TMC is an independent, primarily volunteer organization that relies on ad revenue to cover its operating costs. Please consider whitelisting TMC on your ad blocker and becoming a Supporting Member. For more info: Support TMC
  1. TMC is currently READ ONLY.
    Click here for more info.

How much snow can it handle ?

Discussion in 'Model 3' started by SlimJim, Feb 12, 2021.

  1. cypho

    cypho Member

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2018
    Messages:
    755
    Location:
    USA
    Snow tires make a huge difference. I have no problem plowing through 12" of fresh snow. I don't worry about traction, just hidden icebergs that could damage the bumper.

    Fuel efficiency in deep snow really takes a hit though. I have burnt though more than 10kwh in 10 miles without ever breaking 30mph.
     
    • Like x 2
  2. MODEL+

    MODEL+ Vendor

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2020
    Messages:
    333
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    Welp, let's just say SR+ and all seasons weren't the business...

    [​IMG]
     
  3. Doggiedog

    Doggiedog Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2020
    Messages:
    47
    Location:
    Fort Lee, NJ
    Running Continental VikingContact 7s on 18" Replika R241s. So far so good. 20201228_175228.jpg
     
  4. ThomasD

    ThomasD Member

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2019
    Messages:
    827
    Location:
    florida
    This Tesla didn't do to well in the Snow. Snow doesn't look too deep
     
    • Disagree x 3
  5. XPsionic

    XPsionic Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2021
    Messages:
    50
    Location:
    los angeles
    The OEM all seasons are pretty terrible on anything more than an inch of snow. No surprises to see the videos and photos of model 3s being stuck.

    For effective snow driving traction and safety 1. Get proper snow tires 2. Don't expect the car (any car) to do well on dense snow that's higher than you have ground clearance for
     
    • Like x 4
    • Love x 1
  6. GregD60

    GregD60 Member

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2016
    Messages:
    344
    Location:
    Colorado
    The stock Michelin MXM4 tires being used in the video are poor to very poor in the snow. If he had some winter tires or performance winter tires, he would have had no problems at all.
     
    • Like x 2
    • Love x 1
  7. achou0722

    achou0722 Member

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2018
    Messages:
    93
    Location:
    Washington
    Had xice tires on. M3 RWD, local was fine, going up hills was a problem.
     
    • Informative x 1
  8. lawmangr

    lawmangr Member

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2019
    Messages:
    14
    Location:
    Grandville, Michigan
    Sorry - I wasn't sure if I was allowed to post links to my own stuff here. Not really trying to promote the channel, I just thought the timing of the video was spot on :). Here's the link - youtube]aaHy96hWPA0. If you want to go straight to the footage, go to about the 5:00 mark. If posts like this are not allowed, I have no problem with the admin deleting it.
     
  9. Snow Drift

    Snow Drift Pirelli P Zero Winter

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2016
    Messages:
    1,922
    Location:
    Long Island
    Maybe you are beached if it's 12" of snow. The car is about 5.5" off the ground.

    6.6"

    Yes, RWD is always bad in snow.
     
    • Like x 1
    • Disagree x 1
  10. N54TT

    N54TT Member

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2018
    Messages:
    885
    Location:
    NY
    hmm link didn’t work for me...and can’t find your channel.
     
  11. SlimJim

    SlimJim Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2019
    Messages:
    850
    Location:
    USA
    My cuv with 7.5" ground clearance did fine today.
    Tesla should make model y ground clearance a little higher and it will be my next car.
     
  12. Bwettt

    Bwettt Member

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2020
    Messages:
    45
    Location:
    North Seattle
    #32 Bwettt, Feb 14, 2021
    Last edited: Feb 14, 2021
    Drove my 2020 AWD Model 3 in the Olympic National Forest near Hoodsport, WA Friday night Feb 12th. Woke up to 18" of fresh power. I expected snow but not THAT much snow. Im on 4/32" of tread on all four stock MXM4 tires and honestly I was a little nervous when I woke up to seeing it so deep. Firs thing I did was get out there to push the limits and handled it like a BEAST! I did get stuck once where I bottomed out in 20"+ but we made it out drove all the way back to North Seattle with 6" plus on the freeway and coming down. Cant imagine how well this thing would do with studs on actual good winter tires.





