I've ordered a Yeti 170hp but maybe didn't do enough homework on it and only now ckecking out the Haldex 4 sytem and its performance in snow and ice. Here's the thing, I really need a 4x4 for where I live and have had an X5 3.0d since 2006 (up for sale incidently only 21,000miles and like new) it has never let me down, no winter tyres and has been absolutely brilliant in masses of snow, no snow ploughs in our area!!

I can't speak highly enough of the Xdrive system and I like the fact I can switch it off and get constant 4x4 and this function has got me out and through some horrendous conditions. When neighbours Q7s and Volvo XC's were no go the X5 still got in and out.

Question is,will the Yeti cope in the snow and ice quite so well or is it on a par with the Audi and Volvo, are winter tyres a must or will it cope with the tyres supplied. I have seen the numerous threads on the winter tyres and don't doubt their qualities but I have managed without them in the past, always regarding them as a must have addition to 2 wheel drive cars.

I've ordered a Yeti 170hp but maybe didn't do enough homework on it and only now ckecking out the Haldex 4 sytem and its performance in snow and ice. Here's the thing, I really need a 4x4 for where I live and have had an X5 3.0d since 2006 (up for sale incidently only 21,000miles and like new) it has never let me down, no winter tyres and has been absolutely brilliant in masses of snow, no snow ploughs in our area!!

I can't speak highly enough of the Xdrive system and I like the fact I can switch it off and get constant 4x4 and this function has got me out and through some horrendous conditions. When neighbours Q7s and Volvo XC's were no go the X5 still got in and out.

Question is,will the Yeti cope in the snow and ice quite so well or is it on a par with the Audi and Volvo, are winter tyres a must or will it cope with the tyres supplied. I have seen the numerous threads on the winter tyres and don't doubt their qualities but I have managed without them in the past, always regarding them as a must have addition to 2 wheel drive cars.

The Haldex 4 system is far better than the BMW X-drive system! I'm not sure the X5 owner I towed out last winter quite accepted that a "little" Skoda could move him out of the way, but it did. Miserable bugger never offered me a drink either! Even Land Rover have now moved to using the Haldex system in the Freelander (and Evoque??)

I live in Llanidloes and work in Ludlow and am either going to or coming home from work at 0500, so before the snow ploughs or gritters were out last winter. Without winter tyres the Yeti got me to work, on time, every day. Somewhere on here there is a short video of part of my journey.

I have used my Yeti off-road quite a lot and other than some concerns over ground clearance I have had no problems. Mine does not have the off-road button or the additional underguards. I think you are worrying too much.

The Haldex 4 system is far better than the BMW X-drive system! I'm not sure the X5 owner I towed out last winter quite accepted that a "little" Skoda could move him out of the way, but it did. Miserable bugger never offered me a drink either! Even Land Rover have now moved to using the Haldex system in the Freelander (and Evoque??)

I live in Llanidloes and work in Ludlow and am either going to or coming home from work at 0500, so before the snow ploughs or gritters were out last winter. Without winter tyres the Yeti got me to work, on time, every day. Somewhere on here there is a short video of part of my journey.

I have used my Yeti off-road quite a lot and other than some concerns over ground clearance I have had no problems. Mine does not have the off-road button or the additional underguards. I think you are worrying too much.

What Graham said plus a little. We have had two severe winters here and I did one trip to Malaga and back, where it was snowy and miserabkle weather both ways - all the way.

You have to accept that Graham is an accomplished off-road driver, so in your conditions as described, I would feel very well taken care of, but do add a set of winter tyres. The peace of mind and added safety is well worth the extra cost. Stick with the 16" wheels and tyres.

IMHO I doubt that the Haldex system is better, I too have seen many X5, X3 drivers stuck along with Tiguans and Golf R32s so I certainly wouldn't make a judgement on that more a judgement on the driver. I have a neighbour who has an X5 like mine and he would have been better trying to get out in his bycycle!! Trying to explain to him that he should de-activate the DSC would get him out was a waste of time. My judgement is based on experience with the Xdrive system the control it offers to overide it and go to constant 4 wheel drive, great for towing a heavy boat up a steep stoney/rocky beach and also the videos on youtube comparing the Xdrive system with the quattro system and others. I also noticed the video of the red Yeti stuck sidways on the road something I have never been in much worse conditions.

You do reasure me all the same in that you have never had any problems in the snow and off road and also note as you say that landrover are using it in the Freelander, so there must be something in it. Thanks.

You are obviously experienced in these conditions so I am probably worrying too much.

Edited 22 May, 201115 yr by servicepoint

Have owned a 525ix tourer which had it been reliable drove very well. This was followed by an Octavia I 4x4 (Haldex 2) and a Golf V TDI 4motion (Haldex 2). Both these cars I considered to be superior to the BM (removing the unreliability bit). None of these cars mind ever ran on winters but I think the reason for this was the 16" rims and reasonably profiled tyres they were equipped with.

