L for Snow?

[CameraCarl]

This is beginning to be the first real winter we have had since I took delivery of our Mach-E. I've been playing around with the best settings for slippery conditions. The manual says to drive in Whisper mode, but I don't like the feel of the "engine braking" in Whisper mode: it seems to take way too long to slow down, so I find myself applying the brakes earlier than I would if I were driving my ICE car. I have read that L provides more deceleration than D in most modes. Would driving in Engaged in L be a better option for snow, slush and just generally all slippery conditions?

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[MacherAWD]

This is beginning to be the first real winter we have had since I took delivery of our Mach-E. I've been playing around with the best settings for slippery conditions. The manual says to drive in Whisper mode, but I don't like the feel of the "engine braking" in Whisper mode: it seems to take way too long to slow down, so I find myself applying the brakes earlier than I would if I were driving my ICE car. I have read that L provides more deceleration than D in most modes. Would driving in Engaged in L be a better option for snow, slush and just generally all slippery conditions?

North of Boston and heading into my 4th winter with the Mach-e, I just leave it in Unbridle and OPD like I do the rest of the year. No issues for me.

 

[RickMachE]

This is beginning to be the first real winter we have had since I took delivery of our Mach-E. I've been playing around with the best settings for slippery conditions. The manual says to drive in Whisper mode, but I don't like the feel of the "engine braking" in Whisper mode: it seems to take way too long to slow down, so I find myself applying the brakes earlier than I would if I were driving my ICE car. I have read that L provides more deceleration than D in most modes. Would driving in Engaged in L be a better option for snow, slush and just generally all slippery conditions?

First, using the brake pedal is regeneration, until the end of the braking. Using L is regeneration, if you plan with Whisper, Engage(sp), and Unbridle you will see the difference that L has in each mode.

The problem with driving in snow is not the mode, but the person. If you have aggressive regeneration on, whether in 1 pedal mode or other modes with L, and you withdraw your foot from the accelerator, the car slows down, and the aggression of that slow down is dependent on your actions and the settings. No different than you driving in Whisper, and applying the brake pedal. If you do it gently, you get mild regeneration. If you push it aggressively, that's what you get.

So, you need to figure out whether removing pressure from the accelerator or pushing on the brake pedal is the method you want to use to slow down and maintain control.

What I use is irrelevant, you need to find your sweet spot.

 

[EasyPass]

In my experience, when road grip is sketchy I am more comfortable in engage (or unbridle) with 1PD turned off, and driver assist features turned on (ABS, etc.) with the expectation that I will be the primary manual braking force. This reduces the opportunity for the wheels to break away from the road surface. I typically use 1PD for all purpose driving in normal conditions.

Using the L Selection can also be a desirable mode when there is more surface grip than the above and a programmed, automated slow-down is more desirable. These are general preferences, but the standing conditions will always dictate the approach I'll use, otherwise.

 

[DeltaDelta]

When in slippery conditions applying the brakes (via mechanical brakes or regenerative braking) can cause the car to slip. The greater the brake force, the larger the chance of slipping.

Whisper is recommended because it has the least regen when no pedals are depressed. If you're starting to slip in the snow, a good driver should be in the habit of releasing all pedals for a moment to let the car regain traction. If you do this with OPD or unbridle this will cause heavy breaking and make the slip worse.

Obviously if you're very good at depressing the peddle exactly correctly to get no breaking/no accel then it doesn't matter but it's easier in whisper and more closely aligns with prior driving habits.

Whisper also helps to keep from slipping when accelerating from a stop.

 

[Maquis]

Whisper is recommended because it has the least regen when no pedals are depressed.

Recommended by who? It’s not stated in the owner’s manual.

 

[RickMachE]

Recommended by who? It’s not stated in the owner’s manual.

Actually, it is.

Whisper mode is for relaxed driving and adverse weather conditions. This is the best mode for driving in slippery conditions. This mode decreases accelerator response at partial inputs. Steering tunes for comfort. When you release the accelerator pedal, your vehicle slowly decelerates allowing for a more comfortable ride. The interior sound turns off and the ambient lights and cluster graphics are set to blue with a graphic that starts to illuminate blue as you drive efficiently at consistent speeds.

 

[GreaseMonkey]

I have winter tires. The car handles and brakes like a dream. I don’t change modes. I just become more aware of other drivers, especially those who are oblivious to the changing conditions around them.

 

[ChrisO]

This is beginning to be the first real winter we have had since I took delivery of our Mach-E. I've been playing around with the best settings for slippery conditions. The manual says to drive in Whisper mode, but I don't like the feel of the "engine braking" in Whisper mode: it seems to take way too long to slow down, so I find myself applying the brakes earlier than I would if I were driving my ICE car. I have read that L provides more deceleration than D in most modes. Would driving in Engaged in L be a better option for snow, slush and just generally all slippery conditions?

If one wants the car to feel as close as possible to an ICE car the Engage in two pedal mode is the best setup.

I don’t think adding L to the mix would be a good idea.

L in the Mach-E isn’t the same as it is in an ICE car. There is no low gear. What it will do is and more braking when that probably not what you want in slippery conditions.

 

[flyboy104]

I have RWD only, so going down steep hills in snow with one pedal driving can cause the rear wheels to slide. Therefore, I disengage one pedal driving and use manual braking which activates all four wheels and is less likely to slide.

 

[markboris]

Recommended by who? It’s not stated in the owner’s manual.

While the owner's manual does not specifically state Whisper is for snow, it does state this driving mode is best for "adverse weather conditions".

 

[Maquis]

Actually, it is.

Whisper mode is for relaxed driving and adverse weather conditions. This is the best mode for driving in slippery conditions. This mode decreases accelerator response at partial inputs. Steering tunes for comfort. When you release the accelerator pedal, your vehicle slowly decelerates allowing for a more comfortable ride. The interior sound turns off and the ambient lights and cluster graphics are set to blue with a graphic that starts to illuminate blue as you drive efficiently at consistent speeds.

I read the section ”Driving on snow and ice.” It’s not mentioned there.

 

[ATL]

You needn't worry about modes as long as you drive intelligently, defensively, and for the conditions. The ABS and stability controls will help in all modes to make the best use of what traction you have and if you drive within that limit, you'll never feel them in action... though expecting to get through an entire winter without any tire slippage at all is unrealistic. Besides, it's good to know what these systems feel like in action in order to be fully in control of the vehicle at all times.

 

[Mach-Lee]

Just drove home in a snowstorm, I use 1-pedal drive and Whisper. I don't think I even touched the brake pedal the whole drive. Excellent control.

 

[ChrisO]

You are making me cold just looking at that.

I'm curious, how would people rate Whisper/Mach-E in these kinds of conditions compared to an average automatic ICE car?

Also, since L isn't available on the 2025s and newer, is that a concern?

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