Winter Driving

[wingku]

Folks,

How's the mini winter driving for us Calgarians the last few days?

Given that my mini is my primary vehicle and not recreational . I experienced my winter driving the very first time since my mini is only 3 weeks old. I must admitted I was a little scared. It seems like the mini is really light and even changing lanes I felt the car was skidding here and there. Of course, I just picked her up and never looked at the winter tires options. I'm just running on the OEM 17" Crown Rim and its tires....

I also wonder what the DSC does? Does it really help in these terrible road conditions the last few days?

Comments are appreciated!
Thanks
Wing

[MINI Artist]

Yup get yourself some winter tires! Makes a world of difference.
DSC is Dynamic Stability Control. It keeps the car from skidding out too much.
I remember parking where a Minivan had just been unstuck. I got out no problem thanks to winter tires and DSC!
T

[Ferroequine]

Still the best one:

Dominate Winter

Click as hard as you like. The parts department hasn't been able to find this accessory for me yet though.

The newer one isn't bad either:

Worst Case Scenario Handbook

[heli_guy]

The Mini is really good in winter, but I suspect you have some performance summer tires on that car.

You need to get those changed, as no matter how many features the car has, it is only as good as the tires.

[Ferroequine]

Winter tires are well worth the money. I'm running the Dunlop Wintersport, and I love them. I wouldn't be in winter without them. And remember, even when there is no snow on the ground, winter tires are much better on ice and in -20 temps than regular compound all season / performance tires.

[works4me19]

We picked up our "new" MINI on Jan 3 so could not get snow tires for it as it is too late in the season to find 17" snows. First thing Jan 4 we had mud and snow all-seasons put on the stock rims. In the fall, we are buying 4 winter rims and trading the all-seasons in on real snow tires. It makes a HUGE difference compared to the performance summers. The all-seasons are fine for now but I still want the security and traction of snows, even in a Vancouver winter.

By the way, it snowed AGAIN on Saturday and they say there will be flurries on Thursday. I know you Calgarians like to share but feel free to keep your winter to yourselves.

[wingku]

Those are some awesome info, guys, thanks a bunch!

Given that I just moved into my condo and this new MINI, I'm pretty broke and probably will go with the stock all-season tires for now and hope the weather doesn't get any worse onward haha .... But I absolutely understand the importance of winter tires

We tried to keep the winter to ourselves and we do love the wind coming from BC...our chinook. I do have a love-hate relationship with our chinook wind now. It keeps us warm but it makes my MINI dirty.....

[beken]

If you don't want dedicated winter tires, you should check out Nokian tires (Kal Tire is supposed to have them). Nokians are the only all-season tire with a snow rating.

[heli_guy]

Yes, get some Nokian WR or WR G2. They are truly amazing. I have them on my other car, and will be getting some soon for the Mini.

[thebigyin]

Quote: Originally Posted by works4me19 (original)

We picked up our "new" MINI on Jan 3 so could not get snow tires for it as it is too late in the season to find 17" snows. First thing Jan 4 we had mud and snow all-seasons put on the stock rims. In the fall, we are buying 4 winter rims and trading the all-seasons in on real snow tires. It makes a HUGE difference compared to the performance summers. The all-seasons are fine for now but I still want the security and traction of snows, even in a Vancouver winter.

By the way, it snowed AGAIN on Saturday and they say there will be flurries on Thursday. I know you Calgarians like to share but feel free to keep your winter to yourselves.

I just got 205/45 17 Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25 tyres from Tire Rack last week and they had them in stock and delivered in two days. That let's me go out and play in my Convertible during the winter. The Tire Rack - Your performance experts for tires and wheels (silly americans, can't spell tyre) Previously I had Pirelli Wintersports and they got me through the worst that an upstate New York winter can throw at you - which is quite a lot!

[xtremepsionic]

A couple things I've discovered after having the Mini for 2 years. The car with CBC basically refuses to oversteer as you are braking on ice/snow. However if you're travelling at a decent speed around a corner and decide to lift off the throttle mid corner, it will probably start to slide from the back.

