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Driving behaviours in snow?
Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2021 2:17 pm
by Pim
Driver of an IV80 for just a week. Once you go Electric You'll never go back...
Although: in summer conditions I 'love' the rear-end motorisation. But I realised how former Merc's (or Beetles...) reacted in snowy conditions...
Heavy oversteer... and the normal way to behave was (rear-driven cars) to go off the accelerator without touching the clutch.
How does Eniaq react with rear-end power ánd recuperation on the rear axis?
Anyone with experiences yet?
Re: Driving behaviours in snow?
Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2021 2:42 pm
by RichR
I suspect we might need someone from a mountainous country where there is snow in summer to answer this
But from what I've heard from other RWD EVs, the traction control is generally pretty good at controlling slip on snowy roads. Don't forget that unlike a petrol engine and gearbox, the computer can cut torque to zero instantly, and brake the wheels enough to stop wheelspin very quickly. I know my friend's Tesla M3 doesn't like driving on ice, but not many cars without studded tyres do! Mind you, even on studs I've managed some pretty impressive slides with hire cars in Iceland on sheet ice. I've since learnt to brake far more gently and earlier.
Re: Driving behaviours in snow?
Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2021 4:56 pm
by jamest
Another thing to consider is that combustion engine cars have a load of weight over the front wheels because of the engine, so the rear wheels struggle more for traction in snow. With an EV the weight is more central due to the batteries, so rear wheel drive shouldn't be as bad.
I live on a steep hill, so I was a bit worried ordering a 2WD family car as we might end up unable to get up the hill on snowy days.. but after doing some research I discovered that winter tyres are far superior to having 4WD in snow (and in cold wet weather), so my plan is to use my local tyre place to swap to winter tyres during the colder months. They store your summer tyres during winter, and winter tyres during summer, and swap them over for you twice a year for a small fee. I think it's quite a common service.
Re: Driving behaviours in snow?
Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2021 5:17 pm
by MikeJL
Another option for town/city dwellers is all season tyres. They’re not as good as winter tyres but better than summer tyres, and save having to swap them twice a year.
Swapping tyres (as opposed to a second set of wheels) also increases the risk of damaging the wheel rims at each change.
We’ll use our other car (4WD & all season tyres) should we be hit by significant snow, unless the Enyaq proves to be as good as front wheel drive.
Re: Driving behaviours in snow?
Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2021 10:29 am
by Xtopher
jamest wrote: ↑Fri Sep 03, 2021 4:56 pm
Another thing to consider is that combustion engine cars have a load of weight over the front wheels because of the engine, so the rear wheels struggle more for traction in snow. With an EV the weight is more central due to the batteries, so rear wheel drive shouldn't be as bad.
I live on a steep hill, so I was a bit worried ordering a 2WD family car as we might end up unable to get up the hill on snowy days.. but after doing some research I discovered that winter tyres are far superior to having 4WD in snow (and in cold wet weather), so my plan is to use my local tyre place to swap to winter tyres during the colder months. They store your summer tyres during winter, and winter tyres during summer, and swap them over for you twice a year for a small fee. I think it's quite a common service.
This. Weight distribution is far better in an EV for getting weight onto the rear wheels, which would have been the classic issue in ICE RWD cars. Also winter/all-season on a RWD is better than 4WD on summer tyres. I've seen occasions where 4x4 on summer tyres struggle and our little car on all-seasons just pootled along quite happy. 4x4 on winters is king obviously.
Re: Driving behaviours in snow?
Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2021 8:07 pm
by C2atb
It’s a little unpredictable
Re: Driving behaviours in snow?
Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2021 10:37 pm
by frankfurterbear1
Was an absolute breeze today in the snow up here in Scotland.
Re: Driving behaviours in snow?
Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2021 2:51 am
by Thomas419924
frankfurterbear1 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 28, 2021 10:37 pm
Was an absolute breeze today in the snow up here in Scotland.
Did you
Just have normal tyres or were they winter ones ?
Re: Driving behaviours in snow?
Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2021 10:06 am
by frankfurterbear1
Thomas419924 wrote: ↑Mon Nov 29, 2021 2:51 am
frankfurterbear1 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 28, 2021 10:37 pm
Was an absolute breeze today in the snow up here in Scotland.
Did you
Just have normal tyres or were they winter ones ?
Normal tyres 20inch and the fear of rear wheel drive was gone in no time.
Re: Driving behaviours in snow?
Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2021 10:11 am
by metalmadhammer
I couldnt get off my drive this morning. Not had this issue in the 12 years i've lived in the house. Absolutely useless, the rear just wants to go sideways. Had to dig the Kodiaq out.
Wife took the car on a 180 mile trip at the weekend and she ran out after about 160 from a full charge with a predicted mileage of 230. Went looking for a charger and the 7th one worked, all previous 6 not working around the York area - absolute nightmare.