Proximity sensors being covered by snow / ice and setting off false warnings

[smclaury]

I'm a new EV owner, this is my first winter drive with the vehicle, and all of my sensors are freezing up. They are giving me warnings of people in front of me, behind me, and such. Does anybody have suggestions to help resolve this problem. Is there a way for me to just turn these sensors off in cold weather.

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[TMND]

Pretty sure there is a way in the settings to disable those somewhere under “ Driver assistance” I believe.

 

[TaxmanHog]

If driving in a heavy storm, stop periodically and clear the bumper sensors, light modules and the front bumper to the drivers side of the front license plate (radar unit is under that section).

 

[smclaury]

I live in Wyoming, the ability for me to stop and clear off the sensors is not necessarily going to work out. Does anybody know of a chemical de-icer, I can use to spray on that won't affect the vehicle or the sensors? I'm thinking with people from Canada, who own the 2024 F150 Lightning are facing the same issues.

 

[richl025]

I'm a new EV owner, this is my first winter drive with the vehicle, and all of my sensors are freezing up. They are giving me warnings of people in front of me, behind me, and such. Does anybody have suggestions to help resolve this problem. Is there a way for me to just turn these sensors off in cold weather.

If the camera screen automatically pops up when the proximity alarm goes off - there should be a soft button to disable to proximity alarm right there. It's the soft button in the lower-right hand corner of the screen in the photo here. Not sure how long it stays disabled for - I THINK it's the whole trip, but not sure.

 

[smclaury]

That prompt, only lasts a couple of seconds, and not even my passenger could hit it off in time before the screen switched.

Seems like the answer is, shut sensors off, any advice on de-icing them, or any preventive de-icing?

 

[richl025]

That prompt, only lasts a couple of seconds, and not even my passenger could hit it off in time before the screen switched.

Seems like the answer is, shut sensors off, any advice on de-icing them, or any preventive de-icing?

Try disabling the Parking Aid sensors in the Driver Assistance Menu? I just checked that now & it worked at my very slow speed in my driveway...

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

Swirling snow, ice, and water droplets will confuse the sensors regardless of how clean the sensors are. That said, I'm curious if anyone has tried any de-ice or anti-ice spray. I don't know how the materials in those sprays would impact the sensor covers. The manual says not to use a petroleum product on the mirrors or mirror housings, but I can't find any additional information about de-icing from the owner's manual.

 

[smclaury]

If the camera screen automatically pops up when the proximity alarm goes off - there should be a soft button to disable to proximity alarm right there. It's the soft button in the lower-right hand corner of the screen in the photo here. Not sure how long it stays disabled for - I THINK it's the whole trip, but not sure.

I did go into the truck settings and was able to disable the features. I also noticed you can change the sensitivity level.

I was really hoping somebody would have some experience with using deicers or something.

 

[Heliian]

It's the soft button in the lower-right hand corner of the screen

That's the solution.

The sensors only engage at slower speeds so it's not a big deal most of the time.

Mine are covered all the time up here in the great white north. I don't even bother clearing them.

The worst is freezing rain, when you have pure water ice on them they become extra sensitive. I had to clear them once last year. This is my third winter with the truck.

 

[smclaury]

Not that I would use it during a storm anyway, but shutting all those sensors off causes all the cruise assists functions to not work.

Btw, I love my EV truck!!!! Just hate Ford and my dealership, customer service does not exist. I found out afterwards the dealership sold me a truck, they don't even have a 1450 port to plug into. They have no chargers, so they have no way to diagnose my truck, even if they had an EV specialist.

 

[TaxmanHog]

I'd be concerned with damaging the plastic lens & housing using chemicals.

 

[Athrun88]

I have no experience with any of these products, but might be worth looking into

https://rainbowtechstore.com/products/canadian-formula-de-icer?variant=1183132167

https://blasterproducts.com/product/de-icer/

I can imagine more of these kinds of products being in more demand as more and more cars have front facing sensors in cold climates. Might look into some for the wife's Audi too.

 

[B177y]

Try using the cheapest vodka you can find for de-icer. Put it in a spray bottle and spray the sensors. It's pretty much the same as the auto store windshield de-icer spray.

Plus, it gives your truck that "awesome night out" smell...

 

[B177y]

If you don't want to use vodka, I have used this for my windshield:

Prestone AS247 Trigger Spray Windshield De-Icer, 32 oz. https://a.co/d/dIFCW8R

I haven't had any ice on my sensors yet, but thanks for the heads-up. I'll start carrying something for winter road trips.

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