ALL4 owners - Don't forget your snow mode

[Weeble]

With the wintry conditions upon us in the UK don't forget the ALL4 Countryman's have a snow mode. Simply press the DTC switch, the one to right of the DTS switch, also the last switch on the right hand side of the console. When enabled the word 'TRACTION' will be displayed underneath the digital speedometer. Only advised for use in slushy/snow conditions according to the UK manual.

[skogarr]

Are there two switches, or just one on the far right? I only see one on the far right in my ALL4, and looking at the manual, it only refers to the switch on the far right for DTC/DTS to get in 'TRACTION' mode.

[KiwiRob]

And for those all4 owners with a few brains they'll also put on winter tyres.

[RobbieA]

Quote: Originally Posted by Weeble (original)

With the wintry conditions upon us in the UK don't forget the ALL4 Countryman's have a snow mode. Simply press the DTC switch, the one to right of the DTS switch, also the last switch on the right hand side of the console. When enabled the word 'TRACTION' will be displayed underneath the digital speedometer. Only advised for use in slushy/snow conditions according to the UK manual.

Many thanks for this. Checked it out and works exactly as you said.I should read the manual more often. Also fitted winter wheels and tyres so I guarantee there won't be any snow this winter!

[X6Sport]

Looks like we might get a chance to try it out this weekend..

Got Winter Tyres fitted too - even if the steel rims do look rubbish, they're cheaper to fix than a busted alloy!

[RobbieA]

Quote: Originally Posted by X6Sport (original)

Looks like we might get a chance to try it out this weekend..

Got Winter Tyres fitted too - even if the steel rims do look rubbish, they're cheaper to fix than a busted alloy!

Yup, I went for steel rims with my winter tyres as all the salt and muck is not going to help alloys at this time of year. Have got used to the look of them now and don't think about it much. It has started snowing this morning so hoping to give the All4 a good test this weekend.

[BlackRoadster2]

Well I went out last night in about 5" (125mm) of snow last night, standard alloys and run flats, switched on the traction, the car never missed a beat, including coming up a 1 in 5 bank with 2 - 3" of snow on it, you can really feel the four wheel drive working.

I even had the pleasure of overtaking several spinning front wheel drive cars on a hill again, for how often we have snow to this level the run flats seem to cope pretty much OK, all I would say is let the car do the work it's a great machine.

Rob.

[chris_fireice]

Quote: Originally Posted by BlackRoadster2 (original)

Well I went out last night in about 5" (125mm) of snow last night, standard alloys and run flats, switched on the traction, the car never missed a beat, including coming up a 1 in 5 bank with 2 - 3" of snow on it, you can really feel the four wheel drive working.

I even had the pleasure of overtaking several spinning front wheel drive cars on a hill again, for how often we have snow to this level the run flats seem to cope pretty much OK, all I would say is let the car do the work it's a great machine.

Rob.

Did you have winter tyres or was this with the standard 'summer' tyres?

I only bought my ALL4 last week and don't really want to shell out £600 for 4 winter tyres on steel hubs, especially as the car has done 16k and the front tyres either need replacing soon or switching with the back ones which are less worn, so if I can struggle through with the 'summer' tyres that are on it for a few months (avoiding driving through snow) then it would be better.

Thanks,
Chris

[X6Sport]

£600 is for the 'cheap' version. The full alloy winter tyre option is a snip at nearly £1,800 a set!

Hopefully we've had this year's snow allocation so you'll be fine. Let's face it, until last Winter most UK folks had never given much thought to having different seasonal wheel sets.

[chris_fireice]

Quote: Originally Posted by X6Sport (original)

£600 is for the 'cheap' version. The full alloy winter tyre option is a snip at nearly £1,800 a set!

Hopefully we've had this year's snow allocation so you'll be fine. Let's face it, until last Winter most UK folks had never given much thought to having different seasonal wheel sets.

The guy at the Mini place quoted me £1500 for the alloy wheel set and he did try to make out that it was a bargain as the wheels would cost £1200 on their own!

Thanks for the tips - I think that you're absolutely right, I used to drive my rear wheel drive cars in all sorts of weather with the standard tyres and used to just drive carefully.

Chris

[BlackRoadster2]

Quote: Originally Posted by chris_fireice (original)

Did you have winter tyres or was this with the standard 'summer' tyres?

I only bought my ALL4 last week and don't really want to shell out £600 for 4 winter tyres on steel hubs, especially as the car has done 16k and the front tyres either need replacing soon or switching with the back ones which are less worn, so if I can struggle through with the 'summer' tyres that are on it for a few months (avoiding driving through snow) then it would be better.

Thanks,
Chris

Hi Chris.

Standard summer tyres that have 6500 miles on them, they drove really well on the snow, caution was needed on ice but you get that with most tyres any way.

I learnt my lesson with the wife's Urban Cruiser 4x4, that runs on standard summer tyres and also has the traction function same as the mini, that's pretty dam good as well in the snow, I just wished the Mini did as well on fuel as the Toyota, it's doing 54 mpg compared to 40 mpg in the Mini

Save your money, it's not really worth it for how long it lasts over here, plus we have the the added traction function if you get into trouble.

Rob.

[minimarque]

I just wished the Mini did as well on fuel as the Toyota, it's doing 54 mpg compared to 40 mpg in the Mini

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[dlpruk]

Quote: Originally Posted by BlackRoadster2 (original)

Save your money, it's not really worth it for how long it lasts over here, plus we have the the added traction function if you get into trouble.

Rob.

Isn't life worth £600?

Winter wheels | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[BlackRoadster2]

Quote: Originally Posted by dlpruk (original)

Isn't life worth £600?

Winter wheels | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Not really as I now understand the car and how it works in these conditions, plus the fact it's going to be someone else who's not got the same stopping / grip as the Mini that will hit you.

Each to their own my friend.

[BlackRoadster2]

Quote: Originally Posted by minimarque (original)

I just wished the Mini did as well on fuel as the Toyota, it's doing 54 mpg compared to 40 mpg in the Mini

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Yes that's right, I'm running a CooperD and the wife's got a D4D. I'm taking it back shortly to have it checked but it's never been better than 45 mpg even on a run to Belgium.