Yesterday, I wanted to drive up to a skiing resort on a very slippery, thinly snow covered (and ice and water and sludge...) road. I ultimately had to turn around as I lost traction, with TCS and ESC kicking in, even the back began to swerve. In front of me was a Toyata Hybrid limousine, which continued up without any issues. Unfortunately I couldn't recognize the type. So I don't know if it was 2WD or 4WD.

My winter tires are Michelin Alpin 6, only used for the second winter season, profile depth almost as new. Pressure 2.5 bar.

On a side note, I have Eibach springs which completely level the car (as opposed to the factory springs where the back sits a bit higher). Could that be an issue? Having less weight on the front wheels?

Or which other factors could have an effect on traction under these circumstances considering the Toyota drove on without seemingly any issues? Assuming the Toyota was 2WD that is...

 

I think that Toyota was 4wd.

 

Maybe try turning off the TC.

 

Turn the TC/ESC off on slippery surfaces by pushing the button above the radio. The ABS will still operate for stopping.
Free Owner Manual link in my sig. That is covered in it.

I have to do that with snow and ice on my driveway. The way it works: If one wheel starts spinning freely that wheel gets a dose of brakes trying to get both wheel turning at the same speed.

 

If you don't have the switch, shift to low (or reverse) ant traction control will be shut off until you shift to I or D

the limo has more weight and that could be a plus in slippery conditions

 

Hi, I can’t say anything about TCS and ESC, I’m not an expert and I don’t have it on my car.
But! a pressure of 2.5 bar is clearly excessive. This is a lot for winter. To be honest, this is a lot for summer too.
If there is snow or ice on the road, it is recommended to reduce the pressure so as to increase the contact patch. The larger the contact patch, the better the grip, the tires dig into the road with more sipes. Low tire pressure also improves cross-country ability, for example on loose snow.
Additionally: Michelin Alpin 6 is non-studded winter tires, it is good for a city where the asphalt is clean, as for ice - Michelin Alpin 6 behaves uncertainly on “warm” ice, but like all Velcro, it begins to feel more and more confident as the temperature drops and begins to work effectively at road surface temperatures of -14C and below.
I recommend - reduce the tire pressure to 1.9 - 2.0 bar and try again; in the summer, still follow the manufacturer's recommendations and do not overinflate the tires either (increased tread wear in the center).

PS: I heard somewhere that a German driver can be identified by overinflated tires

 

Thank you all for sharing your inputs! Maybe I can try one thing or the other next time this happens. Here these road conditions don't occur often anymore.