Update: It’s handling much more predictably now. It seems the issue was likely due to the wheel speed sensors not knowing that the tires weren’t properly inflated due to an improper/lacking TPMS calibration. Since there aren’t actual pressure sensors in the tires this car has to make some assumptions that rely on having the tire pressure accurately set and then telling the car to reset it’s calibration. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I bought a 2023 ID.4 last summer and have to say overall I really like it. That said, it’s winter handling on roads and highways might be the worst of any car I’ve ever owned.
It has the OEM Pirelli Scorpion Zeroes, and all of the online reviews make these out to be really good all around tires. Tread depth is okay - my depth gauge shows it on the border between green and yellow all around, so about 5/32".
With snow packed roads it slides all over above 30 mph or so. On the highways I can’t go over 40 or 45 if there are slippery patches or the whole car skates sideways and begins to fishtail. Other cars are flying by me, and the other vehicles I own handle the roads more like I would expect.
Could this be due to the material of the tires being harder than other tires? Is the tread pattern not good for ice and snow? I’m really questioning the online reviews but not sure if different tires will be better or not.
It would be informative to know what other cars you are used to driving in snow and what kind of tires are on them. I will echo the other comments though: “all season” tires are really three season tires, and EV-optimized tires may be worse. If you have a proper winter where you live, you should have proper winter tires.
It’s also likely that the ID.4 handles differently than the cars you’re used to. If it is not the all wheel drive version, then it is rear wheel drive, while most cars are front wheel drive. With front wheel drive, excessive use of power causes the front wheels to break traction, reducing steering effectiveness. This is called understeer, and can lead to a crash if you need the car to turn and it doesn’t, but doesn’t look or feel very dramatic most of the time. Correcting understeer consists of reducing power and sometimes steering angle until grip is restored.
With rear wheel drive, excessive power causes the rear wheels to break traction such that the car rotates more than expected in a turn, or starts to rotate without steering input. This is called oversteer, and can lead to a crash if not managed correctly; it looks and feels far more dramatic than understeer, but isn’t necessarily more dangerous. Correcting oversteer consists of moderately (not fully/abruptly) reducing power and steering toward the direction the car is rotating.
I suggest some experimentation/practice in an empty snow-covered parking lot to get a better sense of how your car handles when it loses traction and what you can do to control it. It might even be good to do this before your winter tires arrive because it will require lower speeds and power levels, but do not delay getting the winter tires for that reason.
I’ve been driving in snow long enough to have all the basics covered. Cars I have experience with? Let’s see… Fiat X1/9, Chrysler LeBaron, Karman Ghia, Pontiac Vibe FWD, Pontiac Grand Prix, BMW 530Xi, Honda Pilot, Lincoln MKX, Subaru Outback, and now this ID.4. I may have missed a few, but that’s most of them. I’ve only ever had snow tires for the Outback, but I didn’t even put them on this year because the all seasons perform so well.
I would not expect a modern AWD vehicle to be the worst performer in that list…
Clarifying that it’s AWD adds to the discussion. I would expect it to handle similarly to the Subaru and the BMW, and suspect a problem if it doesn’t.
I still think the problem is tires, but there’s a chance it’s malfunctioning in a way that causes incorrect torque distribution.
I switched driving mode from Comfort to Traction, and can’t say I noticed any difference in handling. I checked and inflated tires to the recommended level last night so I’ll drive it for another day or two and then maybe visit the dealer if it’s still not good.