Driving in snow report

[GBVx]

Driving in snow....annoyances...
Drove from Philly to DC yesterday, just got to the Northern edge of Philly when it started to snow, encountered significant snow and freezing rain at the DE/MD border. Problems I encountered...

1. At first lane keep assist was working more-or-less OK, occasional loss of line tracking, which is to be expected when you cant see the lines
2. adaptive cruise control was good at keeping distance, but again lane keep / steering was having a hard time tracking
3. About 45 min into the snow, adaptive cruise stopped working all together with a warning stating that the sensor(s) were blocked. This persisted for the rest of the trip, despite me checking the front of the car and none of the cameras or sensors were physically blocked by snow or ice
4. Despite being in "slippery" drive mode, I was still having some issues driving in the left lane with slush build-up, definitely some times where I was sliding a bit
5. Once I got to the Southern end of MD onto the beltway snow had turned entirely to rain, no issues with driving from then on, except adaptive cruise still did not work

Note: There is no "regular" cruise control, only adaptive cruise, so if the sensor is blocked, or whatever, as in my case, there is no cruise control function at all....I would still expect to have a cruise control option that is not adaptive

 

[Thrax8825]

Driving in snow....annoyances...
Drove from Philly to DC yesterday, just got to the Northern edge of Philly when it started to snow, encountered significant snow and freezing rain at the DE/MD border. Problems I encountered...

There is no "regular" cruise control, only adaptive cruise, so if the sensor is blocked, or whatever, as in my case, there is no cruise control function at all....I would still expect to have a cruise control option that is not adaptive

I have not tried this but to the cruise control

You can also switch to the traditional cruise control setting without Stop and Go by going to the information display, selecting Settings and then selecting Cruise Control.

 

[GBVx]

I have not tried this but to the cruise control

You can also switch to the traditional cruise control setting without Stop and Go by going to the information display, selecting Settings and then selecting Cruise Control.

Oh very cool, thanks for that info.

 

[sadeen]

Oh very cool, thanks for that info.

pg 254 . Also regarding clearing the camera and sensors, there is a small pic on page 249, the sensor seems to be near the license plate (2nd pic). Thank you for the report, very interesting,

 

[kkriskal]

The adaptive cruise control in icy conditions is not just with Ford, my Chevy, Honda vehicles did the same thing when it was icy. You get down at a rest area and check all the sensors and clear it with no physical ice build up but still it has problems. So this not just Ford, those sensors are touchy. In fact, even the TPMS on the Honda stopped working giving me a low tire pressure warning. I freaked out, pulled over and checked all the tires, they were fine, then realized the TPMS monitor has slush build up and so it was not working. Once the snow/slush/ice melted, it was fine again. These sensors don't like snowy conditions at all.

Tell us more about the problems of skidding (your point 4) because that should not be happening. Were you at moderate speed and still the wheels were spinning/skidding on a while driving straight? What was your tire pressure at? because too much or too low causes the vehicle to skid as well. I am not saying that was the problem here but just exploring to see why an intelligent AWD system will be skidding that too in slippery mode because that is bad.

 

[Thrax8825]

The adaptive cruise control in icy conditions is not just with Ford, my Chevy, Honda vehicles did the same thing when it was icy. You get down at a rest area and check all the sensors and clear it with no physical ice build up but still it has problems. So this not just Ford, those sensors are touchy. In fact, even the TPMS on the Honda stopped working giving me a low tire pressure warning. I freaked out, pulled over and checked all the tires, they were fine, then realized the TPMS monitor has slush build up and so it was not working. Once the snow/slush/ice melted, it was fine again. These sensors don't like snowy conditions at all.

Tell us more about the problems of skidding (your point 4) because that should not be happening. Were you at moderate speed and still the wheels were spinning/skidding on a while driving straight? What was your tire pressure at? because too much or too low causes the vehicle to skid as well. I am not saying that was the problem here but just exploring to see why an intelligent AWD system will be skidding that too in slippery mode because that is bad.

Additionally curious what tires you are running.

