Originally Posted by MI Roadster
So what does the "W" (winter) button by the shifter do anyway? Does it start out in a lower gear to prevent slippage or something? My CTS had a snowflake button that did that. It really worked if you were stopped and had to go, if there was any ice.
That's what it is. The car will start in 2nd gear rather than 1st gear to improve traction, unless you select 1st with the Autostick.