Ice storm in Dixie

Leaving late, I left in my Model 3 headed to the Tunica Horseshoe casino via the Tupelo Supercharger. Dry and a little above freezing, the Tupelo segment was ordinary. But the Tunica segment turned into a rare, Dixie ice storm.

Turning the last 35 miles, temperatures dropped below freezing and the combined sleet and freezing rain made the interstate an exceptionally slippery, ice sheet. Happily the traffic was light with a few large trucks. But the higher rolling drag and accumulated ice and sleet really hurt Model 3 efficiency and I had to go even slower to reach the Horseshoe. I parked with about 5 miles remaining and plugged into the one working, Tesla distribution charger:


Due to the storm, the Horseshoe waived the hotel fee. So I checked in and spent time in the casino. Planning to leave the next day, departure was nearly a disaster.

Driving to the highway, I got 3 miles away and turned back after seeing a pickup truck sliding sideways in front. Snow and ice don't bother me but bad drivers do! On the way back, I saw a BMW had slid off the road, over the ditch and into the middle of a field. Happily the hotel took me back into my room, another free night, and back to the casino.

The next day, I used a claw hammer to clear out the wheel wells and running board. My departure test drive revealed the roads clear of ice and I reached Tunica in a light rain with just 10 miles of indicated range. Cold air and rain really hurts efficiency.

With a 50 mile reserve, I headed home but the rain and cold temperatures got me only as far as a dual-headed, Chargepoint, in Hartselle with less than 10 miles range remaining. Plugged in, I went into Moe's BBQ and monitored the car. But halfway through my meal, the charger stopped. After restarting using the second plug, I went back in to finish my supper and it stopped again. But this time, I had updated the App and the third time worked perfectly. But I did get two, $1.00 charges on my credit card.

Napping in the car, I charged to 54 miles for the last 34 mile segment. I really appreciated Autopilot/FSD as it was pitch black and raining. The dogs were overjoyed to see me and yes the hotel and casino were generous to me.

Bob Wilson

 

Yes, the last miles I had some unexpected handling events. Here is some of the ice in a wheel well:


Bob Wilson

 

Speculation but ICE cars often exhaust the radiator heat under the body, That might be enough to inhibit running board ice. My EV has no radiator.

Bob Wilson