... just back from curling and driving through this snow. Almost like a regular winter.

Observations

1.) First gear is near useless for winter take off.
2.) Second gear is great for take off.
3.) Third is the best gear for in town driving in the slippy stuff. Keeping it above 1,000 RPM and below 2,000 RPM provides excellent acceleration without slippage and keeps the speeds to a manageable 20-40 KM/Hr.
4.) Feather touch, light hands, light foot, the truck easily responds to very light throttle input (add it and pull to one side, drop it off and pull back into line).
5.) Second gear holds well down hill.

Oh, and Toronto's ability to keep the endless streets clear of snow is awefull and their ability to keep main roads clear is pityful.

I always wanted to try a 5-speed in the snow. The torque-steer on these cars is not that bad provided you don't gun it from a dead stop.

Imagine the traction if you had better tires than those stock Goodyear Wranglers. If you thought TO's streets are bad, come see ours! I've hit two bad potholes in the last week and I'm truly surprised that the car doesn't seem to have been affected by the trauma.

I'm tickled pink how the 5spd FWD "E" drives like a little tank through the mounds of snow they leave on the roads in TO - even with the stock tires.

kjc

I'm off to a curling tournament this weekend in my Element too.
Supposed to get a bit of snow...
I found the E was godawful in the snow until I got some good winter tires. They changed everything, and now I love flippin through the gears on slippery roads.
Can't wait for golf season though...

Way to go guys, live that stereotype.
:lol: