Winter Driving Adventures in Your Ford Maverick
Preparation: Safety Comes First
Before venturing out in snow and ice:
- Check weather and road conditions; if the storm is severe, consider staying home.
- Ensure your tires are appropriate for winter: 3-peak mountain snowflake rated (3PMSF) is ideal.
- Inspect wipers, lights, washer fluid, and emergency gear.
- Give yourself extra distance and time to reach your destination.
Even with AWD, preparation and cautious driving reduce the risk of accidents and keep your vehicle operating safely.
Winter Driving Tips: Safety First
- Accelerate, brake, and turn smoothly to maintain traction.
- Increase following distance; stopping distances increase on snow and ice.
- Steer into a slide if your vehicle starts to skid.
- Watch for black ice and compacted snow in shaded areas.
- Consider winter tires or traction devices for particularly treacherous roads.
Ford Maverick in the Snow: Fun with AWD and Drive Modes
For those looking to do more than just commute safely, understanding how your Maverick performs in winter opens opportunities for spirited driving while staying in control.
A real-world example: a 2022 EcoBoost AWD Maverick owner recently shared experiences driving on neighborhood streets and parking lots covered in persistent snow and ice:
- Tires matter most: The stock Michelin Primacy tires handled light snow well, but 3PMSF-rated all-terrain tires like Falken Wildpeak AT3W provide much better traction in deep snow and slush.
- Slippery Mode: Perfect for safe commuting. Reduces throttle response and optimizes traction and stability controls for ice and packed snow.
- Sand / Mud-Ruts Mode: Enables wheel spin and aggressive throttle, making it more fun in deep snow or slush. Great for off-road adventure, but less safe for everyday roads—requires experience and caution.
- Normal AWD: Even without Slippery mode, Maverick AWD performs exceptionally well in snow compared to many AWD/4WD vehicles, including some older Subarus, Audis, and 4WD SUVs.
For 2025 AWD models without Tremor or FX4 trims, Sand and Mud-Ruts modes are unavailable. Owners can enable Off-Road mode via Forscan or use the factory drive modes for enhanced winter performance.
Rear Electronic Locking Differential Engagement Speed
The rear electronic locking differential is designed for low-traction surfaces.
Be aware of maximum engagement speeds to protect the drivetrain:
| Drive Mode | Max Engagement Speed |
|---|---|
| Normal / Slippery / Mud-Ruts / Sand | 15 mph |
| Off-Road (FX4 / Tremor) | 30 mph |
Key Takeaways
- Winter safety is the top priority—Slippery mode and proper tires are your best tools.
- For controlled fun, Sand or Mud-Ruts modes allow wheel spin and spirited driving in snow and slush.
- Always monitor conditions; even capable AWD systems have limits.
- Use AWD, 4WD Lock, and rear differential features responsibly to avoid damage and maintain vehicle control.
Want to master your Maverick’s AWD system and drive modes? Check out our complete technical guide to Maverick AWD for a deeper dive.
