Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: sir moanalot on 24 November 2008, 17:50:45

Title: grip in snow ?
Post by: sir moanalot on 24 November 2008, 17:50:45
i popped up to my missus who was housesitting on the coast and decided to stay after the snow started coming down. on the way back home i was sliding about all over the place and on one occassion nearly didnt make it up a mild slope !!!! wern't too sure whether to have diff lock on or off for the best? hows yours?  :o
Title: Re: grip in snow ?
Post by: Andy B on 24 November 2008, 17:52:41
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..... wern't too sure whether to have diff lock on or off for the best? hows yours?  :o

I'm sure you must mean traction control  :-?  :y
Title: Re: grip in snow ?
Post by: doog on 24 November 2008, 17:55:25
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..... wern't too sure whether to have diff lock on or off for the best? hows yours?  :o

I'm sure you must mean traction control  :-?  :y


usually off but if im on dodgy road conditions i dont switch it off

good tread on your tyres helps too :)

Doug
Title: Re: grip in snow ?
Post by: Mr Skrunts on 24 November 2008, 17:56:59
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..... wern't too sure whether to have diff lock on or off for the best? hows yours?  :o

I'm sure you must mean traction control  :-?  :y

Snow button next to the gear selctor on an Auto?
Title: Re: grip in snow ?
Post by: Mr Skrunts on 24 November 2008, 17:59:23
Only ever tried mine on mild ice/frost.  Complete waste of time in an auto, Snow button or not.

Would be interested to try it out on the white stuff though.
Title: Re: grip in snow ?
Post by: sir moanalot on 24 November 2008, 17:59:24
im still thinking about landrovers !!! i meant tc not diff lock !!!! :-[
Title: Re: grip in snow ?
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 24 November 2008, 17:59:27
from experience sometimes it become necessary to close the traction control..and sometimes snow button helps..

but a studded tire is the ultimate solution ;D which I never prefer :-/


Title: Re: grip in snow ?
Post by: Debs. on 24 November 2008, 18:00:02
I always use winter tyres (all four) for the chilly months and fit tyre-chains (rear) when the going is really tough here in the mountains.....
I push the snow-button, use low revs, keeping momentum and having plenty of (canine) weight in the back normally means Deb`s Miggy will keep going even on 'snow-over-ice'.

IMHO: Traction control seems to make matters worse on snow/ice. :-/
Title: Re: grip in snow ?
Post by: Mr Skrunts on 24 November 2008, 18:00:40
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im still thinking about landrovers !!! i meant tc not diff lock !!!! :-[

What engine/gearbox have you got in yours?
Title: Re: grip in snow ?
Post by: matt-sboro on 24 November 2008, 18:00:42
ha ha - grip??

east coast in scarboro when the roads dont get used much and you are usually the first to drive over fresh snow - i was driving back from the hospital with the mrs and newborn doing 15-20mph - luckily its only a mile  :o
Title: Re: grip in snow ?
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 24 November 2008, 18:06:30
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I always use winter tyres (all four) for the chilly months and fit tyre-chains (rear) when the going is really tough here in the mountains.....
I push the snow-button, use low revs, keeping momentum and having plenty of (canine) weight in the back normally means Deb`s Miggy will keep going even on 'snow-over-ice'.

IMHO: Traction control seems to make matters worse on snow/ice. :-/

snow tyres yes..using Goodyear UG 500(without studs) and pleased with them..but as I live in a big city the main roads quickly become clear and the small streets stay in snow and ice, making me crazy >:(

And chains : studs much better  imho.. chains shake the car really bad.. :-/ but the country regions of course is different..
Title: Re: grip in snow ?
Post by: sir moanalot on 24 November 2008, 18:07:08
20 mph max for us, i have the 2.5 manual.
Title: Re: grip in snow ?
Post by: TheBoy on 24 November 2008, 18:12:53
Never used the tractor in bad snow (worse is the snow we had a month ago).

The MV6, I have used in some pretty bad (by recent standards) snow.  TC left on, snow mode on box. Never had an issue.

The TC only gets switched off when I'm in the mood ::)
Title: Re: grip in snow ?
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 24 November 2008, 18:15:26
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Never used the tractor in bad snow (worse is the snow we had a month ago).

