Snow Mode

[KiwiBacon]

For those of you driving auto cars, some of them have a snow mode for the auto box.

This makes the car take of in a higher gear, locking out 1st and maybe second depending on the vehicle.

I'm wondering if it can save fuel around town in a similar way to driving a manual in higher gears. So anyone want to flick the switch and let me know?
I've tried running one of my cars like that, but the car sees mostly open road use, the around town running isn't enough to make an impact on fuel economy.

[bluevp00]

"Snow mode" usually just starts out in 2nd gear, skipping first gear altogether. It helps to prevent the wheels spinning in snow. Idk if it would really work for fuel economy that well, because the extra throttle necessary to start a car out in 2nd would cancel out any fuel savings.

I do know of a few people who drive manuals and start out in 2nd gear while driving around town, but doing this with an automatic might not work quite as well.

[KiwiBacon]

Originally Posted by bluevp00

Idk if it would really work for fuel economy that well, because the extra throttle necessary to start a car out in 2nd would cancel out any fuel savings.

A higher gear with wider throttle opening makes the engine more efficient, not less.
Total air and fuel consumption is less for the power you get out of it.

Hence fuel savings.

However the snow mode will trade off running the engine in a more efficient manner for running the transmission in a less efficient manner.
The best way to know the overall result is to get a lot of people to try it. Which is the point of this thread.

[2.2 Straight six]

driving around town in a higher gear seems to save fuel, a friend of mine regularly drives in a high gear to do so. i've been with him and he's doing 20 in 6th. (no overdrive grears)

another friend of mine drives around town solely in 3rd and 4th, because his truck is too violent in lower gears (lots of torque) but i don't know what fuel saving he makes.

[bluevp00]

It basically all depends on the car's individual gear ratios then, if you can easily start out in 2nd, then I'd say experiment with it.

I would try it out, except the snow mode on Honda's is basically a 2nd gear lockout, wheras it ONLY stays in 2nd, doesn't shift up to 3rd or 4th. Once you get moving you have to shift the gear lever back to drive manually.

[KiwiBacon]

Originally Posted by bluevp00

It basically all depends on the car's individual gear ratios then, if you can easily start out in 2nd, then I'd say experiment with it.

I would try it out, except the snow mode on Honda's is basically a 2nd gear lockout, wheras it ONLY stays in 2nd, doesn't shift up to 3rd or 4th. Once you get moving you have to shift the gear lever back to drive manually.

I should mention my auto car is a Nissan.
Snow mode on that locks out first gear and seems to change earlier into 3rd as well.

[Millermagic]

Some vehicles it's a waste to start out in 1st gear - my dad's F350 for example. He got it geared lower so second gear isn't that bad to start out in.

[cody_e]

So you are going to put the car essentially in low? Liek an automotic transmission you're goign to stick in "2?" You realize you have shorter gears so you have more power with that? I think it would waste mroe gas cause the engine would rev higher due to the shorter gears.

[Blue Bowtie]

When you're in 16" of snow, fuel mileage usually isn't the primary concern. You do whatever is necessary to get moving, keep moving, and stay out of trouble. You don't see many Preludes or Maximas out and about in real snow. Any vehicle with any kind of traction control sophistication will start out just fine in OD. All the rest is just "fluff" (pun intended).

[KiwiBacon]

Originally Posted by Blue Bowtie

When you're in 16" of snow, fuel mileage usually isn't the primary concern. You do whatever is necessary to get moving, keep moving, and stay out of trouble. You don't see many Preludes or Maximas out and about in real snow. Any vehicle with any kind of traction control sophistication will start out just fine in OD. All the rest is just "fluff" (pun intended).

I've found it quite useful on gravel roads. Especially starting uphill in a fwd car.

[GreyGoose006]

there is a hill near my house that is simply impossible for me to get up for about the first ten minutes of light rain (road is really oily).
no matter how easy i am with the gas, one of the rear tires looses traction.
i usually end up flooring it out of frustration then let off and hpoefully hook up. no TCS or limited slip even. course better tires help a lot.

its a real big hill with a stoplight at the top, right before it starts to break over.