[blown07]

This is my first time driving an AWD car in snow. I have new Flaken Eurowinters. Forward traction is amazing but going around corners I find worse than my experience with snows on a FWD car. I find the car really wants to push around corners in snow. In the wet the car is great around corners. Maybe I'm expecting too much.....

[ajsalida]

Turn on DTC (one short press on the button).

[dborelli]

You've got to remember it's a heavy car for the size, relatively. I've found mine wants to push as well, but you have to be conscious of how you're driving. On brakes, off brakes, turn, straighten, then accelerate.

The other thing is that with traction and stability control on, the car is going to cut power and not let you swing the tail out, which will make it push if you go into a corner too hot. Push and hold the DTC button for three seconds until the warning light with the curved arrow shows up. Take some laps around a parking lot and feel the difference. The car will push until you give it a little power so that the fronts start to pull you out of the turn.

[ajsalida]

Just to be clear what I am saying is run dynamic traction control (DTC) "on" (one short push). DSC (dynamic stability control) and DTC full "off" is press and hold for several seconds.

I would recommend DTC on but if you're going to mess around in a parking lot try both. I run Conti DWS year round up in the mountains, lots of snow and ice, prefer DTC on for normal driving. Lets you get the tail out a bit but not too much.

DSC is the default setting always on until changed by driver. It cuts throttle inputs to limit oversteer, and causes a lot of understeer (plowing) on low traction surfaces. Also uses brakes individually. DTC just uses individual brakes to control traction, not as much chassis control but some, and no throttle fiddling. Mild oversteer allowed. DSC/DTC full off is just e-diff front and rear, plus transfer case still works, zero chassis control, just AWD traction.

I have found on ice or snow DSC is too invasive, but everything off has no safety margin. Some situations I can't even get going with DSC on.

[blown07]

okay thanks guys I will try both. I normally just do a one push DTC for accel runs but never thought to try it in the snow. I did read that DTC "on" was better in the snow but I assumed this was for non xi cars.

Cheers,

[biscut]

I had my first run in snow/ice in my 08 328Xi. I had just put on winterforce snow tires. At first I was a little miffed at slowed speeds milking the gas. I quickly leanred this car handles VERY well under load. I was very suprised and very happy. I spent a good amount of time gettign use to it and how it handles. In corners plows for a tad but then grabs on and you're good to go. Easy to feel it grab.

[wiscoxi]

bump

[schnell325]

I run DTC in my wife's 335xi in the winter too. Same with my X5.

[ajsalida]

I think everyone who has an XI should go to an iced over parking lot and play with the 3 traction/stability control settings, see what they do and don't do. For example did you know you can spin all 4 tires and do AWD spinning donuts? Only with DSC/DTC full off. DSC and DTC limit both wheel spin and yaw but in very different ways and different extent. DSC is much more invasive, and as I said above relies on cutting power to get a lot of things done.

[BMW_Belgier]

The Falken Eurowinter has been tested by many german car test programms incl. TÜV, Autobild, ADAC,... (major independent firms):

They noted it VERY bad!!!

It could be your tires... just saying...

[blown07]

Originally Posted by BMW_Belgier

The Falken Eurowinter has been tested by many german car test programms incl. TÜV, Autobild, ADAC,... (major independent firms):

They noted it VERY bad!!!

It could be your tires... just saying...

Ya they are probably closer to an all season tire than a true winter tire but they handle decent and are quieter than other true winter tires I've used....always a compromise I guess

[BMW_Belgier]

Originally Posted by blown07

Ya they are probably closer to an all season tire than a true winter tire but they handle decent and are quieter than other true winter tires I've used....always a compromise I guess

I don't know if i would compremise on safety...

Well i'm sure actually!!!

[blown07]

Originally Posted by BMW_Belgier

I don't know if i would compremise on safety...

Well i'm sure actually!!!

No my car is incredibly safe with these tires and AWD...I just have to slow down around corners when there is 10cm or more snow on the road. The snow around here is only on the road for a couple of days before it's gone off the main roads. I'm very satisfied with these tires. If Sweden is anything like Finland (I spent a week there in mid winter) than ya you need studded winter tires as the roads are pure ice.

Cheers,