Well it's snowing pretty good here in CO. The main problem people are having is the ice, not the snow really. Everyone left work early so when I left at the normal time I had to try out the VSA (anti skid program) in the empty parking lot. I'm very impressed! I tried to weave and it pretty much went exactly where I pointed it. I could tell it was reducing power (I had the gas down during the test). The orange VSA light was blinking. Then I tried with VSA turned off. I'd swerve and get a big side skid, I could counter steer to some degree, but nowhere near the control of VSA. It worked tremendously well on a glazed ice highway on ramp going up a decent grade. The power output was reduced to the point where the wheels weren't slipping. Since it modulates faster than a human could I think it's quite a bit better than I could do manually.

I'm impressed. I bought the navi model mainly for the VSA and I'm very pleased. If felt more stable than my AWD WRX! That'd change, I'm sure in DEEP snow though. AWD is always going to be able to put more torque on the ground.

Now to not get too confident...

 

yea i got mine with a navi also partially because of the VSA. im getting my springs n hopefully a front sway bar soon can't wait for me to try it out. but that wont be until next year cuz...SPRING IS HERE...kind of...weather is crappy as shit right now. guess its like that everywhere

 

we have snow tires on our Fit and it has been kicking butt in the snow this year.

 

@kmschwem, do you have snow tires? If so then what type/size?

 

sounds like fun - empty lot, snow, and fit.

 

No doubt! VSA is well worth the cost with the navi being the bonus, no matter what the jealous ones without will be coming to post shortly.

 

2 hours to get home a 19 mile drive. no problems in my GD just took my time. Now to shovel my drive

 

Nope, just the stock OEMs.

 

VSA isn't a replacement for winter tires.

Be smart and safe.

 

yah, but you dont have toque in the first place so dont
need to worry about that.

and yes, dont get overly confident with your car.
physics will let you know quickly that mass needs
distance to slow down... before hitting that tree.

honestly speaking though, you should get snow tires
on top of your vsa. that would be a kick arse setup.

even with just snow tires on the GE (no VSA), it felt
just as stable (if not better since it brakes better)
than my old 06 LegacyAWD with a/s tires.

W60's is wat i use for snows.

 

Exactly. I use W60's too.

AWD really doesn't add to safety. In fact it gives a greater sense of confidence and greater acceleration traction but without additional breaking ability. A bad combination in slick winter conditions.

 

Absolutely correct, which is why we see a lot of SUV's stuck in the median around here on slippery days. AWD only helps you go; it does not help you stop, and it only marginally helps you turn -- if you know what you're doing -- which most soccer moms driving Escalades don't.

Winter tires make a huge difference on any car.

AWD + winter tires is an awesome combination.

AWD + winter tires + 3 limited slip differentials = no end of fun in the slippery stuff!

 

Agreed. Probably the best mod for any car is to get the driver some training. Once you do that, it's amazing what you can make the car do. I strongly believe that everyone who has an interest in cars should go to a Driving Academy.

I highly recommend anyone and everyone to get some training at a local Driving School. I don't even know how many times it's paid me back, because I don't get caught in situations anymore. Besides, once you know both your limits, and your car's limits, you'll have a lot more fun.