W for winter mode?

Post by **dcarlson12** » 16 Dec 2008, 15:56

1999 S80 T6:

I tried the 'W' winter mode the other day. i.e for starting out on an icey road. i.e. pressed the 'W'button on the console to the right of the shifter
Don't know if there one is only supposed to use this for starting out with the wheels turned to 'straight ahead' or ???
At one point, maybe fifty feet from my starting point and possibly while I was turning the steering wheel, the left end of the front of the car made such grinding noise that I thought 'there goes the tranny into a thousand pieces'. The noise stopped while I was still moving and I pressed the 'W' button to get out of the 'Winter mode'. The car drove fine and I haven't had that terrrible noise/scare since the one time.
Has anyone else had such an experience?
I can't see why it should matter if one is turning the wheel unless it has/had something to do with the differential.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 16 Dec 2008, 21:05

Sounds like Track Control came on at the same time... To be honest, "W" on our Volvo's aren't very good... Don't use it unless you really have to and as soon as you get out of whatever you're stuck in, turn it off.

Post by **dcarlson12** » 17 Dec 2008, 11:39

So what is Track Control? And why would there be so much excruciating noise? Thought I was going to see parts scattered along the ground behind the car..... Sure didn't sound like it was doing any 'good' to the transmission.
Yea. I probably won't use W again. Just learn to be light footed.

Post by **billofdurham** » 17 Dec 2008, 12:51

It is traction control which utilises the ABS to stop a wheel spinning, hence the 'grating noise'.

I have not met anyone yet who hasn't worried the first time they have experienced this noise.

Bill.

Post by **dcarlson12** » 17 Dec 2008, 14:18

I guess I could try to make it happen again; first with stability control 'on' and then with it off. But not in a big hurry in case it is not what is causing the noise. In any case, thanks for the explanation....

Post by **dcarlson12** » 18 Dec 2008, 09:50

We are having some non-global warming weather. (Wonder if Al Gore can send us some of his Nobel price money for snow/ice removeal?) So gave me a chance to see the tracktion/stability control in action again when driving up our icey drive way. The noise is definitely the ABS unit doing its thing.

sfvstyle · Post by **sfvstyle** » 04 Nov 2009, 23:20

The grinding noise would have to be the STC. It makes something of a really rapid pulsating noise, and you can typically feel vibration in the pedals as a result, in addition to the flashing STC light in the warning light cluster.

A note about "W" mode...
It all depends on where you have the gear selector when you engage it. If you have it in D, the car starts in 3rd or 4th gear. From there, whatever gear you have it the selector in with "W" engaged will be the gear the car is in. ie: 2 with "W" mode on will place the car in second gear, 3 will put it in 3rd gear. I find second to be the most effective for slippery surface starts.

STC gives me a hell of a fright when it comes on, but here in sunny California, I rarely get it, save for accelerating through turns at driveways/intersections which happen to feature puddles.