XDrive 40d in The Snow

55NF · Post by **55NF** » Wed Dec 05, 2012 7:31 pm

Hi All - Still loving this X5 40d just as much as the day I collected it , after 10 months ownership & 10K miles.

Question is - Is it any good in the snow & ice? I have the 20" 315 tyres etc & I'm hoping it'll be better than my 1 Series in the snow, which is no go at all.

Chief1409 · Post by **Chief1409** » Wed Dec 05, 2012 7:46 pm

Probably wont be great as the really wide tyres make it sledge like....

gmc15 · Post by **gmc15** » Wed Dec 05, 2012 7:48 pm

My E53 had those size tyres and it was OK driving in the snow, but it did not like stopping

Don Coffey · Post by **Don Coffey** » Wed Dec 05, 2012 7:56 pm

The four wheel drive will work hard to ensure you shouldn't be left stranded unless expecting too much, ie. steep Ice covered hills. But as mentioned above its the stopping and possibly when cornering that the wide non winter tyres will struggle. A dedicated winter tyre will improve the cornering, stopping power of the car but to really ensure you have the best possible chances in winter conditions, you may want to consider a winter wheel package running on narrower rims.

Don

pvr · Post by **pvr** » Wed Dec 05, 2012 8:41 pm

Good advice. During the first snow a few years back, I slid down my drive from top to bottom as the car would just not stop. I had to open the gates to slide through before stopping just on the road.

Got a set of winter wheels shortly after

Don Coffey · Post by **Don Coffey** » Wed Dec 05, 2012 9:06 pm

[quote="pvr"]
Good advice. During the first snow a few years back, I slid down my drive from top to bottom as the car would just not stop. I had to open the gates to slide through before stopping just on the road.

Got a set of winter wheels shortly after

[/quote]

I had this image of you getting out of the car and running down to open the gates as the car went past.......I know you have electric gates, but my image is far better.

Don

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Wed Dec 05, 2012 10:13 pm

You can always select 'Snow Mode' by turning the DSC partly off.........or for more fun turn it completely off..... :drive:

gchristofi · Post by **gchristofi** » Wed Dec 05, 2012 10:20 pm

I find moving from D to Neutral massively helps stopping on very slippery surfaces from 10mph and under. The difference is huge as you remove forward forces from the transmission.

AW8 · Post by **AW8** » Wed Dec 05, 2012 11:02 pm

Or perhaps use HDC....... that said once it starts sliding downhill there is potential for sweat & tears.

leosayer · Post by **leosayer** » Thu Dec 06, 2012 12:06 pm

On 4 wheel drive cars, engine braking through all 4 wheels can be far more effective than foot brakes for slowing down on snow and ice. Slip the gearbox into S and select a low gear and to keep the revs high.

I haven't tried it on the X5 yet, this is my experience based on my old Audi A6 quattro.

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Thu Dec 06, 2012 12:45 pm

[quote="gchristofi"]
I find moving from D to Neutral massively helps stopping on very slippery surfaces from 10mph and under. The difference is huge as you remove forward forces from the transmission.
[/quote]

But something to be done with extreme care on an Auto. It's effectively the same as towing the car and that is a 'no no' - although probably nothing serious would happen on very short 'runs' as the engine is still running.

A few decades back (before power steering and electronic everything) one school of wisdom said turn the ignition off - just enough to stop the engine, not engage any steering locks - and let the engine braking do the work. I think it was OK on petrol models but the higher compression of diesels may have been problematic. These days the car would just go into a complete tizzy fit if you tried it!!

Jalf · Post by **Jalf** » Thu Dec 06, 2012 1:33 pm

Regular tyres in snow on nine were terrible, felt safer in a little skinny tyred fiesta, winter tyres are 100% better, really makes the 4X4 do what you'd expect.

davyk31 · Post by **davyk31** » Thu Dec 06, 2012 4:02 pm

As others have said traction to keep moving in snow isn't an issue but 2 years ago in the extreme ice my X5 was simply frightening. Just slid on at walking pace but totally out of control, stopping and steering were non-existant.

Have 19" winters now and waiting for the chance to try them out.

55NF · Post by **55NF** » Thu Dec 06, 2012 8:45 pm

Thanks for the replies - reason I ask is as this is the first 4x4 I've had. I daren't set out in the snow/ice in our 118d as that really is frightening! Reversed off the driveway last year & immediatly was stuck & couldn't get back up a very SLIGHT incline back onto it.

I'm presuming the X5 will be better than the RWD BMW's in the snow. It did seem to straighten up quite well in the ice yesterday when I gave it some welly on country roads.

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Thu Dec 06, 2012 8:56 pm

[quote="55NF"]
I daren't set out in the snow/ice in our 118d as that really is frightening! Reversed off the driveway last year & immediatly was stuck & couldn't get back up a very SLIGHT incline back onto it.
[/quote]
Sounds like our E46! Slightest hint of snow and it swaps ends with little encouragement!!!

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