The MV6, I have used in some pretty bad (by recent standards) snow.  TC left on, snow mode on box. Never had an issue.

The TC only gets switched off when I'm in the mood ::)

yep..snow is a good chance for easy drifting ;D :y
Title: Re: grip in snow ?
Post by: Mr Skrunts on 24 November 2008, 18:17:42
Most fun I ever had in the snow was when I bought a 3 door viva eastate when a had the shop, I put some 3 series Beemer wheels on fitted with Colway remoulds M+S tyres they go and play in the snow drifts.   Never once got stuck.
Title: Re: grip in snow ?
Post by: TheBoy on 24 November 2008, 18:18:52
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Never used the tractor in bad snow (worse is the snow we had a month ago).

The MV6, I have used in some pretty bad (by recent standards) snow.  TC left on, snow mode on box. Never had an issue.

The TC only gets switched off when I'm in the mood ::)

yep..snow is a good chance for easy drifting ;D :y
Rarely gets switched off in snow/ice - it can catch you out if you're not on the ball...
Title: Re: grip in snow ?
Post by: MikeDundee on 24 November 2008, 18:59:34
Not really able to comment on the poll, as never had that much snow in peckham, and when it ever has, which was a few years ago was mainly ice on some side roads, just no grip at all that was on the auto pre-facelft CDX, had to leave it parked up there overnight til next day.
Title: Re: grip in snow ?
Post by: amigov6 on 24 November 2008, 19:12:23
Did'nt vote because there was no fun option, I don't want it to grip. As a kid you ran out to throw snowballs, push eachother over & build snowmen, as i big kid you take the car out to play, drifting in snow/ice is rather graceful, Miggies on ice Xmas special!!! 8-)
Title: Re: grip in snow ?
Post by: TheBoy on 24 November 2008, 19:16:49
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Did'nt vote because there was no fun option, I don't want it to grip. As a kid you ran out to throw snowballs, push eachother over & build snowmen, as i big kid you take the car out to play, drifting in snow/ice is rather graceful, Miggies on ice Xmas special!!! 8-)
I hurt myself a few years ago sat in a sledge on a rope behind my mates car.  The car outhandled the cheap plastic sled ::)
Title: Re: grip in snow ?
Post by: Ian_D on 24 November 2008, 19:30:35
Not been in snow with mine yet, but its always spinning the wheels at junctions etc when its wet! Thats what happens when you fit crappy budget tyres i guess!  :-[

So god knows what it will be like in snow!   :-X :-X
Title: Re: grip in snow ?
Post by: dieseldean on 24 November 2008, 19:33:10
give me a basic car that is no lightweight. must have a manual box, and better if no tc or abs because they give you a false sense of whats happening beneath you.
Title: Re: grip in snow ?
Post by: albitz on 24 November 2008, 19:39:52
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..... wern't too sure whether to have diff lock on or off for the best? hows yours?  :o

I'm sure you must mean traction control  :-?  :y

Snow button next to the gear selctor on an Auto?
It isnt a diff lock,it just locks out 1st/2nd gear so you drive off in 3rd. :y
Title: Re: grip in snow ?
Post by: waspy on 24 November 2008, 19:45:03
I can't comment as i've never driven her in the snow. I have no intention of doing so either, too many folk that have no idea how to drive in the stuff.
Title: Re: grip in snow ?
Post by: markey mark on 24 November 2008, 19:50:10
with my huge tyres on the rear not much grip in snow and ice (285/35r19)  ::)
Title: Re: grip in snow ?
Post by: jjleonard on 24 November 2008, 20:23:57
The first day I picked mine up, I ended driving home in snow (about a month ago, now - when it was snowing last). I decided to get some stuff out of the other car that was abandoned about a mile away, and I parked on what I thought was a concrete driveway covered in a light dusting of snow.

It turned out to be three inches deep, fresh snow, over grass. On a slope, nose down, and I had to back out. It took me half an hour to move ten feet, and I only managed it after i'd dug the snow out in two long tracks behind my tyres to get some grip.

