Cold Weather Quirks

[musher51]

It's been consistently <10 F for the past week or so in MN, and I've encountered two new issues that appear to be related to cold temps.

1. Intermittent loss of radio presets -- admittedly not a serious issue, but when I try to change stations using the steering wheel control in sub-zero weather, about half of the presets are unavailable. The banner at the top of the screen changes to the numbered station, but the station doesn't change. I CAN access the desired station by using the DIS knob, so it doesn't appear to be a radio failure per se, but rather a quirk in the steering wheel control.

2. More significantly, it seems like ESC functionality has changed. All but the freeways and main streets around here are essentially ice covered (much more than usual), and when I start out from a dead stop on glare ice, the ESC is pretty much throttling my power down to 10 - 15% of "normal", which is a bit disconcerting if you're taking a left turn into traffic. I didn't notice this issue last winter, but it's a daily occurrence right now, at least until it warms up and the ice melts. Anyone else having an issue with overkill power loss when ESC is engaged? I tried turning ESC off for a while, but that's not a good idea on glare ice, either.

 

[ttsig]

Actually, I expect that turning of the ESC isn't that big of a deal if it helps. The Genesis doesn't really turn off the ESC ever, well at least not with the button. When you use the button to turn of the ESC it simply kicks in slightly later. I'd guess this would be the best setting for ice and snow, although it's not likely I'll be seeing much around here (SC).

 

[wallymn]

It's been consistently <10 F for the past week or so in MN, and I've encountered two new issues that appear to be related to cold temps.

1. Intermittent loss of radio presets -- admittedly not a serious issue, but when I try to change stations using the steering wheel control in sub-zero weather, about half of the presets are unavailable. The banner at the top of the screen changes to the numbered station, but the station doesn't change. I CAN access the desired station by using the DIS knob, so it doesn't appear to be a radio failure per se, but rather a quirk in the steering wheel control.

2. More significantly, it seems like ESC functionality has changed. All but the freeways and main streets around here are essentially ice covered (much more than usual), and when I start out from a dead stop on glare ice, the ESC is pretty much throttling my power down to 10 - 15% of "normal", which is a bit disconcerting if you're taking a left turn into traffic. I didn't notice this issue last winter, but it's a daily occurrence right now, at least until it warms up and the ice melts. Anyone else having an issue with overkill power loss when ESC is engaged? I tried turning ESC off for a while, but that's not a good idea on glare ice, either.

Also in MN, not seeing either of the issues you are reporting.

I would get it in for a diagnostic

 

[RonP]

None of these issues in Milwaukee WI.

 

[deejank]

before it hit about 15 degrees one night here in VA, the average temperature has been about 30-35.

However after that one night, the low pressure light has turned on in the dash and I thought when it gets warmer the light will turn back off again. Since then, the temperature has gone up back to about 30-35 but the low tire pressure light is still on.

can anyone share there experiences with this? why would i have to add more air into just that one tire if no air has come out and it was just due to the cold weather?

 

[ctrcbob]

Cold weather quirk.

Once when up in Penfield last spring, (it was cold and I park outside) and again while out in Roswell NM last month, (It was COLD and I park outside), my automatic seat adjustment stops working. It would go forward to preset position, but when shutting off car, the seat will not go back. In addition, the manual electric adjustment, when adjusting by hand on the side of the seat, would not let the seat go back. The tilt would work. The hight would work. The seatback would work. The steering wheel would work. and whats worse, the seat SOMETIMES would go forward with the switch, but not backwards. I learned back last spring, if the seat does not go back with the automatic setting, or by pushing the switch by hand, DO NOT PUSH THE SWITCH FORWARD, because if it does go forward, as it sometimes would, it will not go back.

No, the problem is not with the switch on the side of the seat. The problem is with whatever controls the system. When I was in Penfield, once the car warmed up, the seat started to work normal again. When I was in Roswell, I did not drive my car very much, so the inside of the car never got very hot, however when I started to drive back to Florida, when I got to Brownfield TX for fuel, everything in the car was now warm, I shut the engine off, and the seat operated correctly, going to the rearward position.

So far, in this Florida cold snap, the seat has been working correctly, however I park in a garage, not outside.

