[Slalom]

Never had this happen before, but apparently it is a thing.

On Monday I had to go out in a snowstorm. 48 cm of snow from 7 am to noon. Got home and parked in my unheated but well insulated garage. Rarely does the garage go below freezing b/c with 3 cars there is enough heat to let things melt.

This time the snow in my rims did not melt. I tried to brush it off but did not want to be too aggressive, and the snow was really stuck. Drove yesterday and over 50 km/h (30 mph) it started to shake. Faster than 70 km/h and it was really bad.

Stopped at an independent garage (Autovation in Ottawa - great people). They let me leave it in the hearted garage overnight. This morning picked up the X3 and it was normal. Essentially the wheels were REALLY out of balance because of the snow.

So the question is any recommendations for a wheel brush to deal with snow? I think that it should be stiffer than the wheel brush for detailing.

[wdeerfield]

Just go to a self service spray off bay and spray it out.

[Slalom]

Originally Posted by wdeerfield

Just go to a self service spray off bay and spray it out.

-26.5c or -15F the self service bays are closed until spring.

[Lady Jane]

Originally Posted by Slalom

-26.5c or -15F the self service bays are closed until spring.

A small heater fan might work while your vehicle is parked. It might just take a few minutes per wheel to defrost.

[dkreidel]

I just use a wooden or plastic dowel with a rounded end, and push most of it off; my stock 19" wheels seem to really accumulate ice.

[zipstic]

As dumb as it sounds, I've used a hairdryer before to melt the snow. It works well for a one-time use, but if you're having to do this frequently it might not be the best solution.

In my case there was frozen snow not only on the wheel, but also on the control arm that was causing a vibration at speed.

[John Casey]

Originally Posted by dkreidel

I just use a wooden or plastic dowel with a rounded end, and push most of it off; my stock 19" wheels seem to really accumulate ice.

This is what we do out here on road trips in the winter. The end of a service station's window squeegee works when needed. We'll also do this before parking in the garage too, if needed, to keep all that ice and snow out of the garage.

[nyalpine90]

use hair dryer

[Slalom]

Thanks for the ideas. No hair dryers in my house other then my wife's Dyson, if I used that the snow/ice would be the last of my worries. However, I have a heat gun. I could run it on low to start and see what it does.

Fingers crossed that I will not need to go out in such lousy conditions again this year.

[Dilbert2402]

If you need a hot air blower then I would think that any heat gun with a temperature control could be set cool enough not to do any damage while clearing the snow.

[spangle1980]

"... Dyson, if I used that the snow/ice would be the last of my worries..."

I love it when comments make me smile :-) I share your pain brother.

Back on point - What about throwing water on each one? Not boiling, but hot, before you leave?
That may be a completely dumb-ass idea - apologies if so I'm not used to that problem in UK.

[TXGrey]

…My wife would just walk back inside without saying a word and order a new one on Amazon Prime for Next Day delivery… then walk back out there and tell me I can just keep that one the garage from now on.

In all seriousness, yeah, first thing that came to mind was a heat gun. I have one; it comes in handy when you least expect it. But as previously stated, just use "low" setting and keep your distance until you get comfortable with (distance) and time. I would think a few mins per wheel would get the job done. Still, I can understand it's a PITA.

[ironxcross]

How about one of those little ceramic space heaters?

[luckylingy]

A wooden dowel is the simplest solution. Soft enough to not scratch the rims, yet firm enough to loosen compacted snow.

This happens with me every time I drove in powdered snow (either succession of snowdrifts or extended periods of powder-covered roads). Some wheel designs are 'better' than others of accumulating snow (but eventually they all will). The heat from brake calipers can melt the snow nearest them enough to throw the entire wheel/tire out of balance. (It doesn't take much/many brake applications to generate sufficient heat.)

Overnight in a heated garage, or a blast of hot air or water, will do the trick if circumstances allow. But I've had this occur during a fuel stop on a highway trip, where none of those options exist. A dowel is easier (and a whole lot less messy) to poke between wheel spokes than the handle of a gas station window squeegee to loosen snow packed around the barrel. (Generally I just have to dislodge large chunks, not remove the snow entirely) to restore wheel balance. Centrifugal force will do the rest.)

[spangle1980]

"The heat from brake calipers can melt the snow nearest them enough to throw the entire wheel/tire out of balance."

Never did consider this as a problem. One learns a new thing every day. It makes so much sense when you consider even a small wheel balance weight can make such a difference.

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by Slalom

-26.5c or -15F the self service bays are closed until spring.

If its not to far, always open and you can pay by tap

[Chief Orman]

This is a serious thread? jfc

[Lady Jane]

[luckylingy]

Originally Posted by Chief Orman

This is a serious thread? jfc

Maybe not where you live ...

[John Casey]

Originally Posted by Chief Orman

This is a serious thread? jfc

Yeah, it's an issue. We're not bragging about it, just sharing ideas about ways to address it.

Originally Posted by luckylingy

Maybe not where you live ...

On a related note, something that plagues the X3 (as well as some other vehicles)...be sure to clear off snow, slush, and ice from above this plastic runner on any door you plan to use the next morning. We've found that if you don't do this when you can, then it makes opening the door the next morning interesting when everything is iced (this likely only applies to times when parked outside).

[Chief Orman]

Originally Posted by luckylingy

Maybe not where you live ...

Jesus…I will now STFU

[Dilbert2402]

Originally Posted by Lady Jane

Attachment 2795085

Please tell me that you got that off in one piece