This won't happen if your car also has DSC, as the computer will start braking the outside front wheel. If the grip level is low enough then you'll just plow straight into a curb or a cliff :P There's no substitute for proper winter tires for sure. Although if you're just driving in the city and never venture out to the ski slopes, you can probably get by OK with aggressive all seasons like the above mentioned Nokians in Calgary.

Best thing to do is to learn how the car behaves in an empty parking lot, try braking while turning etc to learn how the car feels. Although at parking lot speed it is pratically impossible to spin the rear end out without the use of the handbrake.

Hey maybe we can get together and I can show you what it's like to slide the car around :P

[faster,Tobias!]

Or if you would like to try what Xtreme suggests but at speed, I recommend you attend the Winter Autocross at Race City Motorsport Park. It is run by the Calgary Sports Car Club, and is an excellent way to improve your winter driving abilities, as well as giving vital insight into you cars' capabilities with nasty road conditions. This link will take you there;
Calgary Sports Car Club - Calgary's Motorsports Enthusiasts - Winter Autocross

[RS3TURN]

Quote: Originally Posted by faster,Tobias! (original)

Or if you would like to try what Xtreme suggests but at speed, I recommend you attend the Winter Autocross at Race City Motorsport Park. It is run by the Calgary Sports Car Club, and is an excellent way to improve your winter driving abilities, as well as giving vital insight into you cars' capabilities with nasty road conditions. This link will take you there;
Calgary Sports Car Club - Calgary's Motorsports Enthusiasts - Winter Autocross

I've been driving my MCS winter beater for the last few weeks. It performs 'fine' and has no trouble starting. I've driving MCS's with and without DSC, and IMO the DSC makes a huge difference. It brakes the outside wheel and keeps the car pointed in the right direction. I've tested it many times, and it works quite well to correct the FWD understeer problem. Of course as mentioned proper winter tires make a huge difference also.

Anyone know if MINIs have a DSC half mode like other BMW's, where if you hold down the DSC switch it enables half mode which still allows throttle control?

I've thought about taking my MINI to the winter Autox, but fear for the wear/tear on the car. Most of the time the course is gravel and the ruts get really deep. Has anyone been out in their MINI?

[Bilbo Baggins]

Unfortunately, the stock tires ... oops, I mean tyres, that come fitted to the MINI, even the "all season" ones are not very good in the winter. The tread pattern is a sorry excuse in the snow or on ice.

If you can not afford dedicated winter tyres then I suggest caution. The DSC will help to prevent spin-outs. But it can not change the laws of physics. If you are going too fast and there is little traction you will not be able to stop or turn even with the help of the DSC. I've found that with the stock tyres on my first MCS that I had to turn off the DSC only when climbing hills, but the rest of the time I kept it on.

Did you get an LSD? They are a fantastic winter driving aid! They react faster than the electronics and really help in any low traction condition. It works by diverting torque to the wheel with traction rather than cutting fuel or applying brakes. The combination of aggressive snow tyres, DSC and LSD will turn an ordinary MINI into a true all conquering winter vehicle.

When you finally get the winter tyres just remember, narrower tyres give better traction in snow or on ice. Smaller contact patch equals higher pounds per square inch. This helps the tyres to press down thru the snow or slush to make contact with the road surface.

[faster,Tobias!]

Quote: Originally Posted by RS3TURN (original)

I've thought about taking my MINI to the winter Autox, but fear for the wear/tear on the car. Most of the time the course is gravel and the ruts get really deep. Has anyone been out in their MINI?

I haven't had the MINI out there yet, but I have been twice in the Subaru. Before this season began they had the lot graded, and it was completely smooth before the first event. Because they use a different track layout every session it helps prevent the development of serious ruts, though on the day of, especially the warmer (0C to -10C) ones, by the 4th set of runs there are some bumps. Nothing I would call serious, but you can steer around them should they get bad. I am looking forward to taking the MINI out (the last event I attended the best time of the day was recorded by a FWD, despite the number of AWD in attendance).