driving Toyota Corolla Auto in snow/ice?

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Mon 6 Dec 2004 09:13
driving Toyota Corolla Auto in snow/ice? - mikeinlondon
I bought an automatic Corolla recently, and am unsure what is the best driving practice for automatics on snow/ice? As this is my first auto I am unsure of what to do. We are forcast a very cold winter this year!!

Mike
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Mon 6 Dec 2004 11:08
driving Toyota Corolla Auto in snow/ice? - runboy
Does the Corolla manual indicate the existance of any 'snow' button on the dash? I only ask as my Avenis has a 'Snow ECT' button that when pressed will start the car in 2nd gear and force slower changes so as to reduce the risk of any sudden acceleration.

Failing that, this winter will be my first that I have ever driven an auto so I'm interested in peoples thoughts too!
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Mon 6 Dec 2004 11:14
driving Toyota Corolla Auto in snow/ice? - NowWheels
Does the Corolla manual indicate the existance of any 'snow' button on the dash?


On some cars it's labelled W for winter
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Mon 6 Dec 2004 11:22
driving Toyota Corolla Auto in snow/ice? - Stargazer {P}
Hope it does have a winter setting or that modern electronically controlled auto boxes are an improvement over the old Borg Warner type 35 hydraulically controlled auto boxes.

My old Mk1 Escort 1.3l not known for an excess of power (56bhp) had fairly skinny tyres and so should have been able to cut down into the snow. Unfortunately at the first hint of resistance it would down shift and the torque convertor cut in to increase torque. The increased torque simply span the rear wheels.

Examples of resistance included speed bump at the entrance to a carpark, gradient of more than 2%, lowered pavement onto driveway.

The car was a disaster in the snow.

StarGazer
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Mon 6 Dec 2004 17:08
driving Toyota Corolla Auto in snow/ice? - mikeinlondon
>>Hope it does have a winter setting....

No it doesnt, thats what worries me as i've seen cars with auto boxes that do...

mike
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Mon 6 Dec 2004 17:33
driving Toyota Corolla Auto in snow/ice? - Peter D
Use manual selection and take 5 to 7 psi out of the tyres. This allows the tyre wto walk more and shed the compressed snow from the tread. Remember to pump them back up before driving at speed as the tyre will get hot. You are required to keep the tyres within a a specified band so take care. Regrds Peter
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Mon 6 Dec 2004 20:10
driving Toyota Corolla Auto in snow/ice? - doctorchris
You don't really need a "winter setting", all you need to do is select 2nd gear and start off in that in the snow.
I find that auto boxes are great in the snow as you don't have a clutch to worry about and can concentrate on a smooth take-off on the throttle.
Don't forget, if you have ABS, might make stopping a bit easier but don't get carried away with the going bit.
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Mon 6 Dec 2004 20:41
driving Toyota Corolla Auto in snow/ice? - runboy
I suppose you could have a problem when you lift off the gas-an auto will keep going more than a geared car will due to the effect of engine braking (or lack of), so factor in bigger still stopping distances.
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Mon 6 Dec 2004 20:41
driving Toyota Corolla Auto in snow/ice? - Aprilia
You don't really need a "winter setting", all you need to
do is select 2nd gear and start off in that in
the snow.


On most ATX's the '2' position merely stops the box changing up from 2nd; doesn't stop it changing down to first.

The Winter programme forces the trans to engage 2nd or even 3rd from stationary. The torque convertor is used to get the car moving and the higher gearing limits torque to the wheels.
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Mon 6 Dec 2004 21:15
driving Toyota Corolla Auto in snow/ice? - patently
On some cars it's labelled W for winter


Others have a '*' for snowflakes....

Aprilia is right - the '2' program usually limits the box to 1st or 2nd - for going down steep inclines. You need a W/*/whatever mode or a manual mode to lock into 2nd.
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