Snow Beast

[Paul M]

2020 Expedition Max Platinum four wheel drive, tow package:

This won't mean much to everyone that lives up North, but I've spent the last ten days driving daily in the Oklahoma Snowpacalypse. My daughter is a Speech pathologist in a skilled nursing center who has to be at work and the rest is dealing with family, meds delivered, and taking care of our commercial properties, frozen pipe at my sister's, etc. Oh, and before the weather took a huge crap on Oklahoma I started a remodel of our house...

I've driven/owned a truck since I was fifteen and the Expedition is by far the best vehicle I've ever driven in the snow. The F150's were more of a brute force, go through anything, but the Expy just goes. Smoothly, no hesitation, and the only white knuckle moments are dodging idiots in small cars going sideways or not at all.

Actually, it's taken some of the fun out of playing in the snow...

 

[29twonine]

Yeah, I would agree. We're in Colorado and I have Blizzak's on our Expedition. I think we could plow through about anything..

 

[Anerbe]

100% - with the better weight distribution than an unloaded f150, the expo has little problems with the right tires.

 

[LokiWolf]

100% - Minus my issues with the underbody protection acting like a snow collector.

 

[Anerbe]

100% - Minus my issues with the underbody protection acting like a snow collector.

I'm afraid to look under the car after the dumping we received in MI

 

[Fizzy]

100% - Minus my issues with the underbody protection acting like a snow collector.

I'm afraid to look under the car after the dumping we received in MI

Fairly standard stuff - happens up here all the time to all our vehicles. My Audi catches snow in the underbelly aerodynamic/protective panels all the time in the deeper stuff. Not much you can do about it really.

Luckily, there's no salt on top of the deeper snow, so less of a corrosion concern. But it's why I keep our vehicles parked in a heated garage, to melt all that excess baggage!

 

[Gumby]

My issue as of late is snow/ice collecting some place where the electronic brake sensor is located. Its causing a false positive that the e-brake is enabled and causes the vehicle to announce constantly that the brake is on and to release message along with CONSTANT gonging. Also getting "Limited Brake functionality" messages. Ebrake message is RED and Limited brake message is yellow. *shrug*

 

[scottdm]

My issue as of late is snow/ice collecting some place where the electronic brake sensor is located. Its causing a false positive that the e-brake is enabled and causes the vehicle to announce constantly that the brake is on and to release message along with CONSTANT gonging. Also getting "Limited Brake functionality" messages. Ebrake message is RED and Limited brake message is yellow. *shrug*

The electronic E-brake has a motorized actuator that applies the small drum brakes inside the rotors on the rear wheels. Perhaps you've got some ice in the rear parking brake assembly where it won't release correctly. If possible, maybe pull it inside someplace so it can thaw.

 

[edizzle]

i agree, save for the tires!!! with tires, this truck is very capable

 

[Aerogt01]

Just to give anyone a quick comparison - With the stock tires on the Expy our Commander runs circles around the Expy in the snow.

The Commander has worn-out (down to the wear bars) Yokohama Geolanders on it.
The Expy has 5k on brand new Hankooks.

4wd helps, but tires make all the difference.

 

[grumpyoleman]

'18 XLT no trailer tow here (4A only) and mine is like a billy goat in the snow. Sure it would be better with aftermarket tires but its all about expectations. and yes, once I wear these down I will get some better all terrains but I havent been stopped yet in two winters.

 

[sjwhiteley]

'18 XLT no trailer tow here (4A only) and mine is like a billy goat in the snow. Sure it would be better with aftermarket tires but its all about expectations. and yes, once I wear these down I will get some better all terrains but I havent been stopped yet in two winters.

Same (but a '19). While I do not like the Hankooks in the dry or wet, I've been quite impressed in the snow - even though my expectations were a low based on that summer performance.

 

[lv2drive]

reviving this thread to reiterate how much of a SNOW BEAST this vehicle is when it’s got good shoes !!!!

 

[TheDoug]

I live in north Texas so last week was my first time to have the Expy in the snow. Even with the garbage Hankook tires I was very impressed with the stability and traction on ice and snow. Glad I have the 4x4 vs rwd

 

[Jon Jenkins]

Couldn’t agree more! 18 Max Limited and I love the “grass/snow/wet” mode. Especially for my wife, how it changes the transmission braking and slows acceleration, makes it very safe and capable. I however still enjoy kicking it to sport mode and playing a little. We have Michelin tires and have been very impressed with the LTX M/2 on slippery and snow packed surfaces.

 

[aggiegrad05]

I live in north Texas so last week was my first time to have the Expy in the snow. Even with the garbage Hankook tires I was very impressed with the stability and traction on ice and snow. Glad I have the 4x4 vs rwd

Fellow north Texan here...same garbage hankooks but I had the same experience. My brother in law got married last weekend and I was “out and about” running all manner of errands as I was the only one with a vehicle that could get anywhere. The thing was a dream in the ice/snow...the grass/gravel/snow mode made sure every input I applied was slow and steady. And coming from an F150, it was a welcome change to not have the ass end always want to slide hither and yon every time I hit a slick spot.

 

[BravoAlpha]

It was slow going on the roads in AR, MO and OK this weekend. This “snow beast“ was fantastic. My wife was driving the first half without me and she took this picture. 1 click on the drive mode and she was off. A little rattle (sunroof we think) developed on the home stretch last night so I’m not sure what that’s about.

This truck does a great job.

 

[BSarchet]

View attachment 79862

It was slow going on the roads in AR, MO and OK this weekend. This “snow beast“ was fantastic. My wife was driving the first half without me and she took this picture. 1 click on the drive mode and she was off. A little rattle (sunroof we think) developed on the home stretch last night so I’m not sure what that’s about.

This truck does a great job.

Mine developed a rattle while driving in subzero as well today. I also thought it sounded like the sunroof. That’s interesting that you mentioned that.

I also think this vehicle handles extremely well in the snow. The slippery mode does a great job with the pedal control and I like being able to see the power distribution. You have to really be trying to lose traction.

 

[BravoAlpha]

It’s was below zero. There’s a plastic cover that goes across that’s suspect. It’s got to be temperature related. There was a little dry snow and ice on the roof but I don’t think that was the problem

 

[MattG]

Rustproof the undercarriage.
Regular washes of the exterior.
Full washer fluid reservoir with extra jug in the back.
Plug in the block heater during the really cold snaps.
All weather mats and cargo mat.
Set of Ford Performance 22s with dedicated snow tires.
Snow driving mode and 4a.

....I have complete faith in our Expy to haul our 4 kids around.