Six Winter Preparation Tips for Mercedes-Benz Electric Vehicle Owners

Winter driving in Quebec presents unique challenges for electric vehicle owners. The cold affects battery performance and reduces range, but Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles offer features designed to help drivers maintain efficiency and comfort throughout the season. Understanding how to use these systems can make winter driving more predictable and enjoyable.

The tips below apply to the Mercedes-Benz EQS, EQE, and EQB models equipped with pre-entry climate control and Navigation with Electric Intelligence. These practices can help Quebec drivers reduce energy consumption, extend driving range, and stay comfortable during the coldest months of the year.

1. Pre-condition the cabin while the vehicle is plugged in

One of the most effective ways to preserve charge is to warm up the cabin before you leave. Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles allow you to pre-condition the interior while they are connected to a charger, using electricity from the grid rather than the battery. This feature can be controlled via the Mercedes me connect app, allowing you to start your vehicle's heating from home.

Pre-conditioning heats the seats, cabin air, and steering wheel to your preferred temperature before you unplug the vehicle. In winter, this avoids using the battery for the initial heating and helps preserve range for driving.

2. Schedule your departure times for automatic pre-conditioning

For those who leave at regular times, scheduling your departure automates pre-conditioning. You can set specific times via the vehicle's MBUX system or the Mercedes me connect app, and the vehicle will automatically warm the cabin and the high-voltage battery to optimal temperatures before the scheduled time.

This scheduling is particularly useful for morning departures. The vehicle calculates backwards from your departure time to determine when to begin pre-conditioning, so everything is ready when you are. The battery reaches its most efficient operating temperature, and the cabin is comfortable, without drawing on the charge needed for your trip.

3. Use Eco or Comfort driving modes in cold weather

Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles feature DYNAMIC SELECT, with several driving modes including Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Individual. In winter, the Eco or Comfort modes help save energy by managing throttle response and power output more efficiently than Sport mode.

Sport mode prioritizes performance and quicker acceleration, which puts more demand on the battery. In cold weather, when battery efficiency is already reduced, this can significantly decrease range. Eco mode optimizes energy consumption by softening acceleration and adjusting the climate control. Comfort mode offers a good balance between performance and efficiency, making it suitable for most winter conditions.

4. Plan your trips with Navigation with Electric Intelligence

Navigation with Electric Intelligence is a standard feature on Mercedes-Benz vehicles equipped with MB Navigation. This system calculates energy consumption based on real-world rather than ideal conditions. It takes into account the ambient temperature, topography, route profile, speed, and heating requirements when planning.

In winter, Navigation with Electric Intelligence adjusts its calculations to account for reduced battery efficiency and increased heater usage. The system suggests charging stops based on actual cold-weather performance and can pre-condition the battery before arriving at a fast-charging station, thereby reducing charging time. This feature helps drivers plan their trips more accurately during the period when range varies the most.

5. Keep the battery charge above 20% in extreme cold

Battery chemistry works best within specific temperature ranges. In extreme cold, keeping the charge above 20% helps preserve battery health and ensures enough energy is available for pre-conditioning. A very low battery in cold weather may take longer to accept a charge and require more energy to warm up before charging can be effective.

Maintaining a higher minimum charge level in winter also provides a buffer for unforeseen circumstances. If you need to pre-condition the cabin or get stuck in traffic, this reserve reduces range anxiety.

6. Prioritize heated seats for targeted comfort

Heated seats are one of the most energy-efficient ways to stay warm in an electric vehicle. They heat the occupants directly rather than the entire volume of the cabin and require significantly less energy than running the climate control system at full power. Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles offer standard or optional heated front seats, and the Climate Comfort seats provide both heating and ventilation.

The heat pump in Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles uses about one-third of the electrical energy of a standard heater, but even this efficient system consumes more than the heated seats alone. By relying first on the heated seats and setting the climate control to a moderate temperature, you can extend your range while staying comfortable.

Essential Winter Tips

Learn more at Mercedes-Benz de Boucherville

Winter driving in Quebec requires preparation, especially for electric vehicle owners. The features offered on the EQS, EQE, and EQB models give drivers the tools to manage range and comfort throughout the season. Our team at Mercedes-Benz de Boucherville can show you these features and answer your questions about optimizing your electric vehicle for winter. Visit us in Boucherville to learn more about how these systems work in real-world conditions.