I know I am stating the obvious here....

I got to drive in my first snow storm last night, in the STS-V. It was like a flash back to a 1973 posi traction camaro. I had to stop on an incline covered in ice, and everytime I tried to accelerate, the car would literally drift backwards, towards the cars behind me. Traction control did nothing.

People behind me had to get out and push me up the hill. What a drive home. 90 minutes to go 5.5 miles..

With the CTS-V, at least you had some control with the clutch.

Until I get snow tires, this car is staying in the garage when it snows...

I have to ask the obvious question. Did you try to manually shift the car into a very high gear like 3rd or 4th before starting ?

I haven't driven either V in the snow yet.

next time throw it into manual 2nd and try that.

Both good ideas....Did not think of that. I was surprised the traction control was ineffective.

One thing is for sure, I am throwing a bag of salt in the trunk, and paying more attention to the weather forcast.

Cool, thanks for letting us know. Like I said I haven't had a chance to test it yet, but it's that time of year here when we get sleet and ice and I'm already thinking what I may have to do if it hits and I HAVE to drive.

When I had my CTSv, I drove it for 1 Cleveland winter...it wasnt pretty but I made it. The next year I bought a beater 4x4 Jimmy for the winter, much better...

F

jdod, I was in the exact same mess yesterday. See my post in my thread about yesterday.

The car is totally useless, not even the smallest of inclines can it climb (the GSD3's didn't help) with the smallest amount of snow fall. I did not try manual mode because even in manual mode when the car is stopped the trans wants to kick it back into first gear automatically. I totally gave up and parked it on a side street and had my wife pick me up.

Yes, traction was totally useless and even at a stop with your foot on the brakes, the rear tires move and make the ass end slide side to side.

My V is in the garage for the next 6 weeks. Glad you made it home ok.

We haven't had ANY snow here in Raleigh for 2 years, and as soon as I put my 4x4 truck in the shop, wouldn't you know it.... it snows a little Thursday and they are calling for 3 inches on Saturday. The V will stay in the garage. I love the way it drives on dry pavement, but I'm not even going to attempt going anywhere in it in snow.

Good thing we have the STS4 as a backup. From what I hear, they do pretty good in snow.

I did not try manual mode because even in manual mode when the car is stopped the trans wants to kick it back into first gear automatically.

This is true, however once stopped you can kick it back up into any gear you wish and start from there. I've been driving the car doing manual shifts for the last couple of days to get used to how it feels like that in case, as I mentioned before, we do get some ice/snow in the next month and a half. :) Actually having a bit of fun driving it like that.

Traction control did nothing.



Traction control only maximizes the grip that is available. Maximizing zero grip leaves you with . . . let me get out my calculator. . . . zero. :banghead:

High performance tires don't work worth a damm until you get some heat in 'em. Maybe we should all carry a set of Formula One style tire warmers in the trunk for those cold days. :)

High performance tires don't work worth a damm until you get some heat in 'em. Maybe we should all carry a set of Formula One style tire warmers in the trunk for those cold days. :)
That's why I usually get 'em spinning in the street in front of my house in the morning before I get going. Warms 'em up a little (and the kids love it!!).:burn::burn:

With 439 lb/ft of torque these cars are virtually dead in the slippery stuff . . . .

My first experience in snow was quite the white knuckler . . . but I also have well worn stock tires . . . . which I have no idea how that happened. . . :histeric: