1 pedal driving and snow don't mix

[johnmark]

I think many of you already know this, but I thought I'd report my experience with 1-pedal driving on snowy/icy roads so that others don't make the same mistake.

Basically, I hit a slick spot as I lifted my foot off the accelerator. When the regenerative breaking kicked in, the car went into anti-lock break mode with the heavy thumping. Luckily I was able to accelerate out of it because I was entering a highway on ramp anyway.

It was the most bizarre feeling - I was skidding a bit and didn't feel like I had control of the car. Do not recommend. If you expect ice, turn off the 1PD.

Are there other recommendations for driving in snow? Turn off the traction mode?

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[snowy_91]

Been driving in an ice storm for the last day or so, I find one pedal gives me really fine control in very icy conditions.

 

[Tom L]

Been driving in an ice storm for the last day or so, I find one pedal gives me really fine control in very icy conditions.

Me, too. I like one pedal driving in icy conditions because it Is a much lighter touch for braking than using my foot on the brake pedal. If I have to slow the car, one pedal driving gives me more control and less susceptibility for fishtailing.

 

[awp0]

I think many of you already know this, but I thought I'd report my experience with 1-pedal driving on snowy/icy roads so that others don't make the same mistake.

Basically, I hit a slick spot as I lifted my foot off the accelerator. When the regenerative breaking kicked in, the car went into anti-lock break mode with the heavy thumping. Luckily I was able to accelerate out of it because I was entering a highway on ramp anyway.

It was the most bizarre feeling - I was skidding a bit and didn't feel like I had control of the car. Do not recommend. If you expect ice, turn off the 1PD.

Are there other recommendations for driving in snow? Turn off the traction mode?

I'm also in Massachusetts and I also had my first 1PD experience in snow/ice on Sunday, driving back from NH on I-93. I started the drive in unbridled with 1PD enabled, and the deceleration was way too strong for the light snow that was coming down, especially with the stock (AWD Premium ER) tires. After a couple of scary skids I changed the drive mode and turned off 1PD, and I also made a mental note that these tires really suck in snow.

Edit: I'll also echo what someone said above, which is that the brakes on the MME are pretty harsh. Why are they so difficult to modulate?

 

[Mach-Lee]

I think many of you already know this, but I thought I'd report my experience with 1-pedal driving on snowy/icy roads so that others don't make the same mistake.

Basically, I hit a slick spot as I lifted my foot off the accelerator. When the regenerative breaking kicked in, the car went into anti-lock break mode with the heavy thumping. Luckily I was able to accelerate out of it because I was entering a highway on ramp anyway.

It was the most bizarre feeling - I was skidding a bit and didn't feel like I had control of the car. Do not recommend. If you expect ice, turn off the 1PD.

So how else would it handle that situation then? Lock up the wheels with regen? Or just coast? It's doing what it's told, which is to slow down. In slippery conditions you shouldn't lift all the way off suddenly in 1PD, just like you wouldn't want to jab the brake suddenly. If it bugs you, then switch to 2PD.

The ABS on the Mach-E is loud, but that's not hurting anything, you get used to it. The stock tires also suck in snow/ice so you'll have a lower ABS threshold. Better tires are the solution.

 

[shadowsjc]

I've seen a lot of posts advocating for 1pd with whisper if it's snowing out. Maybe try that instead?

 

[Mach-Lee]

I've seen a lot of posts advocating for 1pd with whisper if it's snowing out. Maybe try that instead?

If it's icy 1PD/Whisper will still lock up if you fully lift off. It's better than Unbridled though.

 

[Kabish]

Also does not mix on a dirt road after its been raining all day lol

Was picking up my kid and the "road" had a good 1" of mud on it in a slight decline. I was only going about 10mph but ended up sliding with my ABS chattering away for 10 feet or so lol I even had 160lbs of wood pellets in the back.

 

[ctenidae]

What I'm reading here is that you should understand how your car behaves in the conditions under which you are driving. Which makes, you know, sense.

I ran summer performance tires on the Tesla 3P 365 days a year in CT (did it with the BMW 650, too). Never an issue, in large part because I knew what it could do under what conditions, and if I didn't like what it would do, I didn't drive under those conditions.

Tesla's 1PD was much better at controlling wheel slip than I was with a clutch, and I was pretty good at it. I suspect the MME is similarly capable. I recommend finding a parking lot and giving your car the beans under different conditions to get used to it. What you think is ABS or slippage or locking up is probably just inexperience with the car and misdiagnosing what it's doing.

 

[johnmark]

So how else would it handle that situation then? Lock up the wheels with regen? Or just coast? It's doing what it's told, which is to slow down. In slippery conditions you shouldn't lift all the way off suddenly in 1PD, just like you wouldn't want to jab the brake suddenly. If it bugs you, then switch to 2PD.

The ABS on the Mach-E is loud, but that's not hurting anything, you get used to it. The stock tires also suck in snow/ice so you'll have a lower ABS threshold. Better tires are the solution.

It felt to me like I didn't lift my foot off the pedal very far before the car reacted, but that may be me misremembering. I think for now I'll leave off 1PD and let it coast when in icy conditions. Normally on snow and ice I try not to use the breaks at all unless absolutely necessary, so for me, being able to coast is my ideal behavior. And the MME, for better or worse, doesn't coast like an ICE vehicle.

That said, I'm sure I could get used to it. Whether I want to or not is the question

I've seen the various discussions here on snow tires. As a 22 GT owner with the default continentals, I'll review those threads again. I just bought 2 sets of tires for 2 other cars, but if it makes a big difference, it's worth checking out.

 

[johnmark]

What I'm reading here is that you should understand how your car behaves in the conditions under which you are driving. Which makes, you know, sense.

I ran summer performance tires on the Tesla 3P 365 days a year in CT (did it with the BMW 650, too). Never an issue, in large part because I knew what it could do under what conditions, and if I didn't like what it would do, I didn't drive under those conditions.

Tesla's 1PD was much better at controlling wheel slip than I was with a clutch, and I was pretty good at it. I suspect the MME is similarly capable. I recommend finding a parking lot and giving your car the beans under different conditions to get used to it. What you think is ABS or slippage or locking up is probably just inexperience with the car and misdiagnosing what it's doing.

All good points. This was my first time driving it on ice, so I was unprepared. Plus it was in unbridled, so if I do it again in 1PD, I'll definitely switch to whisper mode.

Also: BEANS! yeah, there's an empty cisco parking lot near here where I can get up to all sorts of craziness without hitting anything.

 

[johnmark]

Me, too. I like one pedal driving in icy conditions because it Is a much lighter touch for braking than using my foot on the brake pedal. If I have to slow the car, one pedal driving gives me more control and less susceptibility for fishtailing.

Been driving in an ice storm for the last day or so, I find one pedal gives me really fine control in very icy conditions.

Obviously, I need to up my game lol

 

[woody]

1pd works in snow. It takes some skill, just as 1pd did when you first began using it and as driving in snow did when you began your driving career (remember empty school parking lots and doughnuts).
Ice? Ten wheel drive, AWD, snow tires, etc. are no advantage on ice. Stay away or drive very slowly on ice when it is forced upon you.
Reduced speed seems criminal in our MMEs, but on occasion it is most probably prudent. Dry road surfaces shall return.

 

[Maquis]

Entering my second winter (actually 3rd if I count the February 21 when I got the car) with this car. 1PD has never been turned off. I’m comfortable with it under any driving conditions.

 

[JamieGeek]

Drive around in my RWD CA Rt1 in winter in 1-PD mode without an issue (now also entering my 3rd winter with it).

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