Winter is Coming: Tips and Tricks to get the most from your EV

[Ford Motor Company]

Hi owners! With winter fast approaching and temperatures dropping across the country, we want to make sure you and your EV are prepared to take on the winter weather.

Ford EVs have been tested in extreme conditions. They’ve endured months of real-world winter driving in Alaska and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula – and Ford EV batteries have been subjected to temperatures as high as 140°F to as low as minus 40°F in Ford’s atmospheric test chambers. Still, colder temperatures impact EV range – this is normal and can be minimized with some extra planning.

Here are some tips & tricks to maximize your range this winter:

1. Park your EV in a garage whenever possible – Garage storage helps to ensure that harsh weather conditions outside do not affect your vehicle, and maintaining a warmer storage temperature than outdoors will aid in vehicle and battery performance.
2. Keep your EV plugged in when parked – Keeping the vehicle plugged in works to maintain battery health and helps to prevent excessive discharge scenarios.
3. Precondition your vehicle before use to warm the battery while plugged-in – By preconditioning your vehicle, you’re allowing the battery to warm to optimum temperature before use, positively affecting range and driving dynamics. Preconditioning can be scheduled using the vehicle’s center touch screen or from the comfort of your couch using the FordPass app.
4. The best way to keep warm – If equipped, use the heated seats and steering wheel as primary heat to reduce energy consumed by HVAC.
5. Turn off the heat when charging your EV – When charging, turn off the heater if possible, or lower the temperature enough to remain comfortable (especially when using DCFC).
6. Use your vehicle’s Ford Onboard Navigation to locate a DC Fast Charging station - In doing this, the vehicle preconditions by warming up the battery within 20 miles of your destination. This allows the battery to accept a charge faster in cold weather, getting you back on the road quicker.
7. Brush all the snow off before driving to eliminate extra weight and drag – While your EV likely wouldn’t have a problem hauling Frosty the Snowman on your roof, loose snow and ice is a hazard for both you and other drivers.
8. Keep driving speeds moderate in cold temperature as high speeds use more energy – Higher speeds can negatively impact range, for best results, Ford recommends limiting your speed when possible.
9. Ensure your tires are at the proper pressure – Proper tire pressure not only works to maximize range, it also works to ensure that the correct amount of tire surface area is gripping the road. Tires that are over or underinflated can lead to range degradation along with safety and performance issues. You can find the proper tire pressure figures for your vehicle using either the sticker on the door jamb, the tire pressure app on your center screen, or the owner’s manual shortcut also located using the center screen.
10. Plan your route + be prepared for whatever winter brings: Before leaving, identify all the charging locations on your route and plan your stops strategically. As with all winter driving, expect the unexpected. Make sure you have a plan in the event you run into poor conditions.

So, bundle up, grab a cup of hot chocolate, and safe travels!

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[Spike]

Hi owners! With winter fast approaching and temperatures dropping across the country, we want to make sure you and your EV are prepared to take on the winter weather.

Ford EVs have been tested in extreme conditions. They’ve endured months of real-world winter driving in Alaska and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula – and Ford EV batteries have been subjected to temperatures as high as 140°F to as low as minus 40°F in Ford’s atmospheric test chambers. Still, colder temperatures impact EV range – this is normal and can be minimized with some extra planning.

Here are some tips & tricks to maximize your range this winter:

1. Park your EV in a garage whenever possible – Garage storage helps to ensure that harsh weather conditions outside do not affect your vehicle, and maintaining a warmer storage temperature than outdoors will aid in vehicle and battery performance.
2. Keep your EV plugged in when parked – Keeping the vehicle plugged in works to maintain battery health and helps to prevent excessive discharge scenarios.
3. Precondition your vehicle before use to warm the battery while plugged-in – By preconditioning your vehicle, you’re allowing the battery to warm to optimum temperature before use, positively affecting range and driving dynamics. Preconditioning can be scheduled using the vehicle’s center touch screen or from the comfort of your couch using the FordPass app.
4. The best way to keep warm – If equipped, use the heated seats and steering wheel as primary heat to reduce energy consumed by HVAC.
5. Turn off the heat when charging your EV – When charging, turn off the heater if possible, or lower the temperature enough to remain comfortable (especially when using DCFC).
6. Use your vehicle’s Ford Onboard Navigation to locate a DC Fast Charging station - In doing this, the vehicle preconditions by warming up the battery within 20 miles of your destination. This allows the battery to accept a charge faster in cold weather, getting you back on the road quicker.
7. Brush all the snow off before driving to eliminate extra weight and drag – While your EV likely wouldn’t have a problem hauling Frosty the Snowman on your roof, loose snow and ice is a hazard for both you and other drivers.
8. Keep driving speeds moderate in cold temperature as high speeds use more energy – Higher speeds can negatively impact range, for best results, Ford recommends limiting your speed when possible.
9. Ensure your tires are at the proper pressure – Proper tire pressure not only works to maximize range, it also works to ensure that the correct amount of tire surface area is gripping the road. Tires that are over or underinflated can lead to range degradation along with safety and performance issues. You can find the proper tire pressure figures for your vehicle using either the sticker on the door jamb, the tire pressure app on your center screen, or the owner’s manual shortcut also located using the center screen.
10. Plan your route + be prepared for whatever winter brings: Before leaving, identify all the charging locations on your route and plan your stops strategically. As with all winter driving, expect the unexpected. Make sure you have a plan in the event you run into poor conditions.

So, bundle up, grab a cup of hot chocolate, and safe travels!

It would be nice to be able to set a time to leave and have the car precondition itself. Yes, I know you can make a schedule, but many of us don't have a set schedule of when we leave the house or we take a not normal road trip. It would be nice to say I want to leave tomorrow at 6 am, have the car ready to go at 6 am with the battery and the cabin both preconditioned; but next week it wouldn't do it again, unless I requested it again.

 

[hybrid2bev]

It would be nice to be able to set a time to leave and have the car precondition itself. Yes, I know you can make a schedule, but many of us don't have a set schedule of when we leave the house or we take a not normal road trip. It would be nice to say I want to leave tomorrow at 6 am, have the car ready to go at 6 am with the battery and the cabin both preconditioned; but next week it wouldn't do it again, unless I requested it again.

Theres a toggle switch in SYNC and also in FordPass. So you can set a departure schedule and then turn it on/off.

 

[azerik]

A few lucky owners even get to come out to a heated garage now.

 

[Mach-Lee]

I'll put this here if people want more info about the charging and preconditioning side of things:

Mach-Lee's Cold Weather Charging Strategies

In short, bare minimum you want to stay plugged in at night when it's below freezing.

Also try to stick to using AUTO HVAC to save energy (68ºF suggested). Do not increase the fan speed unless necessary.

 

[mattyhillnepp]

Hi owners! With winter fast approaching and temperatures dropping across the country, we want to make sure you and your EV are prepared to take on the winter weather.

Ford EVs have been tested in extreme conditions. They’ve endured months of real-world winter driving in Alaska and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula – and Ford EV batteries have been subjected to temperatures as high as 140°F to as low as minus 40°F in Ford’s atmospheric test chambers. Still, colder temperatures impact EV range – this is normal and can be minimized with some extra planning.

Here are some tips & tricks to maximize your range this winter:

1. Park your EV in a garage whenever possible – Garage storage helps to ensure that harsh weather conditions outside do not affect your vehicle, and maintaining a warmer storage temperature than outdoors will aid in vehicle and battery performance.
2. Keep your EV plugged in when parked – Keeping the vehicle plugged in works to maintain battery health and helps to prevent excessive discharge scenarios.
3. Precondition your vehicle before use to warm the battery while plugged-in – By preconditioning your vehicle, you’re allowing the battery to warm to optimum temperature before use, positively affecting range and driving dynamics. Preconditioning can be scheduled using the vehicle’s center touch screen or from the comfort of your couch using the FordPass app.
4. The best way to keep warm – If equipped, use the heated seats and steering wheel as primary heat to reduce energy consumed by HVAC.
5. Turn off the heat when charging your EV – When charging, turn off the heater if possible, or lower the temperature enough to remain comfortable (especially when using DCFC).
6. Use your vehicle’s Ford Onboard Navigation to locate a DC Fast Charging station - In doing this, the vehicle preconditions by warming up the battery within 20 miles of your destination. This allows the battery to accept a charge faster in cold weather, getting you back on the road quicker.
7. Brush all the snow off before driving to eliminate extra weight and drag – While your EV likely wouldn’t have a problem hauling Frosty the Snowman on your roof, loose snow and ice is a hazard for both you and other drivers.
8. Keep driving speeds moderate in cold temperature as high speeds use more energy – Higher speeds can negatively impact range, for best results, Ford recommends limiting your speed when possible.
9. Ensure your tires are at the proper pressure – Proper tire pressure not only works to maximize range, it also works to ensure that the correct amount of tire surface area is gripping the road. Tires that are over or underinflated can lead to range degradation along with safety and performance issues. You can find the proper tire pressure figures for your vehicle using either the sticker on the door jamb, the tire pressure app on your center screen, or the owner’s manual shortcut also located using the center screen.
10. Plan your route + be prepared for whatever winter brings: Before leaving, identify all the charging locations on your route and plan your stops strategically. As with all winter driving, expect the unexpected. Make sure you have a plan in the event you run into poor conditions.

So, bundle up, grab a cup of hot chocolate, and safe travels!

Would really love a button in the app to precondition my vehicle on demand.
Currently I have it precondition(no climate) every day in case I go out, or I have to make a “schedule” for a one time departure time and then remember to remove it later.

 

[vsguru]

Hi owners! With winter fast approaching and temperatures dropping across the country, we want to make sure you and your EV are prepared to take on the winter weather.

Ford EVs have been tested in extreme conditions. They’ve endured months of real-world winter driving in Alaska and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula – and Ford EV batteries have been subjected to temperatures as high as 140°F to as low as minus 40°F in Ford’s atmospheric test chambers. Still, colder temperatures impact EV range – this is normal and can be minimized with some extra planning.

