Driving in snow?

[Henry Ford]

My 2 cents: 1-pedal drive / stock tires was excellent in heavy snow on a recent trip through western NY. I didn't get any sense that the regen had any ABS character to it, but in my mind if you're needing ABS in the snow, you've generally made an oops and started stopping too late for the conditions anyway so maybe its there and i didnt cause it to activate. That said, the regen control was super smooth and gradual just like it is on dry pavement and so there wasn't an unexpected behavior.

In my experience, when the ABS kicks in, regen shuts off. It’s a bit unnerving because it feels like you’ve lost braking for a split second!

I agree with @Maquis. It's hard to say exactly what's happening with regen and ABS but it certainly feels like it's one system at a time.

Last month I had to drive to work before dawn. It had rained and snowed a bit overnight and the roads weren't treated. I tested braking action in my neighborhood (poor!), then again on the first 55 mph road I was on (really poor!). Snow gave way to black ice at intersections where other vehicles had been; braking action was nil! As I approached a light on a slight decline it turned red. No problem since I was creeping along. I released what little accelerator pedal I had inputted and the truck slowed down... until it didn't!? ABS kicked in and I slid through the intersection in slow motion. There were two cars waiting but thankfully they saw what was happening to me. I honked my horn and gave the universal sign for I'm out of ideas ?. The truck maintained directional control through the ordeal.

Dedicated winter tires might have helped in my situation. I'm running stock ATs with about 12,000 miles on them. It doesn't snow much in Southeast Michigan anymore so I'll continue to take my chances with ATs at least until I need to replace them.

Sponsored

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

It's interesting that people are experiencing what feels like regen OR ABS, not both. I didn't get that feeling in the Mustang when I encountered ice. I haven't had the opportunity to play in the snow/ice yet with the Lightning. If we ever get any moisture here again, I'll go play in a parking lot to better understand the Lightning's behavior.

As I understand it, Ford's regen can be switched off by placing the vehicle in "neutral," so it doesn't fall under the requirement that regenerative braking be controlled by ABS:


49 CFR § 571.135:
S5.1.3 Regenerative braking system.

(a) For an EV equipped with RBS, the RBS is considered to be part of the service brake system if it is automatically activated by an application of the service brake control, if there is no means provided for the driver to disconnect or otherwise deactivate it, and if it is activated in all transmission positions, including neutral.

(b) For an EV that is equipped with both ABS and RBS that is part of the service brake system, the ABS must control the RBS.

 

[Maquis]

It's interesting that people are experiencing what feels like regen OR ABS, not both. I didn't get that feeling in the Mustang when I encountered ice. I haven't had the opportunity to play in the snow/ice yet with the Lightning. If we ever get any moisture here again, I'll go play in a parking lot to better understand the Lightning's behavior.

As I understand it, Ford's regen can be switched off by placing the vehicle in "neutral," so it doesn't fall under the requirement that regenerative braking be controlled by ABS:


49 CFR § 571.135:
S5.1.3 Regenerative braking system.

(a) For an EV equipped with RBS, the RBS is considered to be part of the service brake system if it is automatically activated by an application of the service brake control, if there is no means provided for the driver to disconnect or otherwise deactivate it, and if it is activated in all transmission positions, including neutral.

(b) For an EV that is equipped with both ABS and RBS that is part of the service brake system, the ABS must control the RBS.

That makes perfect sense. It’s just that when ABS takes control, there is a sensation of braking loss. The system is likely working as designed.

 

[Mmiketa]

I’m out in WV for a trip and leaving during a snow storm tomorrow morning. Sounds like it’ll be 5-10” coming down the mountain. We’ll see how she does. Wish I could have had a charger up here.

 

[Runaway Tractor]

I noticed that for the first time this morning actually. Some rough pavement and small potholes triggered the ABS while slowing for a stop sign at the grocery store exit. For a split second, it felt like all braking ceased as it was transitioning from regen to ABS. That split second is easily noticed in the assometer and very startling the first time.

Sponsored