Saxo VTR snow problems...

1. Webbo2 Newbie Joined: Dec 2011 Rotherham Posts: 3 2003 Saxo VTR

   #1 5th February 2012, 00:54

   Been hit with the snow today, decided to head straight home as soon as I saw it getting heavy but had some major issues. Just couldn't get grip. On the flats it wasn't too bad, but as soon as I hit any kind of incline (even small ones) the car would just come to a stand still, with wheel spin and then it would slide off sideways. Whilst I was fighting to keep the saxo straight, other cars were just casually passing me with no trouble (the snow was still quite shallow at this point).
   I can pretty much rule out my driving, as I was setting off in 2nd (even tried 3rd) with gentle revs but it still happened. The issue is a definite lack of grip.
   All 4 tyres have good tread and are at manufacturers recommended pressures. In the end I had to ditch the car and take a walk of shame home.
   
   Is this a typical problem with Saxo's? Or is there signs of an issue with something on mine?
   
   Cheers!
2. Pricklep Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 31279 Citroen Saxo VTS, S60 D5

   #2 5th February 2012, 00:58

   be the tyres...
3. iDale Regular Poster Joined: Jun 2011 Somerset Posts: 448 Mk1 Woodland VTS

   #3 5th February 2012, 00:59

   I find that amazing that you had to leave it and walk home I first thought tyres and/or driving style but from what you said, I can't think what the problem might be.. Never had this in any of my cars
4. Webbo2 Newbie Joined: Dec 2011 Rotherham Posts: 3 2003 Saxo VTR

   #4 5th February 2012, 01:02

   I had a feeling that would be the case....they came with the car when I bought it, 4 different tyres but all have good tread...I guess that doesn't always mean good grip?
   
   Since buying the car in September I have noticed issues with grip in wet conditions, but I just assumed that it was normal for the car. Having driven it today it really is the worst car I've ever driven in snow.
   
   Will look into some new rubber then.
5. CJMackin Regular Poster Joined: Jan 2012 Posts: 342

   #5 5th February 2012, 01:24

   What sort of temperatures?
   
   Normal tyre compounds loose grip when it gets very cold, this can vary with the different tyres
   
   Snow tyres work differently and retain grip in lower temperatures, hence more suited to snow and icey roads
   
   Tread depth is a factor of grip, but as you can guess with the range of expensive and cheap tyres out there and everything in between, its far from the only factor mate
6. XxAbzyxX Infrequent Poster Joined: Oct 2010 cornwall Posts: 205 Saxo Furio

   #6 5th February 2012, 02:36

   Get some chains around your tyres Haha
7. holdawayt Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jan 2010 Stourbridge Posts: 7338 Nissan 200sx S14a

   #7 5th February 2012, 08:11

   Lower the tyre pressure.
   
   But really, i'd suggest it's driving style. You should build up enough momentum before an incline so that you barely need to touch the throttle at all.
8. Manu Saxperience Addict Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 11714 A6 Le Mans tuned/A3 TFSI tuned

   #8 5th February 2012, 09:10

   Quote:

   Is this a typical problem with Saxo's

   That's typical of most cars.
   
   

   Quote:

   4 different tyres but all have good tread

   good thread doesn't mean anything. Crap tyres will full thread won't be as good as michelins with 1 mm left and the majority of tyres are out out of their optimum range under 9 degrees. Stay home.
9. user_43898 Established Member Joined: May 2010 leicester Posts: 1446 Clio 182 Inferno

   #9 5th February 2012, 09:22

   i have noticed this with my VTR but didnt have to abandon my car, i drove from leicester to stafford and through stoke on trent all the way to leicester yesterday, snowing there and back, ended up driving at a max of 30-40mph both ways, the journey back was bad as the road was a white out with 3" + of snow on the road, had to go 60+ miles down the A50 which obviously hadnt been gritted. Felt as though i could have lost control at any point and didnt help with idiots in 4x4's going past in the other lane at 60+mph,just because its 4x4 doent mean it will stop any quicker lmao
10. MiniGibbo Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Apr 2007 Bournemouth Posts: 15289 '04 VW Transporter.

    #10 5th February 2012, 09:25

    Usual problem with saxo drivers..
11. Manu Saxperience Addict Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 11714 A6 Le Mans tuned/A3 TFSI tuned

    #11 5th February 2012, 09:39

    Typical problem with BMW drivers...
    
    

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by SnakeVTR idiots in 4x4's going past in the other lane at 60+mph,just because its 4x4 doent mean it will stop any quicker lmao

    
    you should try driving one.
12. MiniGibbo Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Apr 2007 Bournemouth Posts: 15289 '04 VW Transporter.

    #12 5th February 2012, 10:31

    My BMW has never got stuck in the snow?
13. Manu Saxperience Addict Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 11714 A6 Le Mans tuned/A3 TFSI tuned

    #13 5th February 2012, 10:41

    of course it hasn't
    bmw + snow = stay home. If you apply that formula properly, you won't get stuck in the snow.
14. MiniGibbo Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Apr 2007 Bournemouth Posts: 15289 '04 VW Transporter.

