Being Confident When Running an Electric Vehicle in Cold Weather

EV Charging Station in Snowy weather

EV Charging Station in Snowy weather

 

One of the challenges of living in the Metroplex is the occasional cold snap we experience every year. While we think we can handle anything throughout the year, we sometimes find ourselves in very interesting situations. As we transition to electric vehicles, we have to remind ourselves that the operational nuances they provide are especially important when the temperatures drop to near freezing and the roads become icy. Here are a few things to consider for your VinFast VF8 and VF9 when it gets cold outside.

 

When you are not driving your EV, simply park your vehicle in a garage. If you happen to have an at-home charging unit, go ahead and plug it in. That way, your vehicle will be fully charged the next time you have to venture out in the cold.

 

EV Vehicle at a charging station

Before you venture out, you definitely want to remove all snow and ice from your vehicle. A handy snow brush and ice scraper are all you need for the body and glass. You also want to clear the wheel wells of accumulated snow and ice with an ice scraper or a rubber mallet. Just be careful when you do it to avoid fender and wheel-well damage.

 

Another thing to check is the tire pressure. Inside the driver’s door sill is a sticker showing the recommended pressures for your VF8 and VF9 tires. If your tire gauge shows the pressures are higher or lower, adjust them accordingly. It is probably best that you do so before driving away from home, so you do not get caught with a tire pressure warning indicator on the center touchscreen display. If that indicator comes on, drive a bit to warm up the tires. If it is still on, get air in those tires at your soonest opportunity.

 

While you’re out on the road, keep in mind that once you turn on the heater and heated seats, you may be sapping energy from the electrical system. This could reduce the overall range of your vehicle. Simply reduce the heat from your climate control system and heated seats to avoid needing to recharge sooner than anticipated.

 

You can automatically precondition your vehicle’s battery in the VinFast VF8 and VF9 when you use the built-in navigation system on the center touchscreen by directing it to the nearest DC fast charging station. That enables the VF8 and VF9’s thermal management system to begin heating the battery. It can also be preconditioned during your charging session; however, it is best to start the preconditioning process 20-30 minutes before your charging session.

 

EV being charged in the winter with snow on the ground

Getting through the winter in your VinFast VF8 and VF9 will help extend your vehicle’s lifespan and enhance your ownership experience. It will also give you the confidence you need to get through any cold snap North Texas throws at you every year. If you have any questions, please contact Ewing VinFast of Plano, and we will be able to assist you.

What To Do When You Are Using a Public DC Fast Charger

VinFast vehicle at a charging station

EV Chargers

 One of the things electric vehicle owners do regularly is charge their batteries, especially at public DC Fast Charging stations. While they are in high demand, charging stations provide quick energy delivery to your battery. Across the Metroplex, the number of stations continues to grow as demand for EVs increases. With growth comes some challenges, such as figuring out who gets to charge their vehicle first or how long to keep it on the charger.

 

Luckily for us, U.S. News and World Report shared some etiquette tips for using these public DC Fast Chargers. They will come in handy when you need to recharge your VinFast VF8 and VF9.

 

The first tip U.S. News and World Report gives us is to plan your charging session in advance. You do not need to reserve a spot at a charger; simply plan where you will be at the most convenient time for you to charge. Also, know the traffic patterns around the charging station. If you know when it’s less busy, that’s when you should consider going.

 

EV Charging Station

 

When you get to the charging station, don’t take a spot when you are waiting. If you are ready, park in the designated spot by the plug you are going to use and charge up. When you are done, just unplug and move your vehicle so the next EV can take your spot to charge. Also, chargers charge by the hour. The longer you’re there, the more your session will cost.

 

Take a look at the maximum charging rates for each plug. On the VinFast VF8, that rate is 150-kilowatts. Use that as a guide to choose which station to plug into. Then, make sure your VinFast is positioned so the charging port is closer to the intended plug, without stretching it further than it should.

 

EV Charging Station

 

There is a tendency for us to top off your battery to 100% state of charge. The truth is that recharging slows down after 80-85%. It is best to stop at 80% and wrap up your session at the station. You will have plenty of range at that state of charge. Just as a quick note, the VinFast VF8 can recharge from 10-70% in 31 minutes.

