I’ve heard this question several times on this forum as well as other and pondered it myself before purchasing my Tesla S.
My car: Tesla Model S, 60 kwh, Dual Motor, AP2.0 (no fsd), Blue, Pano. Base 19” tires which are Goodyear Eagle Touring
The loaner: Tesla Model S P85, leather, rear seats, Black, Pano, with Pirelle Sottozero tires with Aero rims
We just had our first snowfall of the year and I had the loaner P85 over the weekend. I had (house) showings with (real estate) clients and drove about 50 miles showing them houses. It started to snow towards the last 3 houses. Everything went fine and there were absolutely no issues driving in the dusting we had.
Sunday Morning I awoke to 3 or so fresh inches of powder snow. I have to run sound at my church so I head out at 7:40 in the morning. The alley wasn’t plowed, the side streets weren’t plowed, but the main street was plowed but had about an inch of powder snow on it. I was taking it easy since I have never driven any Tesla in the snow but trying to feel the limits of grip with the Sottozero tires. I wasn’t flooring it at any point, but the cold battery limited my power output anyway. The traction control also limited the power output a few times. The only point that I encountered any sliding was during a round-a-bout. The front end didn’t grab as much as I wanted (understeer) but I had plenty of room. Who goes out at 7:40 on a snowy Sunday morning anyway? Especially in a 450+ HP rear wheel drive car? Us Minnesotans know what that means. But I was impressed with the performance of those tires. I am seriously looking at purchasing a set of snow tires / wheels and swap them out twice a year.
The only other point that I had any slight trouble with is backing into my garage. I have a slope on the apron and the traction control system was fighting me. It would limit power just when I needed, so I shut it off to back into my garage.
By Monday, we ended up with about 7 inches of snow. I had the chance to drive back to the Tesla store on Monday in the P85, and pick up my 60D on the way back. This allowed me to drive back to back in very similar conditions. I already knew what to expect with the P85 and Sotto tires, but I really didn’t know what to expect on the Goodyear tires with dual motors.
I drove to my office and had no issues with the P85, and then to Tesla, and again, no issues. I could feel that if I pushed the corners harder the tires would probably have slipped a little, but it still seemed to be able to reach traction in the turns.
I picked up my 60D and ended up driving a couple places with it. I am impressed with both the “D” and the Goodyear Eagle Touring tires. I did not have any problems with a fresh 3 inches of snow on the ground, granted the snow was powdery not slippery. But this gives me encouragement that I may not need the snow tires. On one specific turn, I tried to turn too sharp for the available grip and it did lose a little traction, but the car then applied some braking to a corner or two to correct for that. I am pretty sure that was the electronic stability control that was activating. But again, another uneventful normal winter drive.
I also tried parking at the side of a street that has been center plowed only. So there was a hump of snow to get to the curb. Pulling into that spot was no problem, and pulling out also was no problem. I should have tried this with the P85 before I returned it, but I didn’t want to get stuck.
Overall, the P85 with snow tires worked pretty well, but I didn’t have as much confidence in it with deeper snow than the 60D. I am surprised at the Goodyear Eagle tires handling so well in the snow. I am sure that the dual motor had a lot to do with the snow performance of the 60D. So I’m going to try it out a couple more days before deciding on the snow tires.
Conclusion:
If you live in a heavy snow state, like Minnesota, Wisconsin, or Michigan, you probably should get the Dual Motor. Or if you are travelling to mountains such as Colorado, then definitely get the dual motor. If you have occasional snow, or little snow, then the rear wheel drive with snow tires would work. Either way, always take it easier when there is snow on the ground.
Why listen to me?
I grew up in Minnesota driving various types of cars in the winter. This ranged from rear wheel drive (RWD) to front wheel drive (FWD), to 4-wheel drive (4WD) to All wheel drive (AWD). Each of them have their own unique qualities and each are better suited for different environments. I still like 4WD the best, but AWD with locking differentials would be great.
