Volvo 240 estate in the snow

Leyburn · Mar 2nd, 2018, 08:13

Local BBC news ran a long article about traffic chaos, highlight was a 240 estate making good progress. I had a 240 saloon many years ago, that was good in the snow. My current S60 is not so good.

Local news https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episod...-news-01032018 around 2 minutes 38

Clan · Mar 2nd, 2018, 10:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leyburn

Local BBC news ran a long article about traffic chaos, highlight was a 240 estate making good progress. I had a 240 saloon many years ago, that was good in the snow. My current S60 is not so good.

Local news https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episod...-news-01032018 around 2 minutes 38

tyres are everything ... get some winter tyres :-)

230ina245 · Mar 2nd, 2018, 10:20

Putting a G80 in the diff helps too!

rustytoba · Mar 2nd, 2018, 12:13

That's cool it's a shame Gretta is being repaired I would have loved to play with my snow chains.

Scott

Stephen Edwin · Mar 2nd, 2018, 20:45

Yes re tyres. I am currently getting a set of winter tyres. This is incidental to this snow. I am just preparing for winters in general. Winter tyres are better, that means safer, from 7 deg c downwards. Why get a safe Volvo and not use safe winter tyres in the cold months? Snow capabilities must be a bonus.

Yes re chains. In lovely snow about 25 to 30 years ago my then 245 was one of very few cars on the roads and it was sure footed. Nothing phased that car with chains in snow. A pair of good chains worked wonders.

There was quite a bit of snow. I had to dig out a parking space when I visited my aged parents to make sure they were OK.

I have chains for my 240 SE but only in case of unavoidable need. In the current snow, I'm not even walking outside my own gardens. And there is no need for me to drive. It's warm indoors.

blueblock · Mar 3rd, 2018, 10:40

I took mine out a couple of times earlier this year in fresh snow in the Peak District and had a blast. Not a chance this week, though - so much salt I would be able to hear it eating the car alive.

Leyburn · Mar 3rd, 2018, 17:41

The rear wheel drive Volvos seem to have a natural balance.

My 240 went completely sideways at 50ish mph in the winter of 1990/91 on a deserted snow-covered back road, I let go of everything and it straightened up again, so that was handy.

speedyG50 · Mar 4th, 2018, 18:22

With the estates ... stick a couple of bags of sand (or something else that's heavy and won't move) over the back axle....

DW42 · Mar 5th, 2018, 04:46

I had a similar sort of experience to Leyburn in my 1972 145, but on ice. I hit a large patch of ice (perhaps from a water mains leak) on a city street with parked cars on both sides. I braked and swerved a bit when I saw it, but ended up doing a perfect 360, missing all of the parked cars, and kept going. Pedestrians applauded, but there was no skill on my part.

AlexO · Mar 5th, 2018, 13:17

I drove ~250 miles this weekend, through the snow, with a boat on a trailer on the back. Portsmouth-Southampton-London-Lymington without a single worry!

I do love my 240! (most of the time)

Mar 2nd, 2018, 08:13	#1
Leyburn Member Last Online: Oct 1st, 2023 16:31 Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: London	Volvo 240 estate in the snow Local BBC news ran a long article about traffic chaos, highlight was a 240 estate making good progress. I had a 240 saloon many years ago, that was good in the snow. My current S60 is not so good. Local news https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episod...-news-01032018 around 2 minutes 38

Mar 3rd, 2018, 10:40	#6
blueblock Junior Member Last Online: Mar 9th, 2019 14:49 Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Sheffield	I took mine out a couple of times earlier this year in fresh snow in the Peak District and had a blast. Not a chance this week, though - so much salt I would be able to hear it eating the car alive. __________________ Ed 1993 240 SE Estate 2001 V70 SE 2.4 170

Mar 5th, 2018, 04:46	#9
DW42 Senior Member Last Online: Oct 9th, 2022 04:41 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Currumbin, Queensland	I had a similar sort of experience to Leyburn in my 1972 145, but on ice. I hit a large patch of ice (perhaps from a water mains leak) on a city street with parked cars on both sides. I braked and swerved a bit when I saw it, but ended up doing a perfect 360, missing all of the parked cars, and kept going. Pedestrians applauded, but there was no skill on my part. __________________ Present: 1990 240GL saloon, 1992 240 estate Past: 1988 240GL; 1971 144DL; 1972 145DL

Mar 5th, 2018, 13:17	#10
AlexO Senior Member Last Online: Jan 5th, 2024 11:50 Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Portsmouth	I drove ~250 miles this weekend, through the snow, with a boat on a trailer on the back. Portsmouth-Southampton-London-Lymington without a single worry! I do love my 240! (most of the time) __________________ 2008 V50 2.0D R-Design @ 175K Previously 1992 Volvo 240 SE Estate B230F/M47 (was AW70) @ 200K (I wish I could've kept him)

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Mar 2nd, 2018, 10:20	#3
230ina245 Member Last Online: Yesterday 08:01 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Leics	Putting a G80 in the diff helps too!

Mar 2nd, 2018, 12:13	#4
rustytoba Master Member Last Online: Nov 24th, 2023 01:11 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Glasgow	That's cool it's a shame Gretta is being repaired I would have loved to play with my snow chains. Scott

Mar 2nd, 2018, 20:45	#5
Stephen Edwin Premier Member Last Online: Oct 26th, 2023 20:42 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Thurrock	Yes re tyres. I am currently getting a set of winter tyres. This is incidental to this snow. I am just preparing for winters in general. Winter tyres are better, that means safer, from 7 deg c downwards. Why get a safe Volvo and not use safe winter tyres in the cold months? Snow capabilities must be a bonus. Yes re chains. In lovely snow about 25 to 30 years ago my then 245 was one of very few cars on the roads and it was sure footed. Nothing phased that car with chains in snow. A pair of good chains worked wonders. There was quite a bit of snow. I had to dig out a parking space when I visited my aged parents to make sure they were OK. I have chains for my 240 SE but only in case of unavoidable need. In the current snow, I'm not even walking outside my own gardens. And there is no need for me to drive. It's warm indoors.

Mar 3rd, 2018, 17:41	#7
Leyburn Member Last Online: Oct 1st, 2023 16:31 Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: London	The rear wheel drive Volvos seem to have a natural balance. My 240 went completely sideways at 50ish mph in the winter of 1990/91 on a deserted snow-covered back road, I let go of everything and it straightened up again, so that was handy.

Mar 4th, 2018, 18:22	#8
speedyG50 Member Last Online: Mar 4th, 2024 23:52 Join Date: May 2007 Location: JERSEY	With the estates ... stick a couple of bags of sand (or something else that's heavy and won't move) over the back axle....

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