Winter driving: one-pedal driving in slush and or compact snow and ice?

[Deleted member 19354]

Winter driving condition are here in the Washington Cascade Passes. The 2 highway and the 90 Snoqualmie Pass. I’ve heard several responses from others so I maybe repeating myself.

what are your thoughts one one pedal driving in slush and or compact snow and ice? Some say yes it’s fine others say it’s dangerous. Your thoughts?

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[Maquis]

The dynamics of the car don’t change, only the user interface. Some people, myself included, use 1PD exclusively, regardless of conditions. Others will feel safer (and be safer) not using it. It’s a matter of preference and what one is comfortable with.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

I live near one of the top 10 snowiest cities in the country. We got 163 inches of snow last year (and thus lots of ice and slush). We drove in 1-pd all winter. We didn't have any issues.

Drive on ice in the mode you're used to and comfortable driving. The fewer surprises, the better.

 

[AliRafiee]

No issue in last years snow storm in Seattle

 

[Mach_Enrique]

Agree with above (live in Colorado) and use 1PD all winter for going on my 3rd winter in a MachE. I do find using Whisper mode seems to be best in the snow as it reduces risk of breaking traction when accelerating and braking (regen less aggressive).

 

[Vulnox]

I haven't had any significant issue with 1 pedal in the winter, but if conditions are particularly icy I would likely turn off 1 pedal. It's one thing to modulate the accelerator to slow down steadily even in icy conditions, but if you get into a situation where the car starts sliding or whatever, it's better to have full control of the braking and acceleration, especially if you have spent most of your life driving with that configuration. You are more likely to have a "muscle memory" reaction that is the right reaction.

But again, that's edge case stuff, like with a mix of ice and snow and the car starts to get pulled to the right or whatever and you have to make a quick adjustment. I think it's more those situations that people sometimes caution against 1 pedal, you could let off the accelerator as just a reflex and now the car is full regen and potentially starts to skid.

 

[Deleted member 19354]

The dynamics of the car don’t change, only the user interface. Some people, myself included, use 1PD exclusively, regardless of conditions. Others will feel safer (and be safer) not using it. It’s a matter of preference and what one is comfortable with.

Whisper Mode?

 

[L0WBATT3RY]

The car has three settings whisper, engaged, unbridled . Whisper is a smoother ride compared to the others.

 

[Murse-In-Airy]

I continue to use 1PD and unbridle mode. It’s what I’m used to. But I’ve also trained my foot to gently lift off the throttle pedal. So it’s the same as gently pressing on the brake pedal in 2PD drive modes. Drive mode and/or 1PD isn’t any safer or more dangerous. The only factor is how well you can modulate the input of your choice. Even in 2PD, the car is using regen for braking. How aggressive it is braking depends on how gentle you lift you foot in 1PD or gentle you put your foot down in 2PD.

 

[Shayne]

Winter driving condition are here in the Washington Cascade Passes. The 2 highway and the 90 Snoqualmie Pass. I’ve heard several responses from others so I maybe repeating myself.

what are your thoughts one one pedal driving in slush and or compact snow and ice? Some say yes it’s fine others say it’s dangerous. Your thoughts?

You need to feather the accelerator to stop. Lifting your foot off the accelerator is like hitting the brakes. You know what happens when you slam on the brakes in slippery conditions that is the same as taking your foot completely off the accelerator all of a sudden in 1PD. Brakes are brakes just a different way of using them with 1PD. Slowing down the car by easing up on the accelerator is no different than babying the brake pedal in slippery conditions. I use 1PD 12 months of the year.

 

[RickMachE]

The manual is clear, Ford recommends 2 pedal and Whisper mode.

 

[Maquis]

Whisper Mode?

I never change out of Unbridle. The last thing I want to do is to have to adjust to a different pedal feel in varying conditions.

 

[ChasingCoral]

In snow or ice I stay in 1PD and switch my Mach E to Whisper mode to soften the acceleration/deceleration response. In my Lightning I use Normal mode but would use a Whisper equivalent if there were one.

I normally drive my Mach E in Unbridle and switch between Normal and Sport in my Lightning.

 

[Fenix]

I drove for two years in Bruce county up north in Canada where we have lake effect and close to a snow belt. The winters are pretty harsh with high winds and icey conditions. Using 1 pedal drive and whisper the whole time, and found no issues in slipping or loss of control of any kind. I actually had more control with stock tires (winters tire shortage) than a Honda CRV with X ice tires. This is was based on me driving below or right at the posted speed limit. This car was made and advertised for winter driving during the initial release.

 

[MailGuy]

I always use 1PD, even ice and snow. I feel more in control without having to switch pedals to modulate speed and traction. Of course the brake pedal is always there if needed, but I find I do not.

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