like the title says: I have a defender 110X and it has "AUTO" mode. in snow and 'icy" conditions is there a need to select snow mode manually or it just figures it out?

 

LOL, the title specifically DOESN’T say that.

But it’s a great question. Our resident Modes Expert, TrioLRowner, has tested many of the modes extensively and will hopefully weigh-in with real world experience, but I know he’s a fan of how smart Auto is in general.

My experience off-roading has been that the mode with Gravel in the title performs better at not slipping on start-up on loose scree and rocky slopes than Auto, for what it’s worth. Which makes sense. The mode maybe tells the computer what conditions to be looking for and what to expect when it encounters some wheel spin. But I’ve never driven mine in snow so I can’t say from experience.

 

We got caught in a VT blizzard last year - 16" of untreated/unplowed snow. Used Snow mode on our OEM 19" Pirelli Scorpions. Was continuously amazed that it was finding traction.

Maybe Auto would be just as good.

Hopefully the OEM Goodyear Wranglers are at least as good (or better) and I won't spend a lot of time worrying about it.

 

My 90S doesn't have AUTO mode. It comes with COMFORT mode for normal driving but under the various mode descriptions mine at least says to use sand mode in deep unpacked snow.

 

I still haven't totally figured out Auto (also on an X model)... but I can say I drove it on some really snowy roads / trails last year and left it in Auto almost 100% of the time, and was very pleased with it. Ie... how it adapted between slush, water, snow, and good traction.

One caveat: I did notice a bit of a "delayed" response time as it switched modes, mostly when I was in a very low traction surface on slushy snow (lots of revving and "clutch slipping feel" but always forward progress. Then, right when I'd switch back to a gravel, non-snow surface, in auto, it would take it a bit of distance (50-100 feet) to figure out it was on a good surface and restore a more "linear" throttle mode like I would expect on a normal road surface. Just FYI. If at this time, I'd manually put it in another mode and flip back to auto, it would be fine.

 

I prefer “Auto” over “Snow”. The throttle response is super slow in “Snow”, which makes sense as it prevents wheel spin. But what fun is that?

 

Snow mode, I believe starts it off in 2nd gear, sounds counter intuitive, but the Range Rover did the same. So yes, it seems to seem to lag a bit. Auto has worked fine for me and I only use snow mode if it is 3" or more. Ice mode is not in the program, but rather your mind. go slow and space it out from others, or better yet don't drive in heavy ice. If you must, invest in studed tires or use chains. It helps to carry a bit of sand and even some bleach to soften your tires outermost surface temporarily. Guy bought my Vanagon Synchro 4WD, with three lockers. It had Hakkapelita tires on it. Gets into a big sheet of ice and calls me all upset. "all the wheels are spinning, you said these were snow tires!" "Yes, SNOW tires, not ICE tires."

 

Lol. Just had snow plus icy conditions this evening. Snow and manual mode it is on oem Michelins here in Michigan!

 

by manual mode do you mean you put it in Sport mode with the shifter?

 

Not sport mode but manual mode where I select gears while at snow mode. That way it doesn't spin and I can keep and hold it in 5th gear or downshift to 4-3-2 if I'm slowing down. BTW it's not just snow but ice at well.