Driving a Saab in the snow is easy, thanks to all Saab models having front- or all-wheel drive. In addition to their powertrain layout, Saabs also offer a variety of electronic safety features that keep you safely on the road in all types of driving conditions. However, it is important to remember that safety features and the general ease of driving a Saab in the snow should not replace safe driving habits. Even with safeguards, it is possible to slide or spin uncontrollably if unsafe driving practices are exhibited.
Related Searches:
Difficulty:
Moderate
Instructions
1
Accelerate slowly. Although Saabs are front- or all-wheel drive, the engines offer a significant amount of torque and horsepower, which can result in the wheels spinning uncontrollably if you accelerate too quickly. The stability and traction control systems will interrupt the throttle to prevent some slippage, but you also need to back off the accelerator to remain safe in your Saab during snowy conditions.
2
Start in a lower gear. If you have a manual transmission or an automatic transmission that has manual shift mode, you may want to start in a lower gear. This will prevent the wheels from spinning when under acceleration. By starting in second gear, you will also eliminate the sometimes-clunky first-to-second shift, and you will also notice improved fuel economy.
3
Avoid acceleration and braking in corners. When you enter a snowy corner, make sure you slow before turning the steering wheel. By keeping only enough speed to let your Saab's forward momentum carry you through a corner, you prevent the possible understeer caused by accelerating in slippery conditions and the loss of traction that results from spinning the wheels while turning.
4
Use ABS to your advantage. All Saab vehicles have an anti-lock braking system that prevents wheel lockup when stopping on ice or snow. By applying steady pressure to the brake pedal, wheel speed sensors on each wheel pulsate the brakes to stop the vehicle as quickly as possible. Remember that although your Saab can maintain a high speed while driving in snow, it can take much longer to stop in snowy conditions, even with the help of ABS. Be sure to increase the following distance to the vehicle ahead.
Tips & Warnings
If you have a manual transmission, be sure to practice starting in second gear before attempting it on the road. A local parking lot with no traffic is a good place to practice.
Despite the overall ease of driving a Saab in the snow, you should adjust your driving style to the surrounding conditions. Although you may be able to maintain a high speed and stop in a relatively short distance, other drivers may be unable to, which puts you at risk of an accident.
Most luxury cars and high-performance sports cars are rear-wheel drive. In normal road conditions, rear-wheel drive vehicles have the benefits of better...
Saab's are slightly quirky Swedish-built and engineered automobiles. In turbocharged form they're also fast and fun to drive. Like most turbocharged cars,...
