mmarshall - I believe
02-28-07, 07:10 AM
#31
and ALWAYS puts snow tires on gets stuck at least 2 times a year...
Not to mention the times when he has to give up going around hilly
unplowed roads because his car won't go up that hill.
Some people with RWD cars make a mess out of winter traffic
around here. Why? Because they think they possess some special
physics defying skill that makes them great, legendary, historical
drivers
AWD+winter tires in conjunction with careful driving is the best
choice for winter driving.
02-28-07, 10:54 AM
#33
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About the tracks, this was thick slush and semi trucks were leaving good solid ground, while the other lanes were 3" of slush.
Last edited by rai; 02-28-07 at 11:03 AM.
02-28-07, 12:19 PM
#34
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We have to agree to disagree then. My friend who also has a 330i
and ALWAYS puts snow tires on gets stuck at least 2 times a year...
Not to mention the times when he has to give up going around hilly
unplowed roads because his car won't go up that hill.
Some people with RWD cars make a mess out of winter traffic
around here. Why? Because they think they possess some special
physics defying skill that makes them great, legendary, historical
drivers
AWD+winter tires in conjunction with careful driving is the best
choice for winter driving.
and ALWAYS puts snow tires on gets stuck at least 2 times a year...
Not to mention the times when he has to give up going around hilly
unplowed roads because his car won't go up that hill.
Some people with RWD cars make a mess out of winter traffic
around here. Why? Because they think they possess some special
physics defying skill that makes them great, legendary, historical
drivers
AWD+winter tires in conjunction with careful driving is the best
choice for winter driving.
I agree nothing beats AWD and the if you add in snows, you have an incredible machine. However, I'm torn by the fact that 99% of the time you just don't need AWD. Worse you burden the car with additional weight worse fuel economy. So if I have a choice, I'm probably going RWD (say Caddy STS) and putting snows on.
02-28-07, 06:26 PM
#35
Lexus Fanatic
And Incendiary, the guy who started the thread, now lives in PA, a more-severe winter region than D.C.
03-01-07, 02:40 AM
#36
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03-01-07, 06:48 AM
#37
EV ftw!!!
I agree nothing beats AWD and the if you add in snows, you have an incredible machine. However, I'm torn by the fact that 99% of the time you just don't need AWD. Worse you burden the car with additional weight worse fuel economy. So if I have a choice, I'm probably going RWD (say Caddy STS) and putting snows on.
03-01-07, 02:12 PM
#38
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A few thoughts come to mind:
1) Are your snow tires becoming worn out? Bridgestone, for instance, only uses the multi-cell compound in the top 50% (I believe it's 50) of the tread depth. Once you wear beyond that, not only do you have less tread available, but you're also down to normal tire compound, which isn't as effective as the multi-cell.
2) Your traction/stability control might need re-calibration. The '03 ZHP I had needed it during its first winter. Was fishtailing more than normal after a fresh snowfall. Dealer reprogrammed it, and everything was fine again. They'll do this under warranty.
Absolutely not true. Like I mentioned further up the thread, I drove my 330i (RWD) through several MN winters, where ice and deep snow are a very common occurance. It handled the conditions better than any FWD car (w/ all season tires) that I ever owned.
1) Are your snow tires becoming worn out? Bridgestone, for instance, only uses the multi-cell compound in the top 50% (I believe it's 50) of the tread depth. Once you wear beyond that, not only do you have less tread available, but you're also down to normal tire compound, which isn't as effective as the multi-cell.
2) Your traction/stability control might need re-calibration. The '03 ZHP I had needed it during its first winter. Was fishtailing more than normal after a fresh snowfall. Dealer reprogrammed it, and everything was fine again. They'll do this under warranty.
Absolutely not true. Like I mentioned further up the thread, I drove my 330i (RWD) through several MN winters, where ice and deep snow are a very common occurance. It handled the conditions better than any FWD car (w/ all season tires) that I ever owned.
My tires are Dunlop WinterSport M3s and they appear to have almost all of their tread depth still intact...
To be honest, the only problem I had with the BMW was fishtailing while going uphill in some snow/slush/ice. I wouldn't have thought much of it if the early 90's minivan behind me hadn't zoomed past me after I turned off onto a side street. The other issues I had were with different vehicles. I guess my experiences this winter have given me a newfound respect for AWD would be my ultimate conclusion. To say that I will only own AWD and 4WD cars from now on would be overkill.
03-01-07, 03:31 PM
#39
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Interesting about reprogramming the traction control... More fishtailing than normal was the only way you could tell something was wrong?
My tires are Dunlop WinterSport M3s and they appear to have almost all of their tread depth still intact...
To be honest, the only problem I had with the BMW was fishtailing while going uphill in some snow/slush/ice. I wouldn't have thought much of it if the early 90's minivan behind me hadn't zoomed past me after I turned off onto a side street. The other issues I had were with different vehicles. I guess my experiences this winter have given me a newfound respect for AWD would be my ultimate conclusion. To say that I will only own AWD and 4WD cars from now on would be overkill.
My tires are Dunlop WinterSport M3s and they appear to have almost all of their tread depth still intact...
To be honest, the only problem I had with the BMW was fishtailing while going uphill in some snow/slush/ice. I wouldn't have thought much of it if the early 90's minivan behind me hadn't zoomed past me after I turned off onto a side street. The other issues I had were with different vehicles. I guess my experiences this winter have given me a newfound respect for AWD would be my ultimate conclusion. To say that I will only own AWD and 4WD cars from now on would be overkill.
As MMarshall pointed out, you do live in a AWD area or at least a Blizzak WS-50 area
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