Snow + Leon FR TDI = :(

[Tam]

OMG!

Just took the Leon for it's first time in the snow, and okay the tyres are not the best since they are 14K old, but still have tread on them (about 2.5-3mm) but ...... ah holy bajasus, I've driven all sorts of cars in the snow over the last 12 years, but damn .... tonight's was the worst ever, couldn't even touch the throttle in 1st, 2nd or 3rd on any snow covered road, I was left going at 2mph in 2nd in idle tick-over with the TC flashing like mad to go up the tiny-ist of hills out of my estate that have never once caused me a problem before.

Not sure if its the 18" wheels, or the low tyre tread or even the type of snow - or a combination of all 3 but I'm not going to be looking forward to winter "fun" if its going to be this hard in the Leon...

Turning was a nightmare with tons of under-steer even at 2-7mph braking was equally as bad with the ABS cutting in straight away and then making no effort at all to actually stop (you'll learn to lift off the brakes and try again lighter to try and stop the abs cutting in because the last thing you need is abs cutting in as it doesn't stop you anywhere near as well as a slightly lighter foot on the pedal)


So - PLEASE go very very carefully out there until you learn how much gip you don't have!

 

[devonmikeyboy]

Maybe it`s time you got some decent winter tyres on your car if you are having that much trouble driving, 2.5-3mm tread isn`t much really.

 

[Tam]

Maybe it`s time you got some decent winter tyres on your car if you are having that much trouble driving, 2.5-3mm tread isn`t much really.

Yep agree, - hadn't expect snow this early in the year though, its usually February.


Gives me a good excuse for some "hard" drives once the snows gone this time, get full wear of the tyres before replacement

 

[lanceyboy]

Maybe it`s time you got some decent winter tyres on your car if you are having that much trouble driving, 2.5-3mm tread isn`t much really.

Halleuagh! To that Mikeyboy

 

[S8N]

Pirelli P-Zero Rosso. Not really winter tyres

Time to use the credit card me thinks.

 

[CupraDaft]

At our trackday at Knockhill a week or so ago, our driving instructor said to turn the ESP off in snow to get going. Maybe that would have helped?

 

[chrisboyle999]

i asked about driving in the snow on the elvington track day and was advised the best way to go about it was by turning off the TC.
i think the logic behind was that as soon as the car recognises wheelspin it cuts the fuel and brakes wheels etc and you basically make no progress.
of course the sun always shines on geordieland so i may never find out ;^)

 

[chrisboyle999]

At our trackday at Knockhill a week or so ago, our driving instructor said to turn the ESP off in snow to get going. Maybe that would have helped?

now thats uncanny!!!!!

you reading my mind????

 

[pr0ton]

Get better tyres so you don't get that much wheelspin. If extremely slippery, turn off the ESP to get going. 7mm is the safe minimum of thread on winter tyres. 2-3mm is way too less.

 

[Thorgen]

7 mm, eh? The tires come out from the factory with 8-9mm tread, so you're using up 3-4 sets of tires every winter then? The legal minimum limit for winter tires is 3 mm. When your tires have 4+ mm tread, you're perfectly good to go.

I think it's crazy to even try driving on snow/ice without proper winter tires. You only end up hurting yourself or the car, that's guaranteed. Leave it home or visit a tire dealer.

Few tips for winter driving:
- Leave the ESP ON. Among other things deactivating ESP will also deactivate EDL (electronic differential lock), so you'll end up skidding other front tire with the other one giving zero torque. The advice of turning ESP/ASR off is outdated and should be used for old cars only. Seriously, leave it alone. I don't care if you think you can outdrive the electronics, you only think you can, but you really can't. Formula 1 drivers use traction control and you really are not in par with them..
- Go easy on the gas pedal. If the ESP lights up, you're doing it wrong. Rolling friction > kinetic friction. Slipping the tires will make it accelerate slower.
- Have twice the distance on the car in front of you than you normally would.
- Intersections are the most slippery places so brake early.
- If you get caught to thick snow, remember that going backwards offers much greater traction in a front-wheel driven car. Be careful on the gas pedal so that you wont dig it any deeper. "Rocking" the car with gas will get it loose.
- It may seem that the road is only wet, but in reality it can be pure ice.
- Bridges and open areas are few degrees colder at nights, so be careful especially in the mornings.
- Use your head.

