2016 FPIU - Handling in First Snow Storm in MA

[Reverend Biker]

Hello Forum,

I just drove home 25 miles in a snowstorm in my 2016 FPIU. I checked in the driver settings and saw the traction control was turned on.

At speeds up to 40 mph, it handled pretty stable in snow up to 2 inches. I tried to get it to 50, and the back end seemed to get a little squirrely. In my 2012 Escape, the Traction Control light comes on the dash when the rear wheels engage. When I felt the rear wheels break loose, no dash lights, and I felt like I needed to let off the gas, like in a RWD car, to get it back in line.

I am not familiar enough with the AWD system in the Ex to know if this is typical behavior (no dash lights and the rear wheels break loose before it grabs hold). I didn't experiment too much on the open road. I haven't had a chance to run my normal tests in the Walmart parking lot, being the first snow since I bought it.

I was taught to drive by a state trooper who actually took us out in snowy conditions, and we did controlled skids and learned how to use the accelerator to regain control of a skidding crown vic. Having been taught those skills 40 years ago helped avoid dozens of accidents over the years. I did test the stopping distance, and the ABS in the EX stopped from 30 mph with minimum skidding in the snow.

I tend to have a light foot in poor weather; I was going up about a 2-3% grade, and maintaining speed with the traffic (about 35) and as the road got steeper, I tried to give it a bit more accelerator and it went left, then back to the right. It felt just like my limited slip in my old 71 Skylark Sun Coupe when I'd punch that.

I am not sure what to expect with the AWD system, and the only thread I found in the forum was years old and talked about the torque transfer up to 100% power to one wheel if only one has traction. Tires passed inspection without a question, and according to the website Eagle RSA is great in all weather.

There was barely 2 inches of snow on the road, but I'd like to hear from y'all If anyone has experience driving in snow with your Ex, what tires you have and what your experience has been.

Thanks in advance for any replies...

 

[syncceduppp]

My neighbor was a Sgt at a local PD. After numerous crashes and incidents in wintry weather, his department eventually started using decided winter tires (don't know which make/model) in the snowy months which apparently helped a lot. In his opinion the Goodyear Eagle RS-A have dreadful winter performance.
In my limited experience, I would agree that the Goodyear Eagle RS-A do not do well in snow/ice. The handling and traction were much worse than my family's other vehicles which have Michelin CrossClimate2.
I ended up getting a set of Bridgestone Blizzak 245/60R18 for winter. Haven't driven enough for an opinion on them yet.
If you haven't already done so, FORScan can enable an AWD gauge screen in the IPC which shows a real-time view of power distribution per wheel.

 

[Reverend Biker]

My neighbor was a Sgt at a local PD. After numerous crashes and incidents in wintry weather, his department eventually started using decided winter tires (don't know which make/model) in the snowy months which apparently helped a lot. In his opinion the Goodyear Eagle RS-A have dreadful winter performance.
In my limited experience, I would agree that the Goodyear Eagle RS-A do not do well in snow/ice. The handling and traction were much worse than my family's other vehicles which have Michelin CrossClimate2.
I ended up getting a set of Bridgestone Blizzak 245/60R18 for winter. Haven't driven enough for an opinion on them yet.
If you haven't already done so, FORScan can enable an AWD gauge screen in the IPC which shows a real-time view of power distribution per wheel.

Wow, thanks for that. I believed the propoganda from Goodyear I was reading on the Eagles. I have run Cooper AT3s as long as I've been able to find them on my Escape and three pickups before that. The performance on unplowed/untreated roads was amazing, but it definitely doesn't have the speed rating (not that I need it for my driving habits). I cannot believe these are the tires of choice for the CT Police

A buddy of mine swears by Blizzaks for his winter tires for the last 20 years; I've never been a fan of swapping rims and tires with the seasons.

I just learned about FORScan since I've been in the forum. I went to their site last week and they have stopped selling licenses due to the latest sanctions against Russia. There is no way to send payment to the developer. I didn't think I would need it, but I am slowly being proven wrong.

Thanks

 

[syncceduppp]

To do most programming with FORScan you don't need to pay them anything; the two month free trial of the extended license allows access to change the module settings.

 

[LuckyRabbit]

We live half the year in snow country, my driving style is best described as “ass hole” and I enjoy a good apex around a corner, our 15’ PIU makes me smile even with the new but junk cop issue Goodyears

Swap to the Michelin all seasons in the PIU size and it really brings out the fun in the vehicle

 

[peterk9]

.......................................

There was barely 2 inches of snow on the road, but I'd like to hear from y'all If anyone has experience driving in snow with your Ex, what tires you have and what your experience has been.

Thanks in advance for any replies...

I've driven in snowy conditions multiple times and would never do it without dedicated winter tires. Some all season tires may do well in snow but they begin to lose traction at only 43 degrees F. Winter tires, because of their construction and material tend to remain more pliable in cold conditions.

Peter

 

[DePolicify]

I live in rural Alaska. My PIU's perform better than any vehicle I have ever owned. When it comes down to good or great the difference will be tires though. If I run studs it feels like driving on dry pavement. I got tired of swapping over tires every season so now I am running Michelin CrossClimates and they are awesome. Very minimal slippage on ice, and next to none on snow. You do pay for them though. My 2013 currently has Yokohama Geolandars and they are also great, but I would say about a grade below the CrossClimates.

I have found that "you get what you pay for" is especially true with tires.

 

[Reverend Biker]

I've driven in snowy conditions multiple times and would never do it without dedicated winter tires. Some all season tires may do well in snow but they begin to lose traction at only 43 degrees F. Winter tires, because of their construction and material tend to remain more pliable in cold conditions.

I've had great luck with my 2012 Escape and Cooper AT3s, unfortunately they don't make them in the PIU size. Cooper pushes the Zeon, and that is nowhere near aggressive enough for the roads I drive in New England.

I definitely understand the benefits of dedicated snow tires, but I don't have the space to store an entire second set of rims, or a convenient way to swap them out.

I don't trust the chimps that work at the local tire place; the national tire chain minimum wage flunky forgot to tighten the lug nuts after putting them on hand tight on two tires when I did a rim swap. One came off at highway speed. That was the last time I trusted them with my vehicle, about 20 years ago.

 

[Reverend Biker]

I live in rural Alaska. My PIU's perform better than any vehicle I have ever owned. When it comes down to good or great the difference will be tires though. If I run studs it feels like driving on dry pavement. I got tired of swapping over tires every season so now I am running Michelin CrossClimates and they are awesome. Very minimal slippage on ice, and next to none on snow. You do pay for them though. My 2013 currently has Yokohama Geolandars and they are also great, but I would say about a grade below the CrossClimates.

I have found that "you get what you pay for" is especially true with tires.

Thanks for sharing. I've watched a couple of your videos and bookmarked a few more. They have been super helpful navigating my plan for upgrading my interior. Thank you for documenting everything and posting on youtube!

I had Geolandars on my escape when I bought it, and they were pretty good. The Cooper AT3s have been solid on all of my 4x4 and AWD vehicles, but they don't have the size for the Ex. I will have to check on the Michelins through my guy.

As I plan my interior project, I might have a few questions for you. Are you cool with me DMing to pick your brain, once I figure out what I need to ask?

Thanks for the advice on the tires.

 

[DePolicify]

As I plan my interior project, I might have a few questions for you. Are you cool with me DMing to pick your brain, once I figure out what I need to ask?

Thanks for the advice on the tires.

Sure thing, It may be easier to message me on my Instagram, @DePolicify