[likewise]

Hi,

when driving snowy/icy roads uphill, how can I be sure of all wheel drive with the xDrive25e?

I expected an AWD function but only have SAVE, MAX, AUTO for the hybrid mode, and of course Sports when pulling the stick left in D.

Is the latter garanteed to drive all four wheels?

It's basically what I bought this car for...

Regards,

Leon

[Qsilver7]

If you have sDrive…then your X1 is FWD. If you have xDrive, then your X1 is AWD.

There is no in-between. You either have FWD or AWD. If you need more info about BMW’s xDrive…just do a google search…there is tons of info (and videos) about how BMWs xDrive operates.

And FYI…AWD and 4WD are two different systems. So if you are wondering if you can engage 4WD…then the answer is no…that will never occur since there is no locking differential in an AWD system.

[rice_rocket88]

I agree with the above.. this is not a 4wd off roader vehicle where you can lock the wheels. Best bet going up an icy hill would be to turn off the dsc with one push just so it'll let all 4 spin more without cutting power. Otherwise the awd is all computer controlled. If you're completely hosed and stuck you can hold the DSC button for let's say 5 more seconds to completely shut everything off.. but I wouldn't go crazy with the pedal for too long spinning wheels etc. I certainly wouldn't drive in the snow with it all disabled unless you're trying to run donuts all over

[likewise]

Thanks, already learned a lot.

Let me rephrase:

how can I get uphill on a icy/snowy/slippery road best with the F48 X1 xDrive25e?

The front axle/wheels are driven by the combustion engine, the rear by the electric motor.

The car decides what to use smartly.

I think *maybe* sports mode drives
both axes, but could not confirm anywhere.

I could not get uphill with my front wheel drive Audi A4 without using snow chains, while all the neighbours used 4WD.

Should I sell the X1 in favor of a real 4WD or can I try to have both FWD and RWD providing power?

[Qsilver7]

Did you also try what R_R88 suggested in his reply? On a slippery/icy incline…you may need to turn off DTC or DSC completely because the combination of ABS braking and engine throttle reduction can hamper forward movement. Is this part of the issues you’re having?

Turning off traction control systems will allow the wheels to spin without the brakes kicking in to prevent slippage…and engine throttle will not cut-off in an additional attempt to prevent wheel spin.

Turning DTC or DSC off should be in both your paperback version of the owners manual…as well as the digital version embedded in iDrive (which has a keyword search feature).

Also…do make sure you know the difference between DTC and DSC.

[likewise]

First issue I have is how to ensure driving both the front and read axis?

Does sport mode guarantee this?

[alex2112]

Your X1 has xDrive. xDrive is automatic, there is no setting or control you must activate to engage it. To answer your question of how to drive up a snowy hill, you just drive up it. xDrive will do whatever it needs to in order to ensure traction.