Here are some tips & tricks to maximize your range this winter:

1. Park your EV in a garage whenever possible – Garage storage helps to ensure that harsh weather conditions outside do not affect your vehicle, and maintaining a warmer storage temperature than outdoors will aid in vehicle and battery performance.
2. Keep your EV plugged in when parked – Keeping the vehicle plugged in works to maintain battery health and helps to prevent excessive discharge scenarios.
3. Precondition your vehicle before use to warm the battery while plugged-in – By preconditioning your vehicle, you’re allowing the battery to warm to optimum temperature before use, positively affecting range and driving dynamics. Preconditioning can be scheduled using the vehicle’s center touch screen or from the comfort of your couch using the FordPass app.
4. The best way to keep warm – If equipped, use the heated seats and steering wheel as primary heat to reduce energy consumed by HVAC.
5. Turn off the heat when charging your EV – When charging, turn off the heater if possible, or lower the temperature enough to remain comfortable (especially when using DCFC).
6. Use your vehicle’s Ford Onboard Navigation to locate a DC Fast Charging station - In doing this, the vehicle preconditions by warming up the battery within 20 miles of your destination. This allows the battery to accept a charge faster in cold weather, getting you back on the road quicker.
7. Brush all the snow off before driving to eliminate extra weight and drag – While your EV likely wouldn’t have a problem hauling Frosty the Snowman on your roof, loose snow and ice is a hazard for both you and other drivers.
8. Keep driving speeds moderate in cold temperature as high speeds use more energy – Higher speeds can negatively impact range, for best results, Ford recommends limiting your speed when possible.
9. Ensure your tires are at the proper pressure – Proper tire pressure not only works to maximize range, it also works to ensure that the correct amount of tire surface area is gripping the road. Tires that are over or underinflated can lead to range degradation along with safety and performance issues. You can find the proper tire pressure figures for your vehicle using either the sticker on the door jamb, the tire pressure app on your center screen, or the owner’s manual shortcut also located using the center screen.
10. Plan your route + be prepared for whatever winter brings: Before leaving, identify all the charging locations on your route and plan your stops strategically. As with all winter driving, expect the unexpected. Make sure you have a plan in the event you run into poor conditions.

So, bundle up, grab a cup of hot chocolate, and safe travels!

Thanks for this information. There were several points I wasn't aware of.

 

[ctenidae]

They forgot a tip:

11. Put a tow rope in the frunk - just in case you see a Cybertruck on a hill.

 

[MABachE131]

Would really love a button in the app to precondition my vehicle on demand.
Currently I have it precondition(no climate) every day in case I go out, or I have to make a “schedule” for a one time departure time and then remember to remove it later.

I agree 100%.
Not everything is planned and scheduled.
If I randomly decide to go out it's too difficult to pre condition. But, of there was a"pre condition now" option in the app, that would be great.

 

[Auto Motive]

I agree 100%.
Not everything is planned and scheduled.
If I randomly decide to go out it's too difficult to pre condition. But, of there was a"pre condition now" option in the app, that would be great.

Just took a 1000 mile trip from PA to IN. Forecast rain heavy at times, snow, white outs possible. Drove thru PA, WV, OH and IN.
Coming back weather was snow squals, covered highways, rain and finally in eastern OH and PA lite snow. Horrible 1000 miles but very comfortable ice vehicle. My 06 Jeep Commander 7 seater which just turned 51200 miles. 18.6 mpg Glad I kept it. The GTPE and Y are great summer ev. Not for this road trip.

 

[Phrozen]

"With winter fast approaching..." LOL

I want to echo the desire for a "precondition now" button in the app. Remote starting it seems to sortof do that, but I'm not sure how efficient that is vs the scheduled departure.

 

[ctenidae]

Another vote for "precondition now"

Just let me set a 1-time departure time that dissappears

 

[Spike]

Theres a toggle switch in SYNC and also in FordPass. So you can set a departure schedule and then turn it on/off.

Thank you, but I would like to just be able to go on my phone and say I am leaving tomorrow at x:00 and not have it repeat or have to turn it off. I work partly at home, partly in the field and so some days I might leave the house at 6:00am and some days I might not go out till noon or even later; no rhyme or reason. And I don't always have advanced warning to do it in the car.

 

[MABachE131]

Also would be nice to be able to turn off a scheduled pre condition. For example, with the holidays I've had a few days off work. So, my morning pre condition was not needed. But, you would have to cancel the schedule just to skip the one day. Needs to be easier. Plus with advancements in smart tech and AI, shouldn't Ford Pass just recognize there's a holiday, and give a notification asking if you still want to pre condition?

 

[hybrid2bev]

Also would be nice to be able to turn off a scheduled pre condition. For example, with the holidays I've had a few days off work. So, my morning pre condition was not needed. But, you would have to cancel the schedule just to skip the one day. Needs to be easier. Plus with advancements in smart tech and AI, shouldn't Ford Pass just recognize there's a holiday, and give a notification asking if you still want to pre condition?

There’s an on/off toggle switch in the Charging menu in the car and also in FordPass.

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