Reputable car brands come up with numerous features and modes to handle unexpected weather conditions – and Volkswagen, fortunately, is no exception.
Our expert team has been impressed with its snow modes, particularly on Tiguan models, which have been a lifesaver during the toughest winter months!
Want to know more? This article will gladly reveal further about the Tiguan snow mode. Let’s dive in.
What Is Tiguan Snow Mode? How Does It Work
An Overview
As its name suggests (quite blatantly, may we say), Tiguan Snow Modes are tailored for winter and snowy roads, altering the VW’s dynamics to foster better control and traction.
(quite similar to Snow Buttons on Toyota Highlander).
They arrive with four basic capabilities to help you power through the snow with ease, listed as follows:
- Modifying torque distribution to cut off power to VW rear wheels with insufficient traction
- Decreasing throttle response and reducing overall wheel spin
- Adjusting transmission settings for low RPM. The power transmitted to your wheels will be slowed down that way, preventing rapid rates that might be dangerous in winter storms or rains.
- Shifting to higher 2nd gears when needed to enhance road stability
Which Systems and Accessories Work Best With Tiguan Snow Mode?
These modes will double their efficiency when combined with AWD or snow/winter tyres. But if we must choose between AWD or winter tires, the latter wins our votes by a long slide. Why?
- Their special rubber never cracks or hardens even under severe temp drops.
- The deeper treads and prevalent siping boost road grips to a new level
- Drivers have a rather dangerous instinct of slamming their foot on the brake when situations call for immediate stops. Snow modes AND snow tires can work together to reduce skidding risks.
- No hydroplaning can occur with high-quality winter tires, particularly when the road snow starts melting.
- Higher-end winter tires are thin – yet high in PSI. The Tiguan snow modes can utilize their pressure further to maneuver more smoothly in winter.
How to Activate It?
- Turn on the mode by rotating your Drive Mode Dials (near the shift levers) to a snowflake icon.
- For difficult terrains, flip the dials to “Off-road Customs” and change advanced settings to your preference.
- In the case of deep snow or slippery ice patches, you might need some good wheelspins to dig the car out. Turn off ASR or Traction Active Control through the Setting menu’s infotainment systems.
When Should You Activate The Volkswagen Tiguan Snow Mode?
Anytime your VW Tiguan encounters slick, snowy conditions (as well as slippery surfaces in other seasons and climates, such as mood), VW Snow Mode can prove your best ally in maintaining control and traction.
And who cares whether you prefer all-wheel or front-wheel drives? The Volkswagen Snow Mode easily handles them all and delivers the extra assistance one might need.
It would not be exaggerating to say that AWD or front-wheel – when paired with Snow Mode – can even surpass four-wheel drives on rough terrains.
Snow Mode Volkswagen Tiguan versus Other Common Drive Modes
It’s not about “Which is the best drive mode?” but more like “When to use which one?”. This section will summarize all available drive settings on VW Tiguan thus far:
- Snow Modes: Keeping lower RPM and early upshift to prevent slipping wheels on icy surfaces and thick inches of snow.
- On-Road Modes: Working best in ideal road conditions. You can toggle between 4 settings to deliver a more comfortable drive.
- Off-Road Modes: Ideal for beaten, rough paths. There’s even a Hills Descent Control mode to help you traverse steep grades.
- Off-Road Custom Modes: Still for beaten terrains, but with more advanced settings to modify the Tiguan to your heart’s content.
Aside from Snow Mode VW Tiguan, What Are Other VW Features to Assist Your Snow Driving?
Electronic Differential Locks (or EDLs)
All Tiguans arrive with EDLs to transfer power automatically to your steering wheels (where it’s most needed).
As a result, the car can always move in the correct direction despite slippery roads. The system is also added by:
- Computerized system and ABS sensors to detect wheelspin
- Applied brakes to non-grip, spinning wheels (click here if they squeak due to getting wet in rain or snow)
- Transferred torque to wheels with more traction
EDLs are an especially good match for FWD Tiguans and slippery terrains. Rather than letting one wheel spin endlessly, it turns the opposite drive wheels to increase driving dynamics.
Electronic Stability Controls
Of course, we could not skim over Electronic Stability Controls, a computer system designed to detect and limit skidding (or loss of traction), improving stability in the process.
They use multiple sensors to track your Tiguan’s behavior during evasive maneuvers and turns.
Once the program spots high risks of control loss due to understeer or oversteer, the brakes will be applied instantly to reduce motor power, keeping you from deep sliding.
Try to drive under heavy downpours once, and you will be thankful for this inclusive design!
Traction Controls
Even a child can imagine what would happen on wet roads filled to the brim with ice and snow: all tire grips are lost, causing them to spin round and round!
Here’s where the Traction Control (or ASR – Anti-Slip Regulations, quoted from VW) enters the scene.
It cuts off excessive engine energy to stop the wheel spinning before it goes too far. The tires can regain their tight hold on the road and gradually resume speed.
When working with the AWD drive systems, Traction Control’s performance is simply unmatched. Even steep inclines are nothing against them.
Anti Lock Braking System
Considered VW Tiguan’s standard compartment, ABS lends your engine braking performance some significant improvements in all climates and conditions.
How so? As slick roads hinder your movements and reduce grip, the wheels will likely lock up and skid off control.
ABS prevents such disasters via brake-pulsing, pushing your car to move forwards and regain its grip during deceleration.
Conclusion
Our inclusive guides have hopefully lent you more insight into the incredible power that the VW Tiguan snow mode can hold.
Keep our tips in mind to use the snow mode Tiguan properly, and feel free to reach out for help if needed!