 

[GBVx]

The adaptive cruise control in icy conditions is not just with Ford, my Chevy, Honda vehicles did the same thing when it was icy. You get down at a rest area and check all the sensors and clear it with no physical ice build up but still it has problems. So this not just Ford, those sensors are touchy. In fact, even the TPMS on the Honda stopped working giving me a low tire pressure warning. I freaked out, pulled over and checked all the tires, they were fine, then realized the TPMS monitor has slush build up and so it was not working. Once the snow/slush/ice melted, it was fine again. These sensors don't like snowy conditions at all.

Tell us more about the problems of skidding (your point 4) because that should not be happening. Were you at moderate speed and still the wheels were spinning/skidding on a while driving straight? What was your tire pressure at? because too much or too low causes the vehicle to skid as well. I am not saying that was the problem here but just exploring to see why an intelligent AWD system will be skidding that too in slippery mode because that is bad.

Stock tires at nominal pressure. Moderate speed, would say 60 or so, slush was just pulling my car to the left and felt a little less traction. Not a big deal or anything I could not deal with.

 

[Dgoebel57]

Which stock tires though?
Even ST's could come from the factory/or dealer with different tires.

 

[Kirk ST]

I was really disappointed with how poorly this truck stuck to the road when it was a little slick. I am certain it's more tires than actual driving mode or AWD capability. I have the original Pirelli "all season" tires, but I don't think those seasons include a snowy one. I spent 7years living in Alaska driving a Range Rover sport with studless Michelin snow/ice specific tires. I switched to the ST this last year and like it a lot, but strongly suggest a set of winter tires to anyone who wants the fun of an ST but will have snowy driving conditions.

 

[Dennis]

I was really disappointed with how poorly this truck stuck to the road when it was a little slick. I am certain it's more tires than actual driving mode or AWD capability. I have the original Pirelli "all season" tires, but I don't think those seasons include a snowy one. I spent 7years living in Alaska driving a Range Rover sport with studless Michelin snow/ice specific tires. I switched to the ST this last year and like it a lot, but strongly suggest a set of winter tires to anyone who wants the fun of an ST but will have snowy driving conditions.

Would you say the stock Pirelli zeros are good enough for very occasional ski trips? For reference I am used to driving with BF Goodrich All Terrain KOs on my previous 4Runner.

Thanks!

Dennis.



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[CapTom]

I live in South Carolina now, so snow is the least of my problems. But having spent the previous 60 some years in New Jersey I wouldn't use "all season" tires in winter. They're designed to help you in very light snow and ice conditions, but for real winter I used Bridgestone Blizzaks for years.

 

[Kirk ST]

Would you say the stock Pirelli zeros are good enough for very occasional ski trips? For reference I am used to driving with BF Goodrich All Terrain KOs on my previous 4Runner.

Thanks!

Dennis.



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For the occasional ski trip, you're probably fine, just use the slippery mode in any sort of winter weather and most importantly, watch your speed and distance from others. The Pirellis don't have any sidewall tread like a winter tire and the narrow grooves pack up with slush and snow pretty quickly. I wouldn't try to break any trail on snow covered backroads or anything, but regular improved roads which have been plowed, salted/cindered should be fine. We had about 6-7 inches of snow recently and I drove down a gravel lane to a friends house. I did some donuts in the large parking area (b/c why not?!) and it broke free pretty easily. The way out has an incline at the end of the lane, maybe 25-30degrees slope. I stopped at the top to look for traffic and couldn't get enough grip to get going fwd again. I had to back up (sliding around backwards) and try the incline again, this time slowing, but not stopping, and I made it. My last car was a Range Rover Sport with 20" wheels and I had the Michelin Exteme Ice studless tires on them which had amazing traction in snow. I'm comparing apples and oranges here, but it was very apparent to me that the Pirellis are just not that dependable in snow...so keep yourself out of trouble. AWD and 5klbs of truck won't help you!

