What are the reasons why the BMW 5 Series cannot be driven in snowy weather?
2 Answers
BMW 5 Series cannot be driven in snowy weather due to insufficient battery power, hindered oil flow, and frozen exhaust pipes. Insufficient battery power: In low temperatures, the car's power consumption is significantly higher than in other seasons. The battery's capacity also decreases in cold environments. For batteries that have been used for a long time, the initial starting voltage may be low. If the battery surface is contaminated with oil, it can cause unstable voltage output, leading to body shaking. Hindered oil flow: In winter, the viscosity of engine oil increases, making oil flow more difficult and increasing engine resistance. This results in difficulties in cold starts during winter. An emergency solution to this issue is to place the car in a warm environment for a period of time, after which it can start normally. Frozen exhaust pipes: Due to infrequent use of the car, water vapor from engine combustion can freeze in certain parts of the exhaust pipe. Short-distance driving is insufficient to melt this ice, and after a night, more ice accumulates. Over time, this can affect the vehicle's starting and exhaust systems.
That time when I drove my friend's BMW 5 Series in the snow, it got stuck immediately. I later realized how disadvantaged rear-wheel-drive cars are in snowy conditions. The car's rear-heavy weight distribution makes the rear wheels particularly prone to slipping, and the factory-fitted low-profile performance tires simply couldn't grip on snow and ice. I noticed BMW's traction control system would cut power output completely to prevent skidding, leaving you stranded when the snow got too deep. My friend suggested switching to snow mode, but once the tire treads packed with snow, the steering wheel became heavy, and the car just dug itself deeper into the snow. Eventually, I had to rent a set of winter tires to get home. Now, I never take this car out when it snows.
