Winter is Coming: Tips and Tricks to get the most from your F-150 Lightning

[Ford Motor Company]

Hi owners! With winter fast approaching and temperatures dropping across the country, we want to make sure you and your EV are prepared to take on the winter weather.

Ford EVs have been tested in extreme conditions. They’ve endured months of real-world winter driving in Alaska and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula – and Ford EV batteries have been subjected to temperatures as high as 140°F to as low as minus 40°F in Ford’s atmospheric test chambers. Still, colder temperatures impact EV range – this is normal and can be minimized with some extra planning.

Here are some tips & tricks to maximize your range this winter:

1. Park your EV in a garage whenever possible – Garage storage helps to ensure that harsh weather conditions outside do not affect your vehicle, and maintaining a warmer storage temperature than outdoors will aid in vehicle and battery performance.
2. Keep your EV plugged in when parked – Keeping the vehicle plugged in works to maintain battery health and helps to prevent excessive discharge scenarios.
3. Precondition your vehicle before use to warm the battery while plugged-in – By preconditioning your vehicle, you’re allowing the battery to warm to optimum temperature before use, positively affecting range and driving dynamics. Preconditioning can be scheduled using the vehicle’s center touch screen or from the comfort of your couch using the FordPass app.
4. The best way to keep warm – If equipped, use the heated seats and steering wheel as primary heat to reduce energy consumed by HVAC.
5. Turn off the heat when charging your EV – When charging, turn off the heater if possible, or lower the temperature enough to remain comfortable (especially when using DCFC).
6. Use your vehicle’s Ford Onboard Navigation to locate a DC Fast Charging station - In doing this, the vehicle preconditions by warming up the battery within 20 miles of your destination. This allows the battery to accept a charge faster in cold weather, getting you back on the road quicker.
7. Brush all the snow off before driving to eliminate extra weight and drag – While your EV likely wouldn’t have a problem hauling Frosty the Snowman on your roof, loose snow and ice is a hazard for both you and other drivers.
8. Keep driving speeds moderate in cold temperature as high speeds use more energy – Higher speeds can negatively impact range, for best results, Ford recommends limiting your speed when possible.
9. Ensure your tires are at the proper pressure – Proper tire pressure not only works to maximize range, it also works to ensure that the correct amount of tire surface area is gripping the road. Tires that are over or underinflated can lead to range degradation along with safety and performance issues. You can find the proper tire pressure figures for your vehicle using either the sticker on the door jamb, the tire pressure app on your center screen, or the owner’s manual shortcut also located using the center screen.
10. Plan your route + be prepared for whatever winter brings: Before leaving, identify all the charging locations on your route and plan your stops strategically. As with all winter driving, expect the unexpected. Make sure you have a plan in the event you run into poor conditions.

So, bundle up, grab a cup of hot chocolate, and safe travels!

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