Drive Mode in Heavy Rain

[KHopf]

What drive mode to others use when driving in heavy rain with pooling water on the road? Rivian pretty consistently recommends “All Purpose“, but I’m always tempted to put my dual motor R1S into “Snow” mode to lock in all 4 wheels. Any thoughts?

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[Joe Hoffman]

I think it may depend on which configuration you have. For example, I have a quad, and therefore all purpose makes most sense to me.
I’m not familiar with how snow mode locks in all four wheels. Perhaps you could explain that to those of us who don’t have a dual.

 

[R1Thrilled]

I think it may depend on which configuration you have. For example, I have a quad, and therefore all purpose makes most sense to me.
I’m not familiar with how snow mode locks in all four wheels. Perhaps you could explain that to those of us who don’t have a dual.

Dual motor operates in front wheel drive with a clutch connect for the rear under certain conditions. Snow mode connects the rear so it always puts power to front and rear.

 

[Joe Hoffman]

Thanks for that description. Sounds like snow mode is a good idea for the dual when encountering hard rain conditions as you described.

 

[mkg3]

Keep in mind that Snow mode expects wheel slippage and lower speed than most people drive in the rain.

I would not think it's a good idea to put it into the Snow mode. All modern AWD vehicles are designed to sense slippage and if the vehicle senses slippage, the power is redistributed to other wheels not slipping in conjunction with the traction control.

 

[Joe Hoffman]

Keep in mind that Snow mode expects wheel slippage and lower speed than most people drive in the rain.

I would not think it's a good idea to put it into the Snow mode. All modern AWD vehicles are designed to sense slippage and if the vehicle senses slippage, the power is redistributed to other wheels not slipping in conjunction with the traction control.

In other words: Let the software do its job and not overthink it. KISS

 

[Mathme]

The software will respond to any slippage within milliseconds. I rarely use anything other than AP as it is the Swiss arms knife of drive modes.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Mind your speed in all purpose and not drive on past due tires with almost no tread (and compromised ability to displace water). Millions of cars on the roads are FWD only. It’s really not necessary to force yours into AWD. Enabled, ABS, traction control and stability control will do their part.

As mentioned, snow mode is potentially bad advice for reasons cited.

 

[2kwik4u]

The software will respond to any slippage within milliseconds. I rarely use anything other than AP as it is the Swiss arms knife of drive modes.

Software might react that fast, but the mechanical system can't keep up. There's noticable lag between slipping and engagement on the dual motor trucks. Coupled with fully open differentials it's not spectacular.

I run "snow" mode for probably 90% of my driving. No rear disconnect lag, and "soft" is available for the dampers. The reduced throttle response and slightly lower regen also help smooth out the experience.

 

[River Ghost]

I was camping on an exposed bluff near Moab when I woke up to a thunderstorm. As soon as it was light I headed down the dirt road to the highway before the road became too muddy. I pulled onto the highway and headed downhill into Moab. My dual motor R1S with all terrain tires started sliding and I slowed down. Then a semi showed up on my tail. I went as fast as I dared hoping to get to where the highway had an extra lane. The car started sliding again. Then it displayed a message "Switching to four wheel drive." I breathed easier. Soon afterwards the additional lane showed up and then I soon started seeing sleet piled up on the side of the road. And there was a car that had gone off the road. I probably should have switched to snow mode when the car started sliding if I had thought of it. But the car figured it out by itself.

 

[kurtlikevonnegut]

Sport mode traction control off.

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