How does Cybertruck with all season tires do in the snow?

[Djinndjinn]

We have traditionally swapped our all season tires for winter tires on our model S. However, we can’t do the same with our cybertruck due to lack of storage space plus we can’t handle the tire/rim weight. I’m curious if any of our brothers and sisters have driven their cybertruck with the stock all season tires in the snow, and can comment on handling with and without the slip function engaged.

we’ve been lucky to not have any snow in Central Pennsylvania to date, but I know other parts around us have. We always have our model S with the snow tires as a primary vehicle in snowy and icy weather, but I’m just curious about how the CT all season tires do, especially with the slip function engaged. I realize it’s subjective, and in great part related to the situation as well as the skill of the driver. At some point, I should be able to report back on our subjective thoughts of our model S with snow tires versus the cybertruck with all seasons. in the meantime… Thanks for any opinions out there!

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[Outdoors]

In two words on the all season in snow. Not fun.

Yes the are gigantic and heavy. Yet we did swap. Now I have 4 sets of all season tires in my garage. Feel like a tire store.

 

[Sxksxk]

We have traditionally swapped our all season tires for winter tires on our model S. However, we can’t do the same with our cybertruck due to lack of storage space plus we can’t handle the tire/rim weight. I’m curious if any of our brothers and sisters have driven their cybertruck with the stock all season tires in the snow, and can comment on handling with and without the slip function engaged.

we’ve been lucky to not have any snow in Central Pennsylvania to date, but I know other parts around us have. We always have our model S with the snow tires as a primary vehicle in snowy and icy weather, but I’m just curious about how the CT all season tires do, especially with the slip function engaged. I realize it’s subjective, and in great part related to the situation as well as the skill of the driver. At some point, I should be able to report back on our subjective thoughts of our model S with snow tires versus the cybertruck with all seasons. in the meantime… Thanks for any opinions out there!

I'm also interested being in MN. Why would you need new rims? Couldn't you just put new tires on the existing rims?

 

[Bill W.]

I am a snow guy and drive to the snow every week end. In the dark past I used studded snow tires.
Now
Rarely use plastic snow chains but only when forced to go up to my companies ski lodge.
Recommendation
If your in ice nothing helps. If your in snow plastic chains are OK but I prefer not to use them due to speed restriction and false sense of security.
PSI
That low preasure to increase tire area. I never did that even when stuck (dig your way out). I have never needed a wench to pull me out.
but
It has been proven low psi on tires makes it worse due to spread out loads vs concentrated loads. Weight or load concentrated vs less concentrated (flatter tire)
Tires
Snow tires never made any difference on take off or control. They are more of a gimmick.

I'm curious - what was the wench wearing...?

 

[Outdoors]

I'm curious - what was the wench wearing...?

She was a beauty:

This one not so much:

 

[TyPope]

She was a beauty:

This one not so much:

That bottom picture is of a winch wench. Come on, man... Learn some Metric.

 

[TyPope]

I'm also interested being in MN. Why would you need new rims? Couldn't you just put new tires on the existing rims?

No matter how careful you are, changing tires on the rim twice a year will chew up the rims. Plus, you'd have to rebalance them each time...

 

[Gaximus]

I’ve driven on a lot of snow and a lot of horrible tire in the snow. I got stuck in a pretty decent snow storm on the way back from a long road trip in the CT, and I can say that its one of the worst highway vehicles to drive in the snow and slippery conditions, not because of the tires(they aren’t great) but because of the one pedal driving. If you start to slide, take your foot off the pedals and steer into the skid. Unless that causes the vehicle to slam on the brakes, then your SOL. I miss my Model S‘s two pedal driving, so much safer.

 

[Djinndjinn]

I’ve driven on a lot of snow and a lot of horrible tire in the snow. I got stuck in a pretty decent snow storm on the way back from a long road trip in the CT, and I can say that its one of the worst highway vehicles to drive in the snow and slippery conditions, not because of the tires(they aren’t great) but because of the one pedal driving. If you start to slide, take your foot off the pedals and steer into the skid. Unless that causes the vehicle to slam on the brakes, then your SOL. I miss my Model S‘s two pedal driving, so much safer.

All terrain or all season tires?

