What does 'snow' mean on the Highlander?
2 Answers
The 'snow' indicator on the Highlander refers to the vehicle's snow mode. The snow mode in vehicles serves the following 4 purposes: 1. Enables smooth starting on snowy/icy roads: The snow mode is usually a switch with a snowflake symbol near the gear shift. Turning this on during snowfall allows the vehicle to start smoothly on snowy/icy surfaces; 2. Prevents tire slippage: When driving on snowy/icy roads, tires are prone to slipping. The snow mode helps stabilize the throttle and adjust it properly; 3. Prevents aggressive acceleration: While driving on snow, it minimizes aggressive acceleration. Sudden hard acceleration on snowy/icy surfaces may cause wheel slippage, reducing acceleration effectiveness and compromising safe driving; 4. Prevents understeering: If a vehicle enters a turn at high speed, it's prone to understeering, causing the front to slide outward and making the vehicle harder to control during turns.
I've been driving the Highlander for several years, and every winter when driving on snowy roads, the 'snow' indicator lights up on the dashboard, letting me know the snow mode is activated. This feature is quite considerate—it automatically makes the car start in second gear, reducing the risk of tire spin on slippery snow. Once when I was driving in the snow with 'snow' displayed, the car really didn't slip at all during acceleration, and I drove steadily for several kilometers without worrying about skidding or losing control. However, I don’t rely on it completely. When the snow is heavy, I still slow down and maintain a longer following distance, as turning or braking on icy roads can still be tricky. Once the snow stops or the road dries up, I press the button on the center console to turn off the snow mode, and the indicator naturally goes off. Overall, when 'snow' is displayed, the car is helping us handle slippery roads and maintain driving safety.
