Drove through my first snow storm today, car performed well. Currently running blizzak ws-80 tires.
Can anyone explain what the snow button actually does on a 2013 f sport awd?

 

It will still start in 1st, but then, just as PatrixUSA stated, it'll minimize torque for easier starts.

 

Car is started in 2nd car under snow mode.

 

AWD with snow tires alone gets you moving pretty quickly even on slick roads, not yet had to really use the snow mode on this beast. But of course it's great knowing our cars still has a trick in the book in case that day comes.

 

I have Michelin Xice with AWD. I have never needed to use the snow mode. Blasting from a stop light, the car really gets up and goes with no effort

 

Not mine. I can start in snow mode and pull up the gear selection on the display and see that it is starting in 1st, just as it did in my IS. Mine is a '15 AWD.

 

Hmm... so if you're in snow mode and you put the trans in manual mode, it shows you're starting off in 1st still??

 

Yes, that's correct. I don't have a photo of it handy, but here's a photo of the same condition in my IS, which of course had the same drivetrain as my GS:

 

Interesting. Maybe the snow mode logic is different for AWD equipped cars?

 

It's definitely possible that the RWD models start in 2nd. I'm not sure. Someone else would need to verify.

 

Mine most definitely starts in 2nd gear when in Snow mode. If Snow mode does not make the car start in 2nd gear, then just what is its purpose and what does it do?

 

I don't think it does much, frankly, at least not in my experience. I think all it does is limit throttle response, much like Eco Mode does, to limit the initial torque when starting out.

 

WIth winter tires and AWD, you don't need snow mode.

Leave it for the RWD cars or people without snows.

My 2013 starts in second in snow mode.

 

We don't see much snow here in Tucson. That's why we live here.

 

It's my understanding the AWD system changes from 30/70 front/back ratio to 50/50 to stabilize the drive train in the snow.