EV torque + snow: friend or foe?

[electruck4x4]

Instant torque is amazing off-road, but on icy roads it can be… a learning curve.

How has your R1 behaved in snow so far?

Anything you’ve adjusted in your driving or settings?

— Team Electruck

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[riverie]

2025 R1S Tri-motor. First winter. Stock OEM Pirellis on 22" wheels at 7500 miles.
Erie, PA. Mostly suburban driving, some interstate.
35" of snow has officially fallen at the airport. Like many places they built the airport where it snows the least. I suspect 50 plus inches season to date most places locally.
We are good at snow removal, so it is rare to have deep snow to drive through.
But most days since Thanksgiving there has been snow on the road.

OK, having said all that I have been amazed at how good the vehicle is in the snow. I try to be gentle on acceleration, and I use snow mode for gentler regen.

No trouble at all going, stopping, turning.
I will probably get snow tires for next year, but so far so good on the Pirellis. ( I'm shocked to say that)

 

[COdogman]

Definitely a learning curve. Snow mode tames the torque pretty well IMO, but the regen is what I worry about more. I usually keep my regen set at high on dry roads, but put it on low when in snow mode. Seems to be better, but each winter so far I have to remember how to drive a little differently than in all previous ICE vehicles...

 

[Osyras]

I have the Hakka r5 SUV's on my gen2 DM and it handles like a dream. I had a loaner from the SC in Toronto and it still had the Scorpions on - it suuuuucked!!

 

[Magicbus]

Definitely a learning curve. Snow mode tames the torque pretty well IMO, but the regen is what I worry about more. I usually keep my regen set at high on dry roads, but put it on low when in snow mode. Seems to be better, but each winter so far I have to remember how to drive a little differently than in all previous ICE vehicles...

Interesting. My Regen drops to Low in Snow Mode. We've had a bunch of snow/the/freeze periods and I'm really pleased with how the Regen braking, probably in conjunction with the disc brakes, handles the anti-lock scenario and keeps my R1 straight. I agree there are no torque issues in Snow Mode.

 

[COdogman]

Interesting. My Regen drops to Low in Snow Mode. We've had a bunch of snow/the/freeze periods and I'm really pleased with how the Regen braking, probably in conjunction with the disc brakes, handles the anti-lock scenario and keeps my R1 straight. I agree there are no torque issues in Snow Mode.

Yep, you are right and it automatically uses low regen when switched to snow mode. I probably started out using by trying medium or even high since that was what I’m used to..

https://stories.rivian.com/software-update-snow-mode

 

[NoICE]

My first winter ('22-'23) here in Michigan with fairly new stock AT's and before the software update that included "snow mode" was a bit dicey, particularly in light/moderate snow or ice. It's what prompted me to get a second set of wheels with proper snow tires (Firestone WinterForce LT). Those plus the Snow Mode software made a huge difference, and I've never felt in more control driving in the winter.

 

[R1Thor]

It's all about the coefficient of friction between you and the road. Nothing else can compensate for lack of good tires.
That said, I've had zero issues. We've had a few good snowfalls with varying levels of slick, icy, gross and wet, slushy, and snowy, and the truck hasn't missed a beat. If there's snow on the ground, I use snow mode, but otherwise, stay in All Purpose. I've never adjusted down regen or worried about torque. Just don't drive like a dumdum (and to be clear; If you're uncomfortable driving in bad weather, stay home. I don't worry about myself on the road nearly as much as I worry about the other people I have to share the road with).

That said, it's also perfectly acceptable to find a wide open parking lot and enjoy some donuts

 

[loqueid]

Do any of you change your air pressure for the winter months? If so, what's your preferred PSI (in relation to OEM preferred 48 psi)?

 

[Cycliste]

Do any of you change your air pressure for the winter months? If so, what's your preferred PSI (in relation to OEM preferred 48 psi)?

Oh, good question

Testing one tire suggested lowering pressure

https://www.jalopnik.com/lets-solve-the-snow-driving-tire-pressure-debate-once-a-1851737240/

 

[Ceejay]

Thus far - first winter, R1T Dual with new Blizzaks, snow mode - i can't say I'm super impressed, though I've only had a short time to test. My house is up a road that doesn't get plowed in winter, and thus far the only challenging conditions have been the most difficult: just below freezing thick heavy snow. I'm comparing to my 2008 Mazda B4000 with studded Hakkas... not sure yet how Dual motor behaves on a wheel by wheel basis. Will see

 

[mkg3]

Gen 1 quad and use Snow mode.

Couple of years ago, drove from Sedona to Grand Canyon South Rim in January. Unknowing how the weather would change, drove on the 89A between Sedona and Flagstaff through the mountain range and got lots of snow, including a whiteout during the drive.

The Snow mode worked great. No loss of traction and steady going. Noticed at the time, many vehicles had pulled off to the side of the road due to the snow - R1S did just great even going up some steep grades.

 

[2kwik4u]

Do any of you change your air pressure for the winter months? If so, what's your preferred PSI (in relation to OEM preferred 48 psi)?

Mother nature changes it for me.

It's usually down around 46 when it's below freezing. Closer to 50 in the summer months. I don't purposefully change it.

 

[Ceejay]

air pressure seems to really matter for grip on slippery white stuff: to add to my previous note, I kept my studded Hakkas lower, but can't recall PSI... so this is all to say that my sense so far that my Rivian is not doing so well on snow has a number of parameters that may mean my comparison is not that fair

 

[Seano]

A light vehicle on studded tires is going to crush the performance of a heavier vehicle on stud-less snows in those conditions and on ice.

On the other hand, the Blizzaks will shine in every other road condition you will encounter

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