Driving in the snow and ice.

[PeterPassat]

How have members found their B6s have behaved in the b. awful driving conditions we've had over the Christmas period?

I am sorry to say I am more than disappointed with mine! It wouldn't even cope with snow and the slightest incline.

It handled as badly as my old Triumph TR6 ! ( Front and rear wheel drives I know)

Being serious, my Passat Estate (2.0 TI DSG) just could not cope with the icy conditons at all. It was a similar tale with my son's Skoda Octavia. Tyres too wide and not enough weight.

What have your experiences been? No doubt I'll be shouted down as being a useless driver, but I have driven in awful conditions over the years and previously my cars and I have coped!

[csmccoll68]

mines the same even with esp switched off

even bloody transit van got up hill easier than me

worst car for these conditions

[RickT]

On my A4, this winter has been a nightmare due to having only 2mm of tread on the fronts,

Last year when i had around 7mm tread i was fine in the snow... on the same roads!

I think the main issue over xmas for me was compacted snow which turned to ice, which was impossible for any road car.

It all comes down to the tyres.. stick 2 pair of studded snow tyres on the car and its like driving in the wet..

Just like when i was driving out in Sweden, 50/60mph on ice... with studded tyres in a mk5 golf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asMMRg6kdh0


Rick

[PeterPassat]

I'm glad its not just me! And there was plenty of tread on the tyres - 5mm plus.

[nick41]

Snow tyres are the answer my friends.........never thought they'd be worth the money but I'm now on my forth winter. I bought steels for them to go on at the same time so my alloys are saved from the salt. Even in wet cold weather they make a difference and really grip - mandatory in Germany and I can see why.....:D

[PeterPassat]

Definitely on the agenda for next year. What sort of mileage would you expect to get out of them?
Snow tyres are the answer my friends.........never thought they'd be worth the money but I'm now on my forth winter. I bought steels for them to go on at the same time so my alloys are saved from the salt. Even in wet cold weather they make a difference and really grip - mandatory in Germany and I can see why.....:D

[nick41]

I must have covered 20k by now, they're Avons and may well be their last winter, depending how long I leave them on for. Once temperatures creep over 7-8 degrees I use a bit more fuel and they wear more quickly.

[redrolo]

Peter, take it you have Conti Sport 2 tyres then! There have been many threads on here as to what the cause is. My wife has 18" Michelin on her Mk5 Gti and is great in the snow. My neighbour who is a VW employee has a 59 passat with Michelin and has no trouble at all in the snow.

I am using snow chains to get out of where I live, then when I hit the main road take them off. Luckily the roads are well gritted around these parts.

Next year I will either go for specific snow tyres on 1 bought rim/plus spare wheel, or change my conti 2's (4mm of tread still on) for some tyres better in the snow, perhaps the Primacy..

[RickT]

When i was in Sweden the hire car had studded Michelin tyres on it, however when i was in Oslo, Norway, the hire car have Michelin X Ice tyres which seemed to be as good in the ice and snow.

See link below for details of tyre,

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=X-Ice

Rick

[BenR]

It's all about driving technique. Our street has a hill at each end and I've had no problems apart from the first Monday when I tried to get up with the ESP still on; the car slowed and slowed and eventually stalled. Turn the ESP off, get a good speed up and keep the momentum and you can get up most hills. That may mean driving down the hill first to find a flat spot; we advised a young driver who was struggling last night to drive to the bottom of the hill and get some speed up and a minute later he shot past, waving happily in thanks for the advice.

Also try to drive on the softer, less compacted parts of the road to find grip.

[redrolo]

It's all about driving technique. Our street has a hill at each end and I've had no problems apart from the first Monday when I tried to get up with the ESP still on; the car slowed and slowed and eventually stalled. Turn the ESP off, get a good speed up and keep the momentum and you can get up most hills. That may mean driving down the hill first to find a flat spot; we advised a young driver who was struggling last night to drive to the bottom of the hill and get some speed up and a minute later he shot past, waving happily in thanks for the advice.

Also try to drive on the softer, less compacted parts of the road to find grip.


