nut855

Apologies if this has been posted before but I couldn’t find an answer through search.

Should I be using an “off-road mode” when driving in snow? I have a base 2020 with all-season tires and I’ll be taking a ski trip up to Vermont. I’m aware that snow tires will be the solution here, but I’m curious to why there’s no “snow” mode on the vehicle.

1) What mode should I be in if I’m driving on a paved highway while it’s snowing?
2) What mode should I be in if I’m slowly driving into deeper snow on a mountain?

Thanks

MaxLTV

Hard to say why there is no dedicated mode for snow but my guess would be because "Snow" means very different things and requires different types of driving. For example, a thin cover of snow on the pavement is close to a wet road (smooth angles, avoid any slip), compacted snow or not very deep fresh or rough snow is more like dirt - you need some slip to get going and stop, and deep snow is more like sand - any slip will dig you in.

#1 - normal mode works fine for that.
#2 - I usually use normal or dirt for that and sometimes have to raise the vehicle. If you get stuck, though, do "Rocks" locking all the diffs that lock and raising the ride height to the max.

hdawg

I read somewhere that sand is the best mode for snow but seems strange that porsche omitted a snow mode in the first place.

PorscheACC

Remember that unless you have Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus PTV+, you don't get rear differential locking. Only center differential locking will be available, which may be a problem depending on what your offroad/snow conditions/situation is.

On my older Mercedes SUVs, which I off-roaded from time to time, I would had been handicapped without all diff locking.

Tedster

The only "mode" that really works for snow and ice is installing real winter tires. I use a separate set of wheels and handle the swap myself. If you have never experienced winter tires you will be astounded at the difference they make and never rely on all season tires for anything more than a dusting of snow. Check Tire Rack reviews for the best tire and wheel sizes and brands for your vehicle and find a local installer.

Sobrut911

I’m also a believer in a set of snows tires on a second set of rims. I’ve been using snow tires on my SUV’s for years and they make a huge difference. I swap them out myself so the real cost are the rims and TPMS because every mile I drive on the snows is one less mile on the all weathers. I don’t know which mode is best, but I believe turning traction control off will help if you’re stuck or in deep snow. If you don’t want to swap out the tires yourself you can get them at Town Faire tire and they will swap them out for free every season.

pbon

After driving in 2 snowstorms with the 20” all seasons on my 21 Cayenne S, I bought a set of 19s with snows. Definitely a big improvement and the car is still tolerable to drive in the dry with the narrower, squishier tires. The 19s with Michelin snows were back ordered and gone from Germany so I had to get the Pirelli snows instead, which I don’t think are quite as good.

fuenfer

Which wheels did you get? I'm not thrilled about the options I've seen so far on Tire Rack.

pbon

There were no wheels I liked on TR, but I could have gotten the Michelin snows. Instead, I bought the Porsche package for about $3100. Expensive but keeps the car looking stock. One of these was in stock with Pirelli snows and one not in stock and back ordered from Germany with Michelin snows.

9Y0-044-610-A is Michelin

9Y0-044-611-A is Pirelli

fuenfer

That's really not much more (about $500) than the packages I saw on Tire Rack - no brainer to go with the Porsche wheels in that case! Thank you!!

pbon

The center crest hub covers from my stock 20” wheels fit these stock 19” wheels perfectly. That can be an issue with aftermarket.

Tedster

Dedicated snow season wheels should be the smallest diameter that will work with your brake type. Check the base wheel size for your model year as a reference. And pick the narrowest width winter tires tires if there is a choice. That will give you the best traction and also some protection from potholes. In the Chicago area I get two great seasons and maybe one OK one out of a set. Yokohama makes great snow tires for a lot less then Michelin. We get enough snow and ice here that is pays to be ready starting in November. Just don't drive on them too long if it gets above 50F or you will wear them out faster.

fuenfer

With the Porsche winter wheels/tires package that you posted above, do you need to have the dealer reprogram or otherwise reset the TPMS to "see" the winter wheels when you swap them over? Or does the car automatically pick up the new sensors on the winter package?

dasams

You set the type of tire in the PCM. Car > Control > vehicle settings > TPMS

pbon

Yes, just choose “winter 19” or something like that and then drive for a little while.