Some observations from driving around in snow covered roads in sub-zero conditions in Rochester, NY.
1. I have the winter wheel set. The roads have been snow covered with packed snow. The tires seem just fine. I have driven a variety of vehicles with winter tires, the rear wheel drive i3 with winter tires seems as good as the rest (Audi S5, BMW 325Xi, etc). My drive way has a fairly steep entrance, and there has been no issue with the car thus far. The skinny tires and decent ground clearance are very helpful.
2. The windshield heating is not as robust as that in MB B class electric with the heated windshield. But it does work. I keep the speed at 3 or 4, and temp at 66. The wiper and washers seem to do good job on the front and back.
3. Use departure time setting while plugged into an EVSE as it preconditions the cabin and the battery. Even a half hour makes a big difference.
4. The sensors in the front, back, and side need to brushed clean of snow or the parking system goes haywire. Just another step: brush them while brushing the windshield.
5. Eco-pro is definitely recommended over Comfort, not just to have a larger range but also for better control when accelerating on snow packed roads. The stability system does a great job of keeping it all together. No problem with re-gen braking causing any slips. But I have not driven on ice yet.
6. Seat heating is nice, but MB B class electric has seat back heating as well. Nicer. I wish that my car had a heated steering wheel.
What has been your experience?
1. I have the winter wheel set. The roads have been snow covered with packed snow. The tires seem just fine. I have driven a variety of vehicles with winter tires, the rear wheel drive i3 with winter tires seems as good as the rest (Audi S5, BMW 325Xi, etc). My drive way has a fairly steep entrance, and there has been no issue with the car thus far. The skinny tires and decent ground clearance are very helpful.
2. The windshield heating is not as robust as that in MB B class electric with the heated windshield. But it does work. I keep the speed at 3 or 4, and temp at 66. The wiper and washers seem to do good job on the front and back.
3. Use departure time setting while plugged into an EVSE as it preconditions the cabin and the battery. Even a half hour makes a big difference.
4. The sensors in the front, back, and side need to brushed clean of snow or the parking system goes haywire. Just another step: brush them while brushing the windshield.
5. Eco-pro is definitely recommended over Comfort, not just to have a larger range but also for better control when accelerating on snow packed roads. The stability system does a great job of keeping it all together. No problem with re-gen braking causing any slips. But I have not driven on ice yet.
6. Seat heating is nice, but MB B class electric has seat back heating as well. Nicer. I wish that my car had a heated steering wheel.
What has been your experience?