The Snow Option On The Avensis Automatic.

[PW39]

A question concerning the snow option on the Avensis automatic.

I am an elderly driver and I have just changed from a 1999 1800cc automatic to a 2001 1800cc automatic with the VVTI engine.

This later engine is much punchier, which is great, however as it's an automatic and as there is no clutch to feather I am finding it difficult to park in certain tricky situations. IE tight multi storey car parks and other parking bays.

It is quite difficult at small throttle openings with this livelier engine to move forward very slowly, it tends to lurch forward somewhat off idle. making it tricky when trying to slowly inch forwards and backwards in confined areas.

I have found the snow button option makes this easier for these difficult parking situations, and also in some general driving situations making it easier and more relaxing.

The question is, is it okay to keep using the snow option for tricky parking and occasional general driving?

[alan333]

I've never had a car with snow mode but since you've had no replies then I'll offer my thoughts.

Automatic cars usually "creep" (ie start to move off slowly themselves) when you take your foot off the brake in D or R. This "creeping" is usually enough to park the car in a flat car park etc, and it also gives you enough time to move your foot from the brake to the accelerator without rolling back when doing a low/moderate hill start.

If yours doesn't creep then perhaps it needs an Auto Transmission Fluid change (with a new filter if it has one fitted), or perhaps the box is a bit worn. Also if the accelerator is "jerky" then perhaps some adjustments could be done. Try taking it to a decent mechanic and see what they think.

However, to answer your actual question, I don't think using snow mode would do the car any damage whilst parking or maneuvering, but I personally wouldn't use it routinely during normal driving.

Hope this helps :)

[PW39]

Thanks Alan for your feedback, particularly the ATF fluid change, it does look a bit on the dark side.

[alan333]

Have a sniff of it too, if it smells burnt it's overdue a change.

[sproutdreamer]

My o3 1.8 is terrific to park as the auto lets it creep nicely in forward or reverse and I just control the brake pedal to park. Are the tickover revs set correctly i.e. if it ticks ovr very slow it will perhaps not creep as designed. It is not difficult to change the auto drive fluid and it is recommended by Toyota! I think the snow mode is a neat solution but I have never used mine.

[PW39]

Pleased to say the oil looks okay and doesn't smell burnt.

The creep factor on autos is great for parking, but some of our multi-storey bays round here seem to have slight incline, so at times the car is stationary as the incline neutralises the tick-over creep.

My tick over is around 1800/1900 on the choke at start up which makes for a bit of a clunk when I engage drive. I would like to turn the tick-over down a bit, is it safe to do so and how easy it? I am fairly competent at doing certain mechanical things, with the Haynes manual at the ready of course.