Before buying a car, it is crucial to know whether it will perform well in your climate and terrain. Some cars are good off-road while others are excellent for snowy conditions. Other cars may be good in the city but perform poorly in the desert. Regardless, how does the BMW X6 perform in the snow?
The BMW X6 performs excellently in the snow as it is equipped with a powerful all-wheel-drive system. The AWD system is an excellent drivetrain for wintery conditions as it sends power to all four wheels at once. Hence, if the surface is slippery, there will be added traction to keep the car going.
Even though the BMW X6 comes with an AWD system, the driver needs to fix winter or snow tires for excellent traction. Snow tires are not the same as traditional performance tires. This is because they are made with hydrophilic rubber that remains softer and more pliable in winter weather.
What makes BMW X6 a perfect car for snowy or wintery conditions?
Excellent drive system
BMW is known to offer the ultimate driving experience. But not all BMWs perform well in snowy conditions. However, that’s not the case with the BMW X6 as all of its models are fitted with an all-wheel-drive system, which is exceptional in wintery conditions.
Whether it is the base xDrive40i or the high-end M50i trims, they are all equipped with the AWD system and 8-speed automatic transmission, which are excellent for wintery conditions. To make your BMW X6 perform even better in snow conditions, simply fix them with snow tires.
The all-wheel-drive system, or the xDrive system as BMW refers to it sends power to all wheels. Therefore, instead of just the front or rear set of tires having power, power is sent to all four wheels. As a result, all tires spin for added traction in extremely slippery conditions.
So, the AWD system plays a key role in the performance of the BMW X6 in snow conditions. And if you add winter tires on your SUV Coupe, you end up with a smooth and better ride than having an FWD or RWD car.
Vehicle clearance
Since BMW X6 is an SUV, it has an excellent ground clearance. BMW models with a low ground clearance are fun to drive but not good in snow. Any car with a ground clearance of less than 6-inches can be a headache to drive in snow. However, that’s not the case with the BMW X6.
BMW X6 has 8-inches or 212 mm of ground clearance like most SUVs. Thus, driving this car on a snowy road shouldn’t be troublesome. If you combine excellent ground clearance, winter tires, and an xDrive system, you get a car that performs outstandingly well in snow conditions.
How can I improve the performance of the BMW X6 in the snow?
Winter tires
Despite BMW X6 featuring an AWD system, this is not enough to have a smooth ride on a snowy road without winter tires. Yes, the BMW X6 performs excellent on a dry road, but this may not be replicated in a snowy road with normal performance tires.
For a better and safer driving experience in wintery conditions, you have to change performance tires with winter or snow tires. Unlike traditional tires, these tires feature specific rubber compounds that work exceptionally in cold conditions. If you use other set tires, the rubber may get stiff, while snow tires stay soft and pliable.
What’s more, winter tires have deeper treads and zig-zag grooves to better traction. Note that snow tires are the older variation of winter tires. They were not built to work in extreme conditions like on ice. However, winter tires can work on ice and snow.
Great driving skills
Aside from fitting the right tires on your BMW X6, your driving skills can also help you to maneuver your car well in snow conditions. If you have never driven in snow, you may have to learn and become skilled at it. This may take time but it is crucial regardless of the car you’re driving.
FAQ
Is BMW X6 a 4-wheel drive car?
No, BMW X6 comes with an all-wheel-drive system and not a 4-wheel-drive system. BMW’s all-while-drive system is also referred to as the xDrive system. This system is great for snow conditions as power is delivered to all four wheels, instead of only the rear or front wheels.
Are BMW rear-wheel-drive cars good in snow?
No, they are not. Rear-wheel-drive cars are the worst to drive in wintery conditions. This is because they struggle for traction as they don’t carry the same amount of weight to an all-wheel-drive or front-wheel-drive car. But with proper winter tires, they can still perform considerably well in snow.
What are some of the common problems that BMW X6 owners face?
BMW X6 may be a high-performance and sleek SUV coupe, but it also has some common issues that interested buyers should know about. Some of the common BMW X6 problems are electric handbrake problems, overheating engine, loose tailgate spoiler, rattling from doors, loss of brake power, electric seats or steering column issues, and diesel engine issues.
Are winter tires the same as snow tires?
Many people use ‘snow’ and ‘winter’ tires interchangeably. Even though they save similar purposes, these tires are different. Winter tires are built to operate on roads with a minimal amount of snow and ice. They normally feature a rubber compound that functions perfectly in colder weather.
On the other hand, snow tires are built to operate on roads with much heavier snow or ice at the cost of dry road handling. That’s why snow tires don’t perform well on dry roads but are fantastic in severe snowfall. Thus, snow tires have a unique attribute that lessens the dangers of snow, ice, and falling temperatures on the road.
How much snow can you drive-in?
Most people are safe driving in up to 4-inches of snow if they have excellent snow tires or winters tires. Additionally, one can drive on roads covered in snow up to 6-inches if their car has excellent ground clearance, large winter or snow tires, and pay close attention to the snowy road.
Conclusion
BMW X6 is a good car for snow conditions. This is because it comes with the BMW xDrive system, which is their term for an all-wheel-drive system. This system works by delivering power to all wheels, which is vital for adding traction when the road gets slippery. On top of that, it has outstanding ground clearance, which is much needed in snow conditions.
