What is the best mode to be in while driving in snow..

M3Newbie88 · 12-19-2008, 09:47 AM

Ok so for those in Toronto.. today we got hit with a big snow storm.. probably going to be around 20 cms.. and more to come during the weekend.. now I was up in Vaughn for a meeting while it was coming down hard.. i left there around 10:00am and was driving back on the 407 to Markham.. once I got off to the locals I kept slipping and sliding especially when I stop and go.. mind you I have winter tires..

What mode would be the best you guys think.. everything on.. DTC.. or nothing on?

warmtoes · 12-19-2008, 10:03 AM

If you're going on a flat road I would leave everything on. I found that going up a steep hill I needed to turn everything off as the nanny's were killing my momentum and I could more than adequately counter steer to keep me relatively straight.

Bahuba · 12-19-2008, 10:11 AM

At higher speeds I always leave everything on. At slower speeds with alot of snow on the roads I may use DTC mode to help with the launches. With the slower speeds, as warmtoes said, there's plenty of time to counter steer.

ZIPNBYE · 12-19-2008, 10:12 AM

Agreed...higher speeds -- leave everything on.

JC Jai · 12-19-2008, 10:37 AM

so press the DTC button to turn it on or is it on by not pressing the button ?

warmtoes · 12-19-2008, 12:14 PM

DSC is disengaged and DTC is engaged by pressing the button once. It will show up on your center display.

To turn it all off you need to hold the button down for a few seconds and you will see a triangle warning sign. That tells you DSC and DTC are off.

desmat · 12-19-2008, 12:32 PM

I found Bahuba's method to be the best till now.

M3Newbie88 · 12-19-2008, 03:15 PM

Cool.. thats what I did.. god advice guys.. as winter snow hits us hard hope everyone drives safely and make sure to be prepared

jps · 12-19-2008, 04:38 PM

I agree with Bahuba...
Standard setup while cruising (don't touch anything), DTC on while taking off from a stop (press the button once). DTC allows a little more slippage to occur so you can actually move but not too much were you just sit there and spin out.
My drive home at 3PM today from the very NW GTA to Etobicoke took me 1.25 hours compared to the normal 0.5 hours - kinda bitter sweet.

shiccobm · 12-20-2008, 02:30 AM

i had everything on myself and i must say i was pretty impressed how the car handled for a rear wheel(its my first rear wheel) it does fish tail a bit and it goes back into control right away.
i love it. i have the good year nordics on and they are great in all aspects . i drove on snow , slush,rain and freezing rain and i give it 10/10 .i must add, i love driving in snow

Lester · 12-20-2008, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warmtoes

DSC is disengaged and DTC is engaged by pressing the button once. It will show up on your center display.

To turn it all off you need to hold the button down for a few seconds and you will see a triangle warning sign. That tells you DSC and DTC are off.

DTC is a 'DSC light' - you are telling the computer that you are in slippery conditions so it will allow for some wheel spinning without toatally cutting power to the engine. With DSC/DTC off, and the triangle warning sign (TIM YOYO mode) - only the e-diff is active. This will apply braking to the spinning rear wheel.

looking · 12-20-2008, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1LazyBmw

Ok so for those in Toronto.. today we got hit with a big snow storm.. probably going to be around 20 cms.. and more to come during the weekend.. now I was up in Vaughn for a meeting while it was coming down hard.. i left there around 10:00am and was driving back on the 407 to Markham.. once I got off to the locals I kept slipping and sliding especially when I stop and go.. mind you I have winter tires..

What mode would be the best you guys think.. everything on.. DTC.. or nothing on?

What winters do you have on?

I'm using gislaved nord frost 5 and have very little slipping and sliding, even in unplowed side roads and through a crazy montreal storm.

M3Newbie88 · 12-20-2008, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by excel

What winters do you have on?

I'm using gislaved nord frost 5 and have very little slipping and sliding, even in unplowed side roads and through a crazy montreal storm.

