The US has had a pretty snowy and icy winter. I'll soon have my first foray with a Jaguar and snow. Real world Winter Mode / DSC icy driving advice needed. Travel to Arjeplog, Lapland for proper Arctic testing looks fun but is not yet an option.

I've read conflicting reports on Jaguar's proper use of Winter Mode and DSC in certain icy conditions. From what I've read Winter Mode restricts throttle response and adjusts DSC. This sounds great for climbing a slick incline. This is a series of an XF-R vs. an icy hill. I don't know if the driver was in Winter Mode or not. Assume he was, would disabling DSC have helped?
http://www.youtube.com/user/jecoltra.../5/0VreJTcxlG8

This Top Gear video makes me think yes. This test track appears more difficult than the icy hill in the previous example.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-hHW...layer_embedded

Bonus for BMW fanboys. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9xmp...eature=related

-D

 

Search below and you will find an excellent summary by Jagular about how Winter Mode and Trac DSC should be used in winter. It's actually fun driving around lumbering SUV's who think they should be kings of the road, only to be left floundering by a rwd car.

 

Snow tires are pretty much essential. The North American XF comes with all seasons (not the SC or XFR which are high performance summers) which will work in winter but not in severe conditions. Summer performance tires just will not work in winter no matter what electronics are switched on or off. I have got my XF stuck once (high centered the body on a deep snow drift right outside my garage) and have frequently found grades too steep and snowy to drive up even with four Pirelli Sottozero snow tires.