Hi my name is Matt and I have a 1994 Vauxhall Omega 2.0 16v Automatic Saloon Green Car. It has a very high mileage (121,000) but is still going like a tank. My friends call it 'The Beast'. I like to call it 'The Tank'.
It has a snow button, which I personally have never used. Has anyone actaully used this James Bond style device in the Snow?
A friend of mine used it and apprantley it's like being in a 4x4 as long as you drive slow and carefull in the snow. One press of the 'Snow Button' (located by the Autobox) makes all the difference in the world. I think it works by making the car move off slowly in 3rd gear? I am unsure as how well it will work with my 17inch alloys with wide tyres.
That's of course if there is any snow this Winter to contend with hmm...............
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The snow button is really just a starting off aid for when underfoot is slipperly. You would only tend to use it if you've got no or little traction. Basically this button is doing the same as if you had a manual gearbox and needed to start off in a higher gear to get out of a muddy field for instance.
Don't be fooled into thinking it will give your car better stability in icy weather.
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I should just add that in the 9 years of owning various Vauxhall autos, I can only recall ever using the button once to get out of a grass carpark at the Royal Show at Stoneleigh Park.
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"A friend of mine used it and apprantley it's like being in a 4x4"
Nope - Nothing like it.
Had one on a cav. All it does is start the auto off in a higher gear in an attempt to stop the drive wheels slipping on ice or snow on take off.
It dont.
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Therefore, should I turn the snow button 'off' once I have started to speed up and have moved off? Or does it turn itself off automatically, or should I leave it turned on for when I come to a give way, or a stop in the road, then pull off? hmm
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I wouldn't ever bother switching it on, as DD's practical experience shows it's hardly ever worth it. A definate no no at a give way / stop sign, unless you want to emerge slowly from side turnings.....
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I think I get it:
1. Only use the Snow Button if you really need it (If you get stuck or feal that you will not be able to move in the snow or muddy field).
2. Should be off all other times.
3. Why am I using this stupid number thing 1,2,3. doh!
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does it turn itself off automatically,
From memory, it turns itself off after any of the following:
1. 15 mins of being turned on, (so that the gearbox doesn't overheat)
2. using the kickdown for more than 2 seconds,
3. speeds above 50mph.
(if you can kickdown or go above 50mph, then the gearbox is telling you that the snow button isn't necessary.
Ultimately only use it if you're stuck and unable to move off a slippery surface, and once moving turn it off ASAP.
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Having had manual Vauxhalls, I've never used a 'snow' button, but I believe the biggest benefit on slippery roads is the traction control system fitted to 2.0 lire Vectras and a few others (including my 1.8 Astra) so it's probably on your Omega. I've always been impressed with how this manages the throttle and ABS to control wheelspin and allows the car to climb slippery slopes.
JS
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My V6 omega had traction control, and it was useful on muddy surfaces etc.; but unfortunatley it isn't fitted on any 2 litre Omegas, like mine and MGO's, to the best of my knowledge.
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NO TC
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I have no Traction Control Button. But is there Traction Control on my Vauxhall Omega 2.0 16v GLS Saloon
I doubt it very much. I think it has ABS but thats about it.
I still like my snow button. Looking forward to using it this winter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D
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Not doubting what you say about Omega spec, but be aware that around 98/99(I believe) VX deleted the 'TC off' button from the dash of their cars. So, TC's on all the time. Only clue is the amber TC light on the dash on these later cars.
JS
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My grandma thought it was for the air conditioning!
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The Winter button (Snowflake symbol) really does work on Vauxhall autos.
It forces the box to start in 3rd which dramatically reduces the torque available which minimises wheelspin when starting from rest.
It won't generate extra grip but I use it when necessary to tow a caravan off wet grass with no wheelspin when less competent 4x4 drivers are digging a hole for each wheel!
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The Winter button (Snowflake symbol) really does work on Vauxhall autos.
If there is a lot of snow this winter, I wonder if there will be push to have a snow button on most autos. It surely cannot be expensive to fit and is simpler to explain to the less technical and the less interested out there.
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The 1.8 Auto Vectra I had was fitted with the "snow" and sport button.
As discussed earlier, the snow button forces the box to use 3rd gear to pull away, reducing the chances of wheelspin on slippery surfaces. The drawback is that prolonged use, e.g in stop/start may cause torque converter overheating.
Did it work - You bet it did, there have been several instances in winter where other cars have ground to a halt and the Vectra just kept going.
I guess the buttons were a pre-cursor to the "fuzzy logic" adaptive set ups on more modern cars, such as the VW Bora I now have.
Not all progress is forward, last winter the Bora & it's more advanced 'box didn't get up my in-laws drive after snow where I knew the Vectra would have had no problems.
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This makes me feal much happier about my car. At last, somthing good! I am now happy to have my Omega - and look forward to using the Snow Button this Winter.
Just one question - will the snow button work in reverse gear if I want to reverse out of a downwards driveway? :)
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Just one question - will the snow button work in reverse gear if I want to reverse out of a downwards driveway?
The button locks it into 3rd gear. As there is only one reverse gear, no it won't.
Unless you treat the loud pedal purely as an on / off switch, as mentioned earlier, chances are you won't need the button. And even if you do use the button and are over enthusiastic with the loud pedal, the electronics will turn the button off again anyway.
Now what I cannot figure out is why you're looking forward to using this button? Why the fascination? It's a starting off aid - nothing more. as I mentioned earlier, in 9 years of owning an auto, I've only ever had to use it once.
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Hahahaha!
Love the quote "pressing the snow button makes it like driving a 4x4".
hahahaha! That's made my day ;-)
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