Sorry Ben beg to differ. I can get my wifes car out, but not mine... she has bigger tyres on her Gti. As in a previous thread I stated that a neighbour who is an experienced traffic police officer and instructor, could not get mine to move...I can't even move mine on the flat in the snow, so what chance do I have on the hills?

[RickT]

Sorry Ben beg to differ. I can get my wifes car out, but not mine... she has bigger tyres on her Gti. As in a previous thread I stated that a neighbour who is an experienced traffic police officer and instructor, could not get mine to move...I can't even move mine on the flat in the snow, so what chance do I have on the hills?

its the same as my a4 with 2mm of tread... I had got no chance... I was even able to set off in 3rd gear and the front wheels just span..

The advice above is correct regarding getting the momentum up, however if you can even get moving which was my issue, i had / have no chance.

Rick

[redrolo]

I have 4mm and goes nowhere!!! Hopefully I will change them in September, just in time for the winter.

[PeterPassat]

Thank goodness its not just me that finds the B6 NBG in the snow/ice. Had problems with mine on the flat as well. Mine is on Pirelli P7s. Will be investing in a set of steels and snow tyres for next year.

[SteveX]

I think a set of snow tyres/wheels are the real answer . Having said that, I replaced both my front tyres with the new primacys 2 months ago and i've been ok so far.

[redrolo]

I hear good reports about the primacy both on here and on review sites. I think they are next on the front for me.

[SteveX]

I think they are next on the front for me. The best deal I got for the two were from kwik-fit online

[redrolo]

The best deal I got for the two were from kwik-fit online
I love Kwik fit online. I can't believe the mark up if you go to the outlet and get them. Got a pair of Pirelli Rosso's for wifes car on line, and asked the fitter the cost if I had gone through the outlet. The difference was.....£190 odd quid!!

Will be going there again for mine!!

[rapport25]

Hi all.

Reading this quite simply scares the **** out of me!!! I pick my passat up in two weeks. I had noticed it had pirelli p zero's i think on the rear. The spare is the same. And on the front it has continentals. I have never any problems with my peugeot in the snow.

The tyres I would suggest not sure for the passat toyo proxes T1R'S they were excellent in the wet and the dry. Never used them in the snow so cant comment.

Rappy :biglaugh:

[angus]

Yes we have snow up above (not so) sunny Halifax, and yes the B6 is the worst car I`ve owned for dealing with snow in 35 years. To compound matters I have half-worn Contis on the front (had new Michelins fitted a couple of weeks ago but put them on the back and moved the Contis forward because they had been feathered on the rear axle - damn!).

The cumulative effect is less than sod-all traction, and if you do get any forward momentum there is no way of stopping - I`ve slithered into a main road twice today (fortunately they were clear) trying to stop from tickover speed in first gear (admittedly it is very hill where I am), but the OH`s B5.5 is lightyears ahead of mine for traction and stopping, but it does have new Michelins on.

[nick41]

I know not everyone can rush out and buy snow tyres, but I really hope folk will take the time to investigate the difference. As well as tread pattern and depth differences, they're a much softer rubber that grips in these temperatures. I've read all the posts on this and all I can add is that everytime I've taken a mate out and either driven them or let them drive , they cannot believe the difference. We've got both B5.5 and B6 Passats and they're both the same without snow tyres. Driving skill comes into it to a point, but if you haven't got traction - you're going nowhere.....

[PeterPassat]

I know not everyone can rush out and buy snow tyres, but I really hope folk will take the time to investigate the difference. As well as tread pattern and depth differences, they're a much softer rubber that grips in these temperatures. I've read all the posts on this and all I can add is that everytime I've taken a mate out and either driven them or let them drive , they cannot believe the difference. We've got both B5.5 and B6 Passats and they're both the same without snow tyres. Driving skill comes into it to a point, but if you haven't got traction - you're going nowhere.....

I tried to buy some 215/55/R16 XL snow tyres y/day all to no avail, as rare as hen's teeth. I'll definitely be buying, with a couple of steel rims, for next year though. You watch there won't be a flake next winter!

