would not clean the front windshield at all! Not very safe driving if ice droplets are in my field of vision. Tips on how to keep the wipers from freezing? Should I not use intermittant, allowing the wipers to accumulate buildup?
4. The W-mode: Manual says it works from a stopped position on wet/icy roads, but is it bad to keep it on? Does it really help in overall driving? I read a different thread that some folks thought this was a useless feature on 2003 and newer... I thought it helped, but maybe my imagination.
5. On the empty parking lot, I exaggerated sharp turns, speeding, stopping abruptly, quick starts from a stop, and anything else I could think of that I or my wife may need to do so we could understand all the available goodies. I don't have DTSC. I realize now, that maybe I was expecting the XC to don a superhero cape and become this infallible batmobile that never slipped, slided, etc. I was excited to hit the snowy roads and see what all this AWD talk was about. Of course, we still need to drive with caution, and I noticed the slippage/fishtailing on turns went away with slooower driving. I wanted to see what would be different, what would happen.
I want my wife to feel comfortable driving this thing correctly and safely. I welcome any feedback, tips and acknowledgements that I just might be an idiot for thinking cars become indestructible.
Thanks for all comments!
Respectfully,
Mark (and Kari)
1. My first concern: while stopped at a light and ready to make a left turn, I treated the turn as if on a dry day, meaning I didn't baby the turn reeaaall slow, so I could see how the reation would be. I turned normally and was surprised (disappointed?) that the wheels slipped and I actually fishtailed significantly. I thought the power went to the wheels that slipped?
2. Applying the brakes (not slamming or abruptly) the pedal vibrated very noticeably, but I presume that was the ABS working... my last 4WD SUV (5-spd manual) had ABS but I never felt any vibrations. Normal?
3. Still a bit confused after reading the manual with regard to defrosters... I hit the buttons and it automatically turns the AC (normal for condensation control says the manual). Fine, but my wipers had ice clumped to them and therefore would not clean the front windshield at all! Not very safe driving if ice droplets are in my field of vision. Tips on how to keep the wipers from freezing? Should I not use intermittant, allowing the wipers to accumulate buildup?
4. The W-mode: Manual says it works from a stopped position on wet/icy roads, but is it bad to keep it on? Does it really help in overall driving? I read a different thread that some folks thought this was a useless feature on 2003 and newer... I thought it helped, but maybe my imagination.
5. On the empty parking lot, I exaggerated sharp turns, speeding, stopping abruptly, quick starts from a stop, and anything else I could think of that I or my wife may need to do so we could understand all the available goodies. I don't have DTSC. I realize now, that maybe I was expecting the XC to don a superhero cape and become this infallible batmobile that never slipped, slided, etc. I was excited to hit the snowy roads and see what all this AWD talk was about. Of course, we still need to drive with caution, and I noticed the slippage/fishtailing on turns went away with slooower driving. I wanted to see what would be different, what would happen.
I want my wife to feel comfortable driving this thing correctly and safely. I welcome any feedback, tips and acknowledgements that I just might be an idiot for thinking cars become indestructible.
Thanks for all comments!
Respectfully,
Mark (and Kari)