[coopermine]

Conditions here in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains were icy yesterday too. I counted no less than 8 "slip" lights (which indicates my TCS had to intervene) on the way home in my G35, while my wife said the Acadia was very sure footed. No slippage, no problems at all. I'm guessing the extra weight and big tires go a long way to keeping it planted firmly, even with only FWD. So far, I can think of almost nothing negative to say about this thing...

is that because your G35 is RWD so it has more slippage on snowy roads?

 

[njgeneral]

...keep the TCS on unless they are actualy stuck...
[/quote]

TCS off in deep snow is how you prevent from getting stuck in the first place ....much like driving on sand.

 

[admin]

is that because your G35 is RWD so it has more slippage on snowy roads?

Yup, that and quite a bit of HP for its size...

 

[fenwah]

One thing to remember - AWD will help you start; it will not help you stop. I'm constantly amazed by the way I see people drive. I see 4WD/AWD vehicles off the road all the time when it snows.

Kelly

I definately agree with you that there are a lot of people that make the roads very dangerous just because they have AWD/4WD. But I disagree with you when you say that AWD/4WD will not help you stop, that all depends on the driver. Living south of lake erie in the snow belt, there have been many times that I have crawled down hills in 1st gear and 4LO, touch the brakes and you'd be going for a ride. Severe ice is a totally different story, tire chains or not driving at all are you only safe options.

My advice is to do only one thing at a time in the snow as much as possible... accelerate, decelerate, or turn. Another thing I suggest is finding an empty AND SAFE snow covered parking lot and test your vehicle. I'm not saying to go out and do donuts, but just slap on the brakes like you're stopping in an emergency, just so you can learn how your vehicle is going to react and feel in different situations.

Regardless, take it easy and be safe out there.


My mom has had her Acadia in some light snow and said that it went well. Not really enough to get any impressions good or bad. They are going to be getting snow, then sleet and ice, then more snow in the next 24 hours, I'll have to get her a call and see how the Acadia did.

Couldn't agree more with all of you. I also live in the snowbelt south of Lake Erie, and the most important thing about getting around in the snow is caution and good sense. I'm driving a FWD Grand Prix right now, and have passed many a 4WD and AWD in ditches, but I hope to be in an Acadia AWD before next winter, and know it will make my driving chores much easier in the snow. Good luck to all, and keep the rubber side down!

I have been driving my 98 Grand Prix GT coupe for the past nine years. I have only become stuck in the snow with it once...and that was because the snow on the road was higher than bottom of the car. My FWD Grand Prix has always performed well in the snow...but that is also due to the fact that I drive slower and make sure that I have plenty of tread on my tires before winter. However, we may be moving to Buffalo in a few years...so I might be in the market for the Acadia instead of the G8 that I was hoping to purchase. My wife is a physician...so she needs to do her rounds at the hospital in the morning...regardless of the weather.

 

[Jacko]

Acadia comes with StabiliTrak Stability Control. This is from GM web site:
" Stability enhancement systems help drivers maintain control of vehicles during certain low traction driving conditions such as ice, snow, gravel, wet pavement and uneven road surfaces; as well as in emergency lane changes or avoidance maneuvers.

How StabiliTrak® Works

The StabiliTrak® system works by recognizing wheel skid. Sensors detect the difference between the steering wheel angle and the direction the driver is actually turning by "reading" the steering wheel position, the amount of sideways force in play, vehicle speed and the vehicle's response to steering wheel input.

The system then uses the brakes to enhance control of the vehicle's direction and to help keep it on course. It automatically reduces the engine torque and applies precise amounts of pressure to front right or left brakes to help keep the vehicle on track. These brake and engine interventions help realign the vehicle's actual path with that being steered by the driver."

More at: http://www.gm.com/company/gmability/safety/avoid_crash/new_features/stabilitrak.html

 

[Lipsman]

I was only able to test drive a FWD while debating trading in my 4x4 full size GMC for the Acadia. Wouldn't you know it the night i took it home we got a nice inch of snow, just enough to make the roads slick.

I gave the FWD a nice test, from a dead stop at a stop and go light, turning right. There weren't any vehicles in the area I was headed, so I just gave it a fair amount of gas (I didn't put it to the floor...) and the Acaida just took me in the direction i wanted to go with little slippage and the backend didn't even start to come around.

Needless to say I was VERY impressed. I've NEVER driven a FWD vehicle that handled like that in the snow.

Once I knew the FWD acted that well in the snow, I knew the AWD would be even better, if that's possible...

Only benefit I see with the AWD is getting going in deeper snow. Also I noticed when I got my AWD it cornered slightly better. You don't get as much of the feeling that the back end is getting a little loose, as I did with the FWD version. But, I was pushing her pretty hard to even notice the difference!!!

Jon

 

[mkaresh]

One thing to remember - AWD will help you start; it will not help you stop. I'm constantly amazed by the way I see people drive. I see 4WD/AWD vehicles off the road all the time when it snows.

Kelly

Extremely important point.

I test drove an Outlook with the 19" RS-As in snowy and icy conditions a few weeks ago. I've had these tires on an Olds Intrigue in the past, and they are marginal in icy conditions. Very few sipes (thin cuts) in the tread blocks. Sipes are what provide traction on ice. So proper winter tires would be a good investment.

I totally disagree with turning the TCS off, at least if this disables the stability control. The stability control was very helpful during my test drive.

I talk about that drive in my review of the Saturn Outlook here:

Saturn Outlook review

FWIW, I prefer the Acadia's interior to that of the Outlook, but such things are subjective.

