The weather! Snow, snow, snow, erm... MORE SNOW

Just got back from a near disastrous journey. The snow where I am is about 4 inches deep! I went to take the missus' 1.4 Golf out, and JESUS! People were going less than 15mph, up a hill. Every one of them got stuck, except for the people gaining momentum going 30mph+. Luckily, one of them was me. At the top of the hill, brakes. What brakes?! Absalutely zero traction, the wheels just locked up and sent the car into a powerslide. After nearly crashing into a lamppost, I decided that the FWD of the Golf just wasn't enough (duh!). So, after going back and getting in the 996 C4, WOW. I was gobsmacked. The four wheel drive system worked beautifully, the traction feeling like a dry road. But braking traction, something you cannot get away with. Even just a slight dab sent the wheels to lock up, making the ABS work its heart out. Enough was enough! After a few fun powerslides and handbrake cornering it was time to go home. With a smile on my face..! I am more than happy with the all weather performance of the C4.

Paul, Which version of electronics do you have (ie pre or post facelift) - Traction Control or PSM? My 993 C4 has fairly basic TC and, while it's great on snow once it gets moving, when trying to get moving the TC does not cut in (so it's tough to get out of my drive in the snow!)

TTIWOP!![8D]

'99 C4, so pre-facelift. I've got PSM, which worked great controlling one wheel at a time.

Er, no Jane, TTIUWP! Close but no cigar?[ ]

Have just got in to Central London from High Wycombe. The A40 was treacherous and the ABS kicked in several times. As for cornering, even in third gear [to cut down revs] it was really bad. it is almost impossible to brake safely in the Marylebone and Westminster areas - the snow is an inch or two thick and freezing - so please be sensible out there. My car has 4WD and it was still a bit scary to drive even at 30 mph [the fastest I could think of driving]. And as for tomorrow when more snow is forecast - definitely a bus and the train for me. I wish all Porsche owners and drivers a safe journey.

hi all be safe ! i was rushed in last week with appendicitis , no driving for 6 weeks , upset as wanted to test the c4 in this snow but in a way im glad to be indoors as it looks a total ice rink out there ! cant wait to get back behind the wheel of my car - for now the missus has to drive me around [ ] yes she will have to give the 996 a run at some point !! better take some anti worry pills ! take care all .

I would love to try my Cayman out in the snow. However, I can't even reverse out of my up hill drive! Tried for 2 days now and all I get is spinning wheels. Mind you after 2 days of spinning tyres I am surprised there is any rubber left [ ] Surely traction control should have come on? Does it work differently on Porsches compared to other cars? My Golf had no problem in these conditions.

Does it have true traction control or porsche stability management? Would it work in reverse?

It has PSM, which according to the Porsche glossary on their website should do the following; "PSM is also invaluable when applying the throttle on low-grip surfaces. Here, it uses the automatic brake differential (ABD) and anti-slip regulation (ASR) functions to maintain optimum traction and stability." My Golf traction control used to let me know it was working by the noise from the brakes and the feel through the brake pedal. Do I now get in that classic state of paronia with safety systems? "is PSM working? How would I know until I need it?". Just like airbags, we can't test them but just have to have faith they work because the electronics say so. [&:]

You will know when PSM is working as the PSM light will flash on the dashboard. It's not that intrusive so sometimes it's difficult to spot without the light coming on.

But does it work in reverse?

Dougie Reverse? Do you mean the more slip the less interference from the brakes? Rodney When I next try to reverse out, I will see if I get any flashing. Mind you in this cold weather it might difficult to see anything [ ]

PSM is working, just tried to get out again and constant flashing from PSM light. I suppose I will just have to sit at home until the snow clears. What a shame!!

Snow tyres and chains[ ][ ]

Just what I was thinking. Or, take the train to work. Much cheaper than chains and tyres for the few times it snows in the south east.

Don't know how deep the snow is on your drive, but from my landrover training if trying to pull away in deep snow or loose gravel i need to switch off the stability control to get traction. This works when sometimes the low box and snow and ice program doesn't. Its the next step. Never had to use this in the porsche so i don't know if it would work the same way?

Does in a 993, need it to get out of my drive in snow. But on a two wheel drive Cayman it's not going to help uknick once it has electronically got both rear wheels spinning together!

i was told by a 911 racer that despite the 4wd in my 2003 c4 that in snow conditions all we have is a very expensive snowboard-plenty of momentum but forget about too much in the way of control[ ]-far better off in a front wheel drive like a golf,

Have you not removed the snow from your drive? I spend 30mins shovelling all of the snow away before I left!

You know I was gping to ask it A C4 would be any use i the snow?! lol Or if big wide tyres are just slippy!! Soooo... a C2 V a C4 in this weather??? hmmmm

Did I shovel the snow? yes and no. Being a bloke I got rid of it from my drive, but due to the nature of where I live there was still the communal road area, and heaven forbid I do any more work than I have to. Even then, when I finally got out Teusday PM I found there was still sheet snow and ice in my estate which made it very interesting avoiding the kids playing in the snow. I assume they do not know how easy it is for 1.5 tonnes of car to go slide about without any control, even at crawling pace. One in particular seemed intent on standing in the way until the very last moment. As previously posted big tyres and mid-engine seems to make make an extremely good snow board. At least I now know how the PSM system works, and hopefully will have to wait another 20 years before it needs to cope with this sort of weather. Anyway, the above comments have been useful but I think I found the best method, sit on my fat **** and wait for it to thaw [ ]