any tips or mods for x5 driving in snow? any good?

[bongo]

with winter being around the corner, i want to get the best from my 2001 4.4 x5.
i'm after tips or modifications for driving in snow.
my previous car was a range rover which was brilliant in snow, we never got stuck!
i have been advised to get 17" alloys with off road/road tyres.
any other options
thanks

[micky2guns]

hey id just like to see some snow now iv bought an x5.. fingers crossed this yr hey

[lemans4.8]

just get good snow tires that aren't too wide and you'll do just fine!

[JCL]

You will see recommendations here and elsewhere to turn off DSC (which turns on DTC, or Dynamic Traction Control). Recommend you don't do that in normal snow driving.

You may know the background, but DSC (which is always on) includes DTC. Turning off DSC just leaves DTC, and you lose the benefits of stability control on slippery roads. The difference is readily apparent.

If you are stopped on any icy road, or in a snow bank, and the individual-wheel braking in the DSC program is not sufficient to get you moving, DSC reduces engine power. If this happens, you will have your foot on the accelerator and the engine won't go much over idle. That is the only time to turn off DSC; you will have more wheelspin, as the threshold is programmed higher with DTC than DSC, and can sometimes then get moving. As soon as the vehicle is in motion, turn DSC back on by pushing the button again.

17" are good, but if you get good modern winter tires 18" will work fine. Older designs of snow tires used to drive primarily from the lugs along the edge, and that is why a narrower tire was better. Modern winter tires have sipes all over the contact patch, and get traction not just from the edge lugs but also from the full width of the contact patch.

[admranger]

If you get into trouble (sliding, skidding, etc.), look at open spaces, not hard objects. If you stare at a hard object (another car, guardrail, pole), you'll likely hit it. Look for open space!