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Gibb, way to put words in my mouth. I never said leave it on all the time. I said if you are driving on snow covered roads (like the last 3 days) use 4WD. If you are arguing that that is less safe then we will just agree to disagree. This thread literally started with the quote “in the snow”. As for your last statement about true icy situations I literally don’t know how to answer that. Short of chains or studded tires not really sure anyone is safe in true icy conditions. 4WD, AWD, FWD will be equally screwed. | |||
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As mentioned, tires are a huge part of the equation. My AWD Audi SQ5 HAD summer performance tires. It was a blast driving an SUV around like a sports car but on a road trip got caught in a freak snow storm going over a pass. Got out of it alive, and switched over to some all seasons as soon as we got back. Not as good as straight up snows, but much better than those summer marbles were! Tony | |||
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If I ever moved back to Maine I would definitely invest in snow tires. When I used to live there I couldn’t afford such a thing. Tires are huge. Snow tires on one of my Subarus and I would be as comfortable as possible short of staying home. Summer tires on a car like yours in the snow would not be fun. | |||
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Frangas non Flectes |
I’ll also chime in: haven’t had to use it yet, but it surely was a selling point. The joke where I lived in NY was that most people use 4x4 to get into trouble instead of using it to get out of trouble. ______________________________________________ Endeavoring to master the subtle art of the grapefruit spoon. | |||
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Snow tires even with AWD. I've driven my old Audi Quattro with and without snow tires. It did ok without snow tires, sometimes needing to lock the center differential. Only lock the rear too if in icy conditions. With snow tