I may be in the market to obtain another Volvo by the time this summer rolls around as my older 240s get taken over by my sons. As the years go by, the ~10-15 year old Volvo market is increasingly filled with 240s and 740s with automatic transmissions. I'm pretty unfamiliar with the autos, having driven manuals all my life.

Here's my concern -- how are the autos in snow? I've always depended on the transmission, in addition to the brakes, to slow me down on snowy/icy roads. Engine braking ensures at least some of the stopping power stays in the rear without wheel lockup. Can you 'downshift' an auto to accomplish the same end?

So...you auto drivers in snowy country, please weigh in with your experiences, both good and bad. I'll listen intently...

Thanks a million!

Rob

I never had a problem with rear wheel lockup while braking in auto trans Volvos. I never feel the need to downshift either. The downshift in an autobox is more pronounced and you can't modulate it, so sometimes you get more than you pay for :)

Keeping good tires and decent weight over the rear axle should be what you need. Don't load weight behind the rear axle though (obviously) unless you're trying to get un-stuck.

With mention having been given to dependability, I would choose the automatic over the somewhat weak M47 5sp any day of the week. Keep the fluid clean in the Aisin Warner automatics and they are as close to bombproof as an auto trans can get.

Also consider that a lot of the later 2 and 7 cars are going to have ABS brakes, so that'll take care of the stopping part.

Now it's time for someone to contribute about disconnecting the ABS and SRS systems.

While Chicago isn't snow country, I travel to the real thing every few weeks during winter.

My experiences with autoboxes in the snow has been good. Putting the tranny in '2' or '1' when necessary usually gives good engine braking. Takeoff is easy with a light foot. And if you get stuck in deep snow and need to rock your way out, an auto is infinitely easier than shifting from 1st to R and back over and over.

I do prefer the absolute control of my manual tranny in the snow, but autos aren't bad at all. And considering the wife's 940 has that locker rear end, it's probably got better traction anyway.

The automatic is infinetly better in the snow. The initial torque at the rear wheels is better controlled. Many cars have 2nd gear of an automatic as "snow gear". When manually placed in second gear, the car starts in second gear, not first. Allowing less wheel spinning torgue. Much like we would start out in second or even third with a stick shift in very slick conditions so as to not over power the wheels. As for downshifting, manually downshift and it will work just fine. The driveability of the auto is better in the snow, the reliablitly and dependability of the automatic istself may be in question however.

Leonard

"snowy north Idaho"

The AW70/71 is very reliable and durable, and there is no clutch to adjust and eventually replace. Just do a fluid flush and fill every five years or so.