2012 Passat DSG+Snow=FAIL

[BigWorm]

Please someone tell me there is a winter mode on this car? Today was one of the first snow falls and I've got to say I'm in shock on how horrible this car performs in the snow. Yes I've got brand new snow tires on. I notice that this cars rpms go up as soon as I take my foot off the brake pedal and as soon as I give it some gas it's way too much and spins. Honestly I bought this car to save money on the commute but there is no way I will put my safety on the the line because of the stupid DSG. Hopefully there is something I can do to fix this problem. If not I will be using my gas guzzler Lincoln MKX and throw the passat for sale and grab a Mercedes ML blutec.

Is there a winter mode? Any suggestions?

Thanks

 

[Weekendering]

only solution would be to put it into manual mode (or get a manual)

 

[iantryinit]

Better snow tires. We have snow here and my car dosnt even spin with my Nokian snow tires. I waited until after first snow to switch wheels so I could feel the difference once again. Good set of winter tires perform better than my F250 in 4x4.

 

[nord]

One way or the other you have a problem...

1. You. (I'm not blaming but we have three NMS cars and don't have any problems as described.)

2. The car. Perhaps a DSG that needs attention.

3. Tires. Not all tires are created equal. Good snows make for a very capable NMS as long as snow depth doesn't cause the car to float.

My guess? I'd open door 2. I'd tend to think nothing serious, just aggravating. Possibly an incomplete service when the DSG fluid was changed. (Assuming you're over the 49k mile mark.)

 

[40X40]

One way or the other you have a problem...

1. You. (I'm not blaming but we have three NMS cars and don't have any problems as described.)

2. The car. Perhaps a DSG that needs attention.

3. Tires. Not all tires are created equal. Good snows make for a very capable NMS as long as snow depth doesn't cause the car to float.

My guess? I'd open door 2. I'd tend to think nothing serious, just aggravating. Possibly an incomplete service when the DSG fluid was changed. (Assuming you're over the 49k mile mark.)

This^.
My Passat does not have these issues.

Bill

 

[BigWorm]

yeah I typed this thread in FURY after having these issues. I got good snow's on they're not as nice as NOKIAN but they are a well known name. After googling this issue and the help of a few of you guys I will try a few things like tiptronic,servicing the DSG and taking some air out of my tires I believe that I have them over filled.

No disrespect to any Passat lovers and thx for the suggestions...

 

[VeeDubTDI]

I have not had any issues with the way the DSG engages in 1st gear in the snow. It can be a bit abrupt, but I would hardly call it dangerous, as you aren't even moving forward at that point.

As you said, make sure that your tire pressures are correct, as that can be a huge contributing factor in poor handling.

The other thing is your own behavior when driving the car. If this is your first time driving it in snow, you'll find it to be quite different from a conventional automatic. You'd adapt after a little bit of time and find that it is smoother when your inputs are smoother and deliberate.

 

[jaymzaugust]

Different beasts between your passat and my 09 jetta dsg, but I've noticed the hill holder feature can be quite annoying on slick surfaces. The back brakes stay locked for a second or two too long all while the fronts are trying to move the car. This will cause a spin-out.

Just go slow, give the stupid hill holder time to disable before trying to accelerate. When starting out, I don't even have to push on the skinny pedal to get the car to move; just let off the brakes and wait. Once the car has started to move, then try applying the accelerator pedal. Good luck, it takes practice.

 

[sdeck]

I've got the 6MT and stock Hankooks. They suck in the snow. The traction control seems almost worthless as it only seems to activate at or just above idle speed. Tough to use at low rpms with the MT, as the car wants to stall as soon as the tires catch.

 

[VeeDubTDI]

I've got the 6MT and stock Hankooks. They suck in the snow. The traction control seems almost worthless as it only seems to activate at or just above idle speed. Tough to use at low rpms with the MT, as the car wants to stall as soon as the tires catch.

You'll find that the traction control works very well once you ditch the terrible Hankooks.

 

[TurboDieselPoint]

I've got the 6MT and stock Hankooks. They suck in the snow. The traction control seems almost worthless as it only seems to activate at or just above idle speed. Tough to use at low rpms with the MT, as the car wants to stall as soon as the tires catch.

Just take it easy and smoothly let the clutch out while giving little to no accelerator input and you'll be fine.

It is a bit touchy and takes getting used to so you just have to find the "sweet spot."

