[NYC_e92]

So this is my first winter with a RWD!! I'm pretty nervous cause I've gotten stuck in snow before with my previous car which was FWD. Also my 335 is a daily driver. I got my self some 17" 157s with Blizzaks LM-22.

So for my E90ers that drive with a RWD..... Please Give me some advice on how to properly driving in snow in Tri state area!---> from 2cm to 1 ft of snow on the ground.

Thanks people!!

[Slalom]

Congratulations on the 335!

You have made the right move in getting the snow tires.

First thing I like to do every winter is to find an empty parking lot that has no big obstructions and a few inches of snow. Then it is safe to get a feel for the car. The best thing is that you can control the natural oversteer with the throttle. With DSC in its default mode you will go where you point the car, it may not be fast but it goes where you point it. In very heavy snow you may have to turn it off but that will be very infrequent.

If you do skid - turn in the direction of the skid so that the wheels start to get some grip.

Like any car in snow - drive smoothly.

Most importantly, have fun! Especially when you see the FWD cars with "no-season" tires get stuck!

[NYC_e92]

^ Thank you! I will def try that

[jaguar36]

Originally Posted by coldasicex5

get all season or winters asap

He already said he got winters...

With the Blizzaks you should be able to go just about anywhere, just don't go to fast, and leave the DSC on unless you get stuck. Defiantly go to an empty parking lot and mucking around during the first snow.

Just be careful of large amounts of snow, particularly in the center of the car. Just because your tires won't lose traction, if the snow is higher than your bumper you're gonna get stuck.

[NYC_e92]

Originally Posted by jaguar36

He already said he got winters...

With the Blizzaks you should be able to go just about anywhere, just don't go to fast, and leave the DSC on unless you get stuck. Defiantly go to an empty parking lot and mucking around during the first snow.

Just be careful of large amounts of snow, particularly in the center of the car. Just because your tires won't lose traction, if the snow is higher than your bumper you're gonna get stuck.

Thanks

[so?confused]

dont drive the car, buy a beater! last year was the last year i tried that! i went full side ways drift on the highway, b4 i managed to control it. this year 99 4wd rav4 here i come

[guerilla twang]

Winter tires was your first correct move. Good job on that.

Also, getting going is never the problem, it's stopping, make sure you give yourself plenty of distance, and engine brake if you can.

I usually try to roll slowly up on my stop and hit the brakes as few times as possible to avoid sliding/abs.

And yea, a nice smooth empty parking lot will give you a great idea of how the car is going to behave under diress.

Good luck and enjoy it. I'd rather have a RWD in the snow any day. (much more fun when you know what you're doing.)

[328i]

Not much to add to what has already been said. What I did was go to an empty parking lot, and I tried the car with all the different traction control modes: normal, dsc limited, and dsc fully off(holding the button for an extended length). It's really amazing how well DSC controls the car with snow tires.

[ellipsis212]

when there is snow on the ground i hit the DSC button 1x

leaving traction control on can sometimes prevent the car from moving because it detects slippage and cuts you off.

last season i had the chance to take my 330i through some really intense snow and ice with 18" blizzak lm22's and it took it all in stride. i did get stuck going uphill though but the road was unplowed and there were over 8" of heavy snow so no surprise there. after my friends pushed me to the top i kept on going no problem.

i even tried to do some handling/braking tests on solid ice in a parking lot and it did pretty well. take your time, be cautious, and don't get overconfident once you realize that you have traction. it's all about the tires and the driver in those conditions so practice whenever you get the chance. i took my car out in a horrible snow storm last January in VA when everyone else was stuck...i got back home no problem but ground clearance is probably your biggest limiting factor.

[KyLu II]

Turn off DSC ( press and hold the DTC button for 5 secs) drive like you stole it.

[Sal@AUTOcouture]

You took the correct first step and bought snow tires. These are 80% of the equation. The other 20% is your skills (10% driving and 10% aiming lol).

Be careful and just keep an eye out for morons without snow tires



FWIW I drove my 335 (slammed) on blizzaks thru 6" of snow no problems. You'll be a-ok

[Bogo Shipyo]

remember......braking is all the same in front rear and awd system

[Sal@AUTOcouture]

Originally Posted by bogoshipyo

remember......braking is all the same in front rear and awd system

+1000

[PandaBear]

Originally Posted by coldasicex5

don't crash

great tip jerry...

[so?confused]

lol thnx for the tires u should of used lol, im guessing u got something nicer. still im with not using that car in the winter, 2 much torque

[NYC_e92]

Originally Posted by so?confused

lol thnx for the tires u should of used lol, im guessing u got something nicer. still im with not using that car in the winter, 2 much torque

Lol. Yea I got an oem set with blizzak. Good luck man. Thanks again

[Tortfeasor 335xi]

I agree with your first move and what people have said so far. The keys to driving a RWD car in the winter are winter tires, experience (learning in an empty snow filled parking lot is a great idea), the last bit of advice I give is slow and steady. You want to be slow and steady with all driving inputs. Easy on the clutch (if you have one), the throttle, the brakes and steering inputs. Also, give yourself plenty of room between you and cars around you. If you are having issues getting traction, consider beig gentler on the throttle and putting a few 50 lb bags of sand or kitty litter in your trunk. It adds weights over the rear wheels and if you get stuck on ice, it can be poured under the wheels the help get some traction.

[madeinhongkong]

RWD with snows is a must, you should ok just go slow. AWD won't get stuck but it doesn't help you stop... so your good with the snow tires.

[NYC_e92]

Amazing tips so far!! Thanks everybody

[themyst]

RWD on snow tires is fine. Heck I've driven my RWD cars through snow on summer tires... not fun though!

[328i]

Try to be very smooth as well, no abrupt braking, always loook ahead. Abrupt actions are what cause you to slide and lose control (dropping the clutch, aggressive shifting, etc.). Keep a good distance, drive with caution and you'll be fine. What I used to like to do is go out at night and drive around. Roads usually are a mess and barely plowed, and virtually no one is on the road so you can get a good feel for it. Nothing beats experience.

[madeinhongkong]

Originally Posted by 328i

Try to be very smooth as well, no abrupt braking, always loook ahead. Abrupt actions are what cause you to slide and lose control (dropping the clutch, aggressive shifting, etc.). Keep a good distance, drive with caution and you'll be fine. What I used to like to do is go out at night and drive around. Roads usually are a mess and barely plowed, and virtually no one is on the road so you can get a good feel for it. Nothing beats experience.

Great idea, also you can always go to a empty lot, with a little bit of unplowed snow and see how the car feels and also have some fun.