AmazingSieve

Badlands
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And for myself I can say it is.

I have a '22 Badlands that ordered in November 21 and received it in March 22. At the time I was living in San Diego and almost immediately put it through its paces throughout California, Colorado, Montana etc. While there I used it in typical traffic and did one really memorable day on the trails....pinstripe heaven....car still has the scars. So I got time driving it up mountain passes, at highway speeds and on trails but I never got a chance to drive it in the snow and that changed when I moved back to Colorado. Since then I've driven it through different parts of the state going fishing and other things and recently, with this last batch of snow, really got some time driving it in those conditions and I can finally answer, if someone asked anyway, is this a good snow car?

I can say it is., but.... The Pirelli Scorpion ATRs do surprisingly well off road but in the snow they pack up far too easily in the snow. With that bit of info out the way the car is otherwise great in these conditions. The AWD kicks in fairly quickly but the thing that inspired me to write this post is my appreciation for the e-lockers. I have a BroncoSport Badlands which comes equipped with an electronically engaged center differential lock and has an e-dif rear lock available. When I'm driving in the snow or dirt I always have the center dif lock engaged. It sends partial power to the rear wheels and is a big help. Today driving in the snow I was using the rear locker as well and that made a difference.

If you own a Badlands and drive in the snow, I'd rec keeping these on. With these on the car has power at the rear wheels and doesn't have to wait for the AWD system to kick power back. It doesn't sound like much of a difference but at slow speeds it mimics a 4Hi and is very helpful to get going and helps handling at lower speeds. And the other nice thing is the car will automatically disengage the rear locker if you go over 15mph and reengage it when you're under that speed. So if you're driving you can keep it on, it'll help during slow speeds, disengage and re-engage if you've come to a stop. Really a nice feature.

At higher speeds this is where I've found the Pirelli's to be annoying. I know I need to switch out the tires but I just don't have the cash right now. The with the ATRs the car simply wants to push in every corner and the car drifts. It seems the Scorpions simply don't have deep enough groves and pack up quite easily.

Another thing I've noticed is the car does feel distinctly like a FWD drive car....because it is....but with the two lockers engaged it feels more like 4Hi which really is a nice feature and something I think people should use if they have it available.

So it is a good car and for a variety of reasons. The AWD system works pretty seamlessly and with the additional aids this thing can plow through the snow. The thing I have the most confidence with in this car is that it will find traction if its there. You don't have to worry about brake vectoring so much and waiting for the car to figure it out, there will be power sent to the wheels, you just need to find the traction, the car is working hard for you.

All in all it does very well. Very happy with it. And if you can tell from the write up I don't think the additional hardware on the Badlands is inconsequential, I find it quite helpful and is something to consider if you're looking at the different models.
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iowabs

Badlands
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Finally got a bunch of snow here in Iowa, too, and I have to say I have been very impressed with the Sport. I put it in Mud Ruts and holy cow. Easily manuevered around in 15 inches of snow. I have the AT3Ws and like them a lot.
 

Escape2Bronco

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And for myself I can say it is.

I have a '22 Badlands that ordered in November 21 and received it in March 22. At the time I was living in San Diego and almost immediately put it through its paces throughout California, Colorado, Montana etc. While there I used it in typical traffic and did one really memorable day on the trails....pinstripe heaven....car still has the scars. So I got time driving it up mountain passes, at highway speeds and on trails but I never got a chance to drive it in the snow and that changed when I moved back to Colorado. Since then I've driven it through different parts of the state going fishing and other things and recently, with this last batch of snow, really got some time driving it in those conditions and I can finally answer, if someone asked anyway, is this a good snow car?

I can say it is., but.... The Pirelli Scorpion ATRs do surprisingly well off road but in the snow they pack up far too easily in the snow. With that bit of info out the way the car is otherwise great in these conditions. The AWD kicks in fairly quickly but the thing that inspired me to write this post is my appreciation for the e-lockers. I have a BroncoSport Badlands which comes equipped with an electronically engaged center differential lock and has an e-dif rear lock available. When I'm driving in the snow or dirt I always have the center dif lock engaged. It sends partial power to the rear wheels and is a big help. Today driving in the snow I was using the rear locker as well and that made a difference.

If you own a Badlands and drive in the snow, I'd rec keeping these on. With these on the car has power at the rear wheels and doesn't have to wait for the AWD system to kick power back. It doesn't sound like much of a difference but at slow speeds it mimics a 4Hi and is very helpful to get going and helps handling at lower speeds. And the other nice thing is the car will automatically disengage the rear locker if you go over 15mph and reengage it when you're under that speed. So if you're driving you can keep it on, it'll help during slow speeds, disengage and re-engage if you've come to a stop. Really a nice feature.