My first Yeti caught me out, as I tried and expected it to drive like the Golf. Unfortunately in my case I discovered the 17" sports tyres were not up to the job, resulting in a fairly unpleasant loss of control trying to descend a hill.

Took advise from other forum members and switched to winters on 16" rims and haven't looked back. Will continue to use winters even though my new Monster is running on the more suitable 16" set-up as standard.

As a side note my son's old Fabia on skinny 14" tyres has so far had no problems come whatever the weather but the wife's Fabia got stuck in the last snow and ice, again down to low profile sports tyres. Needless to say that now runs on winters as well.

TP

Lanigraham will also point out that most people in Yeti do not know how to drive them off road. Most people seem to think that when the wheels start to spin you should back off, whereas in the Yeti, you just keep the power on the the haldex will then start to work as it need the slipping wheels to work at its best.....He will no doubt correct me as necessary. (for evidence of not knowing just look at the many 'stuck' Yeti videos.....) It just puts the power where it is needed.

As for winter tyres, I live in a hilly part of South London and would not consider after last year using summer tyres in the winter, they made the car sooo much safer to drive, from 7 degsC and below, which is several months of the year, even in the sunny south east. I can stop faster in wet weather than summer tyres equipped cars etc etc..

The X Drive system is based on a fairly simple 4 wheel drive system, with electronic trickery added. Whilst it might be good it is not intuitive, which is why you have to turn it off sometimes. I have driven an X3 off-road and to say it wasn't a pleasant experience..............I found it couldn't cope with a variation of surfaces across axles, hated being cross-axled, and ended up being parked out of the way after being embarrased by a new Fiat Panda.

The Yeti system seems to "think" for itself, however the driver does need to know what it does. Like the Freelander you need to keep the revs up as it senses slippage. If you don't the system won't work. That is where the difficulties start because it is a natural reaction to ease off when you hear the wheels spinning. Once you get over that your problems should be solved.

The video of the red one "stuck" in ruts actually demonstates the above very well. Watch it again and listen to the sound of the engine instead. You will notice that as soon as the wheels spin the power comes off. It also demonstates terrible off-road driving! He didn't "read" the route ahead so wasn't able to plan his way out, and once stuck tried to climb out of the ruts. Unless you have very "severe" tyres you won't do it. Much better to keep going, and preferably back the way you came.

Add.

Thanks for those kind words, peoples.

I've just changed the front tyres on Dewi and now have Kumho's fitted. They are a not marked as All Season but are much more agressive than those fitted previously. Now all I've got to do is wear the back ones out!

Edited 22 May, 201115 yr by Llanigraham

The X Drive system is based on a fairly simple 4 wheel drive system, with electronic trickery added. Whilst it might be good it is not intuitive, which is why you have to turn it off sometimes. I have driven an X3 off-road and to say it wasn't a pleasant experience..............I found it couldn't cope with a variation of surfaces across axles, hated being cross-axled, and ended up being parked out of the way after being embarrased by a new Fiat Panda.

The Yeti system seems to "think" for itself, however the driver does need to know what it does. Like the Freelander you need to keep the revs up as it senses slippage. If you don't the system won't work. That is where the difficulties start because it is a natural reaction to ease off when you hear the wheels spinning. Once you get over that your problems should be solved.

The video of the red one "stuck" in ruts actually demonstates the above very well. Watch it again and listen to the sound of the engine instead. You will notice that as soon as the wheels spin the power comes off. It also demonstates terrible off-road driving! He didn't "read" the route ahead so wasn't able to plan his way out, and once stuck tried to climb out of the ruts. Unless you have very "severe" tyres you won't do it. Much better to keep going, and preferably back the way you came.

Thanks Lanigraham. That is what I thought you have said in the past.....

My Superb 4x4 170 this winter, outperformed my Kia Sorento (Manual-change over 4x4) on BFG All Terrain's hand's down. - admittedly, i gave it a fighting chance, and added winter tyres too.

Have a look at TopGear's video from when they had it on - Clarkson stops on a hill, and pulls away, with no wheel spin.

Al.

Have a look at TopGear's video from when they had it on - Clarkson stops on a hill, and pulls away, with no wheel spin.

You shouldn't get a lot of wheel spin on fairly solid ground! And he was using the "hill start" function, that limits power to stop wheel spin, plus "hill hold control"

My Octavia Scout (Haldex 4, summer Dunlop SP01s, no offroad button) was defeated by our local 1in5 hill with a wicked combination of compacted snow and ice and a good depth of fresh snow, but otherwise was great over winter. I've forgiven it after barely being able to stand on the road when I got out! It was also fine after a little digging.

Haldex 4 is good in being proactive: it shares between axles under high throttle settings as well as when slip is sensed, but it is limited by having an open rear diff, with electronic diff lock only on the front axle so will go nowhere with both front and one back wheel on slick ice, if I understand the system properly.

