Don't buy the Mini EV if you need to drive in snow.

DisgruntledSanta said:
I’ve never read of anyone but enthusiasts turning off any system for safety. The typical default is good for all acceptable in all conditions on all the cars I’ve driven (Most Hondas, Toyota Corolla, and Mazda Miata). Granted, on some of the newer 4wd cars there are selectable modes for different traction conditions, but never on FWD have ever heard of needing to adjust anything for acceptable performance.


Maybe I am misunderstanding the severity of OPs situation. Is the car close to non-functional in the snow unless DST is turned off or is it ok, just better with it off?


Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs
Click to expand...
We'll have to agree to disagree on when it's appropriate to turn off levels of traction control on cars. It's not for safety, but for an easier time. Much like in a manual on bad weather I didn't start in 1st gear from dead stop. Sure I could use 1st, but it was better to use 2nd. That's not to say that 1st is unsafe or turbochargers should be adjusted for more poor weather instead of average weather, just that anyone who drives should know and understand what differences are out there.

No one said leaving it on wasn't acceptable. Just turning it off in bad weather is better. Not sure what the OP was trying to get but if I could drive in summer tires and do meh, then I doubt the car is the problem. Plus many here have driven in snow with snow tires (vs the summer theyncome with) with no issues.

I do suggest drivers learn about their cars and why allowing a little slip is good sometimes That's just smart driving.

chrunck said:
You can manage fine with DSC still on, though it's easier to get going in my experience with it off (or in DTC mode). I lived in Ohio for 2 winters with my R53 and my only trouble was getting up the steep driveway to our house. MINIs handle very well in the snow in my experience.
Click to expand...
My F55S was great in the snow. Also an Ohioan here though I've been here longer than 2 years with now 5 winters on a Mini - this will be my 6th
 
Lainey said:
I do suggest drivers learn about their cars and why allowing a little slip is good sometimes That's just smart driving.


My F55S was great in the snow. Also an Ohioan here though I've been here longer than 2 years with now 5 winters on a Mini - this will be my 6th
Click to expand...

In a MiniEV? The sudden torque shift in EVs using regen can cause a rapid oversteer, or have the rear end step out, while rounding curves in snow. OP states brand new Blizzaks mounted and I suspect from front end grip, rear end slip is the problem.

(My dearly departed SAAB 99gli misbehaved this way, too.)

I doubt it's a predictable problem - hence the post.
 
Last edited:
Jim Matthews said:
In a MiniEV? The sudden torque shift in EVs using regen can cause a rapid oversteer, or have the rear end step out, while rounding curves in snow. OP states brand new Blizzaks mounted and I suspect from front end grip, rear end slip is the problem.

(My dearly departed SAAB 99gli misbehaved this way, too.)

I doubt it's a predictable problem - hence the post.
Click to expand...
I had my Mini EV in January. Only had summer tires. I was able to drive okay on those but it's not smart to drive in snow on summer tires. So I did try but not far.

My last Mini was a 2016 with the same traction controls. I drove great in the snow with it. I think it's pretty clear how many years I've been driving Minis in the snow that not all were EVs. However yes, I drove in the snow in a Mini EV

I don't appreciate being talked down to or like I don't understand the cars I drive. While not as severe, my Mini S could suffer what you stated if not careful. Which in the snow one needs to drive different. I'm a midwesterner born and bred and I know this. It is actually highly predictable if one doesn't make changes. Acting like you can do same things on cold snow pavement vs warm dry pavement suggests that a driver hasn't learned the nuances of cold weather driving. I'll suggest again to turn off DSC/run in DTC mode.

Even BMW knows this https://www.bmwtoronto.ca/dynamic-traction-control-dtc/

Here's a video showing this
 
Reading the manual is always a good idea for any product, especially one as complex as a car. The below section from page 169 explains the traction control system and when/why you should turn off traction control. (Traction control off = DTC)

DTC is a version of the DSC Dynamic Stability Control where drive power is optimized. The system ensures maximum drive power on unusual road conditions, for instance unplowed snow covered roads, or loose road surfaces, but with somewhat limited driving stability.