    IMG-5317

     
    • Like x 3
    • Helpful x 1
  13. outdoors

    outdoors Always roaming

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2014
    Messages:
    1,575
    Location:
    in the moment
  14. achou0722

    achou0722 Member

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2018
    Messages:
    93
    Location:
    Washington
    Not exactly a fair statement.

    RWD with snow tires did pretty well in non hill settings (15% - 20% incline).
     
    • Like x 1
  15. lawmangr

    lawmangr Member

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2019
    Messages:
    14
    Location:
    Grandville, Michigan
    A good example of why I shouldn't try to post from my phone :( It is here -
     
    • Like x 1
  16. Snow Drift

    Snow Drift Pirelli P Zero Winter

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2016
    Messages:
    1,922
    Location:
    Long Island
    My 8.7" Subaru wouldn't have a problem either. The issue for EVs is efficiency, so staying low most of the time is better. The Model X with air suspension can go up to 9" of clearance.

    Yes, it can work...but AWD with snow tires is an enjoyable and much more confident/capable set up for snow. Just the right tool for the particular scenario. RWD is great in the dry.
     
    • Like x 1
  17. mreynolds767

    mreynolds767 Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2019
    Messages:
    728
    Location:
    Boston
    I recently replaced my oem Michelin Primacy tires (awd model with acceleration boost) , with Michelin Pilot sport all seasons

    Amazed how good it handles in the snow
    Obviously too much snow and the low clearance of the car would cause problems
    But I went out (foolishly) on Super Bowl Sunday to food
    Roads not yet plowed, couple of inches of snow and icy roads

    on a small hill the Jeep Wrangler ahead of me was going super slow and got stuck
    Starting spinning sideways ; I worried he would slide into me so reversed down the hill
    5 min later he got himself out and I went up the hill with zero issues ; never felt any slippage
    Had the accelerator almost pinned to fight against the traction control which really limits power in such conditions.
    Went up like a champ though and way home after food curbside pickup went down the hill with zero issues as well
    I think the Primacy tires would have struggled on both ends

    tip: change regen to low if heading out in snow/slippery conditions
    Sometimes I put in chill too but think In this case that would have been a bad move
     
  18. Priest Craft

    Priest Craft New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2020
    Messages:
    2
    Location:
    Quebec
    I was looking forward to another RWD in snow (instead of FWD). Tesla 3 in this regard only is a huge disappointment. Sprung for different tires this year -- Michelin X-Ice -- much improved but still inadequate. After 4 decades of winter driving, this is one of the least suitable cars I've had: poor traction, none in a few inches even with SlipStart.
     
    • Funny x 2
    • Like x 1
  19. Raechris

    Raechris Member

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2017
    Messages:
    627
    Location:
    Boston
    I find my 21AWD3 is quite terrible in snow. Maybe it's a new model Michelin 18" OEM tire. Even lifting off accel with half regen caused the car to dart on 1 inch packed snow. I have lived in NE all my life and know snow driving, this tire is awful. My S with OEM Goodyear was fine up to 35-40 mph and dedicated winter tires did t make much difference in that car. I haven't driven the MY but my wife hasn't complained about it.
     
  20. LYMROK

    LYMROK New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2021
    Messages:
    2
    Location:
    Massachusetts
    Live in MA and first winter I drove my 2018 LR AWD without snow tires and it was dicey. Bought Hankook Winter i*cept evo2 snow tires for last winter and have them on again now - they are a beast in the snow. Bought the 244/40R19 tires. They are wider than the originals (235/40R19). Bought the 19" OEM sport wheels from Auto Rim Shop. Pretty happy with the price and performance all around.
     

Share This Page

  • About Us

    Formed in 2006, Tesla Motors Club (TMC) was the first independent online Tesla community. Today it remains the largest and most dynamic community of Tesla enthusiasts. Learn more.
  • Do you value your experience at TMC? Consider becoming a Supporting Member of Tesla Motors Club. As a thank you for your contribution, you'll get nearly no ads in the Community and Groups sections. Additional perks are available depending on the level of contribution. Please visit the Account Upgrades page for more details.


    SUPPORT TMC