It looks like a low-poly fridge from a 90s video game, and lately, the internet has decided it's a paperweight the second a snowflake hits the pavement. If you’ve spent any time on Reddit or TikTok recently, you’ve seen them—videos of a Tesla Cybertruck in snow spinning its wheels while a 2004 Honda Civic ripples past it with ease. It’s a hilarious visual. It’s also kinda misleading.
I’ve been tracking the real-world performance of these stainless steel triangles through the 2024 and 2025 winter seasons, and now into 2026, the data is finally catching up to the memes. Is it an "apocalypse-proof" tank? Not exactly. Is it a total disaster? Also no.
The truth is somewhere in the middle, buried under a few inches of slush and some really questionable tire choices.
The Weight Problem Nobody Talks About
Most people look at the Cybertruck and see a rugged beast. They forget that it weighs roughly 6,800 to 7,000 pounds depending on the trim. That is massive. For comparison, a standard Ford F-150 weighs about 2,000 pounds less.
In the world of physics, weight is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it helps the tires bite through the top layer of fluffy snow to find the pavement. On the other hand, once that 3.5-ton mass starts sliding on ice, it’s basically a tectonic plate with a steering wheel. Momentum is a cruel mistress. If you don't have the right rubber meeting the road, all that "instant torque" everyone brags about just turns your tires into high-speed butter knives.
Why the Stock Tires are the Real Villain
Honestly, if you see a Cybertruck stuck on a flat parking lot, don't blame the motors. Blame the shoes.
Tesla ships these trucks with either all-season tires or the Goodyear Wrangler Territory RTs. While these look aggressive and "trucky," they aren't dedicated winter tires. They’re designed for a mix of highway efficiency and light off-roading. In sub-zero temperatures, the rubber compound in these tires gets hard—sorta like a hockey puck.
The 3PMSF Rating Trap
The Goodyear DuraTrac RTs available through the Tesla shop do have the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) rating. This sounds fancy, but it only measures acceleration on packed snow. It says nothing about how well the truck stops or turns on ice.
Many owners are finding that switching to a narrower, dedicated winter tire—like a Bridgestone Blizzak LT or a Nokian Hakkapeliitta—completely transforms the truck. Dropping from the stock 285mm width to a 275mm width actually helps the truck "cut" through the snow rather than "floating" on top of it.
The Stealth "Snow Mode" You Didn't Know Existed
One of the biggest gripes in early 2024 was that the Cybertruck's traction control was too "twitchy." It would cut power the second it felt a slip, leaving drivers stranded in deep powder.
Tesla eventually rolled out the Overland Mode, which includes a specific "Gravel/Deep Snow" setting. Here’s what it actually does:
- It raises the air suspension to "High" or "Very High" to prevent the flat belly of the truck from "high-centering" on a snowbank.
- It allows for medium amounts of tire slip. This is counterintuitive, but in deep snow, you actually want the tires to spin a bit to clear the treads and find grip.
- It engages the locking differentials (on dual and tri-motor models).
If you’re driving in the "All Purpose" mode on a snowy highway, the truck is trying to be a refined luxury car. In a blizzard, you need it to be a tractor. Use the settings.
Range Anxiety in the Freezer
Let’s talk about the battery. Cold weather is the natural enemy of lithium-ion. In extreme cold, the Cybertruck (and every other EV) has to use a massive amount of energy just to keep the battery from freezing and the cabin warm.
I’ve seen reports from owners in places like Alberta and Minnesota where the range drops by 40% to 50% when the temps hit -20°C. One owner notably reported getting only 135 miles of range after an 80% charge in a deep freeze. That’s a bitter pill to swallow for a $100k truck.
Pro Tip: Preconditioning is Life
If you don't "precondition" while the truck is still plugged into your home charger, you're doing it wrong. By using the Tesla app to schedule your departure, the truck uses grid power to warm the battery. If you wait until you're on the road to heat things up, you’re burning your "fuel" just to make the engine happy.
The "Stainless Steel" Winter Reality
There was a lot of fear-mongering about road salt eating the Cybertruck’s unpainted body.
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Stainless steel doesn't "rust" in the traditional sense, but it can get pitting or "rail dust" spots. Road salt and iron particles from snowplow blades can stick to the surface and oxidize. It looks like orange freckles.
Is the truck dissolving? No. But it does look crappy if you don't wash it. Owners in the "Salt Belt" are finding that a ceramic coating or a clear wrap is almost mandatory if they don't want to be scrubbing the exterior with Bar Keepers Friend every Saturday.
Lights, Camera, No Action
Design-wise, the Cybertruck has a weird flaw in the snow: the headlights.
Because they are recessed in a narrow slit and aren't heated, they tend to collect "snow shelves." In a heavy storm, the LED lights don't produce enough heat to melt the buildup. You could be driving 70 mph down a dark highway and suddenly realize your visibility has dropped to zero because your headlights are literally wearing a snow mask. You have to get out and manually wipe them. It’s a massive oversight for a vehicle marketed for the "end of the world."
What You Should Actually Do
If you’re taking your Cybertruck into the mountains this winter, don't just "send it."
- Get Real Winter Tires: Stop trying to make the stock tires work. They won't.
- Use Off-Road Modes: If the snow is deeper than 3 inches, switch to "Gravel/Deep Snow" to let the lockers do their thing.
- Turn Off Auto-Fold Mirrors: If they freeze in the folded position, the motor can burn out or the gear can snap when you try to leave.
- Watch the Light Bar: Check your headlights at every stop. Carry a small squeegee.
- Plug In Overnight: Even if you have 90% charge, keep it plugged in so the thermal management system can run off the house and not the battery.
The Cybertruck is a capable machine, but it’s not magic. It’s a 7,000-pound physics experiment. Treat it like a heavy-duty truck, give it the right gear, and it’ll get you through the storm. Try to drive it like a sports car on summer rubber, and you’ll end up as the next viral video on r/Cyberstuck.
Next Steps for Winter Success
Check your tire sidewalls for the 3PMSF icon immediately. If it's not there, and you live in a snow state, your first task is to source a set of 275/65R20 winter-rated tires. Once those are mounted, spend twenty minutes in a vacant, snowy parking lot toggling between "All Purpose" and "Deep Snow" modes. Learning how the steer-by-wire handles a slide in a controlled environment is the only way to ensure your gut reaction is the right one when a real skid happens on the interstate.