    #14 5th February 2012, 10:47

    No I just drive my van?
15. Ashleyp Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Apr 2008 Bedford & Manchester Posts: 17504

    #15 5th February 2012, 10:55

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Manu of course it hasn't bmw + snow = stay home. If you apply that formula properly, you won't get stuck in the snow.

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by MiniGibbo No I just drive my van?

    Shouldn't that be "yes, I just drive my van?"
    
    seeing as you agreeed with Manu? lol
16. LSOfreak Saxperience Addict Joined: Jan 2008 west london Posts: 13810

    #16 5th February 2012, 11:22

    its probably becuase you have shit branded tyres on. Get some decent mid range or premium tyres on there, not budgets
17. user_57211 L-plater Joined: Jan 2012 Ipswich suffolk Posts: 57 W reg vts phase two

    #17 5th February 2012, 13:39

    Ive got the same problem im geting premium tyres nxt time Lol
18. Predator_R32p Super Moderator Joined: Mar 2003 Durham (England) Posts: 37932 1. AX 2. Mk2 Saxo VTR 3. MK4 R32 DBP

    #18 5th February 2012, 17:20

    My saxo was crud in the snow, did manage most of the time but down to the driver most of the time, got stuck once and that was when i just got to top of the street so close but yet so far, i had goodyear eagle f1s on though made it so crap in the snow
    
    keep a foldy up snow shovel in the car aswell as some old carpet helped me out a few times
19. Webbo2 Newbie Joined: Dec 2011 Rotherham Posts: 3 2003 Saxo VTR

    #19 5th February 2012, 18:05

    Well like I said all 4 tyres were on the car when I bought it in September, but the fact that all 4 are different suggests to me that the last owner went and asked for 4 part worms before selling it to me.
    
    Normally I just stick some Firestone TZ300a's on, but can anybody recommend some good all round tyres for the Saxo?
20. Tontsy Saxperience Addict Joined: Oct 2008 Plymouth, Fiddling - under a two poster ramp Posts: 14064 Audi

    #20 5th February 2012, 18:07

    continental contact 3s.
    
    will be the best "all round"
21. chinkostu Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2008 The wrong carpark Posts: 5152 Xantia 1.9TD

    #21 5th February 2012, 19:28

    Mines running crap tyres and has always done fine, have steelies on the front so that helps
22. user_46795 L-plater Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 77 Saxo vts mk2 Mauritius Blue

    #22 5th February 2012, 21:31

    you'll feel improvement over any brand summer tyre even if you'll get cheapest used winter tyres..
23. Ben_SaxoForte Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2009 Stoke-on-trent Posts: 2640 Mk5 Golf GTTDI Mk2 VTR Project

    #23 6th February 2012, 00:14

    My vtr seemed weirdly shit in the snow yesterday aswell, recently had new alloys & tyres on it i reckon it must be the tyres coz it was much better on the old ones. It was even tryna slide into the curb on resonably flat roads!
24. OMGASAXO Established Member Joined: Dec 2011 Derby Posts: 1021 Posi saxo, flatty, Peugeot bipper, Vauxhall vectra

    #24 6th February 2012, 01:42

    yeahh mine was the same probably cause of my alloys and budget tyres though lol even tho there only a few months old but i was sliding into the curb at the bottom of my road too had to abandon it but managed to get it up the road today
25. user_45140 Infrequent Poster Joined: Jun 2010 Braintree Essex Posts: 220 98 Mango West Coast and 00 focus zetec

    #25 6th February 2012, 19:23

    mines fine in the snow. as already stated build up speed before the incline and dont rev the engine over 2000rpm. pulling away from stand still dont use any throttle just feed the clutch in gently. ive never been stuck in the snow yet and im running a cheapo set of nankangs
26. user_25927 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2008 East Devon Posts: 7472 Clio RS200 Cup, Twingo RS133, Triumph Street Tripl

    #26 6th February 2012, 20:25

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by holdawayt Lower the tyre pressure. But really, i'd suggest it's driving style. You should build up enough momentum before an incline so that you barely need to touch the throttle at all.

    +1 In these conditions i run 18-25Psi in the saxslow i have brand new michelin pilots on there. and as long as you always plan ahead, no-one will have any problems in the snow. its only twats that look 2ft infront of their bumper and drive like "normal" that will ALWAYS fail in the snow.
27. tomoaks Infrequent Poster Joined: Oct 2011 Croydon "In`it" Posts: 163 Got "y" reg saxo VTR, is a nice looking motor.

    #27 6th February 2012, 20:44

    i had similar problem, i lowered my tyre pressures to 26psi (extra grip) and drove sensibly (i.e. : high gear low revs)
    
    tom
28. user_48591 Infrequent Poster Joined: Nov 2010 Dundee Posts: 227 Silver Mk2 VeeTeeEhr

    #28 6th February 2012, 21:32

    ive found that cheapo directionals hold better in snow than mid-range tyres.
    also watched an old 2cv drive effortlessly past me when i was struggling up a hill! skinny tyres ftw in snow!