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Cold Weather Driving
- Thread starter Doug_G
- Start date
muleferg
Active Member
Thanks. My wife and I spent a week in Quebec last week. I saw 1 Model S driving around in -24 and wondered if he would make home. Man tha'ts cold.
This is OT
Here I am responding to a post from February 2015. I keep my tesla in Florida but... just now it is Dec 27 and I'm sitting here with shorts, t-shirt, at 34C/93F. No A/C because I'm in the shade.
Questions:
What is a "snowflake"?
What is this about a "blue marker"?
Truth: I have lived (survived) in frigid climes. Now I stay in Rio de Janeiro when it is winter in Miami.
Dont know if there's been much discussion on heated washer nozzles.
They came with the winter package on my car, and are effectively useless ... I use the -35C washer fluid you find everywhere like everyone else... and nozzles wont produce fluid below about -10C ambient outside temp. Turning on the nozzle heaters for 20minutes does nothing. Parking in heated garage restores function...
I've heard there's a new nozzle design for better fan spraying versus the original dual stream sprays I've got from each nozzle. But the newer spray pattern forgoes the winter warming feature. The original spray pattern sucks and I was thinking of retrofitting the newer fan nozzles but was hesitant to "give up" the winter warming. But seeing how not well the warming works... makes the decision easier.
Anybody in cold climate notice what I'm seeing with the winter nozzles basically not making any difference? Did I get a cheap batch of fluid that is underspec for temps? Anybody exchanged dual stream nozzles for fan spray? Anybody done any work arounds to get fluid to actually come out of the nozzles when it's below -10C?
They came with the winter package on my car, and are effectively useless ... I use the -35C washer fluid you find everywhere like everyone else... and nozzles wont produce fluid below about -10C ambient outside temp. Turning on the nozzle heaters for 20minutes does nothing. Parking in heated garage restores function...
I've heard there's a new nozzle design for better fan spraying versus the original dual stream sprays I've got from each nozzle. But the newer spray pattern forgoes the winter warming feature. The original spray pattern sucks and I was thinking of retrofitting the newer fan nozzles but was hesitant to "give up" the winter warming. But seeing how not well the warming works... makes the decision easier.
Anybody in cold climate notice what I'm seeing with the winter nozzles basically not making any difference? Did I get a cheap batch of fluid that is underspec for temps? Anybody exchanged dual stream nozzles for fan spray? Anybody done any work arounds to get fluid to actually come out of the nozzles when it's below -10C?
I don't have heated nozzles and have never needed them.
Sure if the car is covered in ice you may have to do a little chipping to expose them, but I haven't found them particularly prone to plugging up.
Sure if the car is covered in ice you may have to do a little chipping to expose them, but I haven't found them particularly prone to plugging up.
O man, that brought a tear to my eye. Someone ought to do a photo shoot, of candles on the dash/cupholders... console. Please though, don't try this at home (or in your car). I have a battery operated candle will that work? (I'm afraid I'll forget real candles on and start a fire).
But about this THREAD, TYVM, great article.
Just picked up the 60D but the all seasons kinda suck.
Getting the ICEX tires and turned off range mode.
And hate the 2 spray wiper fluid...yuck
wesley888
Member
I thought i didn't need air suspension since the different is only like 1.5 inches. Well, I scratched my car's bottom a few times going in some normal shopping center's parking lot. Later when I went back and have my wife drive it and I try to see how much more clearance I would need. Turns out it is just an inch or so. If I were to get another one, I would certainly get air suspension.
Sorry I didn't see this question for a long time. Since the raised position is only permitted at low speeds, the air suspension is of some use for wading through snow, but limited. Frankly AWD and/or proper snow tires will do a lot more for you.
I
My Model S has air suspension and I LOVE it! It is very good for snow and steep driveways (both of which effect my day to day car situation). Also recently I had to send my Model S into the shop and they gave me non air-suspension loaner Model S and I found the ride quality to be very hard and kinda rough. The air suspension feels very "cloud-like" if that makes sense. I highly recommend it FWIW.
What was the verdict on these in Toronto. I also have a D with these scheduled for install this week.
Should also mention I already own these tires but this would be my first winter with the car.
Last edited:
ig_epower
Member
Last year was a pretty mild winter in Toronto but whenever we did have any sizable amount of snow, I didn't have any issues with those tires on any of the cars. I am not sure what all the complaints were about. The combination of the software pliable winter tires aggressive treads. all-wheel drive and a heavy car with adjustable ground clearance made it just as competent as my SUV. That reminds me to schedule an appointment to put those winters on soon.
No, turning the car on does not warm the batteries. In fact, in my experience getting into the car, turning it on, and sitting with the heat on does not warm the batteries. The pack heater only seems to power up when you start driving. (Judging by car’s power draw.)
The following will turn on pack heater if cold:
- charging
- driving
- turn on cabin heat via remote app
The following will turn on pack heater if cold:
- charging
- driving
- turn on cabin heat via remote app
Aussie Bob
Member
Doug Good summary as I read your notes again before returning to Canada from Australia in Mid-December. It is good to review suggestions before each winter. This will be our 4th winter with our S.
aesculus
Still Trying to Figure This All Out
Can the first post of this thread be turned into a Wiki? Right now you have to search to find it or stumble onto a link in other threads. It's currently cataloged in Misc/Blog Archives.
A Wiki allows other people to edit it. Not something I'm keen on.
Do you think it belongs in a different location? The forum had a massive reorganization a while back and these "blog posts" ended up here.
Do you think it belongs in a different location? The forum had a massive reorganization a while back and these "blog posts" ended up here.
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