Snow preparation

[Z4SpPD]

Apart from the winter tyres. What other preparation would you advise me to do if I would like to drive under snow or freezing. Anything particular I must watch out for? :!:

 

[ronk]

For personal survival - Warm clothes/boots in the car, food and water.
The car - A shovel, ensure a healthy fuel level, windscreen wash / de icer
Tell people your route and eta. and a mobile phone fully charged.

 

[Mark555]

Other drivers, pedestrians, trees, brick walls, kerbs, hills, rivers etc, etc, etc

 

[firebobby]

Just break out the 4x4

 

[andy.c]

Remember to turn the traction control off and use a higher gear than you would drive normally and enjoy
the low speed rear end sliding

 

[firebobby]

You could get some snow socks, like these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AUTOSOCK-600-HIGH-PERFORMANCE-SNOW-SOCKS-WINTER-TRACTION-AID-/252071458561?hash=item3ab0a13701:g:SlwAAOSwjVVV3uXo

 

[Z4SpPD]

I know it sounds silly as a question but I rarely drive on bad weather conditions

 

[Liam-O]

In all seriousness, if it snows, don't even try...

If main roads are salted and gritted, you might be tempted, but the side roads will catch you out, and you suddenly realise just how steep some hills are!

Otherwise, Ronk has you covered!

 

[Mike6]

I would always recommend a spare pair of pants if you are doing any hazardous driving.

 

[cj10jeeper]

Zed is about the worst car possible for snow and ice. Low slung that makes it a snow plough, rear wheel drive, too powerful and low profile tyres. and usually summer tyres. Do as suggested and get the 4x4 out.

That said if you must (as I must ) take all the precautions as listed above, but then the morning it snows go find a place like this and learn to slide, control, stop and get going, until you have absolute confidence.
I've used this local car park and taught both my daughters the same and they don't fear bad weather.

Once you've mastered the car then just get out and enjoy:

Just remember - you cannot defy the laws of physics as this girl discovered on the same road and time as I was driving in the previous shot...

 

[Hilly30si]

I will just get the Navara out. Problem solved

 

[buzyg]

Move to Cornwall. Hardly ever snows here, apart from on the Moors.

 

[ronk]

4wd isn't always the answer either!

I stayed in Chiavenna in northern Italy - the owner of the hotel had a Range Rover Sport on ordinary tyres - he wouldn't take it out in the snow.

 

[ben g]

Drove my z4 in snow with no issue's. Our focus we had at the time couldn't get out of the close, so we took my car.

You basically sit on the rear tyres in the Z4 so the weight is at the perfect place for traction.

Now i'm not saying drive in 1 foot of snow, because you wouldn't, but it will manage a few inches perfectly fine.

 

[ronk]

You basically sit on the rear tyres in the Z4 so the weight is at the perfect place for traction.

I thought BMW boasted of a 50:50 weight distribution ?

 

[ben g]

It is. The bloody great engine at the front counteract's the fat people sitting at the back :lol:

 

[nightyard]

Winter tyres and load the boot full of weight

 

[cj10jeeper]

Yes it does (almost) RWD is useless in snow not only because there's little weight on the driven wheels compared with the engine over fwd cars, but also lacks the ability to turn the driven wheels to get bite and cut into snow.
In the good old days people used to put a bag or so of sand or spuds in the boot in bad weather.