What is snow mode on a Chevy Traverse and what does it do? If you were wondering, then you should read the rest of this post which will help you understand it better. The Chevy Traverse has been described as one of those SUVs that has pleasantly surprised many, especially with how it is able to tackle harsh terrain with relative ease.
Though it is not set up to be an off-road vehicle, it has proven to be quite capable. It has an all-wheel-drive which puts it at a great advantage as far as maintaining traction and control in ice and snow. To top it off, it also comes with snow mode. What exactly is this snow mode?
What is Snow Mode on Chevy Traverse
In short, Snow mode on a Chevy Traverse is a function that limits the amount of power that is delivered to driven wheels. The result is that it prevents wheel spin on slippery surfaces helping the vehicle to have better grip as well as handling.
What Does Snow Mode Do On a Traverse?
You will be forgiven for assuming that more torque is a good thing in the snow. Well, it’s actually the opposite. When you get stuck in snow and mud, high torque leads to the wheel slipping and then spinning.
If you keep this up, you will dig yourself into a deeper hole. When you activate snow mode, the power to the wheels is toned done and this enables the vehicle to slowly work its way out of slippery situations.
To bring it into perspective, if you try to run really fast on ice, the chances of you slipping are greatly increased. If, on the other hand, you slow down and take careful steps, you will not only keep your balance but make slow and steady progress in your chosen direction.
AWD or Snow Mode on Chevy Traverse
The Chevy Traverse has 2 wheel drive and all-wheel drive options. The AWD allows you to have great traction in difficult driving conditions.
This is because power is transmitted to all the wheels instead of just 2. The result is that the Traverse handles quite well in snow and on ice. In fact, the Traverse can be pushed hard on snow-covered roads al while handling quite well. Despite its appearance, which may seem timid, it is quite capable.
It also packs a 3.6L V6 engine as well as 2.5 tonnes of weight. The engine has great torque while the weight makes it a lot easier to handle because of even weight distribution. This coupled with the AWD makes a dream to drive. Where it may not compare favorably against other SUVs is the ground clearance.
The Traverse sits quite low and hence will not do quite well in extreme off-road conditions. Though all-wheel drive will help with traction on snow-covered or icy roads, snow mode will be of great help in situations where you find yourself in deep snow.
Can You Put a Plough on a Chevy Traverse?
Are you able to plough snow with a Chevy Traverse? The answer to that is yes. The Traverse has the necessary horsepower and torque to carry out that task. The weight of the Traverse also makes it ideal for this purpose. The Snow Bear and Home Plough brands are the ones commonly used to plough snow with the Traverse.
Precautions for Snow Driving in a Traverse
As far as snow driving is concerned, there are some precautions that need to be taken even with snow mode and AWD. First and foremost, make sure that the treads on your tires are good.
If you have bad treads, traction is reduced by as much as 50% on snow and 75% on ice. It’s definitely something that needs to be taken seriously. When driving in snow and ice, there is a high likelihood of your vehicle sliding on slippery roads.
It’s a good idea to take snow driving classes so that you know what to do should you find yourself in such a situation. Avoid making jerky or sudden turns as these increase the likelihood of sliding out of control.
Winter clothes are bulky and so are your shoes. It’s a good idea to pack a second pair of shoes for driving which you keep in your car. You do this in order to avoid stepping on both pedals at the same time because your shoes are too big.
Conclusion on Chevrolet Traverse Snow Mode
Snow mode on the Traverse will help you stay out or come out of sticky situations allowing you to handle difficult snowy and icy conditions. It is best suited for those harsh situations that require slow and steady instead of fast and furious.
Tomas is a retired Chevy Auto Technician that brings decades of hands-on experience and expertise to the table. He’s also a father to two incredible daughters. He enjoys using his knowledge and experience to help you solve and find reliable information on Chevrolet vehicles. Whether it’s troubleshooting engine problems or providing tips for maintenance, Thomas is committed to helping Chevy owners keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.
