Does the Powershift make winter weather driving miserable? *observations and theory*

[aggoodin]

Had some awful ice/snow Sunday into Monday here in Minnesota. My stomach hurt by the time I got to work. I really think this is the worst car I have ever owned for bad winter weather driving. Literally dread to drive it, I go 33 miles each way. I have got to get a 4 wheel drive for myself for these days.

I want to reiterate that I love the car except when it snows.

So after a day to reflect on the way the car behaves in this weather I am feeling like the Powershift transmission is the leading contributor to the lack of traction this car has. My previous position was an over active and un-defeatable traction control system was to blame. Hear me out.....

Its about how the power rolls on when you step on the gas. As in its always there. The engagement of the clutches inside the powershift is the same no matter what, you never hear it riding the clutch. I'm guessing the engagement is designed for maximum life of the clutches.

I think about how it is when I drive a manual in the snow (like my CRX or most of the trucks at work). I am really light on the engagement on the clutch on take off, I feather it and work that grab point (ride the clutch!). It allows you to feel for traction and find the right amount of power for the conditions.

The powershift just engages and goes. There is no riding the clutch or feeling for traction. It fully engages and you get maximum transfer of power to the wheels right from the start.

On a torque converter equipped automatic you don't get that maximum transfer of power on startup unless you neutral drop it or drive it with both feet.

Two of the things that I like about the car, the grunt it has and the way it claws at the ground is what I now believe is killing it in the snow. The loss of traction with the slightest gas pedal input off idle cause the traction control to kick in prematurely leaving you in limbo and then lurching or dead in the water.

What do you think? Am I crazy to think this things lack of traction in snowy winter weather starts with the engagement of the clutches in the powershift?

[oracleguy]

I've driven my powershift in the snow and it has been pretty good for me, even on the OEM tires. If I'm concerned about traction when starting I let off the brake and about one second after the car has started rolling forward on its own I lightly press the gas and haven't had issues. Most of the other times just going light on the throttle is enough.

[Captainmorbid]

I don't think you're crazy, that behavior you describe is exactly why I parked it last winter. Spin city! No traction on slippery surfaces at all! I was determined to see if tires make a difference this winter, they do. Huge! The spin still pops it's ugly head up on polished ice, but my 4x4 would spin with winter tires on that too. But tires made a giant difference on the fiesta, it restored my confidence up to almost the level of the truck in 4wd with real winter tires on it...

[Cobra348]

While I have had some traction issues when starting off on slick streets and easy gas pedal has always gotten me through. Phantom is on his second Winter and Cherri on her first with no issues. My son uses Phantom about 35 miles daily, I rack up 25-30 miles daily on Cherri.

[Norm201]

Almost all the responses use a key term. Light gas pedal use. That is key. If you're riding on actual snow the majority of time then snow tires will most likely help a lot. Here in Western Mew York we had a typical winter last year with lots of snow. I only use stock tires. I had no problems. This year we have had a very mild winter so far and I think a snow tire would do more harm than good. IMO one needs to think about how this car will be used before one buys it. If you know you will need to drive in snow and long distance then the Fiesta is the wrong choice of vehicle. It's no different than using an off road 4 x 4 with big knobby tires and aggressive gearing for a daily drive to work in the city. Just great MPG is not good enough as a reason to buy the Fiesta.

[FORDSVTPARTS]

I don't think it's the car, it was the road conditions.

I drove to work in that as well and I was sliding all over the place which doesn't happen often, I usually don't mind snow at all.

In fact our body shop had eight cars towed in that day.

If you want to make a 100% improvement in the car you need snow tires, not four wheel drive.

My SVT on snow tires ran circles around four wheel drive vehicles, they really are that good.

A few years back when we had a lovely Minnesota ice storm that left the roads litterally like a skating rink I left a guy in a four wheel drive Dodge sitting about a block behind when we were leaving a stop light while he spun all four wheels.

It's an investment, buy a spare set of wheels with snow tires and swap them out for winter. You will not regret it.

-Steve


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[Iceracer]

Read all of the other posts on how great the car is in the snow.
As I have said before, I drove my SE with PS all last winter on the stock tires. No problem. Now I have my Blizzaks on, big differnce.
Driving in the winter on ice and snow takes a whole different driving talent than on dry roads.
The key is, as been mentioned, light throttle. Be your own traction control.
Wheels spin, let up on the gas until they gain traction.
Same goes with the brakes, don't depend on the ABS, a soft touch on the pedal works best.
Of course, there are weather conditions when cars should not even be on the road but people have to get to work.
Most times, driving on slippery roads means slow and easy.

[dalegood]

Start in Low and as you develop a bit of speed shift to Drive. Never a problem.

[jthj]

We've had no issues.

[will13476]

We had a bad winter in Central New York last year, and no problems. Snow tires are a big help. How you drive is a big second factor.