Winter tires and best drive mode for snow?

[Unproven Jaybird]

You mean stock MME Premium tires?

I drove the Mach E we bought on the same roads with the a.s. tires and was very impressed with traction and drive ability. Every bit as good as the Bronco we traded in.

You mean stock MME Performance tires? Wow that's impressive.

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[JohnnyForensic]

Yeah, someone mentioned it here, but the screen and the manual both specify Whisper for inclement driving (snow or rain). Whisper gives a little more play in the steering to reduce overcorrection and it sets the traction control to its most aggressive/cautious values (opposite of Unbridled which allows a little slippage for fun).

 

[kpr711]

Here’s my experience. While waiting for parts for my recently purchased MME the dealership let me take home a MME GT Performance. i was installing my charger and wanted to make sure it was working. I only live 3 miles from the dealership. Last week we got our 1st snowfall of the season, unfortunately a foot of it. when I picked up the GT temperature was -18 c or 0 F. The snow on our side streets was packed down, rutted and icy. The GT was absolutely useless. At 5mph it would hit a rut and you had an uncontrollable vehicle. Just scary. I drove the Mach E we bought on the same roads with the a.s. tires and was very impressed with traction and drive ability. Every bit as good as the Bronco we traded in. I know conditions were extreme but if I had the GT Performance with the summer treads I wouldn’t drive it anywhere on icy or snow covered obviously you don’t knowroads, and I mean anywhere!

 

[kpr711]

Hence the term, summer tires. Not designed or intended for winter, warranty specifically states that
Gt with all seasons will be more than adequate. I have cross climate2

 

[Electrifiedsince2013]

Before it snowed I pretty much used unbridled mode and 1-pedal driving exclusively, and I was super happy with how the car handled. We got our first snow of the season with ice on the exit ramp. I nearly slid into the car in front of me (I realize this is not the car’s fault). I was feeling like the mode and the 1-pedal driving didn’t help the situation. It’s only been about 48 hours since the incident, but I did try both engage and whisper modes without 1 pedal driving. I think I will stay away from unbridled in the snow/ice.

what has everyone’s experience been in winter weather? With 1-pedal driving also with the other driving modes?

 

[phidauex]

Before it snowed I pretty much used unbridled mode and 1-pedal driving exclusively, and I was super happy with how the car handled. We got our first snow of the season with ice on the exit ramp. I nearly slid into the car in front of me (I realize this is not the car’s fault). I was feeling like the mode and the 1-pedal driving didn’t help the situation. It’s only been about 48 hours since the incident, but I did try both engage and whisper modes without 1 pedal driving. I think I will stay away from unbridled in the snow/ice.

what has everyone’s experience been in winter weather? With 1-pedal driving also with the other driving modes?

This is my 2nd winter now, and Whisper + 1pd is the way to go, for me. Most gentle transitions, and just the right amount of regen for my winter tires.

 

[RickMachE]

Your mileage may vary, I've not seen a really bad drop off in temps as low as zero degrees f. Traction is down some but it's not as bad people make it out to be.

You need to go read both the manual and Pirelli's website. It is dangerous.

 

[MellowJohnny]

I went with my dealer’s “Winter Performance Package” for my new Premium AWD - General Tire Altimax + stock 18” Select wheels. Being a staunch Michelin X-Ice / Conti guy I was not super happy with the tire choice, but it was easy and they had good reviews. Then I found out General Tire is Continental, and the Altimax is made in Germany.

A bit of snow today, performed well. Happy with them, and the Select wheels make for a pretty good looking set of snow tires. Will also be switching to Whisper.

 

[tuminatr]

I went with my dealer’s “Winter Performance Package” for my new Premium AWD - General Tire Altimax + stock 18” Select wheels. Being a staunch Michelin X-Ice / Conti guy I was not super happy with the tire choice, but it was easy and they had good reviews. Then I found out General Tire is Continental, and the Altimax is made in Germany.

A bit of snow today, performed well. Happy with them, and the Select wheels make for a pretty good looking set of snow tires. Will also be switching to Whisper.

I would double check the spec of your general tires in a 225/60/18 the Mach E needs a 104H make sure it's not a 100 load rating

 

[WWJPD]

For my MME GTPE, last winter I went with studded Hakkas. They provided amazing handling to the point it was difficult to have "fun" in 8" of snow. The downside is of course that the road noise was high. Since last winter was my first with with an EV, I wondered if the reduced range was a result of the tires, but after having my GTPE for a year now and seeing the reduced range already with sub 40°F temps, I think it's more a result of temp than tires. I def recommend the Hakkapelittas. Based on other comments here, I will have to move to whisper mode, but will leave 1pd on for now.

 

[MellowJohnny]

I would double check the spec of your general tires in a 225/60/18 the Mach E needs a 104H make sure it's not a 100 load rating

The Altimax Arctic 12 in an 225/60 R18 is rated 104T. Not too worried that it's not an H rating - if I'm doing more than 118 mph in the snow y'all better get the bail money ready...

 

[tuminatr]

The Altimax Arctic 12 in an 225/60 R18 is rated 104T. Not too worried that it's not an H rating - if I'm doing more than 118 mph in the snow y'all better get the bail money ready...

Know this H is a performance rating and it has to do with the horsepower and torque the tire can handle. Most people misunderstood and think it has to do with speed that's only part of it. Move down from a h and you will diminish your breaking and handling which is why you bought winter tires.

I had a H vs S breaking and cornering road test and the difference in performance was significant. With a heavy car like the Mach E this is amplified

Getting the load rating is critical and you did because with a lower load rating the tire will overheat and has a chance of blowouts.

 

[saurez7777]

I ran the Michelin X-Ice Snow 19" on my Premium AWD last winter and they were fantastic. I see that you have a GT PE however, so I don't know if they are available in the GT PE wheel size.

I hear that the Nokian Happapeliitta R5 EV are really good as well but have never tried them.

Could you let me know the rims you purchased for those tires?

 

[VindictivePantz]

Any concerns for moving to 18" rims on a Premium w/ stock 20"?

It opens up a lot of options for the rims (cost + style...)

Thank you!

 

[tuminatr]

Any concerns for moving to 18" rims on a Premium w/ stock 20"?

It opens up a lot of options for the rims (cost + style...)

Thank you!

Not many, first if you have a GTPE most 18" won't fit.

Make sure you pick a 225/60/18 104H or 245/55/18 104h and you should be good

If you have a GT try to match up the speed rating so 225/60/18 104V

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