Winter Mode In Your Vehicle Explained
There are so many features on modern cars that it can be easy to miss ones that can be a big help. Winter mode is one that you might not know about, though it can offer benefits in less than optimal road conditions. Here’s everything you need to know about winter mode.
What Does Winter Mode Do?
Winter mode is a feature of automatic vehicles. It takes the first gear out of use. In some cases, it takes the lowest two or three gears out depending on the design of the gearbox.
When you start in first gear, you have a lot of torque. Usually, this is good for getting started, but if there are snow and ice on the ground, this can cause your wheels to spin. Beginning in a higher gear will get you off and moving.
When Should You Use It?
You may want to turn winter mode on as soon as you notice either snow or ice on the road. The other indication is if you try to start moving, but your wheels spin.
When You Might Want To Turn It Off
While driving with winter mode on, you might find it more difficult to drive up hills. Without your lowest gear, you may struggle. If you find this to be an issue, you can easily turn off winter mode temporarily then turn it back on once you are safely up the hill.
What A Flashing Light Means
In most cars, there’s a light on the dashboard to indicate that winter mode is on. It’s usually marked with either a ‘W’ or a snowflake symbol. When it’s working correctly, the light will illuminate when you turn it on and go out when you turn it off.
If the winter mode light is blinking, then it means that there’s a problem with winter mode. Even if you turn it on, it won’t be active. This could be an issue with the CPU or with the gearbox its self. If you see this flashing light, you’ll want to get it checked as it can be an early warning that there might be a problem with your automatic transmission.
If you’re concerned that there is a problem with your automatic transmission, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with our gearbox experts at Milta. Contact the team today here.