Dunlop Winter Sport 3D's... the one that tirerack recommended lol.. maybe its all the extra ponies I have haha jk jk

ZIPNBYE · 12-20-2008, 10:17 AM

Nokian Hakkapeliitta 5 (studded) here. Excellent bite.

looking · 12-20-2008, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1LazyBmw

Dunlop Winter Sport 3D's... the one that tirerack recommended lol.. maybe its all the extra ponies I have haha jk jk

hahaha so much for winter performance eh? LOL

M3Newbie88 · 12-20-2008, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by excel

hahaha so much for winter performance eh? LOL

Tell me about it... gotta rethink for next year haha..

1Ronnie · 12-20-2008, 10:18 PM

I'm really starting to regret not having winters on, but here in Vancouver you generally don't need them. This evening I pulled in to snow on the side of the road, when I pulled away, the back wheels just didn't do anyting. First time I've had to hit the DTC button, I think I would have been quite concerned if I hadn't been handing around here and known that is exactly what it's for.

looking · 12-21-2008, 02:14 AM

^^^

I don't want to be the guy that preaches, besides I'm sure you know this already....But just in case you didn't know, all-season tires lose their grip at 7C, summer tires way above that (I'm assuming 10-15C). I see you're in Vancouver, and I know it drops below 7C there. So, regardless of weather there is snow on the ground, if the temp in your area drops below 7C it's a good idea to get winters. Now, if you don't get snow all the time, "performance" winter might be the way to go, instead of dedicated winters.

Also, did you know that cars with winters on stop 25-40% shorter than a car that doesn't have winters? That's enough to prevent an accident, yes there's a larger up front fee but 1 fender bender and you're looking at more money down the line (repairs and the biggie, insurance!).

One more thing, did you know that people with winters on get into 40% less accidents during the winter?

Tires are the only thing that connect your car to the road, I don't know why people always try to skimp on them (not referring to you 1Ronnie, it's a general observation). They're one of the easiest mods to improve your car and a relatively cheap mod. People like to blow $300+ on an intake or $2000 on chips and exhaust, then go and put crap tires on, I just don't get it? great tires will help you tap more of the cars performance then just simply upping the hp. I don't know many dirvers out there that can drive a 300hp car to it's full potential, let alone a 350+ hp car. Save the money on intakes and the like, and put it into good tires first, you'll be amazed how much your car will change.

Cooldaddygroove · 12-21-2008, 01:21 PM

All good advice, now just try and find snow tires in Vancouver. Quebec has sucked up all the supply, unless of course you are looking for a 16 x 185 skinny for example.

looking · 12-21-2008, 03:29 PM

^^

Ya, I've heard it's tough to get snows in van now. Not only is it tough to get them but, the places that have tires left are charging an arm and a leg....Econ 101 supply and demand!

M3Newbie88 · 12-21-2008, 05:40 PM

Thats why I got mine very early.. its mandated now in Quebec so that takes up all the stock.. and from Toronto just 2 snow storms and so many accidents I totally think winter tires are a must.

1Ronnie · 12-22-2008, 12:03 AM

To be honest, it's got so bad here, I've stopped driving the 1er, it's now a big pile of snow out on the front driveway. I hope boarders don't start using it as a slope !!

The AWD is the only way to get around right now. I've seen a few interesting close calls in the last 24 hours here.

