Stuck on Ice in Parking Spot with Blizzaks

Maxtor · 12-06-2007, 11:30 AM

This morning I carelessly pulled into a snow and ice covered spot in a store parking lot. The spot angled down to the curb wall so I could not pull forward to get out, and in backing up I would have to back up a slight incline.

I didn't really think about it at all as I assumed my winter Blizzak RFT would be able to handle anything (I got them on the car 3 weeks ago and have had no problems in driving in snow).

Long story short... when I got back to the car the back tires spun on the ice and I couldn't get out of the spot. Tried cardboard under the back wheels. Nope. Bought Kitty Litter to throw under the back wheels. Nope.

Luckily I was able to grab a couple nice guys off the street who helped me push it out (by the way... the car is heavier than you would think!)

Bottom line... snow tires are not fool proof in every situation.
As the fool... I know.

trickydisco · 12-06-2007, 11:38 AM

Others have stated that some winter tires require kms to break-in
before they perform at their optimum ability.

Chicagobob · 12-06-2007, 11:43 AM

Snow tires have performance limits too though. Ice is ice and even though snow tires are better than performance tires in the snow, ice is the great equalizer.

Bobby

trickydisco · 12-06-2007, 11:44 AM

True.

sparkyg · 12-06-2007, 12:26 PM

If you had a car air compressor I would have told you to let all the air out and get'er down to 10 psi per tire. Then once you're off the ice pump them up again.

Not positive it would work bu the traction imrpovement would be undeniable.

That said, the only thing that works on sheer ice is studs. Hence the ice racing.

agnisb · 12-06-2007, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chicagobob

Snow tires have performance limits too though. Ice is ice and even though snow tires are better than performance tires in the snow, ice is the great equalizer.

Bobby

+1 You seriously can't do too much on ice. Blizz should be good. I have them on my car as well and they are really good in the snow. Happy Holidays!

BMW Newbie · 12-06-2007, 01:56 PM

I was at University of Waterloo last Sunday where the snow was like 20cm deep and not plowed. Have the Dunlop 3D winters on my xi and DTC on, I had no problem getting out the campus. xi is what u should get. hahaha

Maxtor · 12-06-2007, 02:08 PM

Too late for that good advice.
Something I will consider for sure when my lease is up.

inTgr8r · 12-06-2007, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW Newbie

I was at University of Waterloo last Sunday where the snow was like 20cm deep and not plowed. Have the Dunlop 3D winters on my xi and DTC on, I had no problem getting out the campus. xi is what u should get. hahaha

I've seen an xi stuck on ice too.

Slke46 · 12-06-2007, 02:38 PM

Blizzacks are good, but honestly how often are you stuck on a patch of ice??? Just be aware of your surroundings next time...

BMW Newbie · 12-06-2007, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

I've seen an xi stuck on ice too.

probably an xi with all season tires on it.

can't understand why so many drivers outta dun use snow tires for winter. They save time and in most cases your life or others. IMO

inTgr8r · 12-06-2007, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW Newbie

probably an xi with all season tires on it.

can't understand why so many drivers outta dun use snow tires for winter. They save time and in most cases your life or others. IMO

Snows all 4 corners
- ice - can stop an SUV at times.

Jaws · 12-06-2007, 09:27 PM

Push the DTC button. DSC intervenes too much and fights any wheel spin. Try it next time.

aspiring335 · 12-06-2007, 10:43 PM

While I agree that there isn't much you can really do on sheet ice, I find that the run-flat Blizzaks are the worst winter tires I've had. Perhaps it's because they are run-flats? Even the cheapo Hankook Ice Bears I had for a while on my 325i were better. If I was back in Calgary I'd switch them to Dunlops or Michelins, but the Blizzaks should be fine for the Vancouver winter.

chromerl · 12-06-2007, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aspiring335

While I agree that there isn't much you can really do on sheet ice, I find that the run-flat Blizzaks are the worst winter tires I've had. Perhaps it's because they are run-flats? Even the cheapo Hankook Ice Bears I had for a while on my 325i were better. If I was back in Calgary I'd switch them to Dunlops or Michelins, but the Blizzaks should be fine for the Vancouver winter.

You can't be serious! Blizzaks are some of the best winter tires on the market, believe me, I've had experience. The WS-50 are phenomial and the latest WS-60 is supposed to be even better! So perhaps it was the 'run flats'

I love my Blizzaks.

halB · 12-06-2007, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chromerl

You can't be serious! Blizzaks are some of the best winter tires on the market, believe me, I've had experience. The WS-50 are phenomial and the latest WS-60 is supposed to be even better! So perhaps it was the 'run flats'

I love my Blizzaks.

