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How much snow can it handle ?
- Thread starter SlimJim
- Start date
ChadS
Last tank of gas: March 2009
Two winters ago, I drove my P3D+ in about 8" of snow. I had changed the wheels to 18" and the tires to Pirelli Sottozero 3. They are more of a cold-weather performance tire than a snow tire.
I didn't go far, but the car did absolutely fantastic, even though part of the way it was pushing/compacting snow because it was deeper than the car's clearance. (In most area I drove, other cars had already done so). I had snow socks with me (and kitty litter and a shovel), but did not put them on.
I drove past a few stuck vehicles, including a tow truck; although to be fair the snow had been deeper - I didn't venture out until after a few days, when some had melted. In fact when it was at its deepest, a snowplow got stuck several times nearby, and the national guard was deployed in our neighborhood shoveling driveways.
The snow:
The snow tires and wheels:
I didn't go far, but the car did absolutely fantastic, even though part of the way it was pushing/compacting snow because it was deeper than the car's clearance. (In most area I drove, other cars had already done so). I had snow socks with me (and kitty litter and a shovel), but did not put them on.
I drove past a few stuck vehicles, including a tow truck; although to be fair the snow had been deeper - I didn't venture out until after a few days, when some had melted. In fact when it was at its deepest, a snowplow got stuck several times nearby, and the national guard was deployed in our neighborhood shoveling driveways.
The snow:
The snow tires and wheels:
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Check out Dirty Tesla YouTube channel. He's going a lot of BETA FSD snow driving right now, and without snow tires.
Uncle Paul
Well-Known Member
Big advantage for Tesla in deep snow is their flat floor from front to rear. It allows sliding smoothly across pretty deep snow. Much better than typical ICE vehicle with suspension, fuel tank, differential, exhaust items hanging down to catch on things.
You guys are brave. If there is standing snow that hasn't been plowed I'm taking my truck for clearance and truck tires.
no kidding. a lot of times snow on the road isn't ally fluffy and nice, they come in chunks and the car's front lip can take a beating. I hate those giant chunks of ice/snow that drops from the wheel wells of cars, lol.
The last time I drove my SR+ in significant snow was about this time last year. The storm was expected to drop about 6” and by the time I was on the road there was at least 3”. I was on the interstate, which is a mixed bag of partially plowed, some lanes not so safe.
Side roads were not spectacular either, but my car forged ahead.
I don’t have winter tires and the car handled admirably. No issues at all. I grew up in the “Chiberia” & Wisconsin area, so to me, this is second nature and I know when not to even bother setting out. Really deep snow for any car is going to be a problem and I’d rather take a day off than spend my day pulling my car out of the ditch.
Side roads were not spectacular either, but my car forged ahead.
I don’t have winter tires and the car handled admirably. No issues at all. I grew up in the “Chiberia” & Wisconsin area, so to me, this is second nature and I know when not to even bother setting out. Really deep snow for any car is going to be a problem and I’d rather take a day off than spend my day pulling my car out of the ditch.
lawmangr
Member
About 10" a couple of weeks ago with winter tires. I have a SR+ with Michelin X-Ice tires. I "groomed" the snow on my driveway with the bottom of my car. I was so impressed that I put a brief video up on my Youtube channel because of it (miteslaguy) LOL
ChadS
Last tank of gas: March 2009
The wheels are 18x8 Monte Titano MT6 Vita, in matte titanium. Unfortunately while Tire Rack still sells those wheels, they no longer come in the proper size.
overnight, a foot of snow had piled up.
I pulled out of the garage and put the gear on Drive and the car is now stuck.
I shoveled the snow out of the way for the tires but the all season tires just don't have enough traction. .
I drove my wife's X3 to work.
Freeway was pretty bad as well.
I pulled out of the garage and put the gear on Drive and the car is now stuck.
I shoveled the snow out of the way for the tires but the all season tires just don't have enough traction. .
I drove my wife's X3 to work.
Freeway was pretty bad as well.
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Snow Drift
[Off-Road Assist] Activated
You're stuck? It should be able to drive back into the garage. Did you use "slip start?"
I assume that is a LR AWD, but still you need winter tires.
I assume that is a LR AWD, but still you need winter tires.
With many cars there comes a point at which the car is literally resting on top of the snow. All the snow tires in the world will do you nothing. Then it becomes a dig out. As you pulled out of your driveway you can see the bottom of the car scraping the snow. Just a couple more inches and no momentum and you're done. I think you found that at the bottom of your driveway.
Edit: I use snow tires. They do help stop that momentum.
Edit: I use snow tires. They do help stop that momentum.
Yeah, the model 3 is too low to the ground for that much snow. Maybe if you had cleared the driveway out to the travel lane (if there even was one on your dead-end street), you might of had a chance, but switching from reverse to forward still might have tripped you up.
Hopefully you didn't have the car in a warm garage, otherwise you might be frozen to the ground now.
Hopefully you didn't have the car in a warm garage, otherwise you might be frozen to the ground now.
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