Winter Driving Technique

Fegelein · 10-25-2018, 07:26 AM

So woke up today and was in a frisky mood, so I pushed my M1 button.

That's gives me all sport plus, DSC off and transmission in D2. I noticed the car was very squirrelly on the road and sure enough, the low temp chime went off and it was 35 outside. So I put the DSC mode on and steering and suspension on comfort. I did order snows for the winter, but how are you all figuring on setting up the car for driving in snow? Tranny wise, I'm from the school of always being in a lower gear to properly get "bite", so I would like at least D2 and if real bad, i'd go S2 mode for most control. It's the other settings that are tricky, how would you all dial in the engine, suspension and steering? I'm thinking sport engine and comfort for the rest?

saxguy · 10-25-2018, 03:07 PM

Just my opinion, but as the weather starts to get really cold I think tires make more of a difference than anything. The compound on our tires will get really hard in the cold and grip won't be great, even with AWD.

marcvtec · 10-25-2018, 04:08 PM

I just put on my pirelli sotos series 2 on my OEM 20 inch wheels.

As for settings i don't know yet probably everything lvl 1 (comfort)
Depends on the amount of snow i would drive in.
If it is a dry cold day probably sport, but leaving on the traction nannies and stuff, unless I'm stuck or need some traction, or play time

kdeleon · 10-25-2018, 04:28 PM

I'm thinking to make sure DSC is on and a lighter right foot. If in D mode, it might have to be a lower number so it doesn't downshift as aggressively and suddenly lose traction. But if it is that bad, then maybe manual mode.

phefner · 10-25-2018, 04:41 PM

May want to check the rated temps on your tires. Some of these street tires shouldn't be driven when temps dip below 45 f.

marcvtec · 10-25-2018, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdeleon

I'm thinking to make sure DSC is on and a lighter right foot. If in D mode, it might have to be a lower number so it doesn't downshift as aggressively and suddenly lose traction. But if it is that bad, then maybe manual mode.

Bingo - completely agree.

Fegelein · 10-25-2018, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcvtec

Bingo - completely agree.

This is a good point! Aggressive downshifts will definitely compromise traction. I think if caught in a real serious storm (as we all will be soon enough), I think hanging in manual gears as long as possible, will afford the best "bite" in the snow.

Pimpsy · 10-25-2018, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fegelein

This is a good point! Aggressive downshifts will definitely compromise traction. I think if caught in a real serious storm (as we all will be soon enough), I think hanging in manual gears as long as possible, will afford the best "bite" in the snow.

I think the problem is more the cold than the snow (not that snow won't compound the problem...) Once the temp is below 40F, summer tires get hard as a rock. Best case scenario is you drive carefully and get home safely but if something were to happen things could go bad very, very quickly.

marcvtec · 10-25-2018, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pimpsy

I think the problem is more the cold than the snow (not that snow won't compound the problem...) Once the temp is below 40F, summer tires get hard as a rock. Best case scenario is you drive carefully and get home safely but if something were to happen things could go bad very, very quickly.

Dude he is not talking about summer tires.
Wow, people really need to read.

marcvtec · 10-25-2018, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fegelein

This is a good point! Aggressive downshifts will definitely compromise traction. I think if caught in a real serious storm (as we all will be soon enough), I think hanging in manual gears as long as possible, will afford the best "bite" in the snow.

Ya man, I'll send you some pics when half my rim is covered in deep snow - welcome to canada !

Fegelein · 10-26-2018, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcvtec

Dude he is not talking about summer tires.
Wow, people really need to read.

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcvtec

Ya man, I'll send you some pics when half my rim is covered in deep snow - welcome to canada !

We have a Nor'easter coming in this weekend, going to affect you at all?

marcvtec · 10-26-2018, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fegelein

We have a Nor'easter coming in this weekend, going to affect you at all?

Looks like only rain with a chance of snow temps around 4 degrees celsius

Fegelein · 10-26-2018, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcvtec

Looks like only rain with a chance of snow temps around 4 degrees celsius

Yup, temps will be up, but I did hear of some potential for snow in Upstate NY. Changes like the Weather...

Fegelein · 11-01-2018, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fegelein

Yup, temps will be up, but I did hear of some potential for snow in Upstate NY. Changes like the Weather...

The Nor'easter was a bust and today it's 70! Go figure....

GUNGASLOW · 11-01-2018, 02:39 PM

I’m gonna use my stock summer tires for snow.. AWD and going slow I’ll be fine

CanuckinVancouver · 11-01-2018, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GUNGASLOW

I’m gonna use my stock summer tires for snow.. AWD and going slow I’ll be fine

You're a brave man. I endured 2 brutal Boston winters back in the day and know that you guys can get tons of snow and sleet. I bought Pirelli Sottozeroes for driving my F90 in winter, AWD be damned.

