xc60 2wd and snow

jack101 · Dec 23rd, 2009, 15:45

Would be grateful if current 2WD XC60 owners could post their driving experiences in the current weather conditions [snowy /icy roads].
Not sure whether I should go for the AWD or DRIVe 2WD version of the XC60
thanks

jack101 · Dec 23rd, 2009, 15:52

Forgot to spot this link
http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=86216

155mph · Dec 23rd, 2009, 16:15

Having AWD does not guarantee to get you out of a tricky situation; it just improves your odds. With 2WD you need at least one of the 2 wheels to have traction, i.e 50% chance of getting stuck. With AWD, you only need 1 wheel to have traction, i.e. 25% chance of getting stuck.

Needless to say, if none of the wheels have traction, you are going nowhere.

Like yourself I am about to place an order, initially for the 2WD but decided the extra £2K was worth the extra power and piece of mind.

At least I do not have to shovel the driveway clear of snow just to make sure I do not get stuck.

jack101 · Dec 24th, 2009, 12:21

Been driving a 15 yr old 2WD coupe for many years [and in the recent weather] and have coped with all the uk weather conditions I encountered over many many years.
The DRIVe 2WD having read the comments here would be more than enough for most uk drivers.

BIG JOE · Dec 19th, 2010, 15:51

Very poor. As a semi experienced snow driver, I just had to abandon my 2wd diesel in 1 inch of fresh snow and take a euro60 ride home with the family.

2 disappointing things:
* the car looks like a 4WD - hence the many toots from unsympathetic drivers as they drove past me at 10mph
* at my 1 year service (7.5kms) I was advised that "winter tyres wouldn't be necessary on this new beauty"

Lesson learned!

Clan · Dec 19th, 2010, 16:10

winter tyres on a 2 wd are better than normal tyres on a 4 wd .. try some winter tyres they will transform it .

TheMrT · Dec 20th, 2010, 15:38

Hello, my experience of the XC60 2WD in snow is the same as any other wide tired 2WD vehicle. Not good. Snow tyres recommended. I agree with the other comments around 2WD v 4WD, tyres will make the biggest difference but of course 4WD with snow tyres is the best option.

thechems · Dec 20th, 2010, 16:23

Love my XC60 but it is pants in the snow. I live up a hill (not a steep one) and had to leave the car quarter of a mile away from home and walk home as it just couldn't handle the hill in snow/ice. I thought "winter tyres" were just the latest clever way to get me to part with some cash. I was wrong. Had them fitted last week and the difference is amazing. XC60 now negotiates the hill with no problem. Money well spent I think.

Teejay1 · Dec 20th, 2010, 22:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by thechems

Love my XC60 but it is pants in the snow. I live up a hill (not a steep one) and had to leave the car quarter of a mile away from home and walk home as it just couldn't handle the hill in snow/ice. I thought "winter tyres" were just the latest clever way to get me to part with some cash. I was wrong. Had them fitted last week and the difference is amazing. XC60 now negotiates the hill with no problem. Money well spent I think.

Are you AWD or 2WD?

mitch2011 · Jul 15th, 2011, 15:25

I regularly drive in snow and have just gone for a AWD model, changing from my 2WD Audi A6. The conclusion that I arrived at was that it is actually the tyres that make the most difference! The A6 is FWD and has 225 tyres that look a bit like F1 jobs (ie no horizontal cuts at all). I guess that this reduces road noise and improves fuel economy. My previous car was a E class with similiar section tyres but with different patterning. As the E Class was RWD you woudl think it would be appauling. However with care it could be driven without chains in 10cm snow (or ice) with reasonable chance of success. The A6 however was appauling! It couldnt make it out of our road when we had a bit of snow last year! My wifes Golf left it for dust!

Dec 23rd, 2009, 15:45	#1
jack101 New Member Last Online: Dec 19th, 2010 10:45 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: cheltenham	xc60 2wd and snow Would be grateful if current 2WD XC60 owners could post their driving experiences in the current weather conditions [snowy /icy roads]. Not sure whether I should go for the AWD or DRIVe 2WD version of the XC60 thanks Last edited by jack101; Dec 23rd, 2009 at 15:51.

