Passat poor in snow

I have owned Volkswagen Passat estates for the last 15 years. They have all been good in the snow. My current model is a 2-litre TDi fitted with Contisport 235/45 ZR 17 tyres. The traction in snow is appalling....

Switch ESP off or on in snow with a 4x4?

When driving in snow in my Juke AWD should I switch off ESP and use 50/50 4WD or Variable 4WD?

Snow bawl

One: I don't suppose I'm the first to tell you this but I've just realised it. The main road on my Mother's estate has not seen the snow plough... and never will. Why? It's got speed cushions on it, which...

Got the hump with the snow

Ours is one of those villages built around a single road about half a mile from the main road. During last winter's snow chaos, the village was cut off for three days because the county council 'did not...

Put a sock on it

A friend has recommended AutoSock textile tyre covers, which he says are very good in the current snowy conditions, although they are quickly damaged if you drive too long on uncovered tarmac. Do you have...

Snow chains on a Volkswagen Golf GTD

According to the manual, the tyres on this car (GTD) cannot be fitted with snow chains. We are driving to the French Alps where snow chains must be carried. The car has winter tyres, although these are...

Snow chains advice

I would appreciate your advice on the use of snow chains as the season to be miserable approaches. If the tyre treads become filled with compacted snow why don't the chains become likewise affected? In...

Buying used family car - what do you recommend?

Need a family car which can accommodate 2 toddlers and an adult in back and sometimes 3rd child, boot to fit double buggy and/or 2 bicycles, economical and which will not let me down in snow/ice. I live...

Can you recommend winter tyres for our Citroen C-Crosser which tows a caravan?

I own a Citroen C-Crosser 4-wheel-drive with 18-inch wheels and 225/55 R18 tyres. I will shortly need to replace them. The only criterion is I pull a caravan, off grid, which means we use ordinary fields...

A new car for all conditions

I have a 2006 Volkswagen Passat. However, I now regularly drive over a half-mile long dirt track which has a fair gradient in parts, but is not extremely steep, and which has some sharp bends. My Passat...