Fegelein · 11-01-2018, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanuckinVancouver

You're a brave man. I endured 2 brutal Boston winters back in the day and know that you guys can get tons of snow and sleet. I bought Pirelli Sottozeroes for driving my F90 in winter, AWD be damned.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GUNGASLOW

I’m gonna use my stock summer tires for snow.. AWD and going slow I’ll be fine

GUNG,
you are bonkers! The AWD on this M5, wasn't meant to be driven like a x-drive, it's all about grip / performance. What's the big deal in slapping down under $2k, so you can safely drive the car in snow? I have my set coming in from Tire Rack next week or so....

Canuck,
Agreed and same here, S2s are coming!

onfireX5 · 11-01-2018, 06:15 PM

Under 40F the tread gets very hard and slick. Stopping quickly becomes a major issue. Accel traction goes away. Been there, done that. Not anymore.

wanesso · 11-01-2018, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fegelein

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fegelein

Yup, temps will be up, but I did hear of some potential for snow in Upstate NY. Changes like the Weather...

The Nor'easter was a bust and today it's 70! Go figure....

Winter is coming in central NY which is way different than NYC. Still trying to sort out which rims and snow tires are best in real winter with cold and snow for the M5. It's still at the nj port waiting for me...mixed reviews— but no one has experienced a winter with this car, don't like the crap shoot

GUNGASLOW · 11-01-2018, 06:39 PM

When will somebody make an all season tire for the stock rims??

Ever34 · 11-01-2018, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GUNGASLOW

I'm gonna use my stock summer tires for snow.. AWD and going slow I'll be fine

That would not cut it up here in Canada.

Fegelein · 11-02-2018, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wanesso

Winter is coming in central NY which is way different than NYC. Still trying to sort out which rims and snow tires are best in real winter with cold and snow for the M5. It's still at the nj port waiting for me...mixed reviews— but no one has experienced a winter with this car, don't like the crap shoot

I'm actually based in Westchester now, so it get's bad up here. I'm like 30 miles north of Yankee Stadium. My friend slapped Sotto Zero's on his M3 and said they worked great, even w/ rear wheel..

10-25-2018, 07:26 AM	#1
Fegelein Major 519 Rep 1,367 Posts Drives: 2021 X5 M50i Join Date: May 2018 Location: NYC Metro area iTrader: (0)	Winter Driving Technique So woke up today and was in a frisky mood, so I pushed my M1 button. That's gives me all sport plus, DSC off and transmission in D2. I noticed the car was very squirrelly on the road and sure enough, the low temp chime went off and it was 35 outside. So I put the DSC mode on and steering and suspension on comfort. I did order snows for the winter, but how are you all figuring on setting up the car for driving in snow? Tranny wise, I'm from the school of always being in a lower gear to properly get "bite", so I would like at least D2 and if real bad, i'd go S2 mode for most control. It's the other settings that are tricky, how would you all dial in the engine, suspension and steering? I'm thinking sport engine and comfort for the rest?
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10-25-2018, 03:07 PM	#2
saxguy Private 39 Rep 95 Posts Drives: 2018 F90 M5 Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Central NJ iTrader: (0)	Just my opinion, but as the weather starts to get really cold I think tires make more of a difference than anything. The compound on our tires will get really hard in the cold and grip won't be great, even with AWD.
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10-25-2018, 04:08 PM	#3
marcvtec Banned 408 Rep 2,704 Posts Drives: M5 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: toronto iTrader: (0)	I just put on my pirelli sotos series 2 on my OEM 20 inch wheels. As for settings i don't know yet probably everything lvl 1 (comfort) Depends on the amount of snow i would drive in. If it is a dry cold day probably sport, but leaving on the traction nannies and stuff, unless I'm stuck or need some traction, or play time
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10-25-2018, 04:28 PM	#4
kdeleon Second Lieutenant 94 Rep 249 Posts Drives: M5 Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Chicagoland iTrader: (0)	I'm thinking to make sure DSC is on and a lighter right foot. If in D mode, it might have to be a lower number so it doesn't downshift as aggressively and suddenly lose traction. But if it is that bad, then maybe manual mode.
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10-25-2018, 04:41 PM	#5
phefner Lieutenant 374 Rep 418 Posts Drives: F30 340, F80 M3 Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	May want to check the rated temps on your tires. Some of these street tires shouldn't be driven when temps dip below 45 f. __________________ Quietly Effective
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11-01-2018, 02:39 PM	#15
GUNGASLOW Banned 192 Rep 390 Posts Drives: 2019 M5 Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Salem MA iTrader: (0)	I’m gonna use my stock summer tires for snow.. AWD and going slow I’ll be fine
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11-01-2018, 06:15 PM	#18
onfireX5 Brigadier General 3620 Rep 4,532 Posts Drives: F90M5,F85X5M Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Va iTrader: (0)	Under 40F the tread gets very hard and slick. Stopping quickly becomes a major issue. Accel traction goes away. Been there, done that. Not anymore.
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11-01-2018, 06:39 PM	#20
GUNGASLOW Banned 192 Rep 390 Posts Drives: 2019 M5 Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Salem MA iTrader: (0)	When will somebody make an all season tire for the stock rims??
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