This is a collective thread on the best winter driving techniques in a 955/957 Cayenne.

Just sold my winter-beater and looking forward to taking the Cayenne out to see how it can compare in deep snow for the first time.

I searched for threads on this topic earlier this year and there wasn't much too be found.

Other than the obvious, "just keep all the standard settings on"

Please chime in with recommended settings (PSM, regulation-off, sport mode, locked center differential), equipment (good tire chains/cables, recovery straps, ski racks, snow/ice tires), and winter driving experiences.

Would like to target this for an intermediate-to-advanced audience.

I would like for this thread to be helpful to others to maximize their Cayenne in the snow for safety and potentially fun.

Thoughts?

 

I would suggest driving in manual mode (shifting) and downshift when need to slow down and then applying brakes. I usually brake less and let the engine slow the vehicle down.

 

I run 19" blizzaks...and it seems to be great in the snow...My biggest concern is break modulation icy/snowy roads...since the breaks are so good..I often feel it may hinder traction if stopping hard or even light breaking...BUT that's when the PSM/traction control kicks in and saves the day. lol.

I'm running in normal height and normal suspension.

recovery straps are a great idea...I should go get some.

I was actually thinking about this, this morning as well (it snowed here). I made up my mind to find a big parking lot and get the car into some control/slide/traction situations to see how it reacts and get used to it. That way I know what to expect and more comfortable on the roads at speed in the elements. This will be my first winter with the Cayenne...and I'm hoping it snows alot!!

Good luck and be safe.

 

With good mud and snow tires on 18's, not much could stop me. Last years snow in NY was some of the worst ever, and I am looking forward to doing it again. Why? I'm originally from Canada, where we turn snow into sport! And the Cayenne does snow sport better than most, and I used to plow snow for years up there in many different standard vehicles. I just love the 70%(?) power to the back. If the car could talk, it would say "ok we did that just fine, Want to do it Faster? Don't worry, I can handle it" Tires are key here. I have a 60 lb. box in the back. Standard settings. Experiment a lot, when no one else is around, so you know what to expect. Put your wipers up when parked outside, before the snow, then clean off the car properly. Use the 'Rest' button! its' great! Use common sense, and stay safe.

 

I drop down from 20" wheels for my summer tires to 18" wheels with my winter tires. I'm currently running Michelin Latitude Alpin N1 tires. They are very good. In the winter, I go up to standard ride height and normal on the shocks. In the summer, I usually run on the low setting, in either normal or sport (depending on my mood and the roads).

I put rubber floor mats in my Cayenne that I bought online - I think I bought them at Suncoast Porsche Parts. I use a Thule Tracker II roof rack for my skis. It fits beautifully into the OEM roof tracks and it works very well.

Other than that, I usually put on a new set of wiper blades and make sure the windshield washer reservoir is full and I'm ready to go!

 

Great to hear. Just put on a fresh set of 18" blizzaks myself. They have alot of sidewall flex compared to the 22" Yokos that I put up for the winter.

Hopefully they will make up for that when the weather turns for the worst.

Yeah, I keep a couple of straps, shackles, hitch shackle, tire cables, and even have a comealong (if needed). I prefer to be self-reliant when it comes to recovery and prevention.

I am a hands-on person, what can I say


I plan on doing the same thing! This is where all the recovery equipment comes in handy. Being high-centered in the middle of the parking lot and waiting for a tow would be an embarrassing moment.


Me too

 

I've driven my Cayenne through many winters. It's a very capable vehicle.

One thing that's interesting is that the PSM function on the Cayenne is actually a little less aggressive than PSM on my 911. The Cayenne will let the rear end slide out a little bit around corners before it corrects you, which can be fun.

 

I've experienced this already....

And I like. haha

 

I'll be experiencing it shortly. I just plowed the driveway, and I've got to drive down the hill for a meeting in Cherry Creek tonight!

 

NICE...watch those curbs! lol

 

I like to drive in Manual mode as well. Dropped from summer 21" to 18" Pirelli ice & snow with zero issues. I have air suspension, so I usually drive in lowest setting unless it's really deep, then I'll raise accordingly.

 

In my opinion, this is some great 4wd engineering. Much fun. It oversteers to get you pointed in the right direction, like driving a rallye car, then saves you well within your comfort zone. I've never lost control yet, save for icy conditions. +1 on the porsche winter mat set. I leave my drivers' winter mat in all year round, save the carpet mat in the drivers' area only for special occasions. The techequipment mats have a low lip though. All the winter mats are going in on the first snow. I like to look at the metal logo on the carpet mats though... A good idea is to do a quality wax job before the salt goes down. I read some guy puts a lawn sprinkler under the car to get the salt off. I don't do that, but will hand wash once a week. I have never seen my headlight washers go up, or any residue from them working. What is the procedure to raise them?

 

Just use the windshield washer function while your lights are on. You will hear a very robotic whine... that will be the headlight washers rinsing off the lights.


Weird to see when looking at the car.

 

Does anyone else engine brake?

I have saved a myself a few times even off ice down shifting in weather.

 

To get the headlight washers you need to hold the washer lever down a few seconds. I like the lawn sprinkler idea but all my outdoor water is turned off so that won't work for me.