Driving an Automatic on Icy roads

Quin_Dub · 11-12-2012 11:45AM #1

Looking for some advice...

I changed cars earlier this year and I'm driving an automatic now (Saab 9-5 diesel).

Whilst I'm very familiar with driving a manual car on icy roads, I'm a bit unclear as to the best approach for an Auto..

In a manual , you keep the revs down, drive in the highest gear possible etc. to avoid wheel-spin and what not...

What's the best plan with an auto??

Appreciate any feedback..

Thanks

Anan1 · 11-12-2012 11:47AM

Fit winter tyres and drive smoothly, avoiding any sudden changes in speed/direction.

Alanstrainor · 11-12-2012 11:49AM

You can control the revs in an auto, just as you would with a manual.

When moving off, the auto will automatically creep forward which will allow you to get moving without having to give it any revs. Just very smoothly accelerate once creeping and you will be fine.

Just use the accelerator gently and I can't see any issues. I did the same two years ago in a crappy auto and had no issues.

Wicklowandy · 11-12-2012 11:52AM

Not familiar with the box in those, but there might be a W/S button (winter / sport)

In winter mode, it'll start in second and change earlier. I broke my car in the snow two years ago, and was loaned an auto by the garage. I thought it would be worse than useless in the snow.

And while id prefer a manual, it wasnt as bad as i expected. I live in mid wicklow up high, and even on ploughed but ungritted roads anytime i got a bit stuck, i locked it in gear with 2 and slithered on;)

Matt Simis · 11-12-2012 11:54AM

Quin_Dub wrote: »

In a manual , you keep the revs down, drive in the highest gear possible etc. to avoid wheel-spin and what not...

In normal modes Automatics do this anyway (and its irritating), which is why they have kickdown switches. So just drive smoothly so it doesnt think you want to drop gears and you effectively are driving like a manual in top gear. Or use your tiptronic overrides.

Most automatics link control into the Stablilty system anyhow or have Snow modes so this isnt much of an issue.

biko · 11-12-2012 11:56AM

Yeah, if I'm not mistaken these cars have winter mode.

anthony4335 · 11-12-2012 03:37PM

They don't normally have a winter mode, just let the car pull away with out pressing down on the accelerator intially and when you do like in a manual just do it slowly. I am not sure about the 9-5's auto but my subaru allowed you to engage second from start which helped with starting off on slippy roads, but I have not tried it on my 9-5 yet.

alias no.9 · 11-12-2012 03:43PM

As others have said just let it creep off and light acceleration from there. If you can drive a manual in slippery conditions, you'll be fine, what's between the ears is more important than what's between the crankshaft and drive shafts.

Quin_Dub · 11-12-2012 03:43PM

Thanks for the feedback all.

9-5 doesn't have a winter mode (has a sport mode though) it does allow you to choose L or 2/3 as starting gears though so that might be the way to go to get moving if the roads are very bad

Del2005 · 11-12-2012 04:40PM

Quin_Dub wrote: »

Thanks for the feedback all.

9-5 doesn't have a winter mode (has a sport mode though) it does allow you to choose L or 2/3 as starting gears though so that might be the way to go to get moving if the roads are very bad

Yeah stick it in 2 to start off. The major issue with autos is the lack of engine braking, just make sure to stay well back and slow down way before any corners.

R.O.R · 11-12-2012 04:52PM

Del2005 wrote: »

Yeah stick it in 2 to start off. The major issue with autos is the lack of engine braking, just make sure to stay well back and slow down way before any corners.

Putting it in to Sport mode may help with the engine braking. Usually Sport will hold the revs higer and it definately feels like it helps my car with engine braking if I shift it across in to Sport.

11-12-2012 05:06PM

Quin_Dub wrote: »

Thanks for the feedback all.

9-5 doesn't have a winter mode (has a sport mode though) it does allow you to choose L or 2/3 as starting gears though so that might be the way to go to get moving if the roads are very bad

.... Surely selecting 3 means it won't go to 4th, will still start in 1st though ?

Del2005 · 11-12-2012 07:49PM

R.O.R wrote: »

Putting it in to Sport mode may help with the engine braking. Usually Sport will hold the revs higer and it definately feels like it helps my car with engine braking if I shift it across in to Sport.

Mine doesn't have a sport mode:(

btkm8unsl0w5r4 · 11-12-2012 08:45PM

Knock it into neutral when stopping. If you just break while in d you will tend to fishtail and veer off to one side, think its to do with the wheels still being powered.

alias no.9 · 11-12-2012 10:14PM

Autumn Obnoxious Tether wrote: »

Knock it into neutral when stopping. If you just break while in d you will tend to fishtail and veer off to one side, think its to do with the wheels still being powered.

If you brake in neutral with limited grip, you're straight into a skid, well manic ABS action anyway.

miller50841 · 11-12-2012 10:20PM

Honestly check up on owners manual as they will state whats best to do but if you can select the gears yourself thats best way to controling your car.
Ive had the 93 auto saab 2ltr petrol turbo only had sport button
ABS brakes arent worth a sh1t in ice or snow especially as the computer releases them and if no grip become useless and this is from experience.

Driving an Automatic on Icy roads

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