At higher speeds this is where I've found the Pirelli's to be annoying. I know I need to switch out the tires but I just don't have the cash right now. The with the ATRs the car simply wants to push in every corner and the car drifts. It seems the Scorpions simply don't have deep enough groves and pack up quite easily.

Another thing I've noticed is the car does feel distinctly like a FWD drive car....because it is....but with the two lockers engaged it feels more like 4Hi which really is a nice feature and something I think people should use if they have it available.

So it is a good car and for a variety of reasons. The AWD system works pretty seamlessly and with the additional aids this thing can plow through the snow. The thing I have the most confidence with in this car is that it will find traction if its there. You don't have to worry about brake vectoring so much and waiting for the car to figure it out, there will be power sent to the wheels, you just need to find the traction, the car is working hard for you.

All in all it does very well. Very happy with it. And if you can tell from the write up I don't think the additional hardware on the Badlands is inconsequential, I find it quite helpful and is something to consider if you're looking at the different models.
Sounds like fun! We just got 20 inches of snow this past week. The Badlands works great. I agree with @iowabs, the WildPeaks work really well in the snow.
 

Mark S.

Badlands
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If you own a Badlands and drive in the snow, I'd rec keeping these on.
My only quibble with this advice: just be sure the road is fully covered with snow and/or ice. If you're going on and off dry pavement I would leave it in NORMAL mode and let the computer do its thing.
 


Blooey

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Just got about an inch of snow here. 23 Badlands with Wildpeak AT3's with about 5500 miles on the odometer. I put it in "slippery" goat mode and seemed to do well on side streets and the highway. Was thinking about using the lock buttons. Just to confirm - the "center" lock is the 4wd lock?

Also, has anyone experienced premature tire wear with the Wildpeaks? I keep reading about OEM tires on these cars being shot at 20k - or is that just with the Pirellis?
 

Escape2Bronco

Badlands
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My only quibble with this advice: just be sure the road is fully covered with snow and/or ice. If you're going on and off dry pavement I would leave it in NORMAL mode and let the computer do its thing.
I prefer to kept it in normal as well but I’m old school or just old!
 
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AmazingSieve

AmazingSieve

Badlands
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My only quibble with this advice: just be sure the road is fully covered with snow and/or ice. If you're going on and off dry pavement I would leave it in NORMAL mode and let the computer do its thing.
Oh for sure. I didn’t intend to say keep those on at all times, but if it’s slick out or there’s fresh snow they can help. Ya for normal driving absolutely keep them off.
 

Mark S.

Badlands
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Just got about an inch of snow here. 23 Badlands with Wildpeak AT3's with about 5500 miles on the odometer. I put it in "slippery" goat mode and seemed to do well on side streets and the highway. Was thinking about using the lock buttons. Just to confirm - the "center" lock is the 4wd lock?
Read through the info at this link then come back if you have any more questions.

https://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/vdirsnet/OwnerManual/Home/Content?variantid=9156&languageCode=en&countryCode=USA&Uid=G2157208&ProcUid=G2157210&userMarket=USA&div=f&vFilteringEnabled=False&buildtype=web

Note the prohibition on using either the 4WD or Rear Diff locks on dry pavement.

Also, has anyone experienced premature tire wear with the Wildpeaks? I keep reading about OEM tires on these cars being shot at 20k - or is that just with the Pirellis?
There have been a number of threads regarding tire wear on the forum. Some have experienced what they believe to be premature wear while others have gotten advertised mileage. I believe it depends on your particular driving style. Fast cornering and hard braking/acceleration will wear out your tires (and other components) more quickly.
 

Mwittke5857

Big Bend
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And for myself I can say it is.

I have a '22 Badlands that ordered in November 21 and received it in March 22. At the time I was living in San Diego and almost immediately put it through its paces throughout California, Colorado, Montana etc. While there I used it in typical traffic and did one really memorable day on the trails....pinstripe heaven....car still has the scars. So I got time driving it up mountain passes, at highway speeds and on trails but I never got a chance to drive it in the snow and that changed when I moved back to Colorado. Since then I've driven it through different parts of the state going fishing and other things and recently, with this last batch of snow, really got some time driving it in those conditions and I can finally answer, if someone asked anyway, is this a good snow car?

I can say it is., but.... The Pirelli Scorpion ATRs do surprisingly well off road but in the snow they pack up far too easily in the snow. With that bit of info out the way the car is otherwise great in these conditions. The AWD kicks in fairly quickly but the thing that inspired me to write this post is my appreciation for the e-lockers. I have a BroncoSport Badlands which comes equipped with an electronically engaged center differential lock and has an e-dif rear lock available. When I'm driving in the snow or dirt I always have the center dif lock engaged. It sends partial power to the rear wheels and is a big help. Today driving in the snow I was using the rear locker as well and that made a difference.

