[bumpkin]

Hi all

Snow hit the North of Scotland over yesterday and last night and I awoke this morning to be greeted by the following scenes, depicting my really cold i30!




Ignore the date on the photo, I just grabbed my small digital and put fresh batteries in without changing the settings!
Had to go out first thing and found the roads were covered with fresh snow over a hard base of ice, the kind of conditions my Subarus revelled in and made me look like a better driver than perhaps I am.  Bit of trepidation now, haven't driven FWD on snow in over a decade, so took my time.

There has been another thread about ESP activation and if it is any good and I can emphatically say YES!!

On the journey the i30 did not do anything unexpected and felt glued to the road.  I was impressed.  Found a quiet bit of straight road and had a play.

1.  ESP ON, hard accelaration in first and second gears, car just moved forward with very little wheelspin and little effort.
2.  ESP OFF, same experiment, wheelspin all over the place and revs rising and falling with each slip.
3.  ESP ON, same again and you can actually feel the car bogging down, the revs being regulated for you and the car just bites and goes.
4.  ESP ON, hard accelaration whilst steering and the ESP light in the dash flashes for a couple of milliseconds before it sorts itself out.

VERDICT - The i30 ESP system is fanbloodytastic, I did not think it would be possible to beat the feeling of 4WD in conditions like these, but this baby does exactly what it says on the tin.  From what I have seen if the light on the dash illuminates it is a visual warning to you the driver to back off as the computer is struggling with the conditions, the rest of the time it is sitting there quietly getting on with the job in a highly satisfactory manner.

Sorry for going on a bit, but you can maybe tell, I am enthralled and delighted by what I experienced this morning, all I can say is the i30 just keeps pulling new tricks out of its hat

As an aside the ABS is much better than Subarus also, it is not as jerky and you don't get the same harsh pumping feeling through your leg.

Cheers
Brian

[eye30]

1.  ESP ON, hard accelaration in first and second gears, car just moved forward with very little wheelspin and little effort.
2.  ESP OFF, same experiment, wheelspin all over the place and revs rising and falling with each slip.
3.  ESP ON, same again and you can actually feel the car bogging down, the revs being regulated for you and the car just bites and goes.
4.  ESP ON, hard accelaration whilst steering and the ESP light in the dash flashes for a couple of milliseconds before it sorts itself out.

VERDICT - The i30 ESP system is fanbloodytastic, I did not think it would be possible to beat the feeling of 4WD in conditions like these, but this baby does exactly what it says on the tin.  From what I have seen if the light on the dash illuminates it is a visual warning to you the driver to back off as the computer is struggling with the conditions, the rest of the time it is sitting there quietly getting on with the job in a highly staisfactory manner.

I've had my i30 for 14 months and in all that time, even during the snow/frost last year, I have never once noticed the ESP light come on.

At least you have confirmed what I would expect to happen.

PS. I see no yellow lines

Thanks for that Brian.

[bumpkin]

Hi eye

I suspect that it would be easier in the petrol version to confuse the computer, the low end torque on the diesel will wipe out some of the free revving from the petrol and I guess that the diesel engine is probably a bit heavier over the front wheels also.

Brian

[Shambles]

That is a great writeup Brian  :biggrin: muchas gracias.

Almost makes me want to wish for snow down here too. Maybe not 

[bumpkin]

As an aside the ABS is much better than Subarus also, it is not as jerky and you don't get the same harsh pumping feeling through your leg

[Hemmi]

yes the ESP works havent had much snow lately, only few days, but works every time

[L30N]

Cheers bumpkin, it has been snowing here too. Good to know things are working!

[bumpkin]

We had white out conditions overnight, just cleared the paths and drive, took me 1.5hours the snow is now about 8 inches deep

[camerooney]

Wow thats a lot of snow!
Poor i30...freezing its engine off

[Hemmi]

We had white out conditions overnight, just cleared the paths and drive, took me 1.5hours the snow is now about 8 inches deep

wow, even I havent had that deep snow this winter 

[Shambles]

Well, time to try my ESP out in snow.

Back at home right now (07:30 am) after setting off at 07:00.. had to turn back as I couldn't get off my estate with all the roads jammed. Must be an accident somewhere nearby. Anyway, nice to see one or two cars scrabbling for traction.. not Fergie tho.

[bumpkin]

We have had a fresh covering overnight also, roads are like bottles but the i30 just ploughs through with no drama.  I love it

[camerooney]

It was around 30 degrees this arvo when I was picking up some dinner.
Is starting to warm up over here.

Good to hear the esp is working Shambles
 :biggrin:

[Shambles]

Yes it does work I can confirm that

I can also confirm that I am now back home after 4.5 hours trying 3 times to travel the 3 miles to the motorway. You get a wee bit of snow and ice, and the roads are gridlocked.

It took me almost an hour to get from here



to here



A distance of around 100 feet 

[Rubix]

Mate, just walk.

[Hemmi]

Shambles, looks like you and Bumpkin are getting more snow than I've got all roads clear here  :biggrin:

[eye30]

No snow here shambles. 
Had sleet but no snow.

ESP worked brill with severe frost on Monday. 
Other cars had wheels spinning but mine just took it in its stride. 

Had car for 14 months but never really noticed the smoothness with ESP before.

[camerooney]

That traffic is awful Shambles!
Looks like your car is getting pretty dirty too
 

Thanks for the pics!

[Dazzler]

We've been complaining about a few showers and a bit of cold wind...