 

[TexasRaider]

I’ve driven on a lot of snow and a lot of horrible tire in the snow. I got stuck in a pretty decent snow storm on the way back from a long road trip in the CT, and I can say that its one of the worst highway vehicles to drive in the snow and slippery conditions, not because of the tires(they aren’t great) but because of the one pedal driving. If you start to slide, take your foot off the pedals and steer into the skid. Unless that causes the vehicle to slam on the brakes, then your SOL. I miss my Model S‘s two pedal driving, so much safer.

Sounds like an awesome opportunity for the end user to create their customized “Snow Mode”. Right?
I believe that every EV should have a simple way to build/customize a profile of all the vehicle’s driving settings at a touch of a button. (Within reason for safety.)

 

[HaulingAss]

I’ve driven on a lot of snow and a lot of horrible tire in the snow. I got stuck in a pretty decent snow storm on the way back from a long road trip in the CT, and I can say that its one of the worst highway vehicles to drive in the snow and slippery conditions, not because of the tires(they aren’t great) but because of the one pedal driving. If you start to slide, take your foot off the pedals and steer into the skid. Unless that causes the vehicle to slam on the brakes, then your SOL. I miss my Model S‘s two pedal driving, so much safer.

Don't worry, you'll get the hang of one-pedal driving in the snow if you just stick with it. It definitely takes different techniques with the throttle pedal, but once you get the hang of it you will be drifting with the best of them.

One of the first things I did with my Model 3 Performance when I bought it in the fall of 2018 was to race up and down a twisty, switchback mountain highway in winter snowstorms. Often I would be in 3-5 inches of soft packed snow with no contact with the underlying road. I got in the habit of entering downhill hairpins overspeed and scrubbing off the excess using regen and steering inputs to yaw the vehicle in the direction of the turns. I could feel the car dial back the amount of regen available as I descended, if it dials regen back enough, I would need to add in some physical brake action, in addition to full regen. I found it was easy to adapt on the fly.

If it's really slick, just remember to feather the throttle (like how you would feather the brake in the slippery stuff). Tesla previously would recommend turning regen to low for snow and ice and that is good advice for beginners who haven't learned to feather the right pedal yet. I think by removing the low regen setting on the Cybertruck Tesla has decided it's better to just automatically dial back regen if it senses it's too strong for the conditions, rather than require the user to turn it down manually.

 

[Gaximus]

All terrain or all season tires?

I was on AT. It wouldn’t have made a difference though , the snow was just deep enough and fresh enough not to allow any contact with the road.

 

[Gaximus]

Don't worry, you'll get the hang of one-pedal driving in the snow if you just stick with it. It definitely takes different techniques with the throttle pedal, but once you get the hang of it you will be drifting with the best of them.

it’s not a matter of getting the hang of it. Having to keep my foot in the exact 4mm range to prevent the reverb from kick in, or the motors from trying to accelerate, will cause fatigue. Not just physically but mentally. I drive into the mountains several times a month to go skiing and when it’s snowing, it can be exhausting. Tesla should have never taken away the option for two legal driving, it wasn’t getting anyone (or range, regen still happened when using the brakes). I also need creep back.

 

[Billyfill]

Great question! I totally get the challenge with tire storage and the weight of extra rims, especially with the Cybertruck. While I haven't had the chance to drive mine in heavy snow yet, I’ve been keeping an eye on how the stock all-season tires perform in less-than-ideal conditions.

From what I've seen so far, the Cybertruck's weight distribution and its impressive traction control system (especially with the slip function) seem to give it a solid grip on snowy roads. The all-season tires are definitely not as aggressive as dedicated snow tires, but they should handle moderate snow and icy patches well, especially in the "Slip Start" mode, which allows a bit more controlled slippage to get you moving without losing too much traction.

That said, if you’re in a region with regular, heavy snowfall, snow tires would likely be the safer choice for better grip and performance. But if it’s just occasional snow or light winter conditions, the all-seasons might get you through just fine. Definitely looking forward to hearing how your Model S compares with the Cybertruck in those conditions once you have the chance to test both out!

Stay safe out there!

 

[nicnguye]

I live in NH and have AS tires. FSD took the truck over 4-5 inches of snow OK at 40 MPH, and was accelerating to pass other vehicles on snow-covered highway. I could feel the drag as it plowed through the snow, kicking the snow onto the bottom of the truck causing a loud rumbling sound that made I feel unsafe. I had to disengage FSD and moved the truck back in single-file with other vehicles, where I could stay on the tire tracks to get maximum traction. I forgot it had the winter driving mode, so I didn't use it.

The video of that drive is here:

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