Driving a steptronic auto in the snow!

GazHyde

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Went out this afternoon with no snow, and came home to 2 inches. Caught out with that, because I would have taken the Cooper if I had known :ymblushing:

For once, I managed to get a BMW up the hill I live on when it's covered in snow :x Granted the TC light was on solid, and she was sliding around like a good un, but she made it :x

I've had plenty of auto's before but not really had to drive one in snow. With the steptronic box, what's the best mode to select. Obviously I only had one shot at the hill, so I chose M2 (manual 2nd gear). In the manual Z3 I would have tried 3rd to try and stop the rears slipping, but it kept changing straight back to 2nd.

Would D have been better, and just let it get on with it?
 

D C

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I think you did the right thing, my 5 series steptronic was a nightmare in snow as are all rear wheel drive auto's I've owned.
Turning off traction control seemed to help me slightly and nudging it in to third as soon as I could, though as you say it couldn't wait to change down. I assume winter tyres would be a benifit though I never had them fitted.
Dave.
 

Titan

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My 5 has a similar box and I normally leave it in D letting the electronic gizmos do their stuff.
Shortly after getting the car I reversed down into a grass/mud field gate to turn round. It wouldn't move at first but I eventually floored the throttle. After a spectacular light display on the dash she pulled clear. The only problem was a lot of said mud and grass spread over the rear third of the car!


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Boysie

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Automatic and snow dont mix
i have seen some amusing sights over the years
with people driving auto's
i even saw a bloke with his door open and his foot out
 

HornelZ3M

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You should have bought the Z3M because i never have any problem driving in the snow. 8-}
 

Phil

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My son drove home along the A45 which was snowbound. First drive where his winter tyres came into their own.
His verdict - awesome. He couldnt believe how good the traction and handling were.
 

Zed Carer

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Boysie said:
Automatic and snow dont mix
i have seen some amusing sights over the years
with people driving auto's
i even saw a bloke with his door open and his foot out
Most don't but on our Citroen C5 Auto next to the selector there are 2 buttons: one marked "S" for Sports mode but the other just has a picture of a Snowflake. Last year we were one of the first cars out and up the hill we live on (after 3 days of being snowed in) thanks to the Snow Button. It appears to increase the tickover slightly and uses the ABS and Traction Control differently - very slow but once out it just crawled it's way up the hill. After 7 hours of snow this evening I think that my wife is resigned to the fact that she will probably be taking the Citroen to work on Monday and not the Z4.
 

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Boysie said:
Automatic and snow dont mix
i have seen some amusing sights over the years
with people driving auto's
i even saw a bloke with his door open and his foot out
That is what STEPtronic is all about :))
 

Jamezee

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I must admit i tried my steponit 3 series touring 98bc today in the Glossop snow. It did great, a bit of sense and careful driving ...no problem Mr Snow. :coolsteer)
 

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I used to turn the traction off on hills as I found it sometimes just brought the car to a stop.

Sport mode, foot to the floor and opposite lock is always fun :D

My e39 and e36's (manual and auto) didn't care much for the snow with the traction on so would turn it off and drive according to conditions. I do recall the e39 (auto) changing up and the back end started to compete with the front which was entertaining on a downward slope
 

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Btw, I only see snow now in your pics so post a bunch as I miss the snow but not the cold :D
 

GazHyde

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Thanks all. The snow has largely gone this morning replaced with ice...

I think if it happens again, I'll try the same again, but for now the Cooper is the weapon of choice. Nice skinny tyres and torquey diesel engine.

Winter tyres seem a great idea, but I don't really want to drive in this weather. It's not me, it's the other idiots out. From my bedroom window, I get to see everyone arriving at a junction carrying far more speed than is sensible or safe. That's on a housing estate too.

Paul, has your M even seen snow? ;)
 

hard top

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Auto + winter tyres = no problems what so ever.
Had snow here since Friday and I have to do daft things to get the back end out of line. B-)
 

Titan

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hard top said:
I have to do daft things to get the back end out of line. B-)
well you should find that quite easy !!!


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HornelZ3M said:
GazHyde said:
Paul, has your M even seen snow? ;)


I did open the garage door and say , you dont want to go out in that do you ;)
haha like it. I remember going down the M11, roof down and still had snow on the boot after 70 miles of driving.
 

DangerousDave

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3 top tips for driving on snow...

Anticipate
Anticipate
Anticipate

2 useful tips...

Don't use your brakes and don't stop your wheels rolling.
 
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