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Snow falls in France in November. It therefore seems important to us to recall the extent to which motorists must adapt their conduct to these particular conditions. Every year, frost and snow are responsible for numerous accidents.
On the other hand, adapting your driving is not always easy for people who drive cars. with automatic transmissions. But what they don't know is that it exists in special mode. By activating it, driving becomes smoother. Enough to ride in the snow and cold while taking as little risk as possible.
Motorists: watch out for automatic transmissions
In recent years, we have noted the evolution of the number of cars with automatic transmissions. Common across the Atlantic, they were shunned in France. But that is changing now. Motorists who are familiar with automatic and manual transmissions know that the behavior is not the same.
However, it turns out that automatic transmissions adapt less well to slippery surfaces. Indeed, the key to driving on snow is flexibility, a principle that manual gearboxes allow to apply naturallyin particular by starting in second gear to limit the risk of slipping.
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With an automatic transmission, this option was absent for a long time. This then left motorists at the mercy of sudden loss of grip.. But, to address this problem, manufacturers have added a “snow” mode to the usual driving modes (“eco”, “comfort”, “sport”).
A mode that motorists must activate
This specific mode, identifiable by different icons depending on the brand (a single snowflake at Volkswagen, a snowflake and a car at Peugeot, or the word “Snow” at Hyundai), is generally activated via a button or dial. On the majority of vehicles, this control is located near the automatic gear lever.
Motorists who are familiar with this button know how drastic the change in driving is. In fact, pressing this button allows you to start in second gear. This reduces the engine speed and limits the risk of slipping on slippery surfaces.
In addition, this mode reduces the power transmitted from the engine to the wheels. Thus, motorists limit the risk of skidding, especially during accelerator strokes that are unintentionally too sudden.
These adaptations increase the stability of the vehicle and reduce the risk of slipping on snow or ice.
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Caution remains in order
While this technology is an undeniable asset for facing winter conditions, it does not replace essential equipment. Winter tires or all-season tires remain essential to guarantee better road holding.
In case of heavy snowfall, snow chains remain the most effective tool. Motorists fear them. Indeed, they fear that the installation will be difficult. But those who are used to it, every winter, will tell you how precious these chains are.
Thus, the “snow” mode is part of a logic of innovation to simplify the lives of motorists facing the vagaries of winter. However, this is additional assistance and not a revolutionary solution. You must show responsibility. Adapt your driving and pay attention to yourself.
