How to drive R1S Dual using Snow setting

[AspenDriver]

Winter and its frequent snows has arrived in the Great Plains. I'm pretty sure I can set the drive mode to Snow and go about my way, yes? or do I have to keep my speed under a certain limit?
Also, does that Snow setting reduce the range even further? I see in the manual that the regenerative braking is reduced so....

We have a 2026 R1S, 20" OEM Pirelli Scorpion tires

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[narmstrong79]

Aspen - You're overthinking it. Its just like any other car. Snow mode keeps AWD locked on and reduces regen, but you can increase it if you want. just drive.

 

[webfootdawg]

Gen 1 Quad driver, 20" OEM Pirelli Scorpions. I have found on very slippery/icy roads high regen will cause the wheels to slip. Snow mode with reduced regen is my default on packed snow or black ice risk.

Hard to gauge the range impact to lowest regen and snow mode as my winter driving is experienced in trips to nearby mountains, but seems the cold temps and mountain driving is a bigger impact than drive mode.

 

[2kwik4u]

I've been driving in "snow mode" for about 9 months now. The impact to range is pretty minimal as best I can tell. Might be a couple tenths of mi/kWh, but not enough to make the difference of more than a few miles. Even on long legs of a road trip.

Gen 1 Dual Motor R1T for reference.

 

[cbrcanuck]

Gen 1 Quad driver, 20" OEM Pirelli Scorpions. I have found on very slippery/icy roads high regen will cause the wheels to slip. Snow mode with reduced regen is my default on packed snow or black ice risk.

Hard to gauge the range impact to lowest regen and snow mode as my winter driving is experienced in trips to nearby mountains, but seems the cold temps and mountain driving is a bigger impact than drive mode.

I'd definitely agree. Overall winter conditions will have a much bigger impact than reduced regen (which is reduced by the cold anyway, regardless of drive mode).

Yup - pop her in snow mode, drive carefully as you would with any other vehicle, and enjoy the drive

 

[AspenDriver]

Gen 1 Quad driver, 20" OEM Pirelli Scorpions. I have found on very slippery/icy roads high regen will cause the wheels to slip. Snow mode with reduced regen is my default on packed snow or black ice risk.

Hard to gauge the range impact to lowest regen and snow mode as my winter driving is experienced in trips to nearby mountains, but seems the cold temps and mountain driving is a bigger impact than drive mode.

Yes, your reply is very helpful and matches my early experience in snow/freezing temps, which had me concerned until I was reminded about the Snow mode.

 

[SkiLizardHead2]

Yes, your reply is very helpful and matches my early experience in snow/freezing temps, which had me concerned until I was reminded about the Snow mode.

Snow mode applies torque to both motors across all speeds and also allows regen braking in both motors but reduces regen a bit as apposed to all purpose mode where torque is only applied to the front motor above approx 25mph. Regen in all purpose mode is applied to only front motor again above approx 25mph. Snow mode improves stability but will not mitigate all the risk on snow or ice covered roads. As you know in the upper midwest - quality Snow tires as in any SUV makes a big difference and in combination with snow mode and conservative driving dependent on road conditions will help mitigate most of the risk in driving on snow/ice covered roads. Concerning snow tires I have experience with and like Micheline X-Ice and more recently the Nokian Hakkapelitta R5 SUV is another studless excellent snow/ice tire. the x-Ice may not be available in the weight spec but I haven't checked this year. Both of these tires have a min impact on range - maybe 10%. Stay away from studded snows since they have a significant range impact.

 

[kanundrum]

If you're doing frequent Aspen trips Nokian Hakkapelitas are your friend!

 

[RivAW]

I've been driving in "snow mode" for about 9 months now. The impact to range is pretty minimal as best I can tell. Might be a couple tenths of mi/kWh, but not enough to make the difference of more than a few miles. Even on long legs of a road trip.

Gen 1 Dual Motor R1T for reference.

Your weather sucks if you've needed snow mode for 9 mos in NY!
Safe to assume you just like the reduced regen?

 

[ENVErider]

Winter and its frequent snows has arrived in the Great Plains. I'm pretty sure I can set the drive mode to Snow and go about my way, yes? or do I have to keep my speed under a certain limit?
Also, does that Snow setting reduce the range even further? I see in the manual that the regenerative braking is reduced so....

We have a 2026 R1S, 20" OEM Pirelli Scorpion tires

I own a quad, but to your question, yes, you could just pop it into snow and leave it on for months. Reportedly, Kyle from Out of Spec runs his dual motor Rivians in snow mode year-round because he hates the clunk from the rear wheel engagement, and this is a hack to force it into AWD all the time.

 

[2kwik4u]

Your weather sucks if you've needed snow mode for 9 mos in NY!
Safe to assume you just like the reduced regen?

I prefer the full time AWD. Dual motor "clunk" on engagement sucks. Snow mode keeps the rear drive unit engaged.

 

[2kwik4u]

I own a quad but to your question, yes you could just pop it into snow and leave it on for months. Reportedly Kyle from Our of Spec runs his dual motor Rivians in snow mode year round because he hates the clunk from the rear wheel engagement and this is hack to force it into awd all the time. .

I do the same thing.

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