The Mini Cooper is one of the most iconic cars on the market. It is also the most recognizable trim level from the Mini models that started the craze for the brand. Most Mini Cooper owners love it for its fun-to-drive dynamics and dashing British style. However, due to its compact size, many new Mini Cooper owners and potential buyers are curious to know how they fare in snow.
Despite the general assumption, Mini Coopers are one the best small cars with outstanding performance in snow and winter conditions. This is because they have special features that give the vehicle traction, allowing you to drive on snowy roads without slipping.
However, winter driving is quite dangerous. So we have an article with helpful information on how well your Cooper handles in snow and tips to make it more efficient.
How do Mini Coopers fare in the snow?
The Mini Cooper’s excellent performance in the snow is mostly due to its electronic stability control systems rather than weight, ground clearance, and the level of contact by the all-season tires. In addition, being a front-wheel drive with automatic transmission, the Mini Cooper has great traction compared to bigger vehicles, making them great for winter driving.
Besides its ability to handle snowy weather and ice-covered roads, your skills and experience behind the wheel will also impact the Mini’s performance under these conditions. Therefore, you should accelerate at a deliberate pace, utilizing your Mini Cooper’s FWD and advanced traction control for a less stressful drive on ice and snow-covered roads.
Their super-quick dynamics make Mini Coopers very easy to turn and maneuver. But you should be careful you don’t turn yourself into a spin as icy roads are more slippery.
Even though their FWD systems make them better performers in winter weather, Mini Coopers also comes with snow mode for enhanced safety. The snow mode allows the car to adjust automatically to snowy roads by changing the vehicle’s dynamics. It also increases traction, giving the vehicle more control over slippery roads.
Unfortunately, due to its low ground clearance, Mini Coopers only do well in about 6 inches of snow without getting stuck. So if the snow is thicker, opting for a different vehicle is best. Other than the likelihood of getting stuck, you also risk damaging the underside of your Cooper, resulting in very costly repairs.
Which Mini Cooper is best for driving in snow?
With a powerful engine of 301 horsepower, the Mini Cooper Countryman is the most capable Cooper model for driving in very snowy conditions. It has several advantages over the standard Mini Cooper.
First, it can handle moderate to heavy snow since it offers a lot more ground clearance, reducing the risk of getting stuck or damaging the vehicle.
Secondly, it comes with HD wheels and tires, which have much higher sides than the regular Mini Cooper. This will help you get through deeper snow with ease.
The Mini Countryman ALL4 trim, specifically, is the best Mini Cooper for snow due to its ALL4 All-Wheel Drive system, which gives the necessary power and control to the tires that need it most. AWD is the best drivetrain for driving in snow. It also distributes the car’s weight evenly, increasing stability and traction. For instance, if one wheel slips, the others can help it.
How to make a Mini Cooper more efficient in snow
The tips below will help you improve Mini Cooper’s winter driving performance.
Snow tires
Winter weather challenges tires to provide traction like no other season. So if you’re driving your Mini Cooper in heavy snow, we highly recommend changing your standard all-season tires to winter tires. Snow tires have tread depth and patterns, tread rubber, and biting edges, providing better traction on the snow and ice.
Traction mode
Traction mode is essential when snow driving. But you must know when to use it. Therefore, you should turn off traction control when driving your Mini Cooper on curvy snowy roads. This helps give your vehicle more gas, which it needs to make it more stable.
Anti-lock brakes
Brakes essentially control the traction rate of your vehicle. On the other hand, anti-lock brakes will increase your Mini Cooper’s traction by preventing skidding on icy roads. Always schedule your Mini Cooper’s brakes inspection to ensure they are working at top-notch performance before driving on snowy roads.
Reduce weight
Many people assume adding weight helps your Mini Cooper in the snow. However, adding weight to your Mini Cooper increases your braking distance. This means you will have a much harder time recovering and will increase your risk of sliding on snow and ice. Therefore, it’s best to keep your Cooper light when driving in the winter.
Wipers and lights
Wipers and lights may seem obvious and have small features, but they make a lot of difference when driving in snow. Always ensure your windshield wipers and lights are winter-weather friendly to improve your road visibility.
Conclusion
Surprisingly, your Mini Cooper has various features that make it excel during the winter, such as the FWD system, automatic stability control, snow mode, and anti-lock brakes. Most Mini Cooper models can handle low to moderate amounts of snow. If you want to prepare your Mini Cooper for heavy snow, installing snow tires is best; otherwise, any of its advanced safety features will be less effective.