I have a 2007 S40 (2.4i) with auto transmission. The car is used. I noticed that it climbs snowy hills better if I DO NOT have the "W" button engaged. Do I need the computer re flashed, upgraded? Wish I could turn the traction ctrl. off, as I could on my Jetta...but then I'd maybe burn up the transmission.
But for now I just find it "odd" that the car will climb icy roads better w/o the winter/wet button on. Something just ain't right!
Solutions?
Experiences?
Thanks!

 

If you have not actually lost traction whilst climbing the hills, the 'W' mode is not going to serve much purpose.
If you were actually stuck or spinning the drive wheels the 'W' mode will start the vehicle moving in a higher gear to reduce wheel spin.

 

From what i've read on forums, it's not a good idea to leave the transmission in W, other than when pulling out of snow/ice. it might prematurely wear the transmission.

there might be a STC (traction control) button on lower central console, press it for 2 sec to turn it off to get the wheels spinning and possibly have more chances to climb in snow.

 

OK, got it now. Thanks for the clarification. Next time I stall the tires on ice I will give the "W" a try, which this winter in Ohio means tonight.

 

Icy driveway tonight and the car stopped climbing half way up (about a grade of 10% at that point) so I punched the "W" button and it just sat there. Punched the "W" to turn it off and the tires would spin ever so slightly. It is like the Wet or Winter button triggers an opposite response in
the drive train.

 

It is true you should not generally drive around in 'W' mode.

However! When tackling your driveway incline in icy or snow conditions, stop at the bottom or just a bit short on flat ground, engage 'W' mode then move forward and up your drive.
Half way up the incline from a stationary point where you have lost traction on normal mode is too late as the car will find it harder even in 'W' mode to start off again due to the higher gear ratio. (2nd or 3rd gear)
Endeavour to cover the driveway length without stopping anywhere on the inclines.
Let us know how you get on??

 

Read your owners manual. The "W" mode simply makes the transmission start in 2nd gear instead of 1st, limiting the amount of torque delivered to the front wheels and making it harder for the engine to spin the tires. Once you are moving there is zero difference. On the driveway incline issue stopping at the bottom and engaging the "W" mode is the wrong strategy IMO. There simply is no substitution for momentum, so enter the driveway in fluid motion and try to avoid spinning the tires as once traction is lost so will be your momentum.

 

He is losing his momentum resulting in wheel spin half way up due to trans' changing down to 1st gear.
My suggestion is to not stop on the driveway at all once under way and by having 'W' mode on already the gearbox should not change down below 2nd, hopefully avoiding wheelspin to commence?
We both agree that uninterupted momentum on the driveway incline is critical.
I a wondering about his fitted tires / tread pattern also for snow.

 

What winter tires do you use?

Have you turned off the stability control button? When it's on, it prevents the wheel to spin on slippery surface.
"W" button is not for climbing a hill. It's to get out of snow/ice while at stop.

 

I have a 2007 S40 2.4i has Mich.Ice-X mounted.
DSTC is located on the left staulk. Found I could disable it by pressing the "reset" on same staulk. The "W" button is located next to the auto trans selector. From what I have read on the other forums it is useless.
Tested the climbing ability on my drive last night after work and snow and found: "W" mode stalls my car following the above directions. Turning off the DTSC lets me climb like a tractor (successfully). Found that turning off the DSTC on snow covered roads with steep up hills enhances the car's capability for moving along w/o any surprise slow-downs.

 

I tell my family "DO NOT use the W button" We keep dsct on most of the time, only shut it off when a little wheel spin gains an advantage.

 

The STC (or DSTC) button prevents the car from loosing control in emergency maneuvers at speed - it's important to have in at ON on highway for example and in city driving in snowing conditions. It prevents the rear of the car from side-sliding when suddenly turning the steering wheel.

However, at same time it prevents the front wheels from spinning when accelerating, which is not useful when trying to accelerate in snow because it cuts the gas at the moment the wheels start slipping. You want the front wheels to spin to accelerate better in snow (or when pulling out of a parking spot). So at those moments I turn it OFF.