Traction control?

Tiny
BBAK77
  • MEMBER
  • 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 70,000 MILES
I bought this vehicle on 2/7/23. Drove poorly in about 5 inches of mixed snow. The tires were not fit for summer. But the dealer has a good rep. Front wheel drive. Bought Blizzacks yesterday. (Tire store). It now drives on ice and packed snow just fine. But it doesn't do well in any amount of heavy snow. The brown stuff that accumulates until the roads are cleared. It is like a turtle on its back. I've been driving for 48 years now. A lot of it in 2-wheel drive pickups. So, I'm a pretty decent driver. I got it stuck and unstuck in that stuff on the street in my neighborhood on flat ground this evening. I have driven a 2-wheel drive Acura 2000 for about 3 years. I thought I knew about front wheel drives. Guess not. So now I sadly am paying $650.00 a month is car payments and insurance. Of course, they won't take it back. Whatever. Should I get big lugged studded tires? Not too big, it is a wee car. With a big car coat. Will adding weight help? The Acura had Blizzaks and was amazing. But I store 3 of the summer tires in the trunk and 1 in the back seat. The Acura, God bless it, has bit the dust. My mechanic told me a year ago to get something else. And then recently it has hit its limit. So, I did and now I don't have to take a taxi anymore. It does fine on ice. But in snow there are issues. What would you suggest? The salesman said just gun the engine. I know how to do that. It didn't help. So, can you refer me to a web site or is your answer short? Thank you much appreciated. Barbara Bradford
Wednesday, February 8th, 2023 AT 8:41 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Barbara,

In short, this is how this vehicle will handle in the snow. By gunning it, the salesman wants you to hit the gas hard and let the tires spin through the snow. That really isn't a good recommendation.

As far as the vehicle, if you add weight to the rear of the vehicle behind the wheels, you take weight off the front wheels, so I don't suggest it. Because it is a front-wheel drive vehicle, you can't add weight over the front wheels.

Now, the vehicle has traction control. This feature is designed to lessen engine power to help prevent the front wheels from spinning. It is something that can be turned on and off. Are you familiar with it? If so, have you tried it in both settings?

Let me know that. Also, let me know how deep the snow needs to be for you to have problems.

Take care,

Joe
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Thursday, February 9th, 2023 AT 1:27 PM
Tiny
BBAK77
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Now I understand why so many cars at intersections. They are just like mine but with smaller payments.

So, the problem starts at about 3 to 4 inches of the brown snow. The stuff that piles up after the snow has been driven in. And it gets stuck in 7. When it got stuck I had to jockey back and forth. Feathering the gas. Some judicious spinning and after about 5 minutes got it out. It was on FLAT ground. In the middle of a quiet street. I shudder pulling out in traffic. With those little 7 inch loose ruts that accumulate. But I am learning to feather the gas like a pro.

Anchorage just finished up with the worst snow in several decades. 24+ inches of snow in about 8 days. The first snowfall was 12 to 14 inches over on the edge of town. Most areas had more. My house had over 18 inches for the first fall. We measured it. The brown snow was 6 to 8 inches deep in ruts absolutely everywhere. My old Acura drug a lot of snow. (Just great for all the parts being drug) When those ruts froze I had to park it.

That's why I am so rattled about this. This thing wouldn't have been drivable!

Yes it has traction control. Literally won't move with out it!

I also realized, a bit late in the game, that it only does reverse and forward. Really was desperate to quit taking taxis. How bad could it be? Yes. BAD.

Thanks for the first sentence, the one about this is how it is. I had no idea. My front wheel Acura got around like a tank. With about 120 pounds in the trunk. The weight is my summer tires. On rims. That's why I asked about the weight. The Acura (year 2000) is a much heaver vehicle so that may be what was happening.

I will check it out for a trade in. The good thing is that I no longer have to depend on taxis. The bad news is that when I do need one so does every other 2 wheel drive in town. I spent a lot of money for a vehicle that cannot drive in the snow.

So far it seems that the tap tap tap on the gas and a bit of back and forth will work in most snow. But not normally or safely. If it comes out with too much spin it climbs snow banks like a snow machine. Very exciting when I first figured that out.

My car has a name. Turtle. Just like a turtle. On it's back. In the snow. In Alaska.

Thank you for trying to help. Although your first sentence is the most helpful of all. Any further suggestions will be greatly appreciated. But it looks like trade in is the best way. I'm going to lose my shirt before this is over.

This is a nice car. Love driving it. Beautiful sight lines, very comfortable and stops on a dime. Just that tiny bit with the snow.

Sincerely Barbara
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Saturday, February 11th, 2023 AT 1:57 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Barbra,

OMG! 24" of snow? Ugh! I live in PA and normally we get five or six inches, but this year has been really odd. If you live in Anchorage, you really need to get your hands on a 4wd. LOL

Also, and don't laugh, have you considered getting tire chains? They make them that are not nearly as aggressive as the older ones. Do a google search and let me know if you find any and your thoughts.

Listen, take care of yourself. If there is anything I can do to help you, let me know.

Joe
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+1
Saturday, February 11th, 2023 AT 9:42 PM
Tiny
BBAK77
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  • 8 POSTS
A friend also mentioned tire chains. Plastic ones. I had forgotten. And I'm talking to the dealer about trading in for an all-wheel. I really want 4 wheel but not automatic 4 wheel. So, things are happening. I'll let you know how it ends up. Thank you so much for the help, Barbara
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Saturday, February 11th, 2023 AT 10:14 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

Based on where you live, I feel it is a good idea to have 4wd. I have a 700 ft driveway and have to plow it, so I have no choice. LOL

Let me know what you find. If I can help or if you have questions, let me know.

Take care,

Joe
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Sunday, February 12th, 2023 AT 7:43 PM
Tiny
BBAK77
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  • 8 POSTS
Well, the saga is now complete. This is a lovely SUV. As long as there is no snow, mud or sand. Monday morning, we had 10 inches of fresh snow at work. Acid test. I did not pass. Got bogged down in 10 inches. It would not go forward! Had to back up and try again. Numerous times. Then tonight almost got it stuck going around a corner with the brown snow. The car salesman will do a trade in. Saturday will find something with a bit more go in snow. Thank you for all the help. This is a real disappointment. This car is so great. Just not in the snow. Which won't work in Alaska. Barbara
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Thursday, February 16th, 2023 AT 7:01 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Barbara,

If you just got this vehicle a little over a week ago, I hope they are giving you what you paid for it. I think you are entitled to that, especially if you are getting one from the same dealer.

If you want, let me know what you are looking at. Some SUV's are great and others, well let's just say less than great. LOL

If you are looking at a vehicle, ask if it has a CVT transmission. If it does and you plan to put a lot of miles on it, don't get it.

Take care of yourself. If I don't hear back from you, please feel free to come back anytime in the future. You are always welcome.

Joe
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Thursday, February 16th, 2023 AT 7:36 PM

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