12 Dec 00

2001 V70 T5, 10,005kms since new;Geartronic Transmission

First Test in deep snow.

Gislaveds 215 55 16s on all four wheels, Volvo rims.

Tire pressure, 28 psi cold, all four.

Toronto got a bit of a snow storm last night and this morning; in general about 15 to 20 cms, or 6 to 8 inches, undisturbed.

Test conditions,about -8 C, 17 F, back streets, unplowed just chewed up by traffic. Snow ridges high enough to scrape on wind dam and other under car parts.

No difficulties anywhere including driving through high snowplow windrows, 30 to 60 cms, going on and off plowed streets.

DSTC works fine as does ABS; they sound about the same, which is not surprizing.

With a gentle foot it does not matter much which gear you start in. Use winter mode,W, and you can hit the throttle pretty good. Not much different whether you use manual 2 or 3 as long as you use easy pedal in manual 2.

No really steep hills tried, as there are none in this neighbourhood; all the big hills close by, all plowed by the time I got to them.

This car would seem to have the same snow capability as my '94 850 Turbo, standard Transmission, also with Gislaveds.

All the best.

Robert A. Froebel