If you own a Badlands and drive in the snow, I'd rec keeping these on. With these on the car has power at the rear wheels and doesn't have to wait for the AWD system to kick power back. It doesn't sound like much of a difference but at slow speeds it mimics a 4Hi and is very helpful to get going and helps handling at lower speeds. And the other nice thing is the car will automatically disengage the rear locker if you go over 15mph and reengage it when you're under that speed. So if you're driving you can keep it on, it'll help during slow speeds, disengage and re-engage if you've come to a stop. Really a nice feature.

At higher speeds this is where I've found the Pirelli's to be annoying. I know I need to switch out the tires but I just don't have the cash right now. The with the ATRs the car simply wants to push in every corner and the car drifts. It seems the Scorpions simply don't have deep enough groves and pack up quite easily.

Another thing I've noticed is the car does feel distinctly like a FWD drive car....because it is....but with the two lockers engaged it feels more like 4Hi which really is a nice feature and something I think people should use if they have it available.

So it is a good car and for a variety of reasons. The AWD system works pretty seamlessly and with the additional aids this thing can plow through the snow. The thing I have the most confidence with in this car is that it will find traction if its there. You don't have to worry about brake vectoring so much and waiting for the car to figure it out, there will be power sent to the wheels, you just need to find the traction, the car is working hard for you.

All in all it does very well. Very happy with it. And if you can tell from the write up I don't think the additional hardware on the Badlands is inconsequential, I find it quite helpful and is something to consider if you're looking at the different models.
The Badlands on the Wildpeaks is a beast. I was impressed last year and even more so this week.
 


Dogger224

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Read through the info at this link then come back if you have any more questions.

https://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/vdirsnet/OwnerManual/Home/Content?variantid=9156&languageCode=en&countryCode=USA&Uid=G2157208&ProcUid=G2157210&userMarket=USA&div=f&vFilteringEnabled=False&buildtype=web

Note the prohibition on using either the 4WD or Rear Diff locks on dry pavement.


There have been a number of threads regarding tire wear on the forum. Some have experienced what they believe to be premature wear while others have gotten advertised mileage. I believe it depends on your particular driving style. Fast cornering and hard braking/acceleration will wear out your tires (and other components) more quickly.
I took the Falkens off of my Heritage Limited at 200 miles and replaced them with KO2s to better handle the rock/gravel roads that are a big part of my miles and they work line Champs in the snow as well. Actually got a puncture and had 3 miles to my Discount Tire store and watched the info system show the psi dow. To nothing and was able to drive 30 mph that distance to the tire shop with no damage to the tire. They totally impressed me.
 
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AmazingSieve

AmazingSieve

Badlands
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Read through the info at this link then come back if you have any more questions.

https://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/vdirsnet/OwnerManual/Home/Content?variantid=9156&languageCode=en&countryCode=USA&Uid=G2157208&ProcUid=G2157210&userMarket=USA&div=f&vFilteringEnabled=False&buildtype=web

Note the prohibition on using either the 4WD or Rear Diff locks on dry pavement.


There have been a number of threads regarding tire wear on the forum. Some have experienced what they believe to be premature wear while others have gotten advertised mileage. I believe it depends on your particular driving style. Fast cornering and hard braking/acceleration will wear out your tires (and other components) more quickly.
I think the OEM stock tires are good for like what 2yrs roughly? Could be wrong. I'll be happy to get some Falkens though. The snowiest season isn't January out here its actually the Spring and I'll really need them then.
 

Mark S.

Badlands
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I think the OEM stock tires are good for like what 2yrs roughly? Could be wrong. I'll be happy to get some Falkens though. The snowiest season isn't January out here its actually the Spring and I'll really need them then.
I'm at +21K on my OEM Falkens, and passed 2 years in November. I still have at least half the tread I started with, and there are no signs of premature sidewall wear. If wear continues at this pace I should easily get four years out of these tires, maybe even five.
 

Escape2Bronco

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I think the OEM stock tires are good for like what 2yrs roughly? Could be wrong. I'll be happy to get some Falkens though. The snowiest season isn't January out here its actually the Spring and I'll really need them then.
Really depends on how many miles and not so much the age. The tire companies will tell you they have to be changed every 8 years but that really depends on how they are taken care of including where they are kept most of the time. My 1995 Lightning had its original tires on it after 25 years. No checking or any other issues other than they were getting low on the tread but always garage kept and only driven to church on Sunday by a little old lady! Ok, the last part was a lie but sounded good to me as I typed it. :cool:
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