Driving Xantia in snow

Unread post by **myglaren** » 18 Dec 2009, 17:09

Interesting about the Toyo's Chris. Where did you get them?
I'm looking for new front tyres for my son's 306, had a quote for Kumho's £110 a pair fitted.

I was out in it this afternoon and although the C5 wasn't bad, it wasn't good either. I had Vredestien's fitted >a year ago and I'm rather ambivalent about their performance. Was going to try Kumho's myself as #1 son has them on his Golf and given them the thumbs up.

lurchy666 · Unread post by **lurchy666** » 18 Dec 2009, 17:21

tyres were new in october, i think it is cause i'm not used to fwd and the understeer and the bloody wheel spinning as soon as the front wheel hits any snow,

rwd i have never had a problem with like this,

i have ended up borrowing the disco untill the snow has gone, i give up with the xantia, it is now stuck on my mums drive which is slightly up hill it wont pull up the hill either the wheels are spinning or the clutch is slipping,

i knew the clutch was dodgy when i towed a f1esta on a car trailer and it was slipping towing that,

mmmmmm

XantiaMan · Unread post by **XantiaMan** » 18 Dec 2009, 20:00

With its new tyres, the Activa was excellent today in what little snow we had.

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 21 Dec 2009, 19:42

Well ive had the Toyos on the C5 a few days now, we have had a fair amount of snow and they have been brilliant, just superb. I actually find the C5s were sure footed in the snow, ive only had that one time when i got it stuck (my fault really) apart from that there is good traction with these new tyres on.

It would seem so many people have no idea how to drive in the snow, they either do 10mph everywhere or go too fast and become unstuck. Ive seen so many crashes these past few days, cars up side down on the motorways, cars off in ditches from roundabouts etc. Mind its been a while since ive seen to much snow around here.

So yes i strongly rate Toyos Steve, ive had Kumhos, they are ok but i much prefer these T1-Rs. I had these on my 206 too and they have been fantastic on that too, so thought id get another set for the C5 as im more than happy.

I got them from north eastern tyres, i think there is one up your way?

They said they have a price lock on toyo tyres, so they wont move on price, however i always find them to be the cheapest and the always have the tyres in stock too. Its the only place i use for tyres now, good prices, well stocked (they even hold Bosal exhaust for XMs!), nice waiting areas and they dont damage your car with jacks or damage wheels either.

Trainman · Unread post by **Trainman** » 21 Dec 2009, 20:01

Must admit driving the C6 over the last couple of days has been strange, I drove the C5 auto a couple of years ago in the snow and found that to be sure footed, However driving the C6 on motorways, A roads and back streets has actually been a pleasure.

The snow mode works very well and although I've had a couple of 'wheelslips' (Heavy work boots)

or at least thats my excuse

it's been grand

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 21 Dec 2009, 20:09

Trainman wrote: The snow mode works very well

I must say I've been impressed with the snow mode on the V6 Xantia. Gt goes a lot better than it stops, that's for sure. Stopping is severely compromised by the "keen" ABS. A godsend when there's grip about but a nightmare in ice and snow

Unread post by **myglaren** » 21 Dec 2009, 20:45

Citroenmad wrote:
So yes i strongly rate Toyos Steve, ive had Kumhos, they are ok but i much prefer these T1-Rs. I had these on my 206 too and they have been fantastic on that too, so thought id get another set for the C5 as im more than happy.

I got them from north eastern tyres, i think there is one up your way?

They said they have a price lock on toyo tyres, so they wont move on price, however i always find them to be the cheapest and the always have the tyres in stock too. Its the only place i use for tyres now, good prices, well stocked (they even hold Bosal exhaust for XMs!), nice waiting areas and they dont damage your car with jacks or damage wheels either.

Thanks Chris,
There is a branch on the Silverlink, they are cheaper (fitted) than the Kumhos although it is a bit of a trek to get to the depot.

I'll suggest that to him. Rod for my own back as I will have to take it there and get it done for him

Mandrake · Unread post by **Mandrake** » 21 Dec 2009, 21:48

CitroJim wrote:
Trainman wrote: The snow mode works very well
I must say I've been impressed with the snow mode on the V6 Xantia. Gt goes a lot better than it stops, that's for sure. Stopping is severely compromised by the "keen" ABS. A godsend when there's grip about but a nightmare in ice and snow

Is it legal to remove the ABS fuse in such conditions ? (Not that you would tell anyone

) It's a relatively quick and easy thing to do on the side of the road, even in snowing conditions, so would temporarily disabling it be of benefit in slow driving on snow ?