That was with the TC on and the snow button - I'm never doing that again!  :(
Title: Re: grip in snow ?
Post by: Banjax on 25 November 2008, 01:57:39
snow button on, TC on - no probs and no fun :(  ;)
Title: Re: grip in snow ?
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 25 November 2008, 09:30:33
if you are stuck in mud or snow whatever it is TC works negative cutting the necessary throttle..SO it needs to be OFF..
Title: Re: grip in snow ?
Post by: LJay on 25 November 2008, 09:46:36
Looking forward to playing in the snow, not had enough yet.
My current tyres arent great in wet weather so god knows what i'm in for in the snow.
Title: Re: grip in snow ?
Post by: Bacon Butty Man on 25 November 2008, 10:03:49
tyres are a big part of the traction control system, goooood tread
Title: Re: grip in snow ?
Post by: Varche on 25 November 2008, 13:51:54
I have only ever owned one car WORSE than an Omega for snow. That was an XJ6. The 225 tyres on the elite are even worse than 195s.

We had the first snow for fifty years here 4 years ago and a lot of the locals in front wheel drive Berlingos and the like ended up in the ditches due to lack of skill/practice. We managed but it wasn't that pleasant.

We also get a lot of mud washed out of the olive groves onto the roads after storms and that is like driving on black ice. Not at all pleasant with very little steering. Maybe a set of winter [size=14]3J[/size] wheels and 135 M&S tyres ?!! ;D ;D ;D

el varche

Title: Re: grip in snow ?
Post by: LJay on 25 November 2008, 15:01:47
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tyres are a big part of the traction control system, goooood tread

They have! they are new sport conti 3s!
Title: Re: grip in snow ?
Post by: Richie London on 25 November 2008, 16:05:40
cant vote, havent seen any snow yet, thank god friggin freezin here
Title: Re: grip in snow ?
Post by: LouisCorney on 26 November 2008, 01:06:32
In my relatively short driving experience the most scared I've ever been in a car was in my omega; involving hills and snow.




(p.s. and away from public roads the most fun too  :y )
Title: Re: grip in snow ?
Post by: kris9128 on 26 November 2008, 08:27:09
my omega might be a bit loose on the white stuff but it's still better than theses cars.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=B6_ghixVN78
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZkpmfgUNTI
Title: Re: grip in snow ?
Post by: The Barge Captain on 26 November 2008, 09:24:47
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I have only ever owned one car WORSE than an Omega for snow. That was an XJ6. The 225 tyres on the elite are even worse than 195s.

We had the first snow for fifty years here 4 years ago and a lot of the locals in front wheel drive Berlingos and the like ended up in the ditches due to lack of skill/practice. We managed but it wasn't that pleasant.

We also get a lot of mud washed out of the olive groves onto the roads after storms and that is like driving on black ice. Not at all pleasant with very little steering. Maybe a set of winter [size=14]3J[/size] wheels and 135 M&S tyres ?!! ;D ;D ;D

el varche

Not just any tyres,   M&S tyres  ;D
Title: Re: grip in snow ?
Post by: Darth Loo-knee on 26 November 2008, 11:50:35
Personally I found in a small downpour of snow the omega was hopeless... some will no doubt say it is my driving  ::)
But I will leave it parked up when the snow starts to fall......
Now with the Range Rovers a different story even with what some may say my driving abilities :P
Title: Re: grip in snow ?
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 26 November 2008, 11:52:42
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Personally I found in a small downpour of snow the omega was hopeless... some will no doubt say it is my driving  ::)
But I will leave it parked up when the snow starts to fall......
Now with the Range Rovers a different story even with what some may say my driving abilities :P

all RWD cars suffer in snow compared to FWD unless they have chains or studs regardless of driving :y
Title: Re: grip in snow ?
Post by: Darth Loo-knee on 26 November 2008, 11:54:18
In my old Capri's I would put an Anvil in the boot  ;D
Title: Re: grip in snow ?
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 26 November 2008, 11:57:23
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In my old Capri's I would put an Anvil in the boot  ;D

never suffered with the ex was FWD :D
Title: Re: grip in snow ?
Post by: Darth Loo-knee on 26 November 2008, 12:00:38
Other than the Rangey's, the best car in the snow I found was my Cavalier 1.7 TD, around here there are a hell of alot of hills, one in particular was littered with abandoned cars and yet ode faithful weaved in and out like a trooper....

Funny how when you think of cars that you have had, you actually wonder why you sold them :-?