Originally Posted by exparamedic

That is not the purpose of winter mode. If you leave it in winter mode it will always start off in second gear no matter how level or how much of an incline you are on. It was designed to enhance traction on slippery (snowy) roads by starting off in higher gear.
I have never used it as mine goes in the garage to avoid our winter snow here so maybe someone else who uses it can comment.
Jim