Should I worry about summer tires on icy roads?
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From: Los Angeles, CA
I'm planning to go up to Big Bear and maybe Mammoth during snowboard season. Currently, I'm driving a 550i with Bridgestone Potenza RE050 RFT Summer tires.
Big Bear I'm not too worried about since its just slippery, but should I be worried if I go up in Mammoth? Chains or should I borrow my parents SUV?
Any recommendation for chains that won't ruin the rims?
Big Bear I'm not too worried about since its just slippery, but should I be worried if I go up in Mammoth? Chains or should I borrow my parents SUV?
Any recommendation for chains that won't ruin the rims?
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Take your parents SUV. I don't even like to drive in the rain with my summer tires, the DSC kicks in a ton.
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I have done this once in my life... 
I drove an icy road in the Alps where the chains were rule. The car had two tons of weight, fully loaded including a jetbag and three people in the car. I drove it on summer tires without chains and had rear wheel drive.
It can be done... If you know how and if you are experienced enough...
BUT as someone who has tried it I give you the STRONG advice:
DON'T DO IT!
I wouldn't do it again, and with my E60? NEVER EVER!
Don't take the risk.
I drove an icy road in the Alps where the chains were rule. The car had two tons of weight, fully loaded including a jetbag and three people in the car. I drove it on summer tires without chains and had rear wheel drive.
It can be done... If you know how and if you are experienced enough...
BUT as someone who has tried it I give you the STRONG advice:
DON'T DO IT!
I wouldn't do it again, and with my E60? NEVER EVER!
Don't take the risk.
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Iceman,
On a similar note, I am driving to St Anton in Austria in February, via Germany.
I have put new Conti-winter-contact tyres on.
Is it likely that these will be sufficient in the event of snow/ice or is it advisable to take a set of chains as back up?
On a similar note, I am driving to St Anton in Austria in February, via Germany.
I have put new Conti-winter-contact tyres on.
Is it likely that these will be sufficient in the event of snow/ice or is it advisable to take a set of chains as back up?
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Originally Posted by KAF' post='371094' date='Dec 26 2006, 12:40 PM
Iceman,
On a similar note, I am driving to St Anton in Austria in February, via Germany.
I have put new Conti-winter-contact tyres on.
Is it likely that these will be sufficient in the event of snow/ice or is it advisable to take a set of chains as back up?
On a similar note, I am driving to St Anton in Austria in February, via Germany.
I have put new Conti-winter-contact tyres on.
Is it likely that these will be sufficient in the event of snow/ice or is it advisable to take a set of chains as back up?
So you'd better be prepared.
ABC
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About 15 years ago, after a midnight Christmas service, I drove my then new M5 (with Michelin Pilot Sport -Summer- tires) back to our house. There was about 1/4 inch (6.4 mm) of loose snow on the road - barely covering the black surface. 
I made it back the ten mile to our house (fortuneatley there were no significant hills), but it felt as if I were driving on ball bearings the whole way.
I never drove the car again in the snow with summer tires.
I made it back the ten mile to our house (fortuneatley there were no significant hills), but it felt as if I were driving on ball bearings the whole way.
I never drove the car again in the snow with summer tires.