Chevrolet Trax In Snow & Winter Driving? (Explained)

The Chevrolet Trax is a crossover SUV introduced in 2012 for the 2013 model year.

Originally marketed in select countries, the model debuted in the United States in 2015.

It has sold over 500,000 units since then and continues to appeal to many auto lovers.

If you are interested in finding out how well the Chevrolet Trax performs during winter, this article tells you everything you need to know.

Here is the short answer to whether the Chevrolet Trax is good for snow and winter driving:

The Chevrolet Trax comes with several features that make it relatively suitable for winter driving. These include the All-Wheel Drive System, StabiliTrak stability control system, and decent ground clearance.

Is Chevrolet Trax Good in the Snow?

Truth is, there are a number of cars that can handle the snow better than the Chevrolet Trax. However, the Trax is decent enough for mild, regular snow.

It is even better when you get the models with the All-Wheel-Drive system. The AWD sends power to all four wheels, improving stability even in slippery conditions.

It works with features like stability control and traction control to deliver a decent performance in the snow.

If you are looking to take a drive on a snowy road, a well-equipped Trax will prove decent enough for your expedition.

What Features Will Improve Winter Driving?

Driving in winter can be very difficult. However, when you have the right car with the right features, it becomes a lot easier.

Below are features that will bolster stability and control when driving your Trax during winter:

StabiliTrak Stability Control

The StabiliTrak stability control is an important feature that contributes to the Chevrolet Trax’s performance during winter.

It is pretty much the same as the stability control on other vehicles and was designed to help maintain balance.

More often than not, winter driving leads to low traction or total loss of traction on some wheels.

The StabiliTrak stability control stops this from happening by closely monitoring your wheels.

If it detects any abnormality, StabiliTrak kicks in and restrains the engine until the vehicle regains balance.

It also automatically activates brakes to increase traction on affected wheels and help maintain overall stability.

Traction Control

When your vehicle experiences loss of traction, your tires become unable to grip the road and may slip. This is exactly why the Traction Control was installed on Trax models.

The Traction Control system closely tracks your wheels’ rotation. If it detects slipping, it will apply braking pressure.

This will help to recover traction and balance while keeping the driver in control.

Sometimes, it reduces the torque sent to the wheels to guard against slipping, especially on slushy and snowy roads.

All-Wheel-Drive 

The All-Wheel Drive system is a very important feature of the Chevrolet Trax; some would even argue that it is the most important.

During winter, you are very much likely to experience traction loss which could endanger your vehicle’s stability.

The All-Wheel-Drive is prepared for this possibility and automatically sends torque to all the wheels in low-traction conditions.

Traction surges when all four wheels receive torque as opposed to just the front or rear wheels. This lowers the chances of a dangerous tire slip and ensures stability.

Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)

The Anti-Lock Braking system is a crucial feature for driving every vehicle on snow, including the Trax.

Driving on wet/icy pavements during winter means you have to use your brakes more times than usual.

Excessive braking could lead to wheels seizing up, which then triggers a wheel lockup.

ABS prevents this from happening altogether by decreasing brake pressure on the affected wheels.

This noble function pretty much explains why the United States federal laws mandate the installation of the ABS on all vehicles.

Electronic Brake Force Distribution

Another feature that helps ensure safe winter driving with your Chevy Trax is the Electronic Brake Force Distribution system.

The EBD works by dispensing brake pressure in proportion to the weight on each wheel.

This mitigates the effects of excessive braking and prevents any of the Trax’s wheels from locking up.

Comfort and Entertainment Features

A long drive during winter means you need as much comfort as you can get, especially if you have passengers.

Thankfully, the Chevrolet Trax is well equipped in this respect.

The Chevrolet Trax can seat up to five people comfortably while keeping them warm and entertained. It features front seats are heated and the steering wheel is leather-wrapped.

There is also a touch screen, an in-car Wi-Fi plus the Apple Car Play and Android Auto that enables smartphone connection.

These and more eliminate any chances of boredom during a long winter drive.

Please also make sure to read our article about 11 Chevrolet Trax statistics you should know. 

Does a Trax Have Snow Mode?

Snow mode is a driving mode installed by auto manufacturers to help vehicles navigate snow better.

Sadly, the Chevrolet Trax does not have an actual snow mode which is a tiny setback to its performance.

However, the Trax makes up for this with the All-Wheel-Drive, StabiliTrak stability control system, and anti-lock brakes.

These features are enough to stabilize the Trax while traversing moderate snow.

Can You Install Additional Snow Gear on a Trax?

Considering its low ground clearance, the Chevy Trax needs as much help as it can get when dealing with snow.

Thankfully, we have snow gears; they function as extra snow equipment and can improve the Trax’s performance. Below is a list of must-have snow gear:

• Snow Chains
• Snow Socks
• Snow Tires
• Ice Studs

There are laws that prohibit certain snow gear in some states and regions. Before buying any snow gear, run a check to see if it’s legal.

You don’t want to get flagged by cops for using illegal snow gear.

Another thing to get right is your Trax’s dimensions to get snow gear that fits perfectly.

How Much Snow Can a Trax Handle?

The Chevrolet Trax is a compact crossover SUV with quite limited agility, which renders it incapable of handling heavy snow.

With its 6.2 inch ground clearance, the Trax can very well handle up to 3 or 4 inches of snow.

Anything more may immobilize the vehicle and even cause considerable damage.

Also make sure to read our article about where Chevrolet Trax are made.

How Does Trax Handle Low Winter Temperatures?

Lots of vehicles out there struggle with maintaining optimum performance during winter, usually those with carburetors.

However, the Chevy Trax runs just fine during winter, all thanks to its fuel injection system.

If you have difficulty starting your vehicle during winter, it could be caused by blocked fuel filters, a weak or dead battery, or broken spark plugs.

It’s best not to assume, so we recommend having it checked out by an automotive expert.

Can a Chevrolet Trax Drive on Ice?

With the AWD and traction control features, you can drive the Chevy Trax safely on ice.

However, this would require a great deal of caution and patience from the driver.

Does the Trax Have 4WD?

The Chevrolet Trax does not feature a Four-Wheel-Drive system; however, it does have a similar system known as the All-Wheel-Drive.

The 4WD system is similar to the All-Wheel Drive in that it also sends torque to all four wheels in low-traction situations.

What About Older Trax Models and Winter Driving?

The Chevrolet Trax hasn’t been around for up to a decade, so there haven’t been that many models.

Earlier Trax models had a pre-installed ABS, All-Wheel Drive, and Stability Control.

They have a decent winter driving performance, just like the newer models.

Does a Trax Need Snow Tires?

Snow tires are designed to help vehicles traverse snow by maintaining tighter grips on the road than all-season tires.

The Chevrolet Trax, though decent, doesn’t have the best driving performance during winter, so getting snow tires would be a major boost.

Also check out our article about whether Ironman Tires are as good as other brands. 

Can You Mount a Snow Plow on a Trax?

Snow plows can be very useful for clearing off snow, but it has to be used on the right vehicle.

A snow plow isn’t at all suitable for the Chevrolet Trax. It could damage the vehicle and possibly foil your Trax’s warranty.

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