ESP in Snow

[Gipper]

Hi Guys

Have an R36 Wagon.

As you know it has AWD and ESP.
As VW state that chains shouldnt be fitted to this car, I am wondering how ESP may or may not help when driving on snow.

Obviously AWD will definitely help, and driving in manual mode to use the gears to help you slow down when decending a mountain will help as well.

But does anyone here know how much of a help ESP is on snow when going both uphill and downhill?

[tryingavw]

Hi Guys

Have an R36 Wagon.

As you know it has AWD and ESP.
As VW state that chains shouldnt be fitted to this car, I am wondering how ESP may or may not help when driving on snow.

Obviously AWD will definitely help, and driving in manual mode to use the gears to help you slow down when decending a mountain will help as well.

But does anyone here know how much of a help ESP is on snow when going both uphill and downhill?

ESP can reduce/limit power and apply brakes to individual spinning wheels which lose traction so it should work a treat in snow. shouldn't be any different in principle with an AWD setup.

[Arctra]

Um, I believe most of the testing of ESP was done on snow and ice to demonstrate just how good it is. If I understand correctly, ESP is not just a piece of technology on its own, it uses other technology such as ABS and Traction Control in order to achieve vehicle control:

Handling demonstrations:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiZjeeMExY4

Bosch ESP testing segment on 5th Gear showing ESP in all sorts of icy conditions including on slopes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-hHWSQhKuc&feature=fvw

Basically, it is the best thing to use in snow.

Also check out the Bosch site for clips of it in action:

http://www.bosch-escential.com/us/language1/film_clips_animations.html

[gareth_oau]

there is a possibility that the clips and testing was done using winter tyres, wheras there is a good probability you are currently using summer tyres.

perhaps carry these? http://www.autosock.com.au/

and follow this thread http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...ghlight=chains

[Rocket36]

Yeah snow socks all the way. Put a set on the front and the rear and you'll have more grip and control than any other car with chains.

[Cro]

I can tell you from experience in the R36, that ESP, AWD, TC, ABS, Summer high performance tyres and the electronic emergency brake do not help what so ever when you hit ice.

[Cro]

Just called up to get a quote for the Autosock, $200 for a pair.
I'll pick them up next time I'm in Cooma, they look fantastic

[tryingavw]

I can tell you from experience in the R36, that ESP, AWD, TC, ABS, Summer high performance tyres and the electronic emergency brake do not help what so ever when you hit ice.

no doubt the laws of physics still apply- if you're going too fast you've got big problems . from MY experience ESP is a huge safety improvement over no ESP.

[Maverick]

I can tell you from experience in the R36, that ESP, AWD, TC, ABS, Summer high performance tyres and the electronic emergency brake do not help what so ever when you hit ice.

What is a electronic emergency brake?

Unless you're confused with the electric park brake?

[Cro]

no doubt the laws of physics still apply- if you're going too fast you've got big problems . from MY experience ESP is a huge safety improvement over no ESP.

I agree 100%
I will never buy a car again without ESP, the safety benefits are just amazing.

[Cro]

What is a electronic emergency brake?

Unless you're confused with the electric park brake?

The electronic park brake acts an an emergency brake when held down whilst driving.
It's mentioned in the manual

[Buck]

Just called up to get a quote for the Autosock, $200 for a pair.
I'll pick them up next time I'm in Cooma, they look fantastic

Is the autosock a legal replacement for chains in VIC ?

[Rocket36]

Is the autosock a legal replacement for chains in VIC ?

Who cares? They are proven in Europe and the USA to be BETTER and MORE EFFECTIVE than chains.

Knowing I'm safer on snow and ice is far more important to me. It's only against the law to not CARRY chains (AFAIK). So if you're worried, carry a set with you but put the autosocks on if you need to instead of the chains.

[gregozedobe]

I can tell you from experience in the R36, that ESP, AWD, TC, ABS, Summer high performance tyres and the electronic emergency brake do not help what so ever when you hit ice.

I hope you didn't do any damage finding that out

As the tyre people say all the time, the traction your tyres give you is the final interface between your car and the road surface. If your tyres have near zero traction due to slick ice then all the fancy electronic trickery in the world cannot help.

It is the same with AWD cars in the wet (without ice), they can accelerate and corner better than 2wd cars (all else being equal), but they aren't immune to the laws of momentum, and they cannot brake any better than a 2wd car either.

[Cro]

Unfortunately I did
I mowed down a red pole and beached myself on a snow bank.

All sorted now though