Snow Mode???

[tuckerdog1]

Okay, Finally got through the whole owner's manual. Knew there was NORMAL, ECO & SPORT modes. SNOW was mentioned, but thought that would be exclusive to the AWD model. So today, I'm driving around, and hold the MODE button down, just to see, and low & behold, my RWD has SNOW mode. Probably won't see much snow around here. But maybe on a trip somewhere, who knows? So just what changes does SNOW MODE make to the way the car behaves?

Tuckerdog1

 

[Seejay]

One of our Canadian owners would be better qualified to answer this fully. With AWD, it changes the amount of power doled to the front wheels, and ups the nanny limits on wheelspin. From the experts: http://genesisowners.com/hyundai-genesis-forum/showthread.php?20184-Eco-vs-Snow-Mode

 

[tuckerdog1]

Thanks Seejay,

I'd done a search before asking the question, and seen that thread. About all I gleaned from it was a reduced throttle response. In the RWD, maybe that's all that happens.

Did you get any pictures at the Austin meet today?

Tuckerdog1

 

[Seejay]

I didn't when I saw lobsenza with a camera. I think Aquineas took some pix as well. There were two white v8 primos, two v6 sigs (one silver one dark gray), and a red v6.

 

[lobsenza]

I only took 1 picture. We had a great lunch. I hope we can get together again sometime soon.

 

[Seejay]

One thing that got my OCD going was when I test drove Aquineas's ride. It was the sound of the DVD-Audio disc. This format has been dead for about 8 years, but no one told Hyundai. I don't see the disc as a supported format in the multimedia manual, is this a ultimate only thing?

 

[SuperKing]

Isn't DVD-A just a DVD without the video? If it can play a DVD, it should be able to play DVD-A. Finding DVD-A discs is another story. I saw a copy of Depeche Mode's Violator album at a used CD store for $5 so I bought it to check out some Depeche Mode in 5.1 DTS. I was hooked and now I can't find anything else that cheap... even used discs are going for $30+ on eBay

 

[DubbuD]

Snow Mode basically limits throttle output and on AWD models changes the torque distribution between front and rear wheels. Also some steering adjustments such as sensitivity and stiffness, and it seems to make the TCS less likely to intervene, although that may just be due to the lack of torque. I have an AWD, and I just use Eco or Normal in the snow most often, and Normal or Sport when it's just cold, although in really severe weather I'm sure Snow Mode has its merits.

 

[CanukV6]

On RWD & AWD cars Snow Mode sets the transmission to start in 2nd gear as default unless you are very aggressive with the accelerator and it also changes up to a higher gear much sooner. The throttle response is much slower (almost dangerously slow in my opinion) and the ESC (stability control) and Anti-Slip (braking of spinning wheel) systems activate faster. On AWD versions the torque distribution front-to-rear defaults to 50:50 but adjusts as required. I don't think this mode changes the Steering effort, but I rarely use it so probably haven't noticed.

 

[adamg]

I just went through my first prairie winter with my 2015 Genesis 3.8 AWD. I put new X Ice 3 tires on it.

My thoughts were:
- the ECS / traction control is downright dangerous in normal driving: trying to make a left hand turn slotted in between oncoming traffic sometimes triggers the ECS even with very mild slippage (unavoidable in some winter road conditions), which causes the car to totally shut down the throttle, causing me to be stuck crawling across an intersection with traffic oncoming.
- I took up the habit of turning off ECS every time I started the car for this reason
- Even with ECS turned off, in normal or Eco mode and winter tires the car is extremely boring because there's no way to get it drifting / power sliding at all, and even breathing on the brakes while trying to get it to slip a bit triggers antilock brakes, which again eliminates any hint of slide I get going.
- I learned late in the winter that Sport with ECS off and generous throttle is a bit entertaining and demands more research
- I just learned of a Snow mode this week while reading the manual - too late to try until next winter.
- I had some problems with persistent and heavy window icing on the insides. Never had a car ice up on the inside while parked, day and night, like this one.

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[SuperKing]

Vancouver got a nice helping of snow this winter. I was doing fine with DWS06 all round and preferred driving in sport mode. I only used snow mode to get unstuck from a few spots where snow was really deep.

 

[DubbuD]

Yeah, I've also found it good in deep snow where you really need to be easy on throttle input to roll out rather than spin down.