Several inches of snow up this way by the way

First snow didn't arrive until Thursday, when we got a moderate dusting and a reprieve on Friday, then we've had heavy snow every day since Saturday...(although only a few hours at a time)

Quite a novelty for me as I've never lived anywhere that even comes close to getting ground level snow before...

Even on the very gentle slope leading into the car park area at home cars were getting stuck and spinning their wheels - unfortunately most people's technique of getting unstuck is full revs in 1st gear

I could smell the clutch plate burning on the last one...

A nearby hill visible from home was getting a constant stream of vehicles stuck half way up, one after another with a group of about 8 people in the area giving each car a push to get them free and then waiting for the next stuck car moments later!

This went on for hours Saturday and Sunday night...extremely amusing, especially when some of the vehicles being pushed were as large as transit vans.

Seems the gritters were caught napping up here too, with the roads ungritted before the snow (despite the weather report predicting heavy snow) and taking a very long time for them to get around to doing something about it.

Glad to know the snow mode on the V6 works well - I always wondered if an automatic would be better in snow than a manual, I had a feeling it might, and I guess the snow mode (which goes straight to second gear, skipping 1st ?) would help too, as a trick with a manual is to use second instead of first to avoid too much torque causing wheel spin...

Would love to get a V6 auto this time around, but that will have to wait for some money...

Fun times

Regards,
Simon

deian · Unread post by **deian** » 21 Dec 2009, 21:51

thot u were australian, or lived in australia? when i saw last reply by mandrake i thought, snow? in australia?, but then i saw ur in the uk

Mandrake · Unread post by **Mandrake** » 21 Dec 2009, 21:54

deian wrote:thot u were australian, or lived in australia? when i saw last reply by mandrake i thought, snow? in australia?, but then i saw ur in the uk

New Zealand, not Australia.

But now I am over here, yes.

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 21 Dec 2009, 22:02

I like having ABS in the snow. Under normal braking conditions i find the C5 offers plenty of grip in the snow or ice, its only when its sheet ice or having to brake harder - which would only be required if too little room has been left or going too fast - when the ABS cuts in, and i find it helps stop the car far better than a car with no ABS just locking up and going sledging until it stops.

Not to mention you can brake and still turn corners with ABS, you cant do that without ABS with the wheels locked up, unless you have a quick right foot and try a bit of cadens braking

Im happy with ABS, its nice to know its there.

Well my closest NETE is about a 25 mile round trip, but its worth going. I use it so much for different cars that im on first name terms with the people in there and get even better deals

vince · Unread post by **vince** » 21 Dec 2009, 22:14

Well guys we are onto our 3rd day of snow up here....and yes ive been out in it every day

I tried in vain to get to Manchester town centre yesterday mid day but had to turn back through fear that i wouldnt make it back to Oldham, so heavy was the snow coming down...almost a whiteout.

BUT.......I have driven many vehicles in the snow both front and rear wheel drive and the Xantia 1.9TD seems very well placed 8) and not just because i have one.

I have good tyres on the front and it seems very well weighted for sensible driving (why would you drive otherwise in the snow)? and it handles and corners well in all means from slush to deep snow.

Of course the ABS is a waste of time when stopping but it has been in all the ABS equipped cars ive driven in the snow.

The only thing id watch out for is surprise oversteer as the back breaks free

I have been sideways a couple of times and whilst driving sensibly too.....It might be down to the good grip and road holding leading you that couple of MPH more that makes the difference?....It corrects easily enough though

Ive heard 2CV's are meant to be great when the going gets tough....Ive seen some people off roading them in deep mud

XantiaMan · Unread post by **XantiaMan** » 21 Dec 2009, 22:39

Mine went sideways this weekend, unintentional on black ice about 10-15mph on a roundabout, tiny bit of opposite lock, sorted.

Dont try the same tonight in the SE, surprise heavy snow has turned the slush on the roads to thick ice about 1 inch thick, its hell, honestly

Unread post by **myglaren** » 21 Dec 2009, 22:48

Been out and about quite a bit in the C5 in all the snow/slush/ice and it has behaved impeccably.

uncle buck · Unread post by **uncle buck** » 21 Dec 2009, 22:52

Xantia drivers.....

Just a tip if you get stuck (spinning wheels)...if you apply the handbrake a little it can actually get you going again!

As you will probably know the way a differential works (unless it's a limited slip diff) is to feed all of the power to the spinning wheel...by applying the handbrake slightly it will put a resistance on the spinning wheel so that power is also sent to the stationary wheel....it could just be enough to get you moving.

I have used this method a few times with success when driving rear wheel drive vans.

The Xantia is front wheel drive with the handbrake operating on the front wheels....obviously this method will not work with a front wheel drive vehicle with the handbrake operating on the rear wheels!

Cheers.