 

You have probably been waiting to use a charger at the given station. Then, some other person decides to swoop in just when you are about to pull in. That’s cutting in line, and it’s not a good thing. If you see this happen, be courteous and kind to the other person and explain that you’ve been waiting for that charger. Hopefully, they will move for you and wait for the next one. However, if you took someone else’s space before that person was going to that spot, apologize for doing so, let that other person charge up, and wait your turn.

 

Remember that DC Fast Charging stations are for EVs only. A plug-in hybrid with a J1772 CCS or CHAdeMO plug can be charged at those stations, if available. PHEVs with a J1772 plug can also charge up at a nearby Level 2 station. No one else should be parked at an EV station spot. In Texas, it is illegal for an internal combustion vehicle to park at an EV station spot.

 

There are a few more things to mention. If there is a time limit at a station, please respect the times posted for each charger. Also, please don’t unplug another EV from the charger for any reason. If a charger is broken, report it to the provider via the app or the phone number posted at the station. Make sure the area around your charger is clean of anything you may have left behind. There should be a garbage and/or recycling bin nearby.

 

 

Lastly, if you see someone who is struggling with their charger or has never used one before, be a good fellow EV owner and ask if they need help. If so, help them out.

 

Hopefully, these tips will help your public charging experience in your VinFast VF8 or VF9. If you have any further questions about your vehicle, contact us at Ewing VinFast of Plano. We’re always here to help you.

​​How To Get Your VinFast Through The Snow and Ice​

Cars parked on a a neighborhood street by a snow-covered sidewalk

Snow covered neighborhood street  

 

The Metroplex typically experiences a surprise winter snap almost every year. If it is not snow, then it’s a freezing mix of rain and ice. While this isn’t necessarily an issue when trying to drive every day on our freeways and tollways, it could be more of a challenge when you have an electric vehicle, such as our VinFast VF8 and VF9.

 

What can you do to make sure your VinFast handles these weather conditions? Here are a few tips to consider when owning your VF8 or VF9 for year-round use.

 

Parking your VinFast in a garage is the best thing you can do for it. It is protected inside from the elements, so you won’t have to deal with scraping the ice off it or brushing the snow. When it is time to go, know that you can start your VinFast without having any tailpipe emissions, making your garage a safe place to keep your vehicle.

 

Snow covered neighborhood street before the plow

 

If you do park outside, make sure to remove all snow and ice from your VinFast before starting it up. Snow adds weight to your vehicle when it is moving. Along with ice, snow can affect the sensors that work with your VinFast’s driver assistance systems. A good brush off will do the trick.

 

Make sure your VinFast is plugged in when parked. This will help with the health of the battery pack. It works best when you have your home charger inside your garage. Sometimes, cords from a charger could freeze up when exposed.

 

We tend to have our heater and defroster on when we drive in winter conditions. You can turn on the heated seats and steering wheel, as they consume minimal energy from the vehicle. Lowering the climate control temperature also helps. When at a public charging station, you can minimize the heat inside your cabin to maintain energy flow back into the vehicle.

 

Cars parked on a a neighborhood street by a snow-covered sidewalk

 

The one key component that will get you through the winter is your tires. Maintaining proper air pressure will not only maximize range but also ensure the right amount of contact with the surface. If your tires are either underinflated or overinflated, it will affect your range, overall safety, and on-road performance under various conditions over time with your VinFast. Tire pressure information is found on the driver’s side door frame or in your owner’s manual.

 

We know that winters in the Metroplex are a part of our lives here. Your VinFast will get you through them like a champ. Contact us at Ewing VinFast of Plano for additional tips on navigating the colder months in your VF8 or VF9.

​​VinFast Collision Centers​

2026 VinFast VF9 driving on the road

2026 VinFast VF9 driving on the road

 

VinFast is changing the way buyers look at automakers. If a young carmaker can come into America and offer what VinFast offers, why can’t the older, larger, and more established brands do the same?

 

No Better Warranty Around

 

Not only does VinFast offer the world’s best automotive warranty for both the VF8 and VF9 with a 10-year, 125,000-mile bumper-to-bumper and 10-year, unlimited-mile battery warranty, but the company has also committed to providing after-sales support with more than just vehicle service.