 

[Dennis]

For the occasional ski trip, you're probably fine, just use the slippery mode in any sort of winter weather and most importantly, watch your speed and distance from others. The Pirellis don't have any sidewall tread like a winter tire and the narrow grooves pack up with slush and snow pretty quickly. I wouldn't try to break any trail on snow covered backroads or anything, but regular improved roads which have been plowed, salted/cindered should be fine. We had about 6-7 inches of snow recently and I drove down a gravel lane to a friends house. I did some donuts in the large parking area (b/c why not?!) and it broke free pretty easily. The way out has an incline at the end of the lane, maybe 25-30degrees slope. I stopped at the top to look for traffic and couldn't get enough grip to get going fwd again. I had to back up (sliding around backwards) and try the incline again, this time slowing, but not stopping, and I made it. My last car was a Range Rover Sport with 20" wheels and I had the Michelin Exteme Ice studless tires on them which had amazing traction in snow. I'm comparing apples and oranges here, but it was very apparent to me that the Pirellis are just not that dependable in snow...so keep yourself out of trouble. AWD and 5klbs of truck won't help you!

Thanks for the detailed info! I can't justify snow tires for a couple ski trips a year but your experience puts my mind at ease as I'm used to decent AT tires. I hope to find something a bit more all-season for my next set but I admit I am getting used to good street tires for my 99% use case!

My buddy runs Hakkapelittas on his Tesla and they stick like glue.

Thanks Again!

Dennis.


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[kkriskal]

What about the models that come with Michelin (and Not Pirelli)? I got the one without the bigger caliper etc. so I only have Michelin.

 

[Big Turk]

Hey,

I have the Michelins and I live in Northern Ontario. We have snow about 5 months of the year. I have decided to park the ST for the winter, but will still drive it to get the mail on a nice day. The stock tires are terrible when driving on snow or ice. With the AWD you can get going okay, but braking and turning performance are very poor. I run studded snow tires on the minivan and 4X4 and there is a world of difference between the winters and the all seasons. It only takes one long stop to put you in the ditch or rear-end of another vehicle.

Safe travels,

Ron

 

[kkriskal]

Hey,

I have the Michelins and I live in Northern Ontario. We have snow about 5 months of the year. I have decided to park the ST for the winter, but will still drive it to get the mail on a nice day. The stock tires are terrible when driving on snow or ice. With the AWD you can get going okay, but braking and turning performance are very poor. I run studded snow tires on the minivan and 4X4 and there is a world of difference between the winters and the all seasons. It only takes one long stop to put you in the ditch or rear-end of another vehicle.

Safe travels,

Ron

Thank you.

 

[scottz99]

Driving in snow....annoyances...

Note: There is no "regular" cruise control, only adaptive cruise, so if the sensor is blocked, or whatever, as in my case, there is no cruise control function at all....I would still expect to have a cruise control option that is not adaptive

No trying to be critical, but using cruise control when it is slippery is a recipe for disaster. Wheels slip, vehicle slows, cruise control adds power, repeat....

 

[HooDude]

I live in Saskatchewan right now, there's loads of snow and ice here during the winter. The stock Pirelli tires are terrible and I replaced them immediately with a set of PIU steel wheels and Bridgestone Blizzak tires. This truck works great in the snow now! Definitely you have to drive differently in slippery conditions, but i've had no trouble since switching to dedicated winter tires.

 

[CapTom]

I live in Saskatchewan right now, there's loads of snow and ice here during the winter. The stock Pirelli tires are terrible and I replaced them immediately with a set of PIU steel wheels and Bridgestone Blizzak tires. This truck works great in the snow now! Definitely you have to drive differently in slippery conditions, but i've had no trouble since switching to dedicated winter tires.

I used Blizzaks on a Jeep Grand Cherokee when we lived in New Jersey. Great winter tires. They, /made quite a few winter trips to New England.

 

[Possumcat]

Ok, so driving in snow....I tried the deep snow/sand setting today. Driving through the neighborhood, the ST didn't shift out of 1st gear. Was i not going fast enough (10 mph) or is this a 4 wheel drive low (like in the F150)?