Losing traction on ice slush

[xk42]

Got the hybrid and unsure if it's just the stock tire and tires still in the break in period with 3k miles? I've had other cars before but never had such bad traction. I was doing like 5mph trying to go up an incline, sure it's ice and mush. But all other cars were able to go up no issue. I didn't want to gun it the incline because there were kids on the side playing. I made it like few feet and the tires lost traction and car started rolling down the hill. I did not floor it, my first car was a manual so I know how to control the gas gently.

Even going into the turnout I see the traction light coming up. I'm really hoping it's just the stock tires is bad. I've driven many other cars with much worse condition and have never lost traction like this. Almost every post here says it handles the snow well so I must be doing it wrong. Any tips? I'm guessing I'll need some tire socks since Ford says no snow chains or it voids the warranty if it snaps and cause damage.

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[icegradner]

Stock all season tires? Ice? Yeah that's not going to cut it on ice.

 

[Cherokee]

AWD ?
I climb slick stuff other AWD’s can’t.
I’m on my stock Michelins. At 1800 miles.

 

[ThisWas]

The Continental ProContact TX tires that were factory-installed on my FWD Hybrid XL enable good fuel economy and probably didn't cost Ford much to buy.
They are not good on snow or ice. Not good at all.
I switch over to Blizzaks in wintertime and my mini-truck does quite well.

 

[dalola]

It's really easy to see the problem, based on your explanation.....surprised you had to ask about it....

 

[Gray Goose]

Answer is simple. Get better tires. Look for three peak mountain snow rated if you don’t want to deal with dedicated snow tires.

 

[peeturd]

I sold the continental’s supplied OE at 3,000mi and got Blizzacks - night and day traction for sure.

 

[oysterville]

In snow and ice, snow tires > AWD.

 

[AzureBlueBill]

Is it AWD? If so turning off the traction control will probably help. But yes, the stock tires are only good for 70° dry weather.

 

[surfstar]

Its not the vehicle, its the tires.

SD? Just get some cable chains or snow socks for occasional use.
If you don't have AWD, 3-peak rated tires will help but won't get you out of CalTrans chain control.

 

[xk42]

Tried it again today. Its a disaster. It was sliding all over the place going straight with no incline at 30mph.

Cant wait to get rid of it when it wears out. I was crawling up the mountain with a line of cars, from what I can see. No cars in front had traction issues when it hit tiny patches of ice mush.

 

[Ozarkbeard]

It's the fn OEM TIRES. If you're gonna drive in snow/ice, for gawd's sake, get those cheap-ass tires off the truck.

And use Slippery Mode.
And if you get stuck, turn off Traction Control.

 

[Master Blaster]

Its pretty obvious that you're not driving for the road conditions. SLOW DOWN and learn how to drive in winter before you cause an accident.

 

[MetalThunder]

Next with spring around the corner - the next obvious thing will be the wonderment of Water being Wet ....

Cheers

 

[xk42]

Its pretty obvious that you're not driving for the road conditions. SLOW DOWN and learn how to drive in winter before you cause an accident.

Obvious you didn't read. How slow do I have to go when Im doing only 5mph? I got it on dashcam. Second day we were all slow because a car didn't want to use turnout so had over 20 cars stuck behind them. Plus road was completely cleared apart from the mush that was falling off trees. Forecast was 4 inch of snow and it was less than an inch. It was warm enough that most have melted away.

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