WINTER DRIVING TIPS
Yes, we do live in the tropical zone on SSI. But we do get a short and mild winter. Best to prepare.
PREPARATION TIPS
Ensure you have adequate winter tires and the pressure is correct. Air compresses in colder temperatures and your tires can deflate a bit. Some folks chose all season tires but I am a big believer on full-on winters, which I swap from summers about mid-October. Ensure your window washer fluid is full and clean your windows really well for those low-sun angels.
SUPPORT BATTERIES
EV RANGE TIPS
Your electric vehicle will not go as far as in the summer. You will lose range because of:
Best practices include:
RODENTS
Here is another consideration. Rodents. Your EV will produce heat under the hood when charging. Sometimes a critter can make a nest to soak up that wonderful heat. They can also eat certain wire components. Worth having a check every so often and tossing away any nest material that accumulates.
Yes, we do live in the tropical zone on SSI. But we do get a short and mild winter. Best to prepare.
PREPARATION TIPS
Ensure you have adequate winter tires and the pressure is correct. Air compresses in colder temperatures and your tires can deflate a bit. Some folks chose all season tires but I am a big believer on full-on winters, which I swap from summers about mid-October. Ensure your window washer fluid is full and clean your windows really well for those low-sun angels.
SUPPORT BATTERIES
- ensure your FOB battery is ok. On a leaf, a CR 2025, as it is not nice for it to go flakey when you are in a snowbank trying to get in. I carry a spare in my car.
- ensure your 12 volt utility battery as it runs lights and window wipers and “starts the car”. I carry a multi-function Jump Starter as backup.
EV RANGE TIPS
Your electric vehicle will not go as far as in the summer. You will lose range because of:
- the use of winter tires. Ther=y are sticky and full of friction. Studded winter tires are worse.
- Your regenerative systems being reduced
- you battery does not store as much energy at colder temparatures (but will return to normal in the Spring)
- use of heater and defrost (a "lot" of electricity)
- use of headlights, window wipers (a "little" electricity)
Best practices include:
- keeping the cabin warm rather than hot.
- Using seat and steering wheel heaters
- pre-heating the EV before leaving on a drive
- drive slower, which depending on the speed, can use far less energy
RODENTS
Here is another consideration. Rodents. Your EV will produce heat under the hood when charging. Sometimes a critter can make a nest to soak up that wonderful heat. They can also eat certain wire components. Worth having a check every so often and tossing away any nest material that accumulates.