 

[njgeneral]

While drving with TCS OFF, "Stabilitrak Activated" popped up from time to time on my HUD which would mean this was not deactivated.

 

[002]

From Southeast Virginia, I have a question for you Northerners--what is snow?

002

 

[Jacko]

While drving with TCS OFF, "Stabilitrak Activated" popped up from time to time on my HUD which would mean this was not deactivated.

I believe TCS and stabilitrak are two different sysyems. Stabilitrak is available only with AWD while TCS(Traction Control System) is available on all vehicles.
If this is incorrect I'm sure someone will straighten me and the rest of us out.

 

[Jacko]

From Southeast Virginia, I have a question for you Northerners--what is snow?

002

Snow is a miraculous fluffy white powder that falls from the heavens and gives us Yankee northerners something to play in during the winter months. We've had to develop a whole arsenal of toys to use in it. Come on up and join in the fun! ;D

Here's what we do when the pond freezes over.

 

[coloradoGM]

Snow is a miraculous fluffy white powder that falls from the heavens and gives us Yankee northerners something to play in during the winter months. We've had to develop a whole arsenal of toys to use in it. Come on up and join in the fun! ;D

Here's what we do when the pond freezes over.

Do you Ice Boat? I'm so jealous I live in Colorado and believe me we have plenty of snow but one thing I've never done is Ice Boat and I'm a bit of a speed freak and Ice Boating is one of the speed freak things I've always wanted to do. :'(

 

[002]

From Southeast Virginia, I have a question for you Northerners--what is snow?

002

Snow is a miraculous fluffy white powder that falls from the heavens and gives us Yankee northerners something to play in during the winter months. We've had to develop a whole arsenal of toys to use in it. Come on up and join in the fun! ;D

Here's what we do when the pond freezes over.

Jacko,

Now that looks like fun--we can not walk on water down here on the Chesapeake Bay--even in winter!!

But we can sail and that is very enjoyable.

002

 

[Jacko]

Snow is a miraculous fluffy white powder that falls from the heavens and gives us Yankee northerners something to play in during the winter months. We've had to develop a whole arsenal of toys to use in it. Come on up and join in the fun! ;D

Here's what we do when the pond freezes over.

Do you Ice Boat? I'm so jealous I live in Colorado and believe me we have plenty of snow but one thing I've never done is Ice Boat and I'm a bit of a speed freak and Ice Boating is one of the speed freak things I've always wanted to do. :'(

I don't own a boat of my own, but have friends who do, and let me catch a ride with them. Nothing quite like the sound of wind and skate on ice, and the landscape flying by. I'm a little tame about speed anymore, but understand that in proper conditions, and on the right boat, 100 mph or more is not out of the question. Photo was taken on Presque Ilse Bay off Erie, PA, about a mile from my house.

 

[coopermine]

100MPH+

I am sure it has front and side air bags ;D

 

[Jacko]

100MPH+

I am sure it has front and side air bags ;D

That would take all the adventure out of it!

 

[teetertotter]

I just had our first experience in 1/2" snow this morning and is still snowing. With these 18inch factory M/S rated tires, we won't have any problems during snow season. Deeper the snow, better the traction. The electronic auto "L" shifting position is just wonderful. I used 3rd for starting out and up shifted to 5 and 6th when required and was SMOOTH as silk. We have several steep grades in town and took one of then down hill downshifting for braking.....Unbelievable!! We will have NO problems with winter driving in this Acadia!! :blob:

 

[elliotjames]

I just had our first experience in 1/2" snow this morning and is still snowing. With these 18inch factory M/S rated tires, we won't have any problems during snow season. Deeper the snow, better the traction. The electronic auto "L" shifting position is just wonderful. I used 3rd for starting out and up shifted to 5 and 6th when required and was SMOOTH as silk. We have several steep grades in town and took one of then down hill downshifting for braking.....Unbelievable!! We will have NO problems with winter driving in this Acadia!! :blob:

Just FYI - If you start in "L" from a dead stop, it does not matter what gear is displayed on the dash, you will actually be in 1st gear. The "L" setting only sets the maximum gear that the automatic transmission advances to. It is not a manual type shifter. So you could just leave it in the higher gear when you take off and get the same result.

 

[Cravenfan]

I tested an Acadia last April and called the dealer during a snowstorm to take it home. He said, "you know it's snowing out"...I said, uh, ya, I can test drive anything on dry pavement. They had received one straight from the truck that morning, hadn't even peeled the plastic off yet. Anyway, I got it, drove home and passed four cars off the road during the storm. I handled like a dream. I took it out later that night in about a half a foot of snow and tried to spin it out with the stabilitrack on. Couldn't do it!

Stopped in the parking lot across from our house and tried to do donuts, couldn't do it! Slid all over the place after taking the stabilitrack off. I would have no idea why you would take that off, especially in the corners. I believe I read that if you were buried up to your tires and stuck, you would take it off to "rock" your way out of the rut.

Bottom line, the AWD version for me, was awesome. It's supposed to snow Sun/Mon so I'll be testing mine out. I hope to be pulling my snowmobile behind it in another week or so. :cheers:

 

[speleos]

To all hill-country dwellers,

Believe it or not, sometimes it's better to go down a slippery hill in town with the transmission in neutral and a light touch on the brakes. This works in many cars, trucks, etc. when the front and rear brakes are proportioned well. Shifting into neutral takes power off of all the wheels and allows the brakes to let you gently drive down the hill under good control. I learned this early in my driving career while negotiating steep, snow-covered hills in western PA and WV. It was easier to stop at the bottom of the slope or turn into my driveway about halfway down the hill from the main road. Try it - you might be pleasantly surprised.