vectra in the snow

[big jon]

hi guys need a bit of info iv,e a 07 vectra estate150 sri i put new tyres on the front a few weeks ago and the car seems fine in the corners in the wet and at a bit of speed, now my question is what is the veccy like in the snow? this is my first winter with the vectra and it seems ok on most of the winter conditions but up to the mo, iv,e had no snow yet, so what do i need to look out for under steer? over steer? the back jumping out? any prior knowledge would be nice to know

[new boy]

If you take it slow and steady you will not get any of them.

[6009tristanb]

i was worried the other day as i have nearly no expierence with snow as we dont get it much in blackpool and i have a heavy foot but after around 5 to 10 mins driving in the snow up hills etc soon got to grips with it took it easy max speed on the country lanes was around 40mph started off in 2nd to keep wheelspin to a min and drove most of the time in 3rd (but i only have 5 gears so might be different for you) all i can say i have normal tyres and car seemed to handle snow very good never got stuck which is the main thing in my view the vectra is a lot better in the snow than a bmw 323 i had last year which was not a plesent exprience in the snow

having saying all this my brother in law has a vectra sri and he was struggling up the hills he said when the front started to spin the back was stepping out only thing i can think is i think the gsi has some sort of stabilty control i think i read it somewhere that the gsi has it. and the sri edition 100 doesnt or the only other thing is tyres different makes

[m8internet]

Do NOT use 1st gear when there is snow
Simply use 2nd gear and NO gas, pass through the clutch slowly and let the car pull itself
Once moving drive in 1 gear higher than you normally would and with little or no gas
Be wary for oversteer as the rear loses grip (as the TC / ESP-plus cannot compensate fast enough)

If your car has TC override, then use it
You will need to be stopped to apply this
So set this before moving off if you are deep in snow

The ABS and TC lights may come on, that is fine, the car is simply advising you it has encountered snow and has overridden the TC as it was active and you are in motion
Once your car returns to surface free of snow and/or ice it will resume the TC, but the warning lights will stay on for up to 10 miles

The major issue I had last year was the depth of the snow
Once it is about level with the underside the front bumper it then acts as an anti-plough, then you are stuffed
It was eventually so deep an excavator had to be sent to dig me out, the snow was above the roof!

[Rebellion]

How a Vec copes with snow also depends on which engine you have and how big your tyres are. Diesels will be better than the 4 cylinder petrols because they have heavy iron block engines, my 2.0T is all aluminium so doesn't put enough weight over the front axle to let the tyres bite through the snow. If you have 18" or 19" tyres, it will be even worse.

[GazVXLINE170]

If your car has TC override, then use it
You will need to be stopped to apply this
So set this before moving off if you are deep in snow

The TC can be switched off via the button up to 40mph. You do not need to be standing still.

[lizard]

The best thing i have noticed is, if you look out the window in the morning and there is snow, then stay indoors, would rather lose a couple of days pay than the front end of my car anyday, its not always you, its others that havnt got a clue that worry me...

[kenp]

Snow and Vectra not any problem.. Solution= Proper tyres, and a driver that knows how to drive.

Ice and Vectra bit of problems.. Soution= Proper studded tyres and at driver that knows how to drive.

[Grumpy1954]

I've been through two snowy winters with my 1.9 diesel, nice heavy lump over drive wheels. Drive according to the conditions, a little gentler and steady. If a manual, use next gear up from normal, auto use the snow/ice button by the shift stick (only puts you in 2nd for pulling away).
I had the original nct's on last two times, have nearly new Neutons now, not expecting any probs.

[paulvectrac]

I noticed my old dti was alot better in the snow this year I have a siggy 2.2 direct and it loves to wheel spin lol