I've been driving 10 years in Finland where it's slippery from October to April roughly, so I like think I know what I'm talking about.

 

[UncleFester]

you forgot one tip

- make sure you find an open flat carpark where you know there's no kerbs and practice snow starts, sharp turns and skid control in a safe place. Midway through a major moment on a public road is no place to start.

 

[JonoUK]

7 mm, eh? The tires come out from the factory with 8-9mm tread, so you're using up 3-4 sets of tires every winter then? The legal minimum limit for winter tires is 3 mm. When your tires have 4+ mm tread, you're perfectly good to go.

I think it's crazy to even try driving on snow/ice without proper winter tires. You only end up hurting yourself or the car, that's guaranteed. Leave it home or visit a tire dealer.

Few tips for winter driving:
- Leave the ESP ON. Among other things deactivating ESP will also deactivate EDL (electronic differential lock), so you'll end up skidding other front tire with the other one giving zero torque. The advice of turning ESP/ASR off is outdated and should be used for old cars only. Seriously, leave it alone. I don't care if you think you can outdrive the electronics, you only think you can, but you really can't. Formula 1 drivers use traction control and you really are not in par with them..
- Go easy on the gas pedal. If the ESP lights up, you're doing it wrong. Rolling friction > kinetic friction. Slipping the tires will make it accelerate slower.
- Have twice the distance on the car in front of you than you normally would.
- Intersections are the most slippery places so brake early.
- If you get caught to thick snow, remember that going backwards offers much greater traction in a front-wheel driven car. Be careful on the gas pedal so that you wont dig it any deeper. "Rocking" the car with gas will get it loose.
- It may seem that the road is only wet, but in reality it can be pure ice.
- Bridges and open areas are few degrees colder at nights, so be careful especially in the mornings.
- Use your head.

I've been driving 10 years in Finland where it's slippery from October to April roughly, so I like think I know what I'm talking about.

Very good advice

But do you have an Leon FR TDI?

 

[Thorgen]

Very good advice

But do you have an Leon FR TDI?

A Cupra, but a car is a car. NA or turbo, laws of nature still apply.

 

[Jace]

Its a skill thats for sure.

Last winter I was really struggling in the golf when I was in slow traffic going up hill, 300lb of torque is pointless then

& I had super sticky GY F1's on .

 

[Rampage]

There was heavy snow falling in Buxton, UK last night.

Last year I had about 3" of snow and I went out in a 3 cylinder Corsa with skinny tyres and it's the best car I've used in the snow. I overtook a few people going up hills. Amazing car!

 

[Tam]

Its a skill thats for sure.

Last winter I was really struggling in the golf when I was in slow traffic going up hill, 300lb of torque is pointless then

& I had super sticky GY F1's on .

Thats the thing, it was too much power/torque even on idle, let alone a feather touch on the accelerator pedal.

 

[pr0ton]

7 mm, eh? The tires come out from the factory with 8-9mm tread, so you're using up 3-4 sets of tires every winter then? The legal minimum limit for winter tires is 3 mm. When your tires have 4+ mm tread, you're perfectly good to go.

Eh. Yes, 3mm is the legal minimum here in Finland, but that kind of tyres usually are worse on snow/ice than brand new summer tyres. More than 5mm of thread and you are on the safe side. Of course they wear out, but as a start i wouldn't put anything less than 7mm under my car.
Good tyres are a cheap life insurance, and I, myself buy a new set of winter tyres every single winter. And of course even more important than that is the COMMON SENSE!

I've been driving 10 years in Finland where it's slippery from October to April roughly, so I like think I know what I'm talking about.

Same here mate

 

[UncleFester]

A car on 'thin' or narrow high profile tyres will always fare better in the snow, there's surface area to spread the weight of the car so it cuts through the snow better.

 

[coggie]

so ideally get 4 space savers?

 

[DEVIL]

I went out last night in the snow but I have to say i was pleased with how the FR handled it.My previous two leons(MK1s) have been a nightmare in the snow but the FR just took it all in its stride. I think as soon as your new tires are on you will be back smiling again even in snow.