05' HCH not a snow machine
#1
05' HCH not a snow machine
Just commuted my near 50 miles one way in the HCH. My Subaru Impreza has a bent valve, so it is out of commission till I have a chance to tear into the engine and replace it. What a difference. I've always enjoyed driving in the snow, as long as it was in my Subaru. That thing is a snow demon, even with the ultra high performance all season tires, it does incredible. The Civic is on the back side of bad. The low rolling resistance tires are not what the doctor ordered for wet, heavy snow. Once I got the feel how slippery the tires were, I could keep my momentum in the empty intersections with some emergency brake induced tail slides.
It isn't really fair to compare the HCH to an Impreza. I've probably gotten myself in more trouble with the Impreza because of the AWD than I ever would in the HCH. The AWD feels great, but it definitely doesn't help when its time to slow er' down. I'm going to see if I can find some emergency tire chains. They aren't made of steel, or metal. It is some sort of nylon or something. Anyone have an idea of what I'm talking about?
It isn't really fair to compare the HCH to an Impreza. I've probably gotten myself in more trouble with the Impreza because of the AWD than I ever would in the HCH. The AWD feels great, but it definitely doesn't help when its time to slow er' down. I'm going to see if I can find some emergency tire chains. They aren't made of steel, or metal. It is some sort of nylon or something. Anyone have an idea of what I'm talking about?
#2
Re: 05' HCH not a snow machine
We got 8 inches here yesterday. My 06 didn't do to bad, seemed comparable to my old Integra, did they change the tires for 06? Its definitely not comparable to an awd subaru, but not bad considering the low roll rest. tires.... although I'm secretly wishing that Toyota's purchase of Subaru yields a Hybrid Subaru in the near future.
I did find it harder to control the front tires with the CVT transmission however. Give me a manual any day for snowy driving.
I did find it harder to control the front tires with the CVT transmission however. Give me a manual any day for snowy driving.
#3
Re: 05' HCH not a snow machine
Originally Posted by Archslater
I did find it harder to control the front tires with the CVT transmission however. Give me a manual any day for snowy driving.
Use them, that is (part of) the reason they are there.
~Droid
#5
Re: 05' HCH not a snow machine
I actually prefer a higher ratio for starting off in the snow/ice. In the manual cars I have owned, I always started off in second gear, and it helped prevent slipping as the front tires had less power.
#6
Re: 05' HCH not a snow machine
Originally Posted by Archslater
I actually prefer a higher ratio for starting off in the snow/ice. In the manual cars I have owned, I always started off in second gear, and it helped prevent slipping as the front tires had less power.
I wish there was a way to lock the CVT into a higer gear ratio just for this purpose.
#7
Re: 05' HCH not a snow machine
The problem is that an auto transmission starts out in low gear, and then when the wheels start to spin it increases the gear ratio, increasing the spinning of the tires. Using "S" and "L" do help in snow with a CVT by keeping the spinning under control long enough to get moving, even if the ability to lock in a mid gear ratio would be better.
~Droid
~Droid
#8
Re: 05' HCH not a snow machine
the CVT actually behaves as a form of traction control by allowing the tire to spin, a higher ratio is reached and then you move forward with ease. I do it all the time, spin, lift off gas, and then go.
#9
Re: 05' HCH not a snow machine
Originally Posted by livvie
the CVT actually behaves as a form of traction control by allowing the tire to spin, a higher ratio is reached and then you move forward with ease. I do it all the time, spin, lift off gas, and then go.
#10
Re: 05' HCH not a snow machine
Please note that I have 4 snow tires on. But the technique still applies. Our CVT does not come with any preset ratio so we have to fool the system into getting a higher "gear".