Have mercs not got traction control to stop wheel spin?

[Deleted member 65149]

And modern diesels don't help either IMO.

When I read discussions such as this, I'm inclined to agree with that statement. My Mercedes has Summer 225/35 R18s on the back, driven by 306 petrol guzzling horses, but in three years I've yet to experience any particular difficulties in the snow. In those conditions, do I drive even more carefully? Absolutely. Perhaps I have a feather-like touch with my right foot that many other drivers don't? But I think the issue is more likely to be down to the higher torque instantly presented to the wheels by a diesel engine as soon as the throttle is touched. Great in the dry, but brown trouser time with a capital brrrrrr on snow and ice.

 

[MercedesDriver]

Is the OP asking a serious question?

I ask this because of the fundamental flaw in arguing that a Rover 75 is better in snow. It probably is...it's FRONT WHEEL DRIVE.

And then talking about safety...and not having winter tyres. It's a car...it cannot defy the basic laws of physics. You have two cars, both rear wheel drive, one a BMW the other an MB, both have the same tyres...which is better in the snow...neither, they are the same...the snow doesn't know the difference, all it knows is the tyre in contact with it.

Quit complaining, either don't drive in the snow...or take responsibility if you must and buy winter tyres.

And for those complaining about our inability in the snow, spare a thought for the 15000 cars stuck on the roads to Geneva tonight.

This morning I finally got back home frome Chamonix. Weather conditions were horrendous. In 2 hours there was more than 30cm of snow.
I have fitted all 4 winter tyres before my trip there and yesterday I couldn't believe how many drivers were actually irresponsible for going on such trip with summer tyres and just a good wishes that snow will not fall in winter in Franch Alps. Idiot's. There was a lot of Brits and as I could notice by their driving style all had full sets of winter tyres. Most of the problems were made by Franch with summer sets and they were fitting snow chains once they get stuck in snow. But due to heavy snow while they were mending their motors they were totally covered with snow and stuck in it. Only shovels could get them out which they didn't have.
To cut the long story short be prepared and be very gentle with brakes, throttle and steering and you will be fine. Also always make sure to have at least half a tank full. In winter conditions you never know how many irresponsible drivers is in front of you.

 

[grober]

10 of the snowiest places in the UK - Met Office

 

[Julesprivate]

I'm still struggling with the complaint about poor traction and the unwillingness to fit winter tyres..

Why complain about something and then be unwilling to do something simple to fix it?

 

[DSM10000]

I'm still struggling with the complaint about poor traction and the unwillingness to fit winter tyres..

Why complain about something and then be unwilling to do something simple to fix it?

If you read some of the OP's other threads then you may gain a better understanding of the way they "think"

 

[HollowPoint]

Perhaps it's the fact I had a 2.8 Capri as my second car and had 3 snowy winters to deal with in that car, one of which was living at the bottom of a hill, that I find this thread a little odd? I've noticed the Merc isn't great in the snow the last day or two, just the same as my old BMW Clubsport wasn't great in it either, the traction control would kick in constantly and I'd go nowhere. Turn it off and learn how to crab your car, or as has been said, Winter tyres if you're that bothered about it. Otherwise, go buy an old RWD Ford and take it to a skid pan for an hour, you'll soon learn how to drive with less grip.

 

[Troon]

Whilst I understand rear wheel drives are prone to break at the back end it does not excuse how badly the car performs in snow and frankly i dont know how it got off the production line because its beyond safe in snow

As said, it's all down to tyres. Check out my video showing my heavy RWD auto S211 get up a steep snowy hill on the same tyres I used to drive across France the following hot summer.

 

[Stevellew]

My last car was a Audi a 4 two wheel drive, I have a slight hill to get out of my street and in the snow if traction control was on there's no way I could get up the hill as when it's on it won't allow any wheels to spin it also would not allow the car to rev if the wheels are about to spin the only way I could get up the hill was to switch it off and drive like your mam always told you not to Colin Mc cray style, it doesn't allow you extra grip it only makes your car safer to drive stops you making a prat of your self basically

 

[stwat]

As said, it's all down to tyres. Check out my video showing my heavy RWD auto S211 get up a steep snowy hill on the same tyres I used to drive across France the following hot summer.

You filmed yourself going through a red light?

 

[ChrisA]

You filmed yourself going through a red light?

Left turn green arrow

 

[renault12ts]

You filmed yourself going through a red light?

Look again...green filter.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

You filmed yourself going through a red light?

Left turn filter was green

 

[stevehg]

You filmed yourself going through a red light?

The was A green filter for the left hand turn

 

[dan-mb]

is this a serious post? im hoping the car referred to is a mid 90's c220 petrol W202 4 speed auto which yes would be terrible in the snow.

 

[Stevellew]

Yes it's a serious post, but just encase any of you need to reverse your car out of the snow don't forget you need to select reverse gear and that goes for manual gearbox and also automatic hope this helps.Sorry couldn't resist lmao.

 

[KoFidee]

all standard tyres in snow be it front wheel drive or front wheel drive are poor especially with modern cars with big low profile tyres

winter tyres is the answer even if it for a short period (this beloved country)

My Sunbeam alpine with its skinny 15inch alloys performs well in snow no abs no traction no power steering LoL

 

[dan-mb]

all standard tyres in snow be it front wheel drive or front wheel drive are poor especially with modern cars with big low profile tyres


My Sunbeam alpine with its skinny 15inch alloys performs well in snow no abs no traction no power steering LoL

sounds fun

 

[Bellow]

Another factor is how stiffly sprung (especially in roll) cars now are. A drive wheel is all too easily lifted and the drive spun away.