 

[deejank]

before it hit about 15 degrees one night here in VA, the average temperature has been about 30-35.

However after that one night, the low pressure light has turned on in the dash and I thought when it gets warmer the light will turn back off again. Since then, the temperature has gone up back to about 30-35 but the low tire pressure light is still on.

can anyone share there experiences with this? why would i have to add more air into just that one tire if no air has come out and it was just due to the cold weather?

was a steady 36 today and the low tire pressure finally turned off. should i still add slightly more air? the light went off automatically, but if it gets colder i know the same tire will show a low pressure light warning...

 

[Disaster]

It's been consistently <10 F for the past week or so in MN, and I've encountered two new issues that appear to be related to cold temps.

2. More significantly, it seems like ESC functionality has changed. All but the freeways and main streets around here are essentially ice covered (much more than usual), and when I start out from a dead stop on glare ice, the ESC is pretty much throttling my power down to 10 - 15% of "normal", which is a bit disconcerting if you're taking a left turn into traffic. I didn't notice this issue last winter, but it's a daily occurrence right now, at least until it warms up and the ice melts. Anyone else having an issue with overkill power loss when ESC is engaged? I tried turning ESC off for a while, but that's not a good idea on glare ice, either.

I experienced the power problem in exactly the conditions you mention. It was very cold and I nailed the gas, taking a left out in front of traffic. The car's engine really stumbled...got a deserved HONNNNNK...from the uncoming traffic. I will try turning the ESC off.

UPDATE: It snowed last night and this morning many streets were still covered with slush. I took the Genny out and tried to recreate the massive power sag by stomping on the throttle while turning left. It gave a hint of breaking loose before the power vanished and it literally crawled, at 3-5mph, around the corner. I tried the same maneuver with the ESC off and the back end got real happy...but I could get through the intersection much quicker...with no noticeable drop in engine power. The ESC is definitely too aggressive on launch. I will leave it off around town.

 

[Disaster]

P.S. My neighbor has a 2004 Mercedes E350 and says it does the same thing. He said "It's dangerous!" He found, with the Mercedes, shifting into 1st gear seemed to help.

That reminds me of a criticism I read in a review of the original Mercedes SUV. The writer said that he was stuck in the right lane during a snow storm, behind a long line of traffic. Every time he'd try to move into the left lane to pass...when his wheels hit the slushly lane the engine would just die.....forcing him to have to move back over to the right.

 

[CanukV6]

I had complained last winter about the over-ageressiveness of the ESC system, which prompted my post about finding a way to turn it off altogether. When pulling out of slippery intersections I routinely turn the ESC off otherwise it takes forever to crawl across, which is downright dangerous. The ESC doesn't ever totally defeat from the switch but it does allow more wheel spin and doesn't back off the throttle as much.

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[Disaster]

I had complained last winter about the over-ageressiveness of the ESC system, which prompted my post about finding a way to turn it off altogether. When pulling out of slippery intersections I routinely turn the ESC off otherwise it takes forever to crawl across, which is downright dangerous. The ESC doesn't ever totally defeat from the switch but it does allow more wheel spin and doesn't back off the throttle as much.

I don't think it needs to be turned completely off...unless you are planning on racing the car...or having fun showing off. In fact, it would be nice to have a setting between the totally aggressive one and the delayed one (with the ESC "off.") We should be able to have less wheel spin than in the off position...but not have the engine die as it does in the on position. It should also remember your setting on restarts...unlike what it does now.

 

[ttsig]

I believe that the guidelines for ESC operation provided by the NHTSA state that the system must go back to the default "on" setting after each start. I suspect that's why it doesn't remember the setting. I believe this part of the proposal was supported by the IIHS.

 

[petekarn]

Re: Cold Weather Quirks: stuck steering!

As the weather has dipped below freezing here in Texas, I am noticing that the steering starts to 'stick'! In those temps, the wheel gets stuck in the center position, and attempting to turn more than about 5 degrees left or right necessitates getting past a sticky notch or detente. The colder the temps, the more effort it takes, and once it took a bit of strength to get past that notch. Quite dangerous. As the temp gets above 34 again, it goes away. This is the 2nd winter for this car, but it did not happen last year.

