Hello, im planing for a road trip in the mountains, and i want some piece of advice from you. My Countryman is a SD All4 auto with all season tires. How i'm gonna drive with auto in the snow/ice. I know that braking is very dangerous. Please tell me your opinion. I'm also planing to get some fabric snow socks just in case. I don't want to use snow chain because my wheels are 18" and i don't want to "hurt" them. And winter tires is not an option. Thank you in advance.

 

Living in Ohio, I've got quite a bit of experience driving in snowy conditions. From everything I'm reading your CM SD shouldn't have too much difficulty in up to 9 or more inches of snow. Due to the ground clearance you may end up "plowing" some snow but that's it...

The big thing to remember when you're driving on snow and/or ice - SPEED KILLS! When in doubt you're driving too fast. The faster you're going, the more momentum you build up, and the longer it will take you to stop when you hit that icy patch and loose traction and the longer it will take for you to regain control. Don't rush, allow for extra time and don't get lulled into over confidence by the how stable you feel and end up driving faster then you should be in the road conditions your in...

I'm a firm believer in leaving traction control on in snow & icy conditions, but if you find that you need to get out of a snowbank - that's a good time to turn it off before attempting to "blast" your way out...

My CMS ALL4 should be delivered in about two weeks and I'm praying for a good storm because I can't wait to get it out in the snow - and yes, I'll have the All-Season tires on it...

 

So what is the question?

 

As mbabischkin said, take it slow. I've never used snow socks, but they have to work at least a little bit, as they are still sold. I might throw a bag of sand/kitty litter into the back, to have just in case, as well as a small folding shovel if the road could really be that bad. If it's a well traveled road, the risk of getting stuck alone goes down.

Have fun, but take it slow

 

The ALL 4 is awesome in the snow. Motor on Dude, you'll love it.

 

Snow socks are great. Used them on a 2WD car to get up a icy road. Have them for my All4 but hope to never need them. All Seasons are working very well so far.

 

Yes the speed in such situations is really dangerous. I don't ask anything, just hearing your thoughts.

 

Good suggestions. I have Conti all-season tires on my ALL4 and the car does fine in snow as long as I don't go too fast. I have kept DSC on so far with no problems.

 

i have an 03/2012 build cms all4 that i ordered with the 18" wheels and summer tires

i put a set of studless ics and snows on for winter

my dad liked my all4 so much, he bought a cms all4 2 weeks after i got mine, an 09/2011 build 2012 ex-demo from the dealer

his has the standard 17" wheels with all-seasons

after driving both, i can say there is no comparision, the all-seasons are terrible compared to winters, most notably the stopping ability of the all-seasons is far inferior to the winters

after my dad drove my car with the winters, he got a set too

scott

 

Remember -- all wheel drive IS NOT all wheel stop!

I suggest that you plan for a "trial session" in the snow before crossing mountain passes. Get to know your CM's characteristics in the snow/ice BEFORE you are in a more dangerous environment.

Even if you can't do this prior to the trip, plan to stop at an area or car park on the way to test out the behavior of your CM in the snow.

FWIW

 

Excellent point!

 

I just spent a week in Colorado on all seasons and they did fine. It took a few tries to get up the steep, icy driveway, but around town on mostly flat ground it's fine. If I lived somewhere it snows frequently, I would definitely get some snow tires.

If your car has DTC, that works best for me in the snow vs DSC.

 

 

Good vid...

 

What is DTC and what DSC?

 

DSC is Dynamic Stability Control and is the most restrictive and cuts power upon wheelspin.

DTC is Dynamic Traction Control and will allow the wheels to spin a little before cutting power. You usually need the wheels to spin some when driving in snow otherwise you don't go anywhere.

You can also turn them off completely, but this could be dangerous depending on your driving experience.

In the US DTC is standard with the All4, but it may be an optional extra in Greece.

 

I'm about to find out how all seasons do in the snow too.....we're expecting a heavy winter snowfall tonight and tomorrow and I have to get to school in the early morning - I have a 1600 mile 2013 Countryman All 4 S as a loaner while my Clubman is at the dealer's for some warranty work.

That said, my Clubby got around really well on all seasons, and it's only front drive. I think you'll be fine.

Like the other's have said, don't get complacent because the car goes so well, always be prepared to take a long time to get stopped or turn.

 

I have taken my All4 with all seasons up the mountain a few times. The stock tires only have 5000 miles on them and the car does great. I never feel the need for tire socks or chains. I know snow tires are better, but the car handles so well on the white stuff, I don't see a rational need. I usually turn off the first half of the traction system (car says traction under the speed) and that gives me enough spin to get moving and out of most situations. I do have a set of chains just in case I get really stuck but if I am just on standard roads I see no need for them. Only place I might use them is in some of the parking lots where we go snowshoeing, they can be a bit dicey but so far no problems.

Like most have said, drive a bit slower and give yourself more room for stopping etc. When you can in a safe environment bring the car up to about 30mph and then smash on the brakes till it stops. Get to know how it the car reacts so when you actually have to do something you are not surprised.

Happy Motoring!

 

Just take it easy! AWD really helps going up hills when you're tires would otherwise spin out, but for just driving and braking, drive like you're in 2wd car. AWD won't help much if you hit a curve too fast, or need to stop going downhill.

 

I have a CM All4 with the Pirelli Cinturato all-season tires. Although I've only driven them in snow and ice a few days total so far, to me they work better than any other all-season tire I've used before. That combined with the All-4 means you'll not get stuck, and if you keep things a bit slow on ice you probably will not slide around too much.

They handle pretty well in snow I think, it's more ice that can still be an issue. Just be careful.

 

my dad's cms all4 has the same tires as you ... he was quite happy with them ...until after he drove my cms all4 with studless ice and snow winter tires

bottom line, he got a set of dedicated winters too

there is no comparision

if the winters keep you out of just one fender bender or out of one ditch, you are way ahead both physically and financially

if you really want to save money, cut your insurance to the legal minimum ... who would do that? makes no sense

winter tires are the cheapest insurance you can buy, mine were $91 each less a $40 rebate for the set + wheels

i went with mini oem wheels that cost me over $220 each, but on tirerack, wheels start at about $95

scott

 

I used to have dedicated snow tires on my Mazda RX8. I had to because I had no choice.

Now, with the Pirelli all seasons that came on the car, I decided to give them a shot. I had the perfect test...the huge snowstorm we just encountered here in NY. I can honestly say I was by impressed with them. Aside for clearance from the snow height, I never once felt out of control. They kept me firmly planted and very rarely lost reaction triggering DCS.

I too did a test out of my driveway to see how well it did on starting AND stopping. No problems whatsoever.

 

I have both in my Countryman DSC and DTC. Is there a time I have to put the DTC of??? And when??

 

..
I found DTC to be best in any type of snow, even just a coating... Press the button once, screen will show "traction".

 

The only time I could see turning both off is when you are stuck and trying work your way out spinning the wheels.

DSC normal driving and rain
DTC snow, slippery (hit button once)
OFF (hit button twice)