Low profile tires in the snow

deathwish · 01-15-2011, 07:39 AM

I have a 2010 335d (with 18" Light alloy Double-spoke wheels style 195-with performance run-flat tires). This is my first car with low profile rims. BMW clearly states the obvious: "Performance tires are not recommended for driving in snow & ice".

I recently verified this by getting stuck on 4 poorly plowed blocks for over an hour.

I won't try that again but my problem is this: If I am on an even moderately icy or slushy road & I am accelerating the car seems to be pulling to the left all of the time. I haven't experienced anything like this since my first car.. a 1991 Nissan 240sx. That car did not even have a limited slip diff. Why do I still get the pull to the left with the DSC enabled? It is highly predictable & as soon as I let off the accelerator it straightens out immediately but why does it always pull to one side?

HighlandPete · 01-15-2011, 08:03 AM

It is probably as simple as grip levels being different side to side. Winter tires will sort that out.

Performance summer tires and snow, slush and/or ice just don't work. RWD cars, particularly with wide section tires, are typically worse than average FWD cars.

HighlandPete

cssnms · 01-15-2011, 08:33 AM

Get rid of those crappy RFT's and buy a set of good all season tires. I am running 225/35 front and 265/30 rear Conti DWS and these tires have performed admirably in the snow. Another option for you is to get a set of dedicated snow tires that you have to swap out between seasons.

I335 · 01-15-2011, 09:12 AM

Dedicated snows is the ONLY way to go with these cars in the snowy areas. Anything less is just asking for trouble...

deathwish · 01-15-2011, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

It is probably as simple as grip levels being different side to side. Winter tires will sort that out.

Performance summer tires and snow, slush and/or ice just don't work. RWD cars, particularly with wide section tires, are typically worse than average FWD cars.

HighlandPete

I was thinking about that... probably more sluch ice on the left side of the road where cars are parked.

deathwish · 01-15-2011, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cssnms

Get rid of those crappy RFT's and buy a set of good all season tires. I am running 225/35 front and 265/30 rear Conti DWS and these tires have performed admirably in the snow. Another option for you is to get a set of dedicated snow tires that you have to swap out between seasons.

I heard that the RFTs give a less comfortable ride but didn't think they were worse performance wise. I can't afford to stop & change a flat... and I seem to get alot of them. The tire insurance has come in handy.

deathwish · 01-15-2011, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I335

Dedicated snows is the ONLY way to go with these cars in the snowy areas. Anything less is just asking for trouble...

Looks like it's unanimous for the dedicated snows. Only problem is that the BMW tire insurance probably wouldn't transfer to the snows.

Thanks for all of the quick replies.

cssnms · 01-15-2011, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deathwish

I heard that the RFTs give a less comfortable ride but didn't think they were worse performance wise. I can't afford to stop & change a flat... and I seem to get alot of them. The tire insurance has come in handy.

RFT's are inferior in almost every way. I combat the flat tire issue by carring the Continental Comfort Kit with me and by having AAA in case something more severe goes wrong.

tony20009 · 01-15-2011, 11:43 AM

IF you don't do snows, you may want to keep a set of chains in your trunk for emergencies. I wouldn't recommend chains on summer tires, but one does what one must in certain cases.

Definitely get yourself a winter set of wheels shod with winter tires.

roundle · 01-15-2011, 01:15 PM

You should switch to winter tires when the temp drops below 42F...

Professor///M · 01-15-2011, 02:14 PM

If you want to waste your money, get all season tires. They'll be just good enough when you need them. They still won't be good enough when you're in a bind.

If you want a good investment, get snow tires and rotate with your summer tires. You'll want to put those winter tires on as the temp drops, as stated above.

fdriller9 · 01-15-2011, 03:13 PM

I wouldn't get a set of new tires now but for next year......you can do what I do. Keep my stock wheels with snows and put them on in the winter. When summer comes around, I mount my Breytons with summers.

The pulling can also be from under inflated tires. I had some really bad torque steer a month ago because the temperature fluctuated a good 30 degrees in 2 days. So each tire, at each corner lost 10psi and my car didn't tell me because I have FTM which uses the ABS sensors to calculate the rotational diameter of the wheel.

