Ect/snow Switch

[Claude7629]

I don't get much snow here in the south so can the "ECT/SNOW" switch be used for any other situation? The hand book mentioned using it for acceleration but that was about it. So if I push this switch is the car going to go faster?

[wwest]

I don't get much snow here in the south so can the "ECT/SNOW" switch be used for any other situation? The hand book mentioned using it for acceleration but that was about it. So if I push this switch is the car going to go faster?

The ECT/Snow switch DERATES the engine so you will not be as likely to get wheelspin/slip on startup.

Some even disable 1st gear so you always start out in 2nd.

[GDixon]

It might work in muddy conditions if you ever get rain again in the south.

[Claude7629]

Appreciation the info, and I hope I see some rain soon. SC is not as bad off as GA and I'm glad I live close to a Lake. But can this switch be used for anything else beside slippery conditions? I thought the TRAC and VSC would take care of these conditions.

[Booyah]

Not really--All it does is start the car off in 2nd gear to help in slippery conditions

[wwest]

Appreciation the info, and I hope I see some rain soon. SC is not as bad off as GA and I'm glad I live close to a Lake. But can this switch be used for anything else beside slippery conditions? I thought the TRAC and VSC would take care of these conditions.

VSC and TC are more for inadvertent, driver unaware, encounters of loss of traction, over/understearing. ECT/Snow is for when you can SEE you might need help "feathering" the throttle upon (initial) acceleration. And my '00 GS300 most definitely derated the engine in ECT/Snow mode, even when I "forced" a 1st gear start-off.

Since most new vehicles now have DBW then ECT/Snow mode may simply modify the response rate of the throttle valve to the gas pedal position, self-feathering, as it were.