-20F to -30F performance and experience

[MTcowpoke]

We're in the middle of a cold blast in central Montana so I ran to town yesterday morning and this morning to see what the Lightning and extreme cold would do. There is no reason to be out in this weather if you don't have to. I do, I spent the rest of yesterday in a 1 ton diesel with a hydraulic bed to feed large round bales to cattle. One thing I do know is the Lightning was warmer in the cab than the diesel was all day.

 

[YellowstoneLightning]

I went out in my lightning yesterday for the same reason, it was between -14 and -22 (SW Montana). I noticed a few things:

-Efficiency and range were down, but I'd say acceptably so for the extreme temperatures.
-Everything functioned well. I was driving an almost new Ranger in the cold last winter and the engine would bog down and the transmission wasn't happy when it would get this cold.
-Charging is the best way to keep the battery warm. I went out for a drive and the battery temperature dropped and power was reduced from 96% to 81% throughout the drive. County roads and even state routes were too easy on the battery to keep it warm. I should add that the only way one could notice a reduction of power is on an acceleration launch, which would be stupid in this weather.
-It's fun to hear the crunchy snow and nothing else driving around town.

 

[The Weatherman]

Man that’s rough. Was a cattle
farmer here in KY, I feel for you and your cattle. Good luck for the next several days.

 

[LightningShow]

Awww...perfect opportunity for a 70mph highway range test!

 

[MTcowpoke]

This morning was about the same result except the overnight low. I have a Mesonet weather station close to my house and here is a pic of the temp at 2am. Kind of crazy to think that it's "warmed" up about 20 degrees and is still 20 below.

 

[YellowstoneLightning]

Awww...perfect opportunity for a 70mph highway range test!

At least if your goal is to get youtube views

"mY FoRD f150LIGHTNING cAN onLY GO HOW FAR in THE cOlD???!!!???"

 

[wighty]

Need to get you guys some OBDII dongles and carscanner/phone app to grab the sensor/temp data. I've been trying to collect cold temp data but our temps really haven't dipped that significantly so far this year.

 

[snowy_91]

Yup, I am now working with KWh per mile......

 

[THX1138]

Need to get you guys some OBDII dongles and carscanner/phone app to grab the sensor/temp data. I've been trying to collect cold temp data but our temps really haven't dipped that significantly so far this year.

Can you recommend OBDII dongle to do this?

 

[wighty]

Can you recommend OBDII dongle to do this?

I use this:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076XVQMVS/

Of note, I bought one last year and didn't use it all that much and then tried to use it a few months ago and it didn't seem to work, but I sort of wonder if I messed up the bluetooth settings (I don't think you are supposed to add this as a normal BT device, but let the carscanner app do it). I bought another one last month and it has been fine. I didn't go back to try and use the first one again yet.

This is the other one I would consider
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BZTXV6MZ

 

[Shawnson]

We're in the middle of a cold blast in central Montana so I ran to town yesterday morning and this morning to see what the Lightning and extreme cold would do. There is no reason to be out in this weather if you don't have to. I do, I spent the rest of yesterday in a 1 ton diesel with a hydraulic bed to feed large round bales to cattle. One thing I do know is the Lightning was warmer in the cab than the diesel was all day.

doing a project in the garage. Had to move it out onto the driveway over night. Does not maintain battery temperature on 120V apparently.

 

[cal]

Thanks so much for starting this thread! Real info is the best knowledge. I'm in Battle Ground WA (right across the river from Portland OR) and the high yesterday was 17 degrees. Going into town today and wondered what to expect. Eighteen degrees right now but it's suppose to get to 27. I would really freaked out if I hadn't read this thread.

Before my Lightning I've always relied on a 2012 Tundra for winter driving. Never drove the Tesla that much. Too much $ to chance someone sliding into me etc. Anyway this truck is now our winter vehicle. Got a 88 mile trip to make and I guess I get to see just how well this goes. Truck is currently charged to 80% - 237 miles. In my garage.

I guess I should expect severe range drop in just a few miles.

 

[THX1138]

I use this:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076XVQMVS/

Of note, I bought one last year and didn't use it all that much and then tried to use it a few months ago and it didn't seem to work, but I sort of wonder if I messed up the bluetooth settings (I don't think you are supposed to add this as a normal BT device, but let the carscanner app do it). I bought another one last month and it has been fine. I didn't go back to try and use the first one again yet.

This is the other one I would consider
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BZTXV6MZ

Can it be kept plugged in when the truck is parked, turned off, and not running? Or does it still draw on the 12v battery?

 

[wighty]

Can it be kept plugged in when the truck is parked, turned off, and not running? Or does it still draw on the 12v battery?

I leave mine plugged in. I think the energy draw is really minimal.

 

[Yellow Buddy]

So by my estimation, if you were to tow a trailer at 70mph in those temps, you should get approximately… 0.3-0.4 mi/kWh.

Approximately 40 miles of range. I mean that’s about 40 miles more than my ICE car runs, pretty sure my motor oil would be frozen at -23F.

Sponsored