Sounds like the OP has Blizzak LM rather than WS. WS has Tube Multicells that makes it stick to ice, but it is too soft for performance driving and hence only gets a Q speed rating. LM, on the other hand, uses high silica rubber compounds instead of Tube Multicell to get handling performance and H speed rating, but it doesn't stick to ice nearly as good as WS. It's reasonably good on snow nonetheless due to its aggressive thread pattern.

Edit - He mentioned RFT so his tires are LM not WS. MZ, REVO, and WS Blizzak's all have Tube Multicell. LM is the only Blizzak that doesn't.

aspiring335 · 12-06-2007, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chromerl

You can't be serious! Blizzaks are some of the best winter tires on the market, believe me, I've had experience. The WS-50 are phenomial and the latest WS-60 is supposed to be even better! So perhaps it was the 'run flats'

I love my Blizzaks.

My previous winter tires were Michelin Pilot Alpins, which were infinitely better with regard to traction and braking on snowy / icy roads, and on dry roads, too.

spacedogg · 12-09-2007, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaws

Push the DTC button. DSC intervenes too much and fights any wheel spin. Try it next time.

Not for ice. It's better to leave DTC on when trying to start off from a slippery slope or ice...as it will monitor wheel slippage and ensure that the wheels don't spin too much to overcome traction.

For normal driving in snow...yes turn it off.

Jaws · 12-09-2007, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spacedogg

Not for ice. It's better to leave DTC on when trying to start off from a slippery slope or ice...as it will monitor wheel slippage and ensure that the wheels don't spin too much to overcome traction.

For normal driving in snow...yes turn it off.

I disagree. I have had much better results with DSC-off starting on ice.

DJ 83 · 12-09-2007, 06:58 PM

I was stuck in snow/slush in the little parking lot in front of the Desmarais building in Ottawa U last week after dropping my wife off and turning around. I pressed the DTC button once, got a bit of spin but still stuck. Then I decided to hold it down completely and get the wheels spinning completely and rocked the car in forward then reverse a few times. Eventually I got un-stuck as 3 guys were walking towards me about to most likely give my car a push. Embarassing indeed!

This was with my newly mounted Bridgestone Blizzak Revo 1's. I guess I'll wait until they break-in after about 500Km's or so and hopefully then they'll have better grip.

By the way, I got those tires instead of a performance type of tire because I live outsite the downtown core and have to travel over lots of country roads everyday. Those roads usually don't get ploughed until 10:00am or later, so for me having the best traction possible on snow is important.

My steering now feels quite a bit more loose with these tires and traction control kicks in right away when I try to accelerate hard. Handling definately took a toll.

-D.J.

bmw101 · 12-09-2007, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ 83

I was stuck in snow/slush in the little parking lot in front of the Desmarais building in Ottawa U last week after dropping my wife off and turning around. I pressed the DTC button once, got a bit of spin but still stuck. Then I decided to hold it down completely and get the wheels spinning completely and rocked the car in forward then reverse a few times. Eventually I got un-stuck as 3 guys were walking towards me about to most likely give my car a push. Embarassing indeed!

-D.J.

You should not keep spinning the wheel when stuck.

DJ 83 · 12-09-2007, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmw101

You should not keep spinning the wheel when stuck.

I wish I had your XI and I regret not getting one instead! You must get hardly any wheel spin whatsoever. I live in Eastern Canada and did NOT get an XI... What was I thinking?

-D.J.

