[buddenfan]

Im located in Ny, we had some snow yesterday which thank god melted overnight.

I know the frontwheels are powered by electric motor and back by gas.

Do i need to be in sport mode for the all wheel drive? Or would I need a full battery charge? Any advance would be great thanks in advance

[JasH]

Originally Posted by buddenfan

Do i need to be in sport mode for the all wheel drive? Or would I need a full battery charge? Any advance would be great thanks in advance

Yes, Sport mode, so be gentle. Not fully charged, just need some charge - say 10%.

Sport mode will keep it charged up anyway. Fuel economy will be better if you start with 100% battery though.

[SlipperyGary]

Usually, snow tires make a bigger difference than all wheel drive because snow tires also help with braking.

Snow tires are also better when it's cold, even if there isn't snow because they are designed for cold temperatures which the summer, ultimate performance tires, are not.

Tirerack sells a set of Blizzak tires for the i8.

Tirerack i8 Blizzak Tires.

[Aye-eight]

Originally Posted by SlipperyGary

Usually, snow tires make a bigger difference than all wheel drive because snow tires also help with braking.

Snow tires are also better when it's cold, even if there isn't snow because they are designed for cold temperatures which the summer, ultimate performance tires, are not.

Tirerack sells a set of Blizzak tires for the i8.

Tirerack i8 Blizzak Tires.

Very true. It's amazing how many people - esp. SUV drivers - seem to forget that AWD gives you better traction but makes no difference in braking.

[Longboarder]

It rained last week and surprisingly in sport mode the car launches nicely from a stop. Basically as quick as when it's dry. I punched it to see what would happen and the car just took off.

But expect the i8 to behave like a traditional AWD car with F/R linked drivertrain in all circumstances, particularly doing track moves like generating mild oversteer to help rotate the car on a tight corner. With that type of move the front drive (on a traditional AWD car) will help "pull" the car through the corner as the rear tires are temporarily traction limited. In this car the front drive doesn't want to comply...feels like it stops sometimes. Don't recall whether I was in sport traction or DSC off but from what I remember that doesn't affect the front anyway.

[shawnhayes]

If you leave the car in "comfort" mode, when the system feels the slippage, it will engage both drivetrains. It is a very capable car.

Shawn

[fishpond]

Originally Posted by shawnhayes

If you leave the car in "comfort" mode, when the system feels the slippage, it will engage both drivetrains. It is a very capable car.

Shawn

That was my understanding too.