Sooo... I live in Canada, and freaquently visit family in the northern-y areas of Thunder Bay/Winnipeg. I own a 1.8 2003 VW Jetta with a turbo (it’s a manual), it is NOT TDI, but I could not find anywhere else to turn for knowledgeable VW community, and the problem I’m having I doubt is related to diesel/gasoline. Any help would be much appreciated.
This is my first winter with the car, and we JUST got our first huge snowfall today (6” in under 4hours). The Jetta has lousy, and I really mean non existent traction in the slush/snow. It took me over 25 minutes to make a 7 minute drive home today and had traffic honking and passing me the whole while. I couldn’t get it up over about 25kmh without it fish tailing all across the road, and even under that it was still flashing traction control warning light and back end sliding. I know it wasn’t “just weather” because all the traffic around me was easily doing about 50kmh and didn’t seem to have any trouble except in the deep slush at intersections and driveways.
It does have winter tires, not all seasons on it.
I’ve read the front wheel drive on the Jetta is actually good for winter driving. So this makes me assume something is off with the car.
The only thing I know that’s wrong with it is it’s shot suspension. It has one brand new strut(replaced last month), and one original (being replaced in January), and “under par” rear suspension.
I don’t know if the suspension is what’s causing all this rediculous sliding, but if it’s not I seriously need to know what is. If it is the suspension, i think I would just like someone more knowledgeable to tell me it’ll get better in 2 weeks time. No way I can drive 25kmh all winter!
Any help is MUCH appriciated!!! Thank you!
This is my first winter with the car, and we JUST got our first huge snowfall today (6” in under 4hours). The Jetta has lousy, and I really mean non existent traction in the slush/snow. It took me over 25 minutes to make a 7 minute drive home today and had traffic honking and passing me the whole while. I couldn’t get it up over about 25kmh without it fish tailing all across the road, and even under that it was still flashing traction control warning light and back end sliding. I know it wasn’t “just weather” because all the traffic around me was easily doing about 50kmh and didn’t seem to have any trouble except in the deep slush at intersections and driveways.
It does have winter tires, not all seasons on it.
I’ve read the front wheel drive on the Jetta is actually good for winter driving. So this makes me assume something is off with the car.
The only thing I know that’s wrong with it is it’s shot suspension. It has one brand new strut(replaced last month), and one original (being replaced in January), and “under par” rear suspension.
I don’t know if the suspension is what’s causing all this rediculous sliding, but if it’s not I seriously need to know what is. If it is the suspension, i think I would just like someone more knowledgeable to tell me it’ll get better in 2 weeks time. No way I can drive 25kmh all winter!
Any help is MUCH appriciated!!! Thank you!