Car Care

Protect Your BMW From Snow and Ice Buildup by Following These 7 Tips

Is your BMW ready to survive winter’s icy grip? Snow driving comes with several challenges, from snow and sleet to salted and wet roads, not to mention the drop in temperatures. However, when you and your prized vehicle are prepared, you can safely handle anything. 

Discover seven winter-ready strategies to protect your BMW while snow driving and parked.

7 Strategies for Winter-Proofing Your BMW

Winter preparations start before the first ice hits. It’s always good to head off any challenges by taking preventive measures rather than having costly repairs. Follow these strategies to keep your beloved “beamer” in tip-top shape. 

1. Fit High-Quality Winter Tires

Unlike regular tires, cold-temperature tires provide better traction in icy weather. They use a softer rubberized material that doesn’t contract in freezing temperatures, making them more pliable. A softer tire surface allows the rubber to “stick” to the cold road for better grip. 

Good winter tires make your vehicle less likely to drift across lanes or slip on that hidden patch of black ice. Fit these tires when temperatures drop below 45℉ to enable better use of the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and decrease braking distances. 

If you choose not to fit specialized tires, ensure your current tires have sufficient tread depth. 

2. Top up on Antifreeze

Freezing temperatures can crack pipes and damage engine components. This is why having a high-quality antifreeze or coolant running through your radiator to the engine is vital to maintaining your car. Select the type of antifreeze recommended for your model vehicle and your unique winter conditions. 

This is also an excellent time to change the regular wiper fluid for a winterized variant, preventing the fluid from freezing on your windshield in the cold.  

3. Protect Your Battery

Winter eats batteries for breakfast, and if your BMW struggles to start on cold mornings, it’s a sure sign that the low temperatures have affected its performance. Changing older batteries before ice or snow is a great preventive measure to ensure you can quickly start your car. 

Using a battery charger in winter can help maintain the chemical reactions in the battery if you don’t drive your vehicle every day. 

4. Consider a Preheater

A cold car interior isn’t fun. Fitting a timed preheater helps warm your car’s cabin and de-ice the windows. Newer versions even pre-heat the engine. Not having to tussle with a door that sticks because of the cold is also a good way to preserve the rubber seals of your doors and windows. Rubber seals become brittle during cold weather when not correctly protected. 

Insulating your garage door is a fantastic combination with a preheater, and if you choose a door with a higher R-value — which indicates its insulation performance — your garage will remain warm. 

Top Tip: Spray all your door and window rubbers with a recommended rubber care fluid. Avoid using DIY solutions that could damage your BMW’s rubber seals and paintwork.   

5. Pack Winter Essentials in Your Car

When you suddenly have to take emergency measures to de-ice your car or deal with a temperature-related issue, you should have all the necessary tools and sundries within easy reach. Keep these handy items in a bag in your car for quick access:

  • An exterior car windshield cover to help prevent ice buildup if your vehicle is parked outside. 
  • A de-icer and ice scraper. 
  • A moist chamois to clean up misted or fogged windows — stored in your driver’s door for easy access.
  • Work gloves to protect your hands when fitting snow chains or cleaning windows.
  • A towing cable if you need help or to help others. 

6. Familiarize Yourself With Your BMW’s Winter Features

You already know your BMW is amazing, but familiarize yourself with the features that can help you drive more safely on icy roads. Most newer BMW models have xDrive all-wheel-drive systems, which improve traction by distributing the power between the front and rear wheels, reducing the risk of spinning and sliding off the road. 

Likewise, a cabin feature like a window demister and automatic wipers that sense ice cover can make all the difference in maintaining visibility on winter nights.  

7. Prepare Yourself to Drive Safely in Winter

The best protection you can give your beloved “beamer” is to be a safe all-weather driver. Ensure you take these steps to drive your BMW safely in snow and during ice buildup. 

  • Driver slower than the speed limit in snow and maintain a steady speed.
  • During extreme weather, keep a safe following distance of 5-10 seconds between you and the car ahead of you. 
  • Avoid braking suddenly, slow down for turns and don’t take sharp turns. 
  • If you live in a cold-weather state, consider taking a winter driving course to increase your knowledge and skills.  

Winterize Your BMW for Peace of Mind

Taking preventive steps before the cold hits is the best way to enjoy the season without worrying about snow or ice damage to your car. Start by checking all the vehicle fluids, such as antifreeze, engine oil and wiper fluid. Ensure your tires are winter-proof and protect your car from ice and sleet buildup with a properly insulated garage.