I had it in for regular service and mentioned this, but Hyundai couldn't find anything. Has anyone else experienced this, or have an idea of what it might be? Thanks.

FYI: It doesn't matter whether the engine is cold or not, just the outside driving temp.

 

[Cut-Throat]

It's been consistently <10 F for the past week or so in MN, and I've encountered two new issues that appear to be related to cold temps.

1. Intermittent loss of radio presets -- admittedly not a serious issue, but when I try to change stations using the steering wheel control in sub-zero weather, about half of the presets are unavailable. The banner at the top of the screen changes to the numbered station, but the station doesn't change. I CAN access the desired station by using the DIS knob, so it doesn't appear to be a radio failure per se, but rather a quirk in the steering wheel control.

2. More significantly, it seems like ESC functionality has changed. All but the freeways and main streets around here are essentially ice covered (much more than usual), and when I start out from a dead stop on glare ice, the ESC is pretty much throttling my power down to 10 - 15% of "normal", which is a bit disconcerting if you're taking a left turn into traffic. I didn't notice this issue last winter, but it's a daily occurrence right now, at least until it warms up and the ice melts. Anyone else having an issue with overkill power loss when ESC is engaged? I tried turning ESC off for a while, but that's not a good idea on glare ice, either.

I have not had any issues with the steering wheel

However, before I swapped out the Dunlops with other tires, sometimes the only way I could get going was with the ESC off. After getting going I always engaged it. I live in Mpls and yes it was a tough December.

Are you still running the stock Dunlops in snow? If so, change them out for something better like snow tires. I changed mine after we got the 20 inches.

 

[viguanna]

I live in SD so I understand snow and ice! I do agree with ESC on or off which is still on? Its a slow controlled take off. Very annoying to those behind me but generally once they figure out I'm rear wheel drive they back off! I was very hesitant when I bought my Genny because I wasn't so sure it would perform on our wintery roads but to my surprise I think it handles really good. Slow off the line but once it goes the systems work well to keep you controlled or in control.
My opinion rear wheel drive with modern technology is better and easier to drive in the wintery slop than front wheel drive. Lets face it snow and ice are slippery and we ask alot of our cars during the winter. My only advice is keep the gas tank full....this makes a huge difference for me anyway. Maybe add 50-80 lbs in trunk. This will help if you don't want to buy snow tires. Full tank, some weight and snow tires is the best combination.

We have been down to -28 degrees so far and no issues with seats, steering controls or radio. The displays take an extra second or two to change until they warm up though.

 

[musher51]

Are you still running the stock Dunlops in snow? If so, change them out for something better like snow tires. I changed mine after we got the 20 inches.

The stock Dunlops in snow? Not on your life. I was driving RWD Bimmers for years before the Genesis, and I won't take off in a half-inch of snow without a good set of snow tires. I have Blizzaks on a dedicated set of wheels, and no misgivings about driving this car in nasty weather.

 

[ctrcbob]

Additional cold weather info. Last year, (December 2009) when the temperature was down to 11F in Roswell, my Genesis would "Clack and rattle" until the oil warmed up. Would take as long af five minutes. When the temperature was around 25F, it would only clack for a few seconds. This car does not like cold weather.

Well, I am now on a trip with my wifes Continental, and I left Roswell a couple days ago when the morning temperature was down around 10F. The Continental starts right up, no clacking, no noise whatsoever. In Phoenix right now, but leaving for San Diego tomorrow for just a very few days, then north to I-40 and Albuquerque, then back down to Roswell for a couple weeks. It will be cold along the way, but the Continental handles the cold and snow better than the Genesis. (gets about 3 mpg less than the Genesis though on the open road).

 

[Cut-Throat]

The stock Dunlops in snow? Not on your life. I was driving RWD Bimmers for years before the Genesis, and I won't take off in a half-inch of snow without a good set of snow tires. I have Blizzaks on a dedicated set of wheels, and no misgivings about driving this car in nasty weather.

This December is worse than last year. The ESC is probably working as designed. You just have to shut it off when taking off from a dead start on snow or ice, especially with a slight incline ahead of you. Then re-engage the ESC after you get going. That is what the button is for.

I am surprised that the Blizzaks are having some problems, unless you're heavy on the gas in these situations.