What does snow mode do?
#1
What does snow mode do?
What does "snow mode" actually do on the F-Type 8-speed? In some cars all it does is put the car in 2nd gear upon take off. But in the Jaguar for example, does it do that, change the shift points, adjust throttle sensitivity, slow the downshifts, etc.? And if you shift to "sport mode" when in "snow mode," then what happens? Has anyone used it much in wet or winter conditions, and what did you experience?
#3
It dampens the shift points and acceleration, making the car feel like it's being driven by an old woman. (Note: the cars starts in 2nd, even in normal mode) Works well enough when required. Stays on when you stop/start the car, so you have to overtly turn it off. It can even serve as a governor for valets (assuming they're not familiar with how easy it is to turn off).
The following 2 users liked this post by uncheel:
mjm3457 (10-08-2015),
Socal_transplant (10-08-2015)
#4
As others have said, it changes shift points and shift response speed. It also changes the throttle map to be very non-linear, to the point that real acceleration only takes place with your foot fairly close to the floor. It may do other things with the traction control system as well. I have found it useful on those cold wet spring or fall mornings, when the summer rubber is not warm yet and has a high propensity to break loose. I've also experimented with using it while cruising on the highway, and discovered that I could really maximize fuel efficiency in this mode if I'm in the mood for, or the traffic dictates, lollygagging along on the highway. As I mentioned, you really almost have to bury the throttle for the car to accelerate in this mode, and it's also very reluctant to downshift, making it ideal for lazily cruising on the highway and maximizing fuel economy. I managed 32 mpg for a significant portion of a trip to NYC one time doing this, and that was at 75+ MPH.
The following 4 users liked this post by duprey26:
#5
The following users liked this post:
ElloM8 (03-05-2018)
#7
Trending Topics
#8
#10
Is this true?
I just thought snow, normal and dynamic just altered throttle response and TC interaction mainly.
If on AWD models the power split is being altered between dynamic, normal and snow modes would be great to know exact figures.
I just thought snow, normal and dynamic just altered throttle response and TC interaction mainly.
If on AWD models the power split is being altered between dynamic, normal and snow modes would be great to know exact figures.
#11
#13
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Posts: 8,511
Received 3,259 Likes
on
2,405 Posts
RAIN/ICE/SNOW MODE
Rain/Ice/Snow mode optimises stability of the vehicle to suit low grip conditions. This helps the vehicle to perform in a more gentle and controlled manner, to avoid skidding, allowing more confident progress under adverse conditions.
Note: Rain/Ice/Snow mode cannot be active at the same time as Dynamic mode.
Note: Rain/Ice/Snow mode will remain selected indefinitely, even after the ignition is switched off. Rain/Ice/Snow mode must be deselected, if no longer required.
So not a helluva lot of help in explaining how it works!
#14
#15
Yes the modes impact throttle response:
Snow: Pedal less responsive to small inputs, first 50% of travel gives like only 30% throttle, with remaing 70% throttle being in the later throttle stages.
Normal: Quite a linear throttle response, or set engine to normal in dynamic mode for same.
Dynamic: Ramped pedal curve, so first 30% of pedal gives like 50% throttle.
It is just the pedal mapping, car has full power in all three modes, just how far you press the pedal or how little depending on the mode as to how much the throttle body blade opens.
What I have noticed in rain/snow/ice mode is I can bury the throttle in the wet and get no traction control intervention and the car feels very composed and neutral, I can even keep it pinned through a corner without the rear-end trying to come round.
Whereas if I do exactly the same in dynamic mode, traction intervenes due to the rear-end wanting to step out or too much wheel spin from rear. If I enable track DSC in dynamic then it stops this intervention but the car gets quite side ways.
This is what is leading me to believe that on AWD cars the three modes are having some kind of impact on the AWD torque split and was just looking for confirmation of this.
Last edited by Gibbo205; 03-07-2018 at 03:55 AM.
#17
#19
Snow/rain mode on the freeway/interstate gives slightly higher mileage than normal mode, which is a bit higher than dynamic. I've put this down as being from the throttle being less sensitive.
The instantaneous mileage would improve a bit when switching because the throttle becomes less sensitive - I would think the revs would drop slightly.
The instantaneous mileage would improve a bit when switching because the throttle becomes less sensitive - I would think the revs would drop slightly.