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Thread: Snow Button on Auto Box

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    Default Snow Button on Auto Box

    Hi All,

    Anybody know if i can use this for the whole of my journey i.e. 30 miles to work? or is it meant to be turned off once out of the thick snow and you are moving?

    Might sound like a daft question but want to make sure im not doing any damage to the box!

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    Ex Vec-C Admin & Founder Graeme's Avatar
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    That is a very good question actually, i had mine on for a fair bit of my journey and never thought about it.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Morzy View Post
    Hi All,

    Anybody know if i can use this for the whole of my journey i.e. 30 miles to work? or is it meant to be turned off once out of the thick snow and you are moving?

    Might sound like a daft question but want to make sure im not doing any damage to the box!
    I have the same question but would also like to know what it actually does.
    I thought it would simply stop the vehicle engaging the lowest gear but this morning it seemed (my imagination perhaps?) to prevent wheel spin when I put my foot hard on the throttle.
    Dave

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    Vehicle : Vauxhall Astra-J

    Trim : Elite

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    Quote Originally Posted by DaveG View Post
    I have the same question but would also like to know what it actually does.
    It forces the gearbox to use forth gear from start off.

    To answer the other question, if used, I tend to switch it off once moving. In the 14 years I've driven an auto though, I've probably only used it 3 times in anger. The only other time I've used it is to test it still does what it's meant to do.


    To quote from the handbook though - "To protect against damage, the starting off aid automatically cuts out at very high transmission oil temperatures."
    That would seem to suggest that no damage will occur if you left it switched on as it has its own built in self preservation mechanism to switch itself off anyway. For safety's sake though if you were on a good non slip surface and you needed to make a quick getaway (say from a busy junction) you'll find you won't be able to and could end up a sitting duck in front of the artic you just pulled out in front of.

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    Regular Member Grumpy1954's Avatar
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    I just had words with the Dealer on this, he asked how I was getting on with it, I'd forgotten I had it. He described it as a "winter gearbox" and led me to believe it somehow altered the ratio's, like the sport button in reverse. Also said it pulls away in next highest gear, which would be second. Would think for most circumstanced fourth would be a bit much. However, my son managed to put a Renault Megane down a steep hil, through a fence yesterday, coming off his driveway, not sure what gear he was in lol

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    Regular Member Grumpy1954's Avatar
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    Vehicle : Ford Kuga

    Trim : Titanium

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    OK, just had a look at my handbook. It seems Vx are confused, page 172 says using the "snowflake" button sets the car off (in auto only, not manual mode).
    It also refers to page 180, where it states press the snowflake button and the car shifts to 4th gear.....will the real Winter programme please stand up

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    I know what it does peoples - press the snowflake and the box will set you off in 3rd gear effectively locking out 1/2.

    Definately turn off once on solid ground though, imagine trying to pull away in a hurry in 3rd gear!

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    The non-GSi vectras over here have the snow button instead of TC off.

    Drove my mates with it on and yes, it just engages a very high gear so as to not spin the wheels. Basically limp mode. Pointless over here.

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    whether it starts you off in 3rd or 4th may depend on which box you have. On the 6 speed auto in the vxr it starts you off in 4th not 3rd. That is all it does & thereby prevents wheel spin. It is also true that it only works with the auto (D) mode not with sequential manual shift.

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    Does the Vectra even get a snow button on Manual? And was there a sequential box?

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