You may find it useful to briefly activate DTC under the following special circumstances:
  • When driving in slush or on uncleared, snow-covered roads.
  • When driving off from deep snow or loose ground.
  • When driving with tire chains.
Activating DTC
Press the [traction control] button. TRACTION is displayed in the instrument cluster and the indicator light for DSC OFF lights up.
 
Carsten Haase said:
Reading the manual is always a good idea for any product, especially one as complex as a car. The below section from page 169 explains the traction control system and when/why you should turn off traction control. (Traction control off = DTC)

DTC is a version of the DSC Dynamic Stability Control where drive power is optimized. The system ensures maximum drive power on unusual road conditions, for instance unplowed snow covered roads, or loose road surfaces, but with somewhat limited driving stability.

You may find it useful to briefly activate DTC under the following special circumstances:
  • When driving in slush or on uncleared, snow-covered roads.
  • When driving off from deep snow or loose ground.
  • When driving with tire chains.
Activating DTC
Press the [traction control] button. TRACTION is displayed in the instrument cluster and the indicator light for DSC OFF lights up.
Click to expand...

Thanks!


Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs
 
Been driving Subaru for 17 years with snow tires, still waiting for the snow to test my SE. Will take all suggestions and tips into consideration. Will report back my experience.

Cheers!
 
YellowDog said:
Been driving Subaru for 17 years with snow tires, still waiting for the snow to test my SE. Will take all suggestions and tips into consideration. Will report back my experience.

Cheers!
Click to expand...
You've never experienced anything like flooring the accelerator when driving in deep snow and having your MINI creep forward, carefully refusing to spin the front wheels--until you reach a spot of uncovered pavement, when it catapults forward.
 
We now have snow in Stockholm, Sweden. I agree that it is better to drive with the DTC activated and that the Mini is very much fun to drive in the winter too!
The consumption of window washer fluid has however gone up so I might have to visit a gas station to fill that up - and clean the rear window + lights.
 
Drive my new car in the snow? You guys are crazy! If there is a hint of salt on the roads, I won't drive.
 
100% planning on taking the Mini out in the snow. There is something super appealing about silent snowy shenanigans. Been thinking about the snow tire chains just to test out here in PA. I have 4WD, but testing the Mini is definitely going to happen!
 
2 or4
chrunck said:
It was a joke about your typos.

Unfortunately, the joke also had typos.
Click to expand...
Was intentional.

2 or 4. If only 2, assuming they were put only on the front, expect the rear to slide a lot. If put on the rear, dont expect much.

If put only on one side, and a kid in a tire shop asked me which side when I gave him 2 wheels and 2 directional street tires for the track car....
 
There is a guy selling a set of Blizzaks here in PA.....on the fence about buying them. I thought about just getting the snow cables just to see how well they perform
 
jakesmini said:
There is a guy selling a set of Blizzaks here in PA.....on the fence about buying them. I thought about just getting the snow cables just to see how well they perform
Click to expand...
If you're considering winter tires, you must live in a part of the country that gets snow and if that's true you definitely don't want to attempt a winter with the summer tires that come on the MINI Cooper SE. Will these Blizzaks fit the rims coming on your MINI or will you have to purchase new rims?

Do you (like me) want only genuine MINI rims on your SE so you won't have to worry about the offset, etc? On ebay I found a set of used 16" MINI Loop Spoke (#494) rims for my winter tires. I am now able to make the seasonal switch myself using my 3-ton floor jack to lift my 1.5-ton SE. Also, my rims and tires don't suffer the seasonal insult of tire-switching. A side-benefit of having 2 sets of tires is that I'll be able to go longer before replacing either set.
 
insightman said:
If you're considering winter tires, you must live in a part of the country that gets snow and if that's true you definitely don't want to attempt a winter with the summer tires that come on the MINI Cooper SE.
Click to expand...

What stock tires come on the Mini SE? I'm potentially taking delivery in the middle of winter in tne Northeast, trying to find information about the stock tires (16" wheels if that makes a difference).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top