[TarHeelFan]

Please forgive the naivety of this post but I'm new to the X3/All-Wheel Drive world. I live here in sunny California and will never really have to worry about driving in snow but if I were to venture out and end up in a snow storm, what would the recommended configuration be to drive safely?

I know when I had my 335i I was supposed to turn off the DSC. What should I do in my xDrive35i? I've got 3 choices - Normal, Sport or Sport+. I'm assuming I'd put it in Sport+ because that turns off the DSC and activates the DTC?

For you off-road enthusiasts, I'm not looking for learning how to drift. I'm looking for safely getting to my destination.

[Nahoa]

Or turn the DSC of manually with the button just in front of the DDC selector.

[Cactus]

I would leave the the transmission in normal and turn off the DSC manually as suggested. You really don't want the tranny to hold the shift to higher RPMs or shift harder.

[jijioben]

My understanding is also that if you do not turn off DSC all that will happen is less slippage and thus less "springy" launches, but all the rest will be essentially unchanged and the car will drive very safely, maybe even a bit conservatively. I tried DSC on snow and was very happy with the feeling of safety. The X3 reduced power automatically to avoid drift and redistributed power to the wheels to maximize traction. I liked it a lot.

[Nahoa]

Turning DSC off (and enabling DTC) actually allows more slippage. When, for example, starting out on a very slick or movable surface like ice or sand the DTC allows small amounts of slippage. With the DSC on, the computer would take power away from the wheel until traction was regained.

While less likely in AWD, it's relatively easy to experience in a RWD with performance tires. With DSC on and driving during a very slick snow storm the computer would totally remove the throttle as I tried to start up (even applying power very carefully). I could put the petal to the floor and nothing would happen. Just sat there idling. Turned DSC off and was able to get rolling.

Turning DSC off puts up a yellow caution indicator because it reduces the vehicles ability to maintain the intended path of travel because that bit of slip is allowed -- and may be needed on slick or movable surfaces.

At least that's my understanding of it all . . .

[mstevens]

You turn off DSC when you're STUCK in snow or can't get moving on ice, sand, etc. Traction while in motion is better with it on.

[perto]

You don't turn off DSC for normal driving in snow or icy roads DSC could save your ass when you enter a turn little to fast. An example when to turn off DSC is if you should climb up a very step hill with a 90 degrees turn in the middle and you don't want to loose your speed uphill IE sins the DSC break the inner rear wheel if your rear end slips. I drive about 6 months a year inn icy/ snowy conditions, only time I have turn off the DSC on my X3 are when it's time for a little fun, (newer grown up)

[Nahoa]

When to turn off DSC depends hugely on the surface at hand and the tires on board.