Driving your BMW safely in wintry conditions
02-11-2010, 07:56 AM
#1
Senior Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: New York und Wien
Posts: 2,158
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Given the recent blizzards in the eastern U.S., this is very relevant today:
Here are some of the tips:
Continues here with many photos.
Driving a car with high-performance summer tires is great ? until the temperatures start to dip.
Summer tires are standard equipment on many high-performance cars such as those from Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and other manufacturers, and the tires are designed to provide optimum dry-conditions performance and good handling in wet conditions.
There is, however, a catch. At 7° C (45° F), their compound loses adhesion and, as a result, they cannot be used safely under wintry driving conditions.
Summer tires are standard equipment on many high-performance cars such as those from Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and other manufacturers, and the tires are designed to provide optimum dry-conditions performance and good handling in wet conditions.
There is, however, a catch. At 7° C (45° F), their compound loses adhesion and, as a result, they cannot be used safely under wintry driving conditions.
- Use the correct tires (see main article).
- Check tire inflation regularly.
- Know where you are going (and via what route) and check forecasts on the Web before leaving.
- Do not use cruise control on slippery surfaces (ice, rain, leaves, sand).
- Allow for conditions. Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Slowing down on ice and slush takes longer.
Continues here with many photos.
02-11-2010, 11:45 AM
#4
Senior Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: New York und Wien
Posts: 2,158
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
02-11-2010, 02:43 PM
#6
Senior Members
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 584
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2005 545i E60 Orient Blau Metallic
Premium, NAV, Winter Package, Heads Up Display, Logic 7 Audio, AngeliBright Upgrade [White], M5 Body Kit, M Embroidered Seats
I have driven a pair of Blizzaks and truly, they are great tyres. This year, I decided to go with Kumhos' (much cheaper) and I gotta say, they handle really well in the Michigan snow. For those of you that have never bought a pair, I highly reccomend them.
Or else...go buy another 20K truck like someone else did!!!
Or else...go buy another 20K truck like someone else did!!!
02-11-2010, 03:12 PM
#7
Members
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Mississauga, Ontario
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2004 BMW 545I
M sport suspension
Active Steering
M sport interior
Navi
Low ride sports
02-11-2010, 03:42 PM
#8
Contributors
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: NY
Posts: 14,646
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 Silverstone II E60 M5 2012 E70 AW X5 50i Sport w/ LCI Aero Kit and Rocker Panels
Member poleposition had the Pirelli's on his last X5. He went with the Blizzaks on the new X5 and probably won't be going back to the Pirelli's anytime soon. They're that much better.
02-11-2010, 05:16 PM
#9
Senior Members
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2006 titanium silver metallic
Like new 41k
Cold Weather Package
Any winter tire is better then the best all season regardless of brand, It all comes down to tread compound and rubber composition. And for ice even winter tires can be sketchy, unless they are studded then you own the road!
Many of the provinces in Canada have made it law to use winter tires in winter. This is my last year on all seasons, cant wait to rip around with X-Drive and studded winters next year!
Many of the provinces in Canada have made it law to use winter tires in winter. This is my last year on all seasons, cant wait to rip around with X-Drive and studded winters next year!
