[dakine]

just wondering if anyone runs chains or cables with their xi when in really bad areas? we're going into the mountains this weekend and are expecting to encounter some heavy snow action. which wheels would you put them on (front or rear). Also, has anyone used snow cables vs snow chains? how different are they? Thanks!

[Nikolas]

Originally Posted by dakine

just wondering if anyone runs chains or cables with their xi when in really bad areas? we're going into the mountains this weekend and are expecting to encounter some heavy snow action. which wheels would you put them on (front or rear). Also, has anyone used snow cables vs snow chains? how different are they? Thanks!

I've never done that, but in theory you would need to put them on all four. You are basically increasing the tire diameter by adding chains, and I think you would have issues. What tires do you have. With snows you won't need chains.

[dakine]

i got pirelli 240 sottozeros. one of my friends went last year and had to put on his chains to make it up the hill when the weather was bad. he has a 330 or 328 xi.

[Nikolas]

Originally Posted by dakine

i got pirelli 240 sottozeros. one of my friends went last year and had to put on his chains to make it up the hill when the weather was bad. he has a 330 or 328 xi.

He must have had summer tires on then. At least in the Sierra, you only need to chain up with 4wd or Awd if R3 controls are in place. This is very rare and has not happened more than 2-3 times in the last few years. If your tires have the M+S symbol on them you will not be required to chain up. They may stop and ask if you are 4wd or Awd and that is about it.

[dakine]

I found out from a pretty reliable source that you need to mount the chains on the rear tires (if you need to use them) and turn off your traction control (or is it stability control) or both. Long story short, chains or rear tires with some sort of DTC/DSC disabled. BTW, the xi did very well in the snow this weekend without chains.

[Amdahl]

I have snow tires as well, but bought a set of the SCC Z-whatever cables, fit to my snow tire size, since California mandates you carry chains even if you meet the AWD/snowtire exception. They fit the fronts only of my summer tires (ZSP staggered), and I have tested them a few feet that way. They fit front or rear of my winter tires. However, the BMW manual says not to use chains on the front, so I don't ever plan to do that unless I get stuck with summer tires. I have never heard any 'real' explanation as to why you shouldn't put chains on the front of the 335xi, so I suspect it is two things:

1. Most cables are not like the SCC cables, and designed to a very specific tire size for low-profile spaces. They could easily damage the suspension parts behind the wheel.

2. If you only have one pair of chains, they are supposed to go on the rear of a car that has power on the rear. Probably because understeer is better than oversteer, or the rear-end swinging around on you entirely. (That happened to me once on a FWD car.)

The DSC stuff you are talking about is the DTC button. You may need to activate DTC in slippery conditions. If you are seeing the yellow traction control light flashing frequently on your dash, it is a good idea to turn DTC on. Otherwise, the car just wears the brakes trying to keep a wheel from slipping on snow. A futile effort in many situations.

Myself, I don't hit the DTC button since the snow tires provide enough traction that I want full nanny-power when they really do start slipping.

[AWD Addict]

In deep or packed snow, I don't even think studs are necessary on the xi, nevermind chains.

Get a nice set of true snow tires, and you'll be fine.

Despite what I would call a less than optimal AWD setup, with the DSC off, this car if very well balanced and predictable in harsh winter conditions.

[dakine]

Thanks for the responses! I ordered a set of Thule chains and will keep them in the car for that "just-in-case" situation.