Okay don't shoot me. But on the 2004 Chrysler Crossfire there is a W/S swith bu the stick. What does it do, I've was told winter and summer mode. Does it hurt the vehicle to drive it in one or the other more often? Any insight would be appreciated.


I guess my concern is if the switch is for winter/summer. Wouldn't it be harder on the car, clutch, to start in second gear, unesscesary strain on the car, hence pointless button cause I won't switch it anymore if thats that case?

 

This is a bit embarassing, but I drove mine for 3 days (after I cleaned the interior) with it in "W" and couldn't understand why it was such a dog off the line. To make matters worse, my WIFE pointed out my error!

All it does under most conditions is remove first gear. You "launch" in 2nd. Not very impressive.

There may be other factors involved, but I don't know them.

 

this is in the owners manual, if you have one. W is for winter, S is for standard. if i am remembering what i read. winter is for inclement weather and givers you added traction.

 

You got it right. 'W' is for winter mode. It starts of in second gear to help during slippery situations. It doesn't hurt the car but it's meant to be used when there is ice/snow on the road to help it prevent slipping.

 

This is pretty shameful. However, it did take guts to post that.

 

Yea I wonder if it would hurt anything (maybe the transmission) if we always launch the car with hard acceleration at 2nd gear.

 

Well I wont be using it anymore.

 

Guts I've got! It's BRAINS that are sometimes in short supply!!

 

Actually it was installed to be used when needed. Remember this car is built in Germany where the roads are slick from time to time. Therefore, could be drivin in snow and icy weather. I just wouldn't floor it on take off when in winter mode. That would defeat the purpose of the switch and that is to start slow to keep traction on a slick surface. Also, do not change modes while moving or in gear. Only switch it between W or S when in park.

I live in Oklahoma and I use the winter A.K.A wet mode when it is icy or wet and slick out. The car is much more controlable in those conditions during take off in W mode.

JMHO

 

to spare me some tire life i leave my car in W mode and am easier on the throttle , that being said i do treat it like a mini sport mode button , ive never had any issues using it while in gear though since its just a signal switch that tells the carputer to start in a different gear , and to me it feels like it loosens the throttle a bit , since its a winter mode thing but that may just be me , i dont think playing with the switch will cause an issue really , the car seriously wont let you hurt it electronically, (its german) i found this out when i shifted from neutral to drive in motion while giving it too much gas, now in drive the car simply revved real high for a moment and when the carputer deemed it safe finally shifted into drive with hardly a bump

 

the debits which is for ice, snow, sand and rain, you can use it as much as you want or is little as you want, you can change it while moving or you can change it setting still,,one thing that no one has mentioned is and W or S when you floor it , that is wide open throttle and hold it, it will start out in first gear, if not wide open throttle it will start out in second year
as for hurting the car starting out in second, you will not because

gear ratios, 3.595:1, 2.186:1, 1.405:1, 1.000:1, 0.831:1, that's the gear ratios for an SRT 6

most four speeds of the 60s and 70s at a gear ratio of around 210 for first gear
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- 176 for second
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- 100 for third
----------------------------------and did not have an overdrive. jim

 

OK another stupid question as I think I got told bum info when I bought the car......

In S mode Standard Summer whatever you wish to name it ......

if you want to drive in this mode then W is pressed so S is higher from the console showing you thats the mode your in.............personally i thinks its tripe

my thoughts are press S for sports summer standard blah blah blah ?

 

s is for 1 gear start to go fast and through all 5 gears always starting off in first fear

w is for snow sand or wet oily streets ,you start off in 2 gear so you don't spin

But if yo floor it wide open throttle you always go into first gear no matter what position you are in, try it in both and you will see by the rpm.


s is for speed
w is for want to drive in snow ,sand, or wet streets.

 

S = Superman
W = Wus ( or Wimp )

 

^.......This

 

\you made me laugh, thanks ,

 

Instead of W, get a Wavetrac. Then go to Eurocharged and get a TCU tune which turns W into "W-onderfully tight!"

 

An odd fact to remember is that there are also two speeds for reverse in the NAG1 transmission. "Normal" reverse gear is used with the selector in the "S" position. A higher gear (I think if it as "2nd reverse gear") is used with the selector in "W". Try it sometime where you have a lot of space. You can go frightening speeds in reverse with the selector in "W".

 

Well thats great news! Ya know just in case you happen to drive into the wrong part of town at dusk.

 

thanks guys

some great answers