I've ordered a Yeti 170hp but maybe didn't do enough homework on it and only now ckecking out the Haldex 4 sytem and its performance in snow and ice. Here's the thing, I really need a 4x4 for where I live and have had an X5 3.0d since 2006 (up for sale incidently only 21,000miles and like new) it has never let me down, no winter tyres and has been absolutely brilliant in masses of snow, no snow ploughs in our area!!

I can't speak highly enough of the Xdrive system and I like the fact I can switch it off and get constant 4x4 and this function has got me out and through some horrendous conditions. When neighbours Q7s and Volvo XC's were no go the X5 still got in and out.

Question is,will the Yeti cope in the snow and ice quite so well or is it on a par with the Audi and Volvo, are winter tyres a must or will it cope with the tyres supplied. I have seen the numerous threads on the winter tyres and don't doubt their qualities but I have managed without them in the past, always regarding them as a must have addition to 2 wheel drive cars.

You'll be surprised......................the Yeti Haldex system will OUTPERFORM anything BMW has :yes:

You'll be surprised......................the Yeti Haldex system will OUTPERFORM anything BMW has :yes:

Well London Les got beat on a hill with his Scout a I'm sure its the same system as the Yeti, ok so no off road button but would that have helped?

London Les,

I thought the Octi Scout only had the Haldex 3 system, and on the Yeti the ABS system will act as a locked LSD on the rear axle.

TBH a 1:5 hill will defeat most things, even with winter tyres.

My Octavia Scout (Haldex 4, summer Dunlop SP01s, no offroad button) was defeated by our local 1in5 hill with a wicked combination of compacted snow and ice and a good depth of fresh snow,

Which 1 in 5 is that?

London Les,

I thought the Octi Scout only had the Haldex 3 system, and on the Yeti the ABS system will act as a locked LSD on the rear axle.

Unless I have gottten somethng wrong, the Haldex IV in the Yeti includes a limited slip clutch on the rear axle differential. This is powered by the same hydraulics as the front/rear Haldex clutch.

London Les,

I thought the Octi Scout only had the Haldex 3 system, and on the Yeti the ABS system will act as a locked LSD on the rear axle.

TBH a 1:5 hill will defeat most things, even with winter tyres.

The Scout has the same engine (118 &140) and drive system (Haldex 4) as the Yeti

Regards,

TP

Nowt wrong with haldex system- my last car - Tiguan on winter tyres was amazing in the snow.I live up asingle track road which is 1in 4 in places and never a problem getting home in last two winters- even with 6" ++ of snow.

As has frequently been pointed out in similar threads, the ultimate variable in all discussions of 4x4 systems, tyres, etc. is driver skill.

As people have said above, the Yeti on summer tyres will be okay, I personally would put winter tyres on. If you got around okay in your X5 you find it easier in the Yeti to keep going even on summer tyres.

The offroad button make it easier to drive in slippery conditions as it cuts the throttle response so won't induce wheelspin so easily.

As has frequently been pointed out in similar threads, the ultimate variable in all discussions of 4x4 systems, tyres, etc. is driver skill.

Well thats me sorted then!! Not. :p

Thanks for all the reassurances, I think some of the clips on youtube of the Scout are more informative than the Yeti with regards the Haldex system, in the deep snow anyway. Most of the Yeti are just skidding around a snow covered yard.

I may invest in winter tyres if finances permit although going by delivery times I may not need them as winter will have been and gone Either way the Yeti will have to earn its keep over a winter, failing which lookout for a low mileage 170hp for sale.

I know this video does not have a BMW in it but this shows how much better the VW Haldex system is than the other competitors.

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/159259-4x4-systems-tested/

And remember that that Passat in that video has a much older system than the Yeti.

I too use winter tyres and can't begin to tell you how much better then are in cold temperatures than the summer ones. And yes I don't even mention snow as there is now comparison then. The winter tyres are eons better.

I have seen the numerous threads on the winter tyres and don't doubt their qualities but I have managed without them in the past, always regarding them as a must have addition to 2 wheel drive cars.

Four-wheel drive is great for optimising delivery of motive power on loose or slippery surfaces but contributes almost nothing to braking. Winter tyres help with both. A 2WD with winter tyres will both "go" and "stop" better in low temperatures than a 2WD without. A 4x4 might not "go" appreciably better in low temperatures with winter tyres (although it is likely to do so with more traction to spare) but it will definitely "stop" better. Being able to "go" means you can get places. Being able to "stop" means you are more likely to get there alive!

It's not down to willy-waving over who's car could get up what - as others have observed, that is at least as likely to be down to the driver's ability as it is to the car's. And when it comes to bragging rights, having a skill surely scores more points than simply being able to buy technology that removes any need for skill!

And when it comes to bragging rights, having a skill surely scores more points than simply being able to buy technology that removes any need for skill!

Them that know keep quiet. or teach. :yes:

Them that think they know, brag!