[dunkley201]

I tried to buy some 215/55/R16 XL snow tyres y/day all to no avail, as rare as hen's teeth. I'll definitely be buying, with a couple of steel rims, for next year though. You watch there won't be a flake next winter!

If I were going for steel rims/snow tyres I would suggest reverting to narrower 15" steel rims as used on old B5s - with a less low profile tyre to maintain the rolling radius. You will get better grip in snow and the (snow) tyre sizes will likely be more readily available. Just a thought......

[MalcQV]

T'is interesting, now I have a 2003 B5.5 and it has been fantastic in the snow. I have lost count how many people I have passed over the holiday period without any problems. Audi's (new ones) seem to be the worse affected? I read something about DSG's struggling in snow :confused:

Mine has aftermarket 17" alloys (replica RS6's) with 225 tyres which are budget tyres Erics Rubber Tyre or some name :p two years old 20k on.

Many years ago in the mid 90's I had a brand new Rover 416i saloon coming back from Cumbria in similar conditions, I passed 4WD abandoned cars.

Is it me (I doubt it) or maybe I have a Snow Angel :p

Technique... http://www.windowsguide.org/forum/images/smilies/hmmm.gif

[karlcb]

How have members found their B6s have behaved in the b. awful driving conditions we've had over the Christmas period?

I am sorry to say I am more than disappointed with mine! It wouldn't even cope with snow and the slightest incline.

It handled as badly as my old Triumph TR6 ! ( Front and rear wheel drives I know)

Being serious, my Passat Estate 2.0 TI SG) just could not cope with the icy conditons at all. It was a similar tale with my son's Skoda Octavia. Tires too wide and not enough weight.

What have your experiences been? No doubt I'll be shouted down as being a useless driver, but I have driven in awful conditions over the years and previously my cars and I have coped!
glad i am not the only one my b6 saloon is a nightmare in snow or ice esp on or off no difference my old passat estate on 52 plate was great nothing stopped it

[Quatrelle]

glad i am not the only one my b6 saloon is a nightmare in snow or ice esp on or off no difference my old passat estate on 52 plate was great nothing stopped it

I noticed on tv yesterday a B5 Passat had impaled itself on railings...

I'm not saying the B6 is any good, but nothing on ordinary tyres is going to be drivable on ice.

[PeterPassat]

but nothing on ordinary tyres is going to be drivable on ice.

But there are an awful lot better than the B6, just from current (snow/ice) observations.

[xb25436]

Had my B6 for a month now and its fitted with new Primacys and its great in snow and ice.Previous car was a B5 that I had for 11 years and I had budget Fates from Argentina and they too were brilliant.

[drmartin]

T'is interesting, now I have a 2003 B5.5 and it has been fantastic in the snow. I have lost count how many people I have passed over the holiday period without any problems. Audi's (new ones) seem to be the worse affected? I read something about DSG's struggling in snow :confused:

Mine has aftermarket 17" alloys (replica RS6's) with 225 tyres which are budget tyres Erics Rubber Tyre or some name :p two years old 20k on.

Many years ago in the mid 90's I had a brand new Rover 416i saloon coming back from Cumbria in similar conditions, I passed 4WD abandoned cars.

Is it me (I doubt it) or maybe I have a Snow Angel :p

Technique... http://www.windowsguide.org/forum/images/smilies/hmmm.gif

My A4 Avant is much better than my old beloved B6 sport, The B6 had DSG and even on the flat it could not get into a car park with more than 2 inches of snow, it just sat like a lemon... miss that car though.

The A4 has 215mm wide against the 245 on the B6, that seams to help a little.

Question: has anyone tried running with a pair of space savers on the front? 125 width should dig in and grip I would have thougth.. my old long gone Vauxhall Astra with 155mm tires just inspired confidance.
:beerchug:

[karlcb]

I noticed on tv yesterday a B5 Passat had impaled itself on railings...

I'm not saying the B6 is any good, but nothing on ordinary tyres is going to be drivable on ice.
i agree with you on quality of tyres making a difference but having done 150k in passat 5.5 and 50k in passat b6 my 5.5 in my opinion was far better in the snow and ice