01-15-2011, 07:39 AM	#1
deathwish Private 25 Rep 64 Posts Drives: 2010 335D Sport iDrive Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: New York, USA iTrader: (0)	Low profile tires in the snow I have a 2010 335d (with 18" Light alloy Double-spoke wheels style 195-with performance run-flat tires). This is my first car with low profile rims. BMW clearly states the obvious: "Performance tires are not recommended for driving in snow & ice". I recently verified this by getting stuck on 4 poorly plowed blocks for over an hour. I won't try that again but my problem is this: If I am on an even moderately icy or slushy road & I am accelerating the car seems to be pulling to the left all of the time. I haven't experienced anything like this since my first car.. a 1991 Nissan 240sx. That car did not even have a limited slip diff. Why do I still get the pull to the left with the DSC enabled? It is highly predictable & as soon as I let off the accelerator it straightens out immediately but why does it always pull to one side?
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01-15-2011, 08:03 AM	#2
HighlandPete Lieutenant General 6563 Rep 15,856 Posts Drives: BMW F11 535i Touring Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Scotland, Highland Region iTrader: (0)	It is probably as simple as grip levels being different side to side. Winter tires will sort that out. Performance summer tires and snow, slush and/or ice just don't work. RWD cars, particularly with wide section tires, are typically worse than average FWD cars. HighlandPete
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01-15-2011, 08:33 AM	#3
cssnms Brigadier General 220 Rep 3,174 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 335d Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Murland iTrader: (4)	Get rid of those crappy RFT's and buy a set of good all season tires. I am running 225/35 front and 265/30 rear Conti DWS and these tires have performed admirably in the snow. Another option for you is to get a set of dedicated snow tires that you have to swap out between seasons.
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01-15-2011, 09:12 AM	#4
I335 Brigadier General 129 Rep 4,248 Posts Drives: '08 335i Coupe Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New England iTrader: (11)	Dedicated snows is the ONLY way to go with these cars in the snowy areas. Anything less is just asking for trouble...
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01-15-2011, 11:43 AM	#9
tony20009 Major General 1091 Rep 5,660 Posts Drives: BMW 335i - Coupe Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Washington, DC iTrader: (0)	IF you don't do snows, you may want to keep a set of chains in your trunk for emergencies. I wouldn't recommend chains on summer tires, but one does what one must in certain cases. Definitely get yourself a winter set of wheels shod with winter tires. __________________ Cheers, Tony ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ '07, e92 335i, *Sparkling Graphite, Coral Leather, Aluminum, 6-speed*
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01-15-2011, 01:15 PM	#10
roundle EXPAT 67 Rep 889 Posts Drives: 18 VW GTI;18 CX9;11 E91 N52 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	You should switch to winter tires when the temp drops below 42F...
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01-15-2011, 02:14 PM	#11
Professor///M Brigadier General 839 Rep 3,343 Posts Drives: 2022 M3, 2022 X5 40i; Join Date: May 2007 Location: Northeast iTrader: (5) Garage List 2022 BMW M3 Comp. [0.00] 2016 BMW X5 35i [10.00]	If you want to waste your money, get all season tires. They'll be just good enough when you need them. They still won't be good enough when you're in a bind. If you want a good investment, get snow tires and rotate with your summer tires. You'll want to put those winter tires on as the temp drops, as stated above.
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01-15-2011, 03:13 PM	#12
fdriller9 Banned 263 Rep 7,089 Posts Drives: '06 AW 330xi Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North Jersey/Philly/NYC iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 330xi [6.44]	I wouldn't get a set of new tires now but for next year......you can do what I do. Keep my stock wheels with snows and put them on in the winter. When summer comes around, I mount my Breytons with summers. The pulling can also be from under inflated tires. I had some really bad torque steer a month ago because the temperature fluctuated a good 30 degrees in 2 days. So each tire, at each corner lost 10psi and my car didn't tell me because I have FTM which uses the ABS sensors to calculate the rotational diameter of the wheel.
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