 

[mjbuck]

I've got the AWD. I live in the northern most part of Michigan (along the Canadian border). Our average snowfall per year is about 240 inches, with as much as 420 inches. I've driven in these winters for 39 years. I've driven all kinds of vehicles over the years, including 4x4s, AWD, rear-wheel drive, front-wheel drive. I do not use my Genesis from late October until late March. It is stored. Too much road salt. Michigan uses a salt brine and they are not shy about spreading it everywhere all the time , to the point there is talk of a class-action law-suit against the state because vehicles are basically rotting away from this stuff. But, I did use my Genesis on two occasions this winter and did drive it in some nasty conditions (ice and deep snow). I took two out of town trips to warmer climates south. I left at 5 am one morning for one of these trips. No one on the roads here at the that time (rural area). The roads were a mixture of ice and 4 inches of fresh snow. So, I decided to test just how well the Snow Mode worked. The second time the road was hard-packed snow and ice mix. Yes, I drove a little too fast (picture 55 when I should have been driving 40)and yes I did so just to test the Snow Mode. Of course, I did this safely and there were four foot high snowbanks to keep me out of the ditch in case I did lose control. On both occasions, I could not have been more impressed how this vehicle handled these conditions. I did not have dedicated snow tires, the factory all-season tires were on the car, yet it held the road better than anything I ever remember driving. I don't know all the technical aspects of what it was doing mechanically to do so, but I was happy to know I had this option if and when I had to drive in horrible winter conditions. It gives you a little more confidence when driving in these conditions, although I doubt the car will see much of it again.

 

[harwax]

Okay, Finally got through the whole owner's manual. Knew there was NORMAL, ECO & SPORT modes. SNOW was mentioned, but thought that would be exclusive to the AWD model. So today, I'm driving around, and hold the MODE button down, just to see, and low & behold, my RWD has SNOW mode. Probably won't see much snow around here. But maybe on a trip somewhere, who knows? So just what changes does SNOW MODE make to the way the car behaves?

Tuckerdog1

Just a reminder in this frigid snow weather - Gen 2 has a snow mode - just hold the "mode" button down for a few seconds. Car will start in 2nd gear. Thank you Tuckerdog1

Harwax

 

[tmiami]

Vehicle will not accelerate as quickly, therefore preventing the wheels from loosing traction. Transmission shifts differently.

 

[1FstYota]

Snow mode to me is sketchy as hell in situations cause of how slow the car goes. The HTRAC is awesome in snow, the oem primacy mxm4 tires however leaves a lot to be desired. This thing will accelerate like a raped ape in 4 in of snow, but as soon as you break them loose on a turn this heavy boat goes.

 

[lt2211]

I've got the AWD. I live in the northern most part of Michigan (along the Canadian border). Our average snowfall per year is about 240 inches, with as much as 420 inches. I've driven in these winters for 39 years. I've driven all kinds of vehicles over the years, including 4x4s, AWD, rear-wheel drive, front-wheel drive. I do not use my Genesis from late October until late March. It is stored. Too much road salt. Michigan uses a salt brine and they are not shy about spreading it everywhere all the time , to the point there is talk of a class-action law-suit against the state because vehicles are basically rotting away from this stuff. But, I did use my Genesis on two occasions this winter and did drive it in some nasty conditions (ice and deep snow). I took two out of town trips to warmer climates south. I left at 5 am one morning for one of these trips. No one on the roads here at the that time (rural area). The roads were a mixture of ice and 4 inches of fresh snow. So, I decided to test just how well the Snow Mode worked. The second time the road was hard-packed snow and ice mix. Yes, I drove a little too fast (picture 55 when I should have been driving 40)and yes I did so just to test the Snow Mode. Of course, I did this safely and there were four foot high snowbanks to keep me out of the ditch in case I did lose control. On both occasions, I could not have been more impressed how this vehicle handled these conditions. I did not have dedicated snow tires, the factory all-season tires were on the car, yet it held the road better than anything I ever remember driving. I don't know all the technical aspects of what it was doing mechanically to do so, but I was happy to know I had this option if and when I had to drive in horrible winter conditions. It gives you a little more confidence when driving in these conditions, although I doubt the car will see much of it again.

Excellent, helpful post on snow mode, thanks much.

 

[aircanuck]

With AWD, snow tires and snow mode engaged, the Genesis is a tank in the snow. MJbuck is pretty spot on. My only complaint is that the ride is so compliant and gentle that you are a little bit disengaged from what the 4 tires are doing. I was entering a curve on a 4 lane road with a little extra speed and had no idea if there was any slip or grip until I got out of the curve. I was still in my lane, so everything did its job, but there was a few seconds where I just couldn't tell where to point the car. Can't fault the car for being pleasant and cushy to drive though!