 

[mplatt911]

I am running 16" steelies with 205/60 blizzaks running 30 psi up here chewing up some lake effect snow. No issues with my dsg and snow performance. Thought my newly installed stiff h&r rear sway bar may make things a bit tail happy, but smooth sailing. Sorry I can't help

 

[yatzee]

I've found the DSG performs best in sport mode as you actually get some engine braking. A gentle foot is key. What type of tires are they?

 

[NV29er]

Tire Presssure!

Check your tire pressure first. I've read posts of people running 42 psi because the tire is rated to 44 psi. For best snow traction run 26-30 psi.

Yeah, you may lose a few mpg, but at least you won't be in a ditch.

 

[jrm]

So let me just say that Im impressed at our NMS DSG, this video below was taken the day we had freezing rain and the car wouldn't move- but now that's its 40F and a foot of soft snow the thing is doing quite well, even better than my civic with Ipikes on it, heck the wife just bombed up our driveway tonight while I struggled to slosh my way up. Here is the video before things warmed up, and I agree the DSG does kinda dump the clutch a little quick causing spin on ultra-slick crap!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ns5f4O7QK5g&list=UUnM9hNh2KpWu1P0SuBtnZqw

 

[BigWorm]

The other thing is your own behavior when driving the car. If this is your first time driving it in snow, you'll find it to be quite different from a conventional automatic. You'd adapt after a little bit of time and find that it is smoother when your inputs are smoother and deliberate.

^ That hit it on the nose. Yes it was my first time driving it in the snow. When I got home today I parked my suv and took the passat on the snow filled roads when no cars were on it and cruised around a bit and got used to the gas pedal on exelleration it does have to be driven differently. Creep it up to second and its fine after it gets out of first. Tomorrow I'll use it for the long drive and fix the tire pressure tonthe specs of the car ive got them at 38-40 after the tire pressure light came on. I was on a late night long drive on the highway and I over filled fearing a slow leak and forgot to lower them.

The snows I bought are brand new handcook, two weeks ago installed.I kind of messed up I put them on the oem rims and not steelies I regret that because I noticed snow gathering in between the rim.

Respect V dub you know your VW's well!

 

[pparks1]

In my opinion, my 2013 Passat TDI with General Altimax Arctic snow tires and DSG is the best handling winter car I have ever had the pleasure of driving. It's better than either of my wife's previous Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4's and her current 2012 Dodge Durango AWD.

I felt that with the low end torque, and the higher weight from the TDI engine, and the snow tires, this car was fantastic. And Michigan had record snowfalls last year, so it was as bad as any winter I've ever driven though (and I've driven though about 25 winters now).

 

[Confused]

From what little my wife let's me drive it lol, our Passat is a thousand times better then our old Impala. No snow tires just the stock Continentals

 

[jrm]

Pparks, studded or unstudded? Im picking my Arctic's up tomorrow, they shipped them 2 day air for only $360 at Wal-Mart.

Pickup in store
​

Item

Qty ​

Price ​

Total ​

General Altimax Arctic Tire 215/60R16

4 ​

$90.00 ​

$360.00 ​

Ready for pickup starting Tue., Nov 25
​

See our Return Policy or
contact Customer Service.

Subtotal: ​

$360.00 ​

Shipping: ​

Free​

Tax: ​

$0.00 ​

Order total: ​

$360.00​

 

[740GLE]

This will be the third winter with studded 16" generals, (second with our new driveway) handles great just wish I didn't have to buy something to turn traction control off. Anything more than 4" on the driveway and it'll get stuck 20 feet up. The Jetta will claw all the way up.

The driveway is about 10-12% grade, it's not really the tires just won't allow enough spin to dig.

 

[cevans]

Agreed with the overall opinion here: the Passat is my SNOW car, the wide wheelbase and ESP gets this thing through some pretty nasty stuff. I have Michelin X-Ice I3s on it (quick review, the i2 I think was a much better tire than the i3). I've got the 6MT.

 

[pparks1]

Pparks, studded or unstudded? Im picking my Arctic's up tomorrow, they shipped them 2 day air for only $360 at Wal-Mart.

Pickup in store
​

Item

Qty ​

Price ​

Total ​

General Altimax Arctic Tire 215/60R16

4 ​

$90.00 ​

$360.00 ​

Ready for pickup starting Tue., Nov 25
​

See our Return Policy or
contact Customer Service.

Subtotal: ​

$360.00 ​

Shipping: ​

Free​

Tax: ​

$0.00 ​

Order total: ​

$360.00​

Unstudded, as studded are not allowed in michigan.