XC60 DRIVe on Snow - Page 2

Rockhopper · Jan 7th, 2010, 18:17

We have a MY00 Forester and agree that the AWD in that is awesome in snow/mud/gravel, you name it, it just goes through it. A bit agricultural, but brilliant (and a barnstormer in STurbo guise). Miles better than my XC90 and instills much more confidence in the snow. Nice to be able to switch between them though and have the choice of both!

Agree too that tyres make all the difference - got Vredesteins on the Forester and can't fault them (had these on last Saab too and v pleased). XC90 came clad in Kumhos which aren't bad but would like to change...

244T · Jan 7th, 2010, 18:25

Sounds like a a silly idea!!!!

What was Volvo thinking??? cost cutting to the extream!!!!

irishcarfan · Jan 7th, 2010, 18:34

Wonder if it would be better on narrower tires for more traction? Probably a little only - it's a heavy car though isn't it? Wonder if that's playing a part.

As for fwd only, tis a sign of the times. Sure next week hopefully you'll be back to normal weather and then you won't notice the fwd only and can reap the benefits at the fuel pumps.

Wish Volvo would get some decent C02 performing DrivE automatics..

KiwiRob · Jan 7th, 2010, 19:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by wimorrison

Just been out in my XC60 D5 AWD and can say that it is excellent when the road is slushy or fresh snow.

It is CR^P on packed snow giving no grip at all and the hills round my way defeated it completely. we have had 9" of snow that has become compacted, but other 4x4s, including my wife's Subaru Forester have not had issues

It may be better with decent winter tyres, but the supplied tyres are hopeless.

All in all, I was very disappointed

If you haven't got traction even with AWD you won't get anywhere, I had a Renault Kangoo 4x4, on summer tyres in the snow it was terrible, our Golf on winter tyres would get up our access road whereas the Kangoo couldn't. On winter tyres the Kangoo was nearly unstoppable.

wimorrison · Jan 7th, 2010, 19:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by KiwiRob

If you haven't got traction even with AWD you won't get anywhere, I had a Renault Kangoo 4x4, on summer tyres in the snow it was terrible, our Golf on winter tyres would get up our access road whereas the Kangoo couldn't. On winter tyres the Kangoo was nearly unstoppable.

Totally agree, unfortunately I don't have a set of winter tyres and I would have thought that the supplied tyres (I have only done 3k on them) would have been more suited to a 4x4 than a standard road car.

I guess I will change them for all-season tyres when they need renewing - or depending on the costs for winter tyres I may get a set of them.

Any suggestions on suitable tyres?

simonpinkney · Jan 7th, 2010, 20:22

My brother suggests Continental Wranglers.... he's a freak who pays attention to stuff like this... sad I know but also has it's uses at times. ;-)

All weather tyres and having looked at the website it's a good compromise for grip in dry, wet and snow.

ColinH · Jan 7th, 2010, 20:53

Have a set of Wranglers on spare wheels which have been fitted for a month or so now - running them as winter tyres instead of the Pirelli's.
The grip is outstanding in the packed snow and had no trouble following our Grand Cherokee across a field this morning.
I've always been used to running two sets of wheel/tyre combinations for summer/winter use, it appearers to be an 'old fashioned' idea which has died out in recent years.

Colin

simonpinkney · Jan 7th, 2010, 21:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by ColinH

Have a set of Wranglers on spare wheels which have been fitted for a month or so now - running them as winter tyres instead of the Pirelli's.
The grip is outstanding in the packed snow and had no trouble following our Grand Cherokee across a field this morning.
I've always been used to running two sets of wheel/tyre combinations for summer/winter use, it appearers to be an 'old fashioned' idea which has died out in recent years.

Colin

Maybe an idea worth considering despite the added expense. Do you have seperate alloys or do you just have the tyres swapped everytime??

DavidG · Jan 7th, 2010, 21:06

Continental Cross-Contact 235-65-17 as delivered with the car
No problems at all on snow

wimorrison · Jan 8th, 2010, 09:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidG

Continental Cross-Contact 235-65-17 as delivered with the car
No problems at all on snow

and the type of car is ..... ?

Jan 7th, 2010, 18:17	#11
Rockhopper XC90 Exec Last Online: Jan 3rd, 2019 09:06 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: ..at the foot of the Peaks	We have a MY00 Forester and agree that the AWD in that is awesome in snow/mud/gravel, you name it, it just goes through it. A bit agricultural, but brilliant (and a barnstormer in STurbo guise). Miles better than my XC90 and instills much more confidence in the snow. Nice to be able to switch between them though and have the choice of both! Agree too that tyres make all the difference - got Vredesteins on the Forester and can't fault them (had these on last Saab too and v pleased). XC90 came clad in Kumhos which aren't bad but would like to change... Last edited by Rockhopper; Jan 7th, 2010 at 18:19.

Jan 7th, 2010, 18:25	#12
244T VOC Member Last Online: Jan 5th, 2020 18:09 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Preston	2WD xc??? Sounds like a a silly idea!!!! What was Volvo thinking??? cost cutting to the extream!!!! __________________ Andrew... 244T '90 740 GLT: Standard car '80 240 DL: Lots of bits and bobs inc turbo intercooler etc etc

Jan 7th, 2010, 18:34	#13
irishcarfan Master Member Last Online: Jun 4th, 2024 02:29 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Dublin	Wonder if it would be better on narrower tires for more traction? Probably a little only - it's a heavy car though isn't it? Wonder if that's playing a part. As for fwd only, tis a sign of the times. Sure next week hopefully you'll be back to normal weather and then you won't notice the fwd only and can reap the benefits at the fuel pumps. Wish Volvo would get some decent C02 performing DrivE automatics..

Jan 7th, 2010, 20:22	#16
simonpinkney New Member Last Online: Mar 20th, 2015 07:37 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Leeds	My brother suggests Continental Wranglers.... he's a freak who pays attention to stuff like this... sad I know but also has it's uses at times. ;-) All weather tyres and having looked at the website it's a good compromise for grip in dry, wet and snow.

Jan 7th, 2010, 20:53	#17
ColinH Junior Member Last Online: Jun 20th, 2017 11:04 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Cambridge	Have a set of Wranglers on spare wheels which have been fitted for a month or so now - running them as winter tyres instead of the Pirelli's. The grip is outstanding in the packed snow and had no trouble following our Grand Cherokee across a field this morning. I've always been used to running two sets of wheel/tyre combinations for summer/winter use, it appearers to be an 'old fashioned' idea which has died out in recent years. Colin

Jan 7th, 2010, 21:06	#19
DavidG Junior Member Last Online: Jun 8th, 2016 20:22 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: East Sussex	Continental Cross-Contact 235-65-17 as delivered with the car No problems at all on snow

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