Driving R1S on 22s in snow

[GoBuffs!]

I have 22s with stock tires on my R1S. I have lots of experience driving in the mountains with lots of snow. However, I haven’t driven the R1S in the mountains yet. It’s been snowing and snowing up in the mountains and I would love to take it up there. Can anyone give me some expectations of what to expect? I’ve read on some threads people say the 22s are worthless and are prone to slipping and sliding. That can happen in any vehicle depending how you are driving. Also, have the new updates made any difference?
Can someone give me some more detailed advice? Thanks!

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[sub]

In my opinion, the OEM 22" tires are OK in the snow. They feel better than the Michelin Defenders I had on my previous vehicle, but I am not sure how much of the difference is from the tires versus the vehicle.

Foor it going into a turn in sport mode and you will quickly break traction, but as long as you're not intentionally pushing the limits they are well behaved. They never slipped when I didn't deserve it, and when I did deserve it they regained control pretty quickly once I let off the throttle.

That said, I recommend anyone who spends significant time driving on snow get real winter tires. Once I was confident the warm temperatures were not going to return, I switched over to 22" Nokian R5's and the difference between the Nokian's and the OEM tires is significant. On the Nokians I can drive nearly as aggressively in the snow as I could in the rain on the OEM tires.

 

[R.I.P.]

I have 22s with stock tires on my R1S. I have lots of experience driving in the mountains with lots of snow. However, I haven’t driven the R1S in the mountains yet. It’s been snowing and snowing up in the mountains and I would love to take it up there. Can anyone give me some expectations of what to expect? I’ve read on some threads people say the 22s are worthless and are prone to slipping and sliding. That can happen in any vehicle depending how you are driving. Also, have the new updates made any difference?
Can someone give me some more detailed advice? Thanks!

Depends on whether you are running Enduro motors or the QM. The DM machines are pretty predictable in snow and slippery stuff, even on street tires. The QM's are a different animal, and can be a real challenge when not on the proper tires.

 

[Redline]

I have 22s with stock tires on my R1S. I have lots of experience driving in the mountains with lots of snow. However, I haven’t driven the R1S in the mountains yet. It’s been snowing and snowing up in the mountains and I would love to take it up there. Can anyone give me some expectations of what to expect? I’ve read on some threads people say the 22s are worthless and are prone to slipping and sliding. That can happen in any vehicle depending how you are driving. Also, have the new updates made any difference?
Can someone give me some more detailed advice? Thanks!

I’m in MN and granted we have minimal snow so far this year, but they’ve been “ok.”

 

[GoBuffs!]

In my opinion, the OEM 22" tires are OK in the snow. They feel better than the Michelin Defenders I had on my previous vehicle, but I am not sure how much of the difference is from the tires versus the vehicle.

Foor it going into a turn in sport mode and you will quickly break traction, but as long as you're not intentionally pushing the limits they are well behaved. They never slipped when I didn't deserve it, and when I did deserve it they regained control pretty quickly once I let off the throttle.

That said, I recommend anyone who spends significant time driving on snow get real winter tires. Once I was confident the warm temperatures were not going to return, I switched over to 22" Nokian R5's and the difference between the Nokian's and the OEM tires is significant. On the Nokians I can drive nearly as aggressively in the snow as I could in the rain on the OEM tires.

Thank you! That is what I was hoping to hear. I drive under control in the snow, nothing recklessso that regains my confidence.

 

[GoBuffs!]

Depends on whether you are running Enduro motors or the QM. The DM machines are pretty predictable in snow and slippery stuff, even on street tires. The QM's are a different animal, and can be a real challenge when not on the proper tires.

I have a Launch Edition Quad Motor.

So are you saying the stock Pirellis don’t cut it? That’s what I’m also wondering if I will need to get dedicated winter tires or if I could get by with the stock all season Pirellis.

 

[Jayhawkeye]

I have 24s on my expedition, and it handles loads better than my r1s on 22s in any slick weather.

 

[GoBlueR1T]

I live in Michigan and have a quad motor R1T on 22s. During our first snowfall in late November, the Pirrelis did ok but slid more than I liked on snowy roads. I found some Michelin XIce tires to put on. We got hammered with snow this weekend, and the XIces are *significantly* better. Highly recommend.

 

[Redline]

I think the biggest issue is the weight of the car. When I back out of our drive way with a mid sized incline, it wants to slide if it’s slick. I’d assume some good winter tires wouldn’t do that.

 

[R.I.P.]

I have a Launch Edition Quad Motor.

So are you saying the stock Pirellis don’t cut it? That’s what I’m also wondering if I will need to get dedicated winter tires or if I could get by with the stock all season Pirellis.

The problem with the quads is that they give up the inherent lateral stability of a differential. So if you start to slip, there is often sideways motion associated with it. This can be unnerving, and even dangerous.

So yes, if you drive a quad, I really recommend snow tires.

 

[GoBuffs!]

I appreciate all your advice and will buy some dedicated winter tires. That’s what I was worried about with sliding on ice going downhill.

I looked earlier this winter for Nokian tires but they’re sold out everywhere. I will now look for some Michelin X Snow/Ice tires and it seems they’re cheaper than Nokians. Any other suggestions?

I also bought some snow socks. Any thoughts on slippage with those?

 

[Rivian Head]

In my opinion, the OEM 22" tires are OK in the snow. They feel better than the Michelin Defenders I had on my previous vehicle, but I am not sure how much of the difference is from the tires versus the vehicle.

Foor it going into a turn in sport mode and you will quickly break traction, but as long as you're not intentionally pushing the limits they are well behaved. They never slipped when I didn't deserve it, and when I did deserve it they regained control pretty quickly once I let off the throttle.

That said, I recommend anyone who spends significant time driving on snow get real winter tires. Once I was confident the warm temperatures were not going to return, I switched over to 22" Nokian R5's and the difference between the Nokian's and the OEM tires is significant. On the Nokians I can drive nearly as aggressively in the snow as I could in the rain on the OEM tires.

No they are terrible in my experience. I live in Colorado, and it was slipping everywhere in 6 inch snow . With its weight, and relatively strong regen, it was locking up wheels, even in snow mode. I changed to Michelins X ice, which made a big difference

 

[dekoy]

From South Dakota here. I have a Model S on winters (Vredestein Wintrac Pro), CR-V on all-season Michelin CrossClimate 2's, and Quad motor R1S on the 22 inch Pirellis. The R1S is by far the slippiest on packed snow, and concrete with a thin layer of snow. Manageable, but I'm going to get X-ices.

 

[Forest Edge]

I have the stock Pirellis on 22s here in Colorado and it’s fine in the snow. If you want snow tires then get them but don’t feel like you need them.

 

[mkg3]

Clearly a dedicated set of snow tires is much better than an y AS tires.

Given that OE tire is an all season tire without 3PMSF rating, I thought it perform great driving in the snowing roads. The video is from last week between Sedona and Flagstaff during the snow storm on highway 89A through the mountain.. My R1S is on 22" and used Snow Mode while driving.

If I were to go off road or get stuck in the snow, then the OE tires are probably very poor to useless.

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