W/S switch near gear stick.

[too_juicey]

Hi everyone,

The W/S switch that is located next to the gear stick on auto's, what does it do?

I have been told that it stands for Winter / Summer mode, and indeed when in idle the switch is flicked the engine does for a second jump (does something).

But what's it point? what does it really do?

Thanks.

 

[colechelle]

yes, winter / summer, in winter, the car pulls away in 2nd, in summer/sport it uses every gear!!!

 

[dave.robbo]

Just leave it in 'S', unless it's icy!

 

[doversole]

As Cole's answer also:

Extract from my owners manual:

S - Standard: This position is used in all normal driving conditions.
W - Winter: The car pulls away forwards and backwards in second gear.
(lessens the effects caused by wheelspin etc. in snow and ice)

Gear shifts, both up and down are made at lower road and engine speeds.

Hey, two reverse gears! How cool is that?

DoverSole

 

[dave.robbo]

Cool!! My manual says that two transmission ratios are available when in 'R'. The W/S switch determines which ratio is chosen!!

 

[television]

Cool!! My manual says that two transmission ratios are available when in 'R'. The W/S switch determines which ratio is chosen!!

Thats correct also something not so much known about is that the car will not roll back in W as it has a sprag clutch

 

[doversole]

Thats correct also something not so much known about is that the car will not roll back in W as it has a sprag clutch

Cool - but somehow, scary.

(in a 'lots-of-things-that-could-go-wrong-if-they-wanted-to,' type way)

DoverSole

 

[Stu_CDX]

Thats correct also something not so much known about is that the car will not roll back in W as it has a sprag clutch

Is this the same on the W124 (E & S modes)??

Stu.

 

[dave.robbo]

Is it ok to switch between the two whilst moving? I guess so, but.......

 

[television]

Cool - but somehow, scary.

(in a 'lots-of-things-that-could-go-wrong-if-they-wanted-to,' type way)

DoverSole

My sprag clutch is lazy and will roll back when cold but it is fine when hot, and my drive faces uphill when I leave the garage on a cold engine:-(

 

[too_juicey]

Chaps,

I have now have two reverse gears, a sprag clutch, and a partridge in a pear tree!

Something new to learn everytime on this site - awesome.

Thanks.