What does "snow mode" actually do on the F-Type 8-speed? In some cars all it does is put the car in 2nd gear upon take off. But in the Jaguar for example, does it do that, change the shift points, adjust throttle sensitivity, slow the downshifts, etc.? And if you shift to "sport mode" when in "snow mode," then what happens? Has anyone used it much in wet or winter conditions, and what did you experience?

 

ive used it on the project 7 in the wet and it gives you a much better standing start with no wheel spin even if the foot is to the floor, try it you will be surprised

 

It dampens the shift points and acceleration, making the car feel like it's being driven by an old woman. (Note: the cars starts in 2nd, even in normal mode) Works well enough when required. Stays on when you stop/start the car, so you have to overtly turn it off. It can even serve as a governor for valets (assuming they're not familiar with how easy it is to turn off).

 

As others have said, it changes shift points and shift response speed. It also changes the throttle map to be very non-linear, to the point that real acceleration only takes place with your foot fairly close to the floor. It may do other things with the traction control system as well. I have found it useful on those cold wet spring or fall mornings, when the summer rubber is not warm yet and has a high propensity to break loose. I've also experimented with using it while cruising on the highway, and discovered that I could really maximize fuel efficiency in this mode if I'm in the mood for, or the traffic dictates, lollygagging along on the highway. As I mentioned, you really almost have to bury the throttle for the car to accelerate in this mode, and it's also very reluctant to downshift, making it ideal for lazily cruising on the highway and maximizing fuel economy. I managed 32 mpg for a significant portion of a trip to NYC one time doing this, and that was at 75+ MPH.

 

On the MT, it just dampens throttle response. 0-60 in 3.8 fortnights.

 

Snow?

 

 

On AWD models, I believe the Rain/Snow mode engages AWD moreso than Normal or Dynamic. I don't see how much torque % specified by Jaguar in Rain/Snow mode, but normally, it's 100% rear-biased until you begin to lose rear wheel traction with more slip allowed in Dynamic.

 

snow mode locks the AWD at 50-50% split b/w front and rear

 

Is this true?

I just thought snow, normal and dynamic just altered throttle response and TC interaction mainly.

If on AWD models the power split is being altered between dynamic, normal and snow modes would be great to know exact figures.

 

On the first rainy day of the year, I just couldn’t make it up an incline. Tires were spinning crazy. I just popped it into snow mode and drove right up.

 

My recollection is that it makes the traction control nanny more aggressive, plus anything you AT guys might care about. I could read the owner's manual to find out. I suppose you could too :-)

 

This is all my electronic copy of the owner's manual says:

RAIN/ICE/SNOW MODE
Rain/Ice/Snow mode optimises stability of the vehicle to suit low grip conditions. This helps the vehicle to perform in a more gentle and controlled manner, to avoid skidding, allowing more confident progress under adverse conditions.
Note: Rain/Ice/Snow mode cannot be active at the same time as Dynamic mode.
Note: Rain/Ice/Snow mode will remain selected indefinitely, even after the ignition is switched off. Rain/Ice/Snow mode must be deselected, if no longer required.

So not a helluva lot of help in explaining how it works!

 

Snow mode feels like it limits throttle output by as much as 70%.

 

I have, the manual goes into no detail as to what exactly snow mode is altering.



Yes the modes impact throttle response:
Snow: Pedal less responsive to small inputs, first 50% of travel gives like only 30% throttle, with remaing 70% throttle being in the later throttle stages.
Normal: Quite a linear throttle response, or set engine to normal in dynamic mode for same.
Dynamic: Ramped pedal curve, so first 30% of pedal gives like 50% throttle.

It is just the pedal mapping, car has full power in all three modes, just how far you press the pedal or how little depending on the mode as to how much the throttle body blade opens.


What I have noticed in rain/snow/ice mode is I can bury the throttle in the wet and get no traction control intervention and the car feels very composed and neutral, I can even keep it pinned through a corner without the rear-end trying to come round.
Whereas if I do exactly the same in dynamic mode, traction intervenes due to the rear-end wanting to step out or too much wheel spin from rear. If I enable track DSC in dynamic then it stops this intervention but the car gets quite side ways.

This is what is leading me to believe that on AWD cars the three modes are having some kind of impact on the AWD torque split and was just looking for confirmation of this.

 

Spays or neuters your car.

 

I notice that when I put the dynamic mode: snow/ice mode while driving on the highway at about 100 km/h (62.5 mph) the instant fuel consumption goes down dramticly. Why? Are somme of the engine cylinders desactivated?

 

Snow/Wet on AWD models locks the AWD split closest to 50/50 for improved traction in poorer conditions, very handy for track driving in the wet too.

 

Snow/rain mode on the freeway/interstate gives slightly higher mileage than normal mode, which is a bit higher than dynamic. I've put this down as being from the throttle being less sensitive.

The instantaneous mileage would improve a bit when switching because the throttle becomes less sensitive - I would think the revs would drop slightly.

 

Who would ever want that???