Anyone know if we can get lockers in the Tesla or are they limited-slip already?
My car: Tesla Model S, 60 kwh, Dual Motor, AP2.0 (no fsd), Blue, Pano. Base 19” tires which are Goodyear Eagle Touring
The loaner: Tesla Model S P85, leather, rear seats, Black, Pano, with Pirelle Sottozero tires with Aero rims
We just had our first snowfall of the year and I had the loaner P85 over the weekend. I had (house) showings with (real estate) clients and drove about 50 miles showing them houses. It started to snow towards the last 3 houses. Everything went fine and there were absolutely no issues driving in the dusting we had.
Sunday Morning I awoke to 3 or so fresh inches of powder snow. I have to run sound at my church so I head out at 7:40 in the morning. The alley wasn’t plowed, the side streets weren’t plowed, but the main street was plowed but had about an inch of powder snow on it. I was taking it easy since I have never driven any Tesla in the snow but trying to feel the limits of grip with the Sottozero tires. I wasn’t flooring it at any point, but the cold battery limited my power output anyway. The traction control also limited the power output a few times. The only point that I encountered any sliding was during a round-a-bout. The front end didn’t grab as much as I wanted (understeer) but I had plenty of room. Who goes out at 7:40 on a snowy Sunday morning anyway? Especially in a 450+ HP rear wheel drive car? Us Minnesotans know what that means. But I was impressed with the performance of those tires. I am seriously looking at purchasing a set of snow tires / wheels and swap them out twice a year.
The only other point that I had any slight trouble with is backing into my garage. I have a slope on the apron and the traction control system was fighting me. It would limit power just when I needed, so I shut it off to back into my garage.
By Monday, we ended up with about 7 inches of snow. I had the chance to drive back to the Tesla store on Monday in the P85, and pick up my 60D on the way back. This allowed me to drive back to back in very similar conditions. I already knew what to expect with the P85 and Sotto tires, but I really didn’t know what to expect on the Goodyear tires with dual motors.
I drove to my office and had no issues with the P85, and then to Tesla, and again, no issues. I could feel that if I pushed the corners harder the tires would probably have slipped a little, but it still seemed to be able to reach traction in the turns.
I picked up my 60D and ended up driving a couple places with it. I am impressed with both the “D” and the Goodyear Eagle Touring tires. I did not have any problems with a fresh 3 inches of snow on the ground, granted the snow was powdery not slippery. But this gives me encouragement that I may not need the snow tires. On one specific turn, I tried to turn too sharp for the available grip and it did lose a little traction, but the car then applied some braking to a corner or two to correct for that. I am pretty sure that was the electronic stability control that was activating. But again, another uneventful normal winter drive.
I also tried parking at the side of a street that has been center plowed only. So there was a hump of snow to get to the curb. Pulling into that spot was no problem, and pulling out also was no problem. I should have tried this with the P85 before I returned it, but I didn’t want to get stuck.
Overall, the P85 with snow tires worked pretty well, but I didn’t have as much confidence in it with deeper snow than the 60D. I am surprised at the Goodyear Eagle tires handling so well in the snow. I am sure that the dual motor had a lot to do with the snow performance of the 60D. So I’m going to try it out a couple more days before deciding on the snow tires.
Conclusion:
If you live in a heavy snow state, like Minnesota, Wisconsin, or Michigan, you probably should get the Dual Motor. Or if you are travelling to mountains such as Colorado, then definitely get the dual motor. If you have occasional snow, or little snow, then the rear wheel drive with snow tires would work. Either way, always take it easier when there is snow on the ground.
Why listen to me?
I grew up in Minnesota driving various types of cars in the winter. This ranged from rear wheel drive (RWD) to front wheel drive (FWD), to 4-wheel drive (4WD) to All wheel drive (AWD). Each of them have their own unique qualities and each are better suited for different environments. I still like 4WD the best, but AWD with locking differentials would be great.
Anyone know if we can get lockers in the Tesla or are they limited-slip already?
