Soldato
- Joined
- 23 Oct 2002
- Posts
- 2,562
- Location
- Edinburgh/Southampton
The only time I have ever driven in really deep snow was in scotland. I spun around a few times (mostly on purpose) but the only time I got stuck in my FWD golf was going up a hill. Wouldn't go up in 1st gear at all, nor 2nd, but when I put it in 3rd I just slowly lifted the clutch and up she went.
What's the physics behind this? In 3rd gear surely the wheels would be trying to spin faster, so why don't they just slip even more? I am guessing it's something to do with the differential and the fact that trying to pull off in 3rd gear there's very little torque available to apply to the wheels?
So - if you have a low-range gearbox, then the ratios in that will be even LOWER than 1st/2nd, so in snow would you just use a high-ratio box? Or is the low-ratio box usually clever enough to limit torque?
What's the physics behind this? In 3rd gear surely the wheels would be trying to spin faster, so why don't they just slip even more? I am guessing it's something to do with the differential and the fact that trying to pull off in 3rd gear there's very little torque available to apply to the wheels?
So - if you have a low-range gearbox, then the ratios in that will be even LOWER than 1st/2nd, so in snow would you just use a high-ratio box? Or is the low-ratio box usually clever enough to limit torque?