12-19-2008, 09:47 AM	#1
M3Newbie88 Brigadier General 138 Rep 4,053 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Canada iTrader: (5)	What is the best mode to be in while driving in snow.. Ok so for those in Toronto.. today we got hit with a big snow storm.. probably going to be around 20 cms.. and more to come during the weekend.. now I was up in Vaughn for a meeting while it was coming down hard.. i left there around 10:00am and was driving back on the 407 to Markham.. once I got off to the locals I kept slipping and sliding especially when I stop and go.. mind you I have winter tires.. What mode would be the best you guys think.. everything on.. DTC.. or nothing on?
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12-19-2008, 10:03 AM	#2
warmtoes Lieutenant Colonel 31 Rep 1,917 Posts Drives: EBII 435i xDrive Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (1)	If you're going on a flat road I would leave everything on. I found that going up a steep hill I needed to turn everything off as the nanny's were killing my momentum and I could more than adequately counter steer to keep me relatively straight. __________________ *2014 EBII 435i xDrive M-sport* Gone: 2011 TiAg F25 X3 xDrive35i M-sport Gone: 2008 TiAg w/Coral Red E88 135i Cab M-sport
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12-19-2008, 10:11 AM	#3
Bahuba Private First Class 20 Rep 179 Posts Drives: MR 2014 M235i Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Ottawa, Canada iTrader: (0)	At higher speeds I always leave everything on. At slower speeds with alot of snow on the roads I may use DTC mode to help with the launches. With the slower speeds, as warmtoes said, there's plenty of time to counter steer.
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12-19-2008, 10:12 AM	#4
ZIPNBYE Let's save military ranks for those who earn it! 45 Rep 1,161 Posts Drives: ...on the Ragged Edge Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada iTrader: (6) Garage List 2013 BMW e92 M3 Cou ... [7.50] 2013 BMW e84 X1 xDr ... [7.00]	Agreed...higher speeds -- leave everything on. __________________ Richard 2013 BMW M3 Individual -- Fire Orange (sold) 2013 BMW X1 xDrive35i M-Sport -- Valencia Orange (sold) 2011 BMW 1-series M Coupe (#205/220) -- Valencia Orange (sold) 2009 BMW 135i M-Sport Coupe -- Space Grey (sold)
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12-19-2008, 10:37 AM	#5
JC Jai E.I.T 5 Rep 155 Posts Drives: Join Date: May 2008 iTrader: (0)	Everything on... so press the DTC button to turn it on or is it on by not pressing the button ?
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12-19-2008, 12:14 PM	#6
warmtoes Lieutenant Colonel 31 Rep 1,917 Posts Drives: EBII 435i xDrive Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (1)	DSC is disengaged and DTC is engaged by pressing the button once. It will show up on your center display. To turn it all off you need to hold the button down for a few seconds and you will see a triangle warning sign. That tells you DSC and DTC are off. __________________ *2014 EBII 435i xDrive M-sport* Gone: 2011 TiAg F25 X3 xDrive35i M-sport Gone: 2008 TiAg w/Coral Red E88 135i Cab M-sport
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12-19-2008, 12:32 PM	#7
desmat First Lieutenant 37 Rep 311 Posts Drives: F31 M Sport Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Montreal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 F31 M Sport [0.00]	I found Bahuba's method to be the best till now.
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12-19-2008, 03:15 PM	#8
M3Newbie88 Brigadier General 138 Rep 4,053 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Canada iTrader: (5)	Cool.. thats what I did.. god advice guys.. as winter snow hits us hard hope everyone drives safely and make sure to be prepared
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12-19-2008, 04:38 PM	#9
jps Private 5 Rep 78 Posts Drives: JB 128i Coupe Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: GTA iTrader: (0)	I agree with Bahuba... Standard setup while cruising (don't touch anything), DTC on while taking off from a stop (press the button once). DTC allows a little more slippage to occur so you can actually move but not too much were you just sit there and spin out. My drive home at 3PM today from the very NW GTA to Etobicoke took me 1.25 hours compared to the normal 0.5 hours - kinda bitter sweet.
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12-20-2008, 02:30 AM	#10
shiccobm Neo 10 Rep 161 Posts Drives: 2007 335I Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: GTA iTrader: (0)	i had everything on myself and i must say i was pretty impressed how the car handled for a rear wheel(its my first rear wheel) it does fish tail a bit and it goes back into control right away. i love it. i have the good year nordics on and they are great in all aspects . i drove on snow , slush,rain and freezing rain and i give it 10/10 .i must add, i love driving in snow __________________ Road 1'er
