Greetings fellow S-Type owners. Next week our area is fixing to get crapped on (snow) and I would appreciate your input on how well S-Types do in snowy conditions. I got mine due to the DSC and the traction control. My guess is that it will be OK, but would like other opinions (other than I'm ugly too).

Thanks,

Mike

 

Mike,
We, in Seattle, were crapped on over Christmas. Not much compared to Minnesota but they use salt. We don't. This was my first, real, experience in snow with the Jag.

What I found was; going uphill, let the system do its job, let traction control work by holding the revs, don't try to increase your revs it will not work. Take a run at a hill if you can. Try not to stop going uphill. If you do you could be screwed. Going downhill just take it easy.

I had to stop because the vehicle in front of me did so and I wanted to allow him as much space as possible. That was when I found I couldn't start off. Turned off traction control, moved forward by spinning the crap out of the tyres and then, whenit was safe, turned on the traction control again.

It is not 4x4 so don't try to drive it as one. Take your time, allow PLENTY of space between you and the car in front and you shouldn't have any problems. Alas you cannot account for those behind you.

Good luck and looking forward to your account.

Mark

 

Thanks Mark,

What kind of Triumph is that under the snow? My next project is convincing the Boss I need a motorcycle. My target is either a Speed Triple or Street Triple. My favorite color for the Triumphsis Roulette Green. The new Blazing Orange looks good also.

 

I love my s in snow. Better than any front drive I've had, but then I grew up driving rear drivers. The Biggest thing is tires. The ones that came with my car are terrible. Poor bite in the rear and they let the front slide out in slush. That said, I like the DSC a lot. It lets the rear move out just a little before it starts to reel it in. Living in Northeast Ohio, it snows almost every day in winter. I've taken my car down unplowed roads a couple of times without trouble. Feather the throttle and keep momentum going. If your too aggressive with the gas the car just won't go and you'll probably get stuck. I've taken my future brother in-law to practice driving in an empty lot that was snow covered. I showed him the difference in handling with DSC off and on. No matter what I did, it would not slide out with the DSC on. That said, I then made him practice figure 8's with DSC off until he could master it without spinning out. It takes practice but I find these cars to be some of the most balanced I've driven.

 

Well, I'm in Winnipeg, Canada and we have snow of the ground here for about 6 to 7 months of the year. I have an STR and so far it has been great. Just like everyone else here mentioned, if you are on a hill, don't stop!!! If you do, it's a real pain to get going again. Now I have dedicated winter tires for my car and if it wasn't for them I would be screwed! Basically the idea that as long as you are careful and let the DSC do it's job, you should be okay is right. With 400hp in the STR, I have never lost control even when I was on sheet ice, and 265's on the rear don't really help the cause!

 

Hi WinterJag,

400 hp in the winter? You must have an educated right foot!

Happy motoring,

Mike

 

I sure do! I bet I never move hte pedal more than a 1/4 of the way to the floor in the winter! But, you get used to it. You can't even begin to use the cars full potential until summer!

 

im surprised your engine isnt fouled up with all that unused power most of the time!

 

Well, I actually live outside the city. For me, I do about 100-150Km every day driving and about 75% of that is on the highway at speed. So the car does get a bit of a workout. But it doesn't get a real workout until it warms up since I am terrified to hit a patch of ice at full throttle, that wouldn't be fun at all! I have hit ice while on the throttle (about 30%) and that was scary enough, almost lost it if it wasn't for the DSC coming on and saving my butt!

 

Thanks for the tips everybody, they were most helpful. I discovered the car was quite good in pretty slippery conditions. It was pretty interesting to feel the DSC and the traction control kick in right before the wheels would start spinning. Now the next thing is that I'll probably spend Saturday with 8,000 of my closest friends at the carwash getting my car clean.

Mike

 

my car looks like a kosher dill pickle with salt.[:@]

 

Mine had a protective coating of ice this morning. It was a little tricky walking to the car as it was like a skating rink. Once I got the car warmed up (does this pretty quickly) I was able to chip off the ice fairly easily. Only other problem was wondering if this guy in a Tundra SUV would stop in time at an intersection. He had the front wheels locked up and was slithering all over the place.