Wheels/Tires in Slush or Hairy on 80 (archive)

I just returned from a late week at Squaw Valley. I took my 2000 M5, as everyone knew that there was little or no chance of snow, particularly on Interstate 80, so late in the ski season. That is, until it started snowing and we had to leave for home in Santa Cruz at about 6AM on Saturday. The wheels are stock, the tires are the Pilots that came on the car. Not good, but then how bad could they be?

I was about to find out...they were REALLY BAD! The first sign of trouble was when the snow got about 2 inches deep near the top of Donner Pass. I felt things get loose and slowed down to about 20 mph after passing an 18-wheeler. Even at 20 mph, I felt little or no confidence. We came to a pickup facing the wrong way against the inner banking. I began change lanes to steer around it when, at about 15 mph, oversteer kicked in. Again, I felt the tail letting go, caught the first swing at about 30 degrees out and modulated the car through a few more fishtails, coming to a stop about 15 degrees out of line, but still facing the right way. Fortunately I missed the pickup.

The 18-wheeler passed me and I carefully started out in 2nd, tucked in behind and followed in his fresh tracks across the summit. A few miles later, the tires started hooking up again and the snow turned to rain below 6,000 ft. From then on, no problems through the rain, etc.and 70 was a safe cruising speed again.

The point of all this was that there's no way I'd drive my M5 out in light snow or slush again with this combination of wheels and tires. Please let me know what works for you in snow, ice and slush. I don't need to go fast under such conditions; I'd just like the car to keep heading in the direction I'm pointing it. Thanks ahead of time.

Orca

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Re: Wheels/Tires in Slush or Hairy on 80 mjoe 18:05 4/28/2002 (0)

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