[keynote2017]

With snow on the way just wanted to ask what is everyones advice for driving in the snow. My car at the moment(e93) has normal run flats (no winter tyres) and ive read online its a bad idea to drive it in the snow.

Is it really that bad or just a case of driving carefully?

[Blueeyesredpanda]

Originally Posted by keynote2017

With snow on the way just wanted to ask what is everyones advice for driving in the snow. My car at the moment(e93) has normal run flats (no winter tyres) and ive read online its a bad idea to drive it in the snow.

Is it really that bad or just a case of driving carefully?

My advice is traction control off, get rid of the RLT, heavy, bad ride quality... what's the point?

[Joebie]

Back when I owned a 135i, I literally got stuck on flat ground with about 1/8" of snow on the ground, if that.

Given, that was on bald summer tires but it was still funny. I don't know how the RFTs do in the snow, I've only had my 328i since Feb of this year and it hasn't seen snow yet.

Good luck!

[keynote2017]

Originally Posted by Blueeyesredpanda

My advice is traction control off, get rid of the RLT, heavy, bad ride quality... what's the point?

Yeah, when i need to get the tyres changed next ill be switching them over to normal tyres.

[keynote2017]

Originally Posted by Joester

Back when I owned a 135i, I literally got stuck on flat ground with about 1/8" of snow on the ground, if that.

Given, that was on bald summer tires but it was still funny. I don't know how the RFTs do in the snow, I've only had my 328i since Feb of this year and it hasn't seen snow yet.

Good luck!

hmmmm, seems to be what a lot of others are saying online aswel.

[AWSAWS]

Ideally you want winter tyres for when the temps are about 10C and below.
A bmw on snow tyres is actually pretty good. I've driven in snow with all weather tyres. They weren't too bad. It's all about the rubber used. Summer tyres are terrible in cold icy conditions. All weathers are in between the summer and winter compounds. It's important to maintain momentum and not to rev the crap out of it. Torque will spin the wheels so higher gears where possible or low gears low revs.

Great fun in empty snow covered car parks mind 🙄

[david in germany]

Originally Posted by Blueeyesredpanda

My advice is traction control off

Don't mess with the DTC/Traction control button unless you are stuck in deep snow and need to clear the tire treads out. The car is way smarter than you..

The best option if you live in an area that gets snow often is a good set of dedicated winter wheel and tires. It does not matter if they are SSR/ROF/RF or not, what matters is they are the right tires for the season.

[MattOz]

In the snow, it's DTC off, or MDM if you have an M3. DTC on is too restrictive and you need a little bit of slip/slide to get the momentum going.

Ideally, winter tyres will be on by now anyway.

[Smokey33]

20quid says we get sod all snow.

[ChawenHalo]

I've driven plenty in the snow with different types of cars so I'll give you the following advice.

You are correct it is all about careful driving.
All weather tyres are perfectly fine for occasional snow.
For traction control and stability programs look at your cars manual. From memory if you just press the DCT mode it relaxes the ESP or TC and is to be applied when driving in the snow (if you press it for long it completely disables the interventions).

1. You want low torque application. ie: drive in a higher gear than you would normally. You want to avoid breaking traction.
2. Keep all inputs (steering especially, but also acceleration and braking) very smooth, slow and well planned in advance -this will give you options if things go pear shaped (which they do invariably in the snow
3. If you brake too hard too quickly your car will just slide so use engine braking in combination with brakes
4. Brake and accelerate when the wheels are pointing straight to avoid sliding / spinning

Basically the aim is to avoid breaking traction and unsettling the car. So just do everything sloooooly and smoooooth, keep looking well ahead and anticipation is the key, relax and you'll be fine.

Hope this helps.

[Blueeyesredpanda]

Originally Posted by david in germany

Don't mess with the DTC/Traction control button unless you are stuck in deep snow and need to clear the tire treads out. The car is way smarter than you..

The best option if you live in an area that gets snow often is a good set of dedicated winter wheel and tires. It does not matter if they are SSR/ROF/RF or not, what matters is they are the right tires for the season.

I shut mine off every morning because i have xdrive and ws80. When the roads have 10inches snow or more, its really fun. But if OP has RWD probably not a good idea to shit it off unless you wanna slide around the corners

[Dormermike]

I've never used winter tyres in the UK and never got stuck in the 10yrs I've been back living here, all in BMW's. Am in south Wales so not much snow but I did take my new to me f10 up the brecon beacon when we had snow and even parked on ice. If you are careful with the right pedal and know when to turn off TC all good IMO. Sometimes put weight in the boot.

Lived in Canada for several years and only ever hired cars so not sure if they had winter tyres but they probably did as it was often -10c or lower in winter.

[Digitalize]

If there's actual snow, don't drive without winter tyres, summer tyres will be far out of their operating temperature, on the tread pattern won't deal well with the loose surface.

In the cold, drive to the conditions, slow down more, leave bigger gaps, accelerate slower.

[Needbmwpartzz]

I drove for years with all seasons just fine......but
Years ago made switch to winter tires and they are much safer,also much more control.
Now can't imagine driving without.

[matt_s]

+1 for winter tyres. I weighed up the cost of tyres v the cost of my insurance excess even for a simple bump. Wouldn't risk anything else, it's not just the traction they give but also the grip, improved stopping distances. Not just for snow, a wet road at 7 deg c... why wouldn't you? That said, I must empty the garage this weekend and fit them 😂, failing that I'll take the defender out for a pootle in the hills!!!

[StuBeeDoo]

The winter tyres have been on both our cars for 2 weeks now. They won't be coming off until March at the earliest. As per the post above, a set of winter tyres far outweighs the financial and aggravation cost of an insurance claim.

[david in germany]

Go to YouTube and search for tirerack snow vs all season vs summer. There is a great video I would recommend everyone should watch. I will post the link later when I am back on wifi.

[david in germany]

Originally Posted by MattOz

In the snow, it's DTC off, or MDM if you have an M3. DTC on is too restrictive and you need a little bit of slip/slide to get the momentum going.

Ideally, winter tyres will be on by now anyway.

What tires are you running? Proper tires will get you going almost instantly without any slip and slide.

[Dann]

DTC fully off.
Keep it in 1st or 2nd
Full throttle or no throttle

Handbrake will help you get round tighter corners

[keynote2017]

thanks for all the advice, unfortunatly its too short notice to get winter tyres fitted for my trip tomorrow. Im guessing once i get onto the motorway it should be fine?

[The0pportunist]

I was stuck on a hill one time in snow in my little e36 compact a few years ago. A neighbor very kindly lent me some table salt and it did the trick. Maybe carry some in the boot if you do get stuck!

Disclaimer: It will probably harm your alloys but being stuck in snow can quickly turn into a life or death situation so maybe best to keep just in case.

[ChawenHalo]

For info winter tyres are seriously compromised above a certain temperature. TBH this entire thing about winter tyres really is a true marketing exercise. Nordic countries have been using them for decades but then they do have rather extreme weather conditions. In temperate climates like the UK, nah. It snows what, 3x per decade. And on the rare occasions where its snowed so heavily the country grounded to a halt - winter tyres won't save you alone you need ground clearance.

I'm sorry to those who really believe that winter tyres are the ultimate winter accessories but IMHO and driving to Andorra every winter skiing in all sorts of cars, I've never been stuck. I have high quality all seasons tyres and Track chains (if the conditions are bad they won't let you onto the station without.

Its more about driving skill and TBH all part of the fun.