Driving in snowy weather

California Dreamer · Mar 9, 2023

Hi we are due to start a road trip around the Yorkshire Dales starting on Saturday. Keeping an eye on weather (if it’s that bad we may end up changing the plans) but if we do go, does anyone have advice on main roads to avoid if there is risk of ice? We have a coast with 16” wheels no winter tyres. Never driven the van in snow. How does DSG cope - assuming we will need to manually change gear at low speeds? Very thick snow in Birmingham today but it’s just starting to melt so keeping fingers crossed it won’t hang around!

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Cali Phillip · Mar 9, 2023

California Dreamer said:
Hi we are due to start a road trip around the Yorkshire Dales starting on Saturday. Keeping an eye on weather (if it’s that bad we may end up changing the plans) but if we do go, does anyone have advice on main roads to avoid if there is risk of ice? We have a coast with 16” wheels no winter tyres. Never driven the van in snow. How does DSG cope - assuming we will need to manually change gear at low speeds? Very thick snow in Birmingham today but it’s just starting to melt so keeping fingers crossed it won’t hang around!

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Most of my experience is on winter or winter rated all season tyres, not summer tyres
The DSG works well, you can hold the gears in manual, for steep slopes at least on the T6, often use sport mode to keep it in gear for engine braking as I have coast mode engaged for Drive and it's a faff to change in the menu.

Cali Phillip · Mar 9, 2023

Snow socks would be a good idea if you can get some as a plan B, I have a set for plan Z for the all seasons plus a shovel.

Californication69 · Mar 9, 2023

California Dreamer said:
Hi we are due to start a road trip around the Yorkshire Dales starting on Saturday. Keeping an eye on weather (if it’s that bad we may end up changing the plans) but if we do go, does anyone have advice on main roads to avoid if there is risk of ice? We have a coast with 16” wheels no winter tyres. Never driven the van in snow. How does DSG cope - assuming we will need to manually change gear at low speeds? Very thick snow in Birmingham today but it’s just starting to melt so keeping fingers crossed it won’t hang around!

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It’s raining and temp up to 2.
I reckon it’ll all be gone by tonight

Alan Andrews · Mar 9, 2023

In 2019 we travelled over Snowdon in the winter. The roads were cold, wet and muddy. It was scary with Summer Continental tyres. Very little grip and absolutely uncomfortable when braking.

After this experience I decided to invest in a set of winter steels with winter Mud +Snow rated tyres.

During these conditions the difference is like night and day.

I now change from summer to winter wheels and tyres at the end of October and revert back at the start of April.

Californication69 · Mar 9, 2023

Alan Andrews said:
In 2019 we travelled over Snowdon in the winter. The roads were cold, wet and muddy. It was scary with Summer Continental tyres. Very little grip and absolutely uncomfortable when braking.

After this experience I decided to invest in a set of winter steels with winter Mud +Snow rated tyres.

During these conditions the difference is like night and day.

I now change from summer to winter wheels and tyres at the end of October and revert back at the start of April.

Yep, I’m running full winters, Michelin winter contact. Driving in the snow, slush, cold is like night and day compared to summers

B J G · Mar 9, 2023

When I had summer tyres on I went up a steep hill, standing start out of a side road over snowplough drift and onto the mainroad without a bit of wheel spin. Quite surprised how well it drove - 4M though.
There was lots of polished wheel spin lines partly up the hill where others had failed to reach the top in cars.

DSG with a very light right foot copes well. Just do everything with caution and respect for Cali weight. Mainly a case if you think you shouldn't go there then don't try.

Don't use Coast mode as that looses engine braking and you want to keep off the brake pedal if possible.

Biggest problem that I've found in snow is other drivers thinking that spinning the wheels is how to do it resulting in either crashing or blocking the road leaving you 'stuck' and wishing that you'd stayed home.

Loz2286 · Mar 9, 2023

ACC and the collision sensor won't work and may throw up a ding and a light. It happened to me twice yesterday and it was caused by ice build up on the square box.

Webbah_in_Switzerland · Mar 9, 2023

I'd also disable auto folding mirrors if that is on when you lock the doors. If these freeze and then try to fold it can cause problems.

Alan Andrews · Mar 9, 2023

Californication69 said:
Yep, I’m running full winters, Michelin winter contact. Driving in the snow, slush, cold is like night and day compared to summers

How do you find the Michelins? I'm assuming Winter Alpins?

Am especially interested your experiences on mud.

I'm currently running Goodyear UltraGrip (which are excellent) but am struggling to find replacements so have considered the Alpins.

calibusje · Mar 9, 2023

Now, this has nothing to do with your question :Iamsorry

but I just wanted to let you know that The Tan Hill Inn gave me a memorable evening/night and morning. It is also located in the Yorkshire Dales. Have fun

chockswahay · Mar 9, 2023

California Dreamer said:
Hi we are due to start a road trip around the Yorkshire Dales starting on Saturday. Keeping an eye on weather (if it’s that bad we may end up changing the plans) but if we do go, does anyone have advice on main roads to avoid if there is risk of ice? We have a coast with 16” wheels no winter tyres. Never driven the van in snow. How does DSG cope - assuming we will need to manually change gear at low speeds? Very thick snow in Birmingham today but it’s just starting to melt so keeping fingers crossed it won’t hang around!

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I would not want to dampen your enthusiasm but …… really? It will be cold and miserable let alone possibly an unnecessary risk

Ch1pbutty · Mar 9, 2023

Just leave a decent gap between you and the car in front. Don’t brake suddenly, try to use the gears to slow instead as the car behind you might not be on new tyres, so may take longer to stop.

If you face heavy snow, try to keep the momentum going, but avoid touching the brakes.

Even with the most sophisticated 4x4 system, you will only ever be as fast as the car in front of you.

Californication69 · Mar 9, 2023

Alan Andrews said:
How do you find the Michelins? I'm assuming Winter Alpins?

Am especially interested your experiences on mud.

I'm currently running Goodyear UltraGrip (which are excellent) but am struggling to find replacements so have considered the Alpins.

Michelin winter contact.
18”. Like a hot knife in butter.
Up and down whatever hill covered in snow and slush. Even from a standing start.
Won’t work if the hill is covered in Ice.
If pure ice, go a different route or use snow chains!

California Dreamer · Mar 9, 2023

chockswahay said:
I would not want to dampen your enthusiasm but …… really? It will be cold and miserable let alone possibly an unnecessary risk

Well I’m not going to be silly about it - that’s the beauty of the van cos if it’s looking that bad we’ll just go somewhere else! I’ll be closely weather watching …

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scottk · Mar 9, 2023

Mine is on all season tyres and copes fine. Can feel it starting to go sideways occasionally but it’s gradual so can be caught. I wouldn’t do any silly speeds though! Good ground clearance helps. Snow isn’t the problem it is the ice and other drivers! Keep up a bit of speed for going uphill. The last couple of weeks up here has been silly season with some doing 80 and the next one doing 20. There have also been people driving the wrong way down a dual carriage way as the road ahead was blocked.