 

VinFast VF8 Charging

VinFast Certified Collision Centers

 

For those who have been in an accident with their VinFast, you can now use the Certified Shop website to locate the nearest VinFast-certified repair facility to have your vehicle inspected and repaired. When you type in a city, zip code, area code, or your address and hit search, the site will populate all of the collision repair centers closest to you.

 

VinFast Is Making EV Ownership Easier

 

Some cars can be a hassle to get replacement parts and bodywork done, including some electric vehicles on the market. However, VinFast is trying to make that process less painful and frustrating after an incident.

 

VinFast VF8 Mobile App

Customers Are Getting Some of the Best Features

 

This is just one more way that VinFast is providing excellent service for customers. While other car companies are busy recalling vehicles, VinFast is offering a bright future of EV ownership with nationwide service to make your ownership easier. Together, along with the second-to-none warranty, the easy-to-use charging app that connects you to more than 140,000 public chargers throughout North America, and the ability to schedule, check, and pay for vehicle service within the VinFast app, customers are learning firsthand how valuable they are to VinFast.

 

Ewing VinFast of Plano Has Great Lease Deals

 

Ewing VinFast of Plano has great lease specials on the VF8. With just $2,000 down, you can lease a VF8 Eco for only $399 or the VF8 Plus for $499 per month for 24 months. If you have questions about VinFast as a whole or want to learn more about owning an EV, the knowledgeable sales staff can help you understand the benefits of owning an EV. And once you take a VinFast vehicle for a drive, you will quickly see why some owners believe it’s a breath of fresh air.

 

VinFast VF9 Infotainment Screen

Why Choose Ewing VinFast

 

At Ewing VinFast of Plano, we have the best prices on dozens of new VinFast EVs and used cars. Our well-educated sales staff and finance department will happily assist you with your EV questions and needs. Our fantastic service department will ensure your vehicle stays in the best condition.

 

We look forward to serving you.

 

The Good Things About the VinFast VF 9

Dark Grey Vinfast V( EV SUV

Dark Grey Vinfast V( EV SUV

 

Our three-row electric SUV, the 2025 VinFast VF 9, is a worthy choice for families on the go. In this model, you can take everyone along for the ride across the Metroplex. The VF 9 is designed to get you there in comfort and style.

 

Recently, AutoGuide did a review of the 2025 VF 9. They found plenty of goodness to share from their experience. They appreciated the exterior design. AutoGuide wrote, “[t]he Pininfarina-penned lines are modern and distinctive, with stylish full-width lighting elements and V-shaped elements.” The VF 9’s exterior offers a lot of unique elements that make it stand out in the crowd. The C-pillar glass is one element that attracts people to its charms. They also liked the “twin pass-throughs in the nose” that “feed into a massive hood scoop that helps with aerodynamics.” AutoGuide even calls this design element “exotic” – a compliment, indeed! In addition, the ride quality is enhanced thanks to a 123.9-inch wheelbase

 

The 2025 VF 9 can seat six or seven people, depending on configuration. Passengers enjoy an advanced cabin with a large 15.4-inch center digital display touchscreen, serving as their hub for information and connectivity. That also includes wireless smartphone connectivity. Passengers can also enjoy the large panoramic roof, giving them the sun, the moon, and the stars from above.

 

Vinfast V9 interior of the front seats and media console

 

Underneath the cabin is a 123-kilowatt-hour battery pack. It fuels an all-wheel drive two-motor driveline that is rated for 402 horsepower and 457 pound-feet of torque. It is also rated to accelerate from 0-62 MPH in 6.5 seconds. ECO models can achieve a range of up to 330 miles on a full battery, while Plus models have a range of 291 miles. You also have access to 95% of all available DC Public Fast Charging stations across the U.S.A.

 

The 2025 VF 9 is backed by one of the best warranties of any new vehicle in this country. Peace of mind comes from a 10-year/125,000-mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty plus a 10-year/unlimited-mile warranty on the battery pack. Plus, our dealer network is growing across the country to provide you with exceptional service and support for your 2025 VF 9, including your hometown dealer – Ewing VinFast of Plano.

 

Dark Grey Vinfast EV SUV V9 rear view driving on the road

 

In conclusion, AutoGuide said about the 2025 VF 9 that “its strengths include a sharp exterior design, good road manners, and a useful range.”

 

If you’re looking for a family-friendly, three-row electric SUV, contact us at Ewing VinFast of Plano and come check out the 2025 VF 9.