Dec 19th, 2010, 16:10	#6
Clan Experienced Member Last Online: Today 08:30 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: L/H side	winter tyres on a 2 wd are better than normal tyres on a 4 wd .. try some winter tyres they will transform it . __________________ My comments are only based on my opinions and vast experience .

Dec 20th, 2010, 15:38	#7
TheMrT New Member Last Online: Dec 29th, 2010 12:27 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: London	Like any other 2WD vehicle Hello, my experience of the XC60 2WD in snow is the same as any other wide tired 2WD vehicle. Not good. Snow tyres recommended. I agree with the other comments around 2WD v 4WD, tyres will make the biggest difference but of course 4WD with snow tyres is the best option.

Dec 20th, 2010, 16:23	#8
thechems New Member Last Online: Oct 14th, 2013 13:32 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Manchester	A vote for winter tyres Love my XC60 but it is pants in the snow. I live up a hill (not a steep one) and had to leave the car quarter of a mile away from home and walk home as it just couldn't handle the hill in snow/ice. I thought "winter tyres" were just the latest clever way to get me to part with some cash. I was wrong. Had them fitted last week and the difference is amazing. XC60 now negotiates the hill with no problem. Money well spent I think.

Jul 15th, 2011, 15:25	#10
mitch2011 New Member Last Online: Oct 21st, 2011 18:28 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Solihull	4WD or Tyres I regularly drive in snow and have just gone for a AWD model, changing from my 2WD Audi A6. The conclusion that I arrived at was that it is actually the tyres that make the most difference! The A6 is FWD and has 225 tyres that look a bit like F1 jobs (ie no horizontal cuts at all). I guess that this reduces road noise and improves fuel economy. My previous car was a E class with similiar section tyres but with different patterning. As the E Class was RWD you woudl think it would be appauling. However with care it could be driven without chains in 10cm snow (or ice) with reasonable chance of success. The A6 however was appauling! It couldnt make it out of our road when we had a bit of snow last year! My wifes Golf left it for dust!

Dec 23rd, 2009, 15:52	#2
jack101 New Member Last Online: Dec 19th, 2010 10:45 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: cheltenham	Forgot to spot this link http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=86216

Dec 23rd, 2009, 16:15	#3
155mph 1st time Volvo Owner Last Online: Dec 19th, 2019 16:30 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: London View Photos By: 155mph	Having AWD does not guarantee to get you out of a tricky situation; it just improves your odds. With 2WD you need at least one of the 2 wheels to have traction, i.e 50% chance of getting stuck. With AWD, you only need 1 wheel to have traction, i.e. 25% chance of getting stuck. Needless to say, if none of the wheels have traction, you are going nowhere. Like yourself I am about to place an order, initially for the 2WD but decided the extra £2K was worth the extra power and piece of mind. At least I do not have to shovel the driveway clear of snow just to make sure I do not get stuck.

Dec 24th, 2009, 12:21	#4
jack101 New Member Last Online: Dec 19th, 2010 10:45 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: cheltenham	Been driving a 15 yr old 2WD coupe for many years [and in the recent weather] and have coped with all the uk weather conditions I encountered over many many years. The DRIVe 2WD having read the comments here would be more than enough for most uk drivers.

Dec 19th, 2010, 15:51	#5
BIG JOE New Member Last Online: Jun 29th, 2013 22:54 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: brussels	Very poor. As a semi experienced snow driver, I just had to abandon my 2wd diesel in 1 inch of fresh snow and take a euro60 ride home with the family. 2 disappointing things: * the car looks like a 4WD - hence the many toots from unsympathetic drivers as they drove past me at 10mph * at my 1 year service (7.5kms) I was advised that "winter tyres wouldn't be necessary on this new beauty" Lesson learned!

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