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12-20-2008, 10:17 AM	#14
ZIPNBYE Let's save military ranks for those who earn it! 45 Rep 1,161 Posts Drives: ...on the Ragged Edge Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada iTrader: (6) Garage List 2013 BMW e92 M3 Cou ... [7.50] 2013 BMW e84 X1 xDr ... [7.00]	Nokian Hakkapeliitta 5 (studded) here. Excellent bite. __________________ Richard 2013 BMW M3 Individual -- Fire Orange (sold) 2013 BMW X1 xDrive35i M-Sport -- Valencia Orange (sold) 2011 BMW 1-series M Coupe (#205/220) -- Valencia Orange (sold) 2009 BMW 135i M-Sport Coupe -- Space Grey (sold)
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12-20-2008, 10:18 PM	#17
1Ronnie Ronnie 15 Rep 556 Posts Drives: '08 Sedona 128i Join Date: May 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC iTrader: (0)	I'm really starting to regret not having winters on, but here in Vancouver you generally don't need them. This evening I pulled in to snow on the side of the road, when I pulled away, the back wheels just didn't do anyting. First time I've had to hit the DTC button, I think I would have been quite concerned if I hadn't been handing around here and known that is exactly what it's for. __________________ "Lucy" 128i / Sedona Red / Coral Red / Premium Package / Premium Sound
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12-21-2008, 02:14 AM	#18
looking Captain 36 Rep 602 Posts Drives: 135 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: GTA iTrader: (0)	^^^ I don't want to be the guy that preaches, besides I'm sure you know this already....But just in case you didn't know, all-season tires lose their grip at 7C, summer tires way above that (I'm assuming 10-15C). I see you're in Vancouver, and I know it drops below 7C there. So, regardless of weather there is snow on the ground, if the temp in your area drops below 7C it's a good idea to get winters. Now, if you don't get snow all the time, "performance" winter might be the way to go, instead of dedicated winters. Also, did you know that cars with winters on stop 25-40% shorter than a car that doesn't have winters? That's enough to prevent an accident, yes there's a larger up front fee but 1 fender bender and you're looking at more money down the line (repairs and the biggie, insurance!). One more thing, did you know that people with winters on get into 40% less accidents during the winter? Tires are the only thing that connect your car to the road, I don't know why people always try to skimp on them (not referring to you 1Ronnie, it's a general observation). They're one of the easiest mods to improve your car and a relatively cheap mod. People like to blow $300+ on an intake or $2000 on chips and exhaust, then go and put crap tires on, I just don't get it? great tires will help you tap more of the cars performance then just simply upping the hp. I don't know many dirvers out there that can drive a 300hp car to it's full potential, let alone a 350+ hp car. Save the money on intakes and the like, and put it into good tires first, you'll be amazed how much your car will change.
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12-21-2008, 01:21 PM	#19
Cooldaddygroove First Lieutenant 12 Rep 308 Posts Drives: Join Date: Sep 2008 iTrader: (0)	All good advice, now just try and find snow tires in Vancouver. Quebec has sucked up all the supply, unless of course you are looking for a 16 x 185 skinny for example.
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12-21-2008, 03:29 PM	#20
looking Captain 36 Rep 602 Posts Drives: 135 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: GTA iTrader: (0)	^^ Ya, I've heard it's tough to get snows in van now. Not only is it tough to get them but, the places that have tires left are charging an arm and a leg....Econ 101 supply and demand!
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12-21-2008, 05:40 PM	#21
M3Newbie88 Brigadier General 138 Rep 4,053 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Canada iTrader: (5)	Thats why I got mine very early.. its mandated now in Quebec so that takes up all the stock.. and from Toronto just 2 snow storms and so many accidents I totally think winter tires are a must.
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12-22-2008, 12:03 AM	#22
1Ronnie Ronnie 15 Rep 556 Posts Drives: '08 Sedona 128i Join Date: May 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC iTrader: (0)	To be honest, it's got so bad here, I've stopped driving the 1er, it's now a big pile of snow out on the front driveway. I hope boarders don't start using it as a slope !! The AWD is the only way to get around right now. I've seen a few interesting close calls in the last 24 hours here. __________________ "Lucy" 128i / Sedona Red / Coral Red / Premium Package / Premium Sound
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