Dear All,
C5 Hdi Estate. Auto Gearbox. Next to the gear stick are two buttons, one is sports setting, which is explained in the handbook and another button which is marked with a snowflake.
The handbook helpfully states that it is useful in wintry conditions, and thats it! So I used it today.
But what do you experts think that this buttons does and how does it work?
Or is it like those buttons on pedsetrian crossings which light up when you press them and do nothing else?
Regards
Vercin
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I think, but am open to correction, that the winter mode changes gear earlier and smoother to avoid wheelspin. I think it may also vary when the torque convertor is locked up and maybe only utilises 2nd gear to start.
Ben
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I think that's pretty much it, although further elucidation will be welcomed.
Does anybody else remember the Mark 3 Cav launch adverts that featured the car as the car for Buck Rogers style future, year 2001, and that boasted about the adaptive autobox? (I think it may have been a first on that car)
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Vauxhall call this button the "Starting-off aid"
In the event of starting-off dificulties on slippery roads, press the button. The vehicle starts off in a higher gear. Similar to what you would do with manual transmision.
Don't use unecessarily as it can damage the gearbox - again similar to a manual gearbox where you have to slip the clutch to pull away in a higher gear.
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Not having heard of this feature, I would have guessed it introduced a bit more 'engine braking' than the normal freewheel autobox action.
That would be useful in the current conditions where the two-pedal option is not enough sometimes.
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Your comments are correct about damage. I know from personal experience that Vauxhall autobox monitors the gearbox temp. If it gets too hot the function is switched off and you are back to normal. About half an hour max is all you will get uf struggling through snow using this function!
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My astra has this function (though as I posted on the discusion thread, it's a bit useless here in the sun!)
starts off in 3rd, and turns off automatically at about 50mph.
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Vauxhall call this button the "Starting-off aid" In the event of starting-off dificulties on slippery roads, press the button.
Wish I'd had one of those the other day...
HF
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>> Vauxhall call this button the "Starting-off aid" >> press the button. Wish I'd had one of those the other day...
HF, IIRC, you already have enough buttons and switches to cope with in the Astra without adding even more to confuse you :o)
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HF, IIRC, you already have enough buttons and switches to cope with in the Astra without adding even more to confuse you :o)
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What can I say? :)
HF
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My friends auto SAAB 900 has the same snowflake button.
The dealer told me it starts the vehicle in second gear.
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Dera All
Thanks for the comments.
Now for the acid test, will i get the same or similar answers from a Ciroen dealer and or Citroen UK?
I'll let you know
regards
Vercin
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Now for the acid test, will i get the same or similar answers from a Ciroen dealer and or Citroen UK? I'll let you know
Vercin, what was the verdict?
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Hi DD,
Ive tried Citroen main web site and only found a passing reference.
Otherwise everytime I've remebered to phone dealer its been 6pm plus! So I'll tie a knot in the handkerchief and try today.
Regards
Vercin
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>> Now for the acid test, will i get the same or >> similar answers from a Ciroen dealer and or Citroen UK? >> >> I'll let you know Vercin, what was the verdict?
Hi DD
1) Dealer very helpful and confirmed that it starts the gearbox in 2nd gear. So the sites advice was bang on.
2) The customer services at head office technical seemed surprised that a punter had got through. There followed a short sterile conversation but basically confirmed the info.
many thanks one and all
Vercin
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On my BMW 320 switching to 'snow mode' means the autobox starts off in whichever gear the selector is positioned and won't change down. So if you want to pull away gently in third, just switch to 'snow mode' and select third. You can change down manually and the auto box will change up to 4th and 5th as normal.
I tend to use it every time I start from cold and shift manually for the first mile or so, otherwise the auto won't change up 'till the revs reach about 3500, which I think is cruel for a cold engine.
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John 2002
That's the environment for you. On most modern automatics, upshifts on cold engines are delayed to speed up the process of warming the catalytic convertor.
Regards
John S
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John S,
My 1992 525i automatic works in the way that you have described. It won't change up into fifth until a certain temperature is reached, probably about 20C, and won't go into 'lock-up' until normal running temperature.
In the 'snow' position, the car starts off in 2nd (or 3rd?) and upchanges occur slightly earlier than normal.
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I also find it really handy in heavy stop start traffic, select 'snow mode' and second gear - prevents all that annoying hunting between first and second.
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starts off in 3rd, and turns off automatically at about 50mph.
Ian is almost spot on as far as Vauxhalls are concerned.
I have a Cavalier V6 with a four speed auto box and a snowflake button. The manual states that it starts the car in third gear and keeps it there until you hit 55mph after which it acts normally.
If you want to use a lower or higher gear simply hit the button again, or manually change down.
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