12-06-2007, 11:30 AM	#1
Maxtor First Lieutenant 12 Rep 382 Posts Drives: 2011 335xi sedan Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Stuck on Ice in Parking Spot with Blizzaks This morning I carelessly pulled into a snow and ice covered spot in a store parking lot. The spot angled down to the curb wall so I could not pull forward to get out, and in backing up I would have to back up a slight incline. I didn't really think about it at all as I assumed my winter Blizzak RFT would be able to handle anything (I got them on the car 3 weeks ago and have had no problems in driving in snow). Long story short... when I got back to the car the back tires spun on the ice and I couldn't get out of the spot. Tried cardboard under the back wheels. Nope. Bought Kitty Litter to throw under the back wheels. Nope. Luckily I was able to grab a couple nice guys off the street who helped me push it out (by the way... the car is heavier than you would think!) Bottom line... snow tires are not fool proof in every situation. As the fool... I know.
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12-06-2007, 11:38 AM	#2
trickydisco First Lieutenant 7 Rep 331 Posts Drives: e90 330i Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: downtown toronto iTrader: (0)	Others have stated that some winter tires require kms to break-in before they perform at their optimum ability. __________________ Barrington 2006 330i sedan TiAg 1998 Porsche 911 C2S 1969 Firebird
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12-06-2007, 11:43 AM	#3
Chicagobob Car-Crazy 5 Rep 31 Posts Drives: 06 330xi, 02 M3, 99 911 C4 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Streeterville, Chitown, IL, USA iTrader: (0)	Snow tires have performance limits too though. Ice is ice and even though snow tires are better than performance tires in the snow, ice is the great equalizer. Bobby
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12-06-2007, 11:44 AM	#4
trickydisco First Lieutenant 7 Rep 331 Posts Drives: e90 330i Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: downtown toronto iTrader: (0)	True. __________________ Barrington 2006 330i sedan TiAg 1998 Porsche 911 C2S 1969 Firebird
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12-06-2007, 12:26 PM	#5
sparkyg Brigadier General 142 Rep 3,523 Posts Drives: A6 Allroad Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Oil Country iTrader: (5)	If you had a car air compressor I would have told you to let all the air out and get'er down to 10 psi per tire. Then once you're off the ice pump them up again. Not positive it would work bu the traction imrpovement would be undeniable. That said, the only thing that works on sheer ice is studs. Hence the ice racing.
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12-06-2007, 01:56 PM	#7
BMW Newbie Who needs CR7 11 Rep 709 Posts Drives: SG328xi Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	I was at University of Waterloo last Sunday where the snow was like 20cm deep and not plowed. Have the Dunlop 3D winters on my xi and DTC on, I had no problem getting out the campus. xi is what u should get. hahaha
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12-06-2007, 02:08 PM	#8
Maxtor First Lieutenant 12 Rep 382 Posts Drives: 2011 335xi sedan Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Too late for that good advice. Something I will consider for sure when my lease is up.
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12-06-2007, 02:38 PM	#10
Slke46 Captain 25 Rep 952 Posts Drives: E90 Sedan Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toronto Canada iTrader: (4)	Blizzacks are good, but honestly how often are you stuck on a patch of ice??? Just be aware of your surroundings next time... __________________ 01 540I - M-sport Premium Package ~ 19' HP Evo Staggerrred ~
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12-06-2007, 09:27 PM	#13
Jaws Lieutenant Colonel 45 Rep 1,738 Posts Drives: 2006 325i mt Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Edmonton iTrader: (0)	Push the DTC button. DSC intervenes too much and fights any wheel spin. Try it next time. __________________ 2006 325i - Sparkling Graphite 2000 S2000 - New Formula Red 2007 Chev Silverado crew cab Z71
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12-06-2007, 10:43 PM	#14
aspiring335 Lieutenant Colonel 95 Rep 1,614 Posts Drives: 2019 G05 40i Join Date: May 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	While I agree that there isn't much you can really do on sheet ice, I find that the run-flat Blizzaks are the worst winter tires I've had. Perhaps it's because they are run-flats? Even the cheapo Hankook Ice Bears I had for a while on my 325i were better. If I was back in Calgary I'd switch them to Dunlops or Michelins, but the Blizzaks should be fine for the Vancouver winter. __________________ 2019 G05 40i (premium excellence, m-sport, 2VR), Tesla Model S 100D, Nissan Leaf SL Volvo XC90 T8, Subaru Outback, E84 X1 28i, E91 328i xdrive, 6MT, VW Touareg TDI, E90 330i, E46 325iT, MINI Cooper S (all retired)
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12-09-2007, 06:58 PM	#20
DJ 83 Private 3 Rep 59 Posts Drives: 2011 335xi M Sport Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Ottawa, ON iTrader: (0)	I was stuck in snow/slush in the little parking lot in front of the Desmarais building in Ottawa U last week after dropping my wife off and turning around. I pressed the DTC button once, got a bit of spin but still stuck. Then I decided to hold it down completely and get the wheels spinning completely and rocked the car in forward then reverse a few times. Eventually I got un-stuck as 3 guys were walking towards me about to most likely give my car a push. Embarassing indeed! This was with my newly mounted Bridgestone Blizzak Revo 1's. I guess I'll wait until they break-in after about 500Km's or so and hopefully then they'll have better grip. By the way, I got those tires instead of a performance type of tire because I live outsite the downtown core and have to travel over lots of country roads everyday. Those roads usually don't get ploughed until 10:00am or later, so for me having the best traction possible on snow is important. My steering now feels quite a bit more loose with these tires and traction control kicks in right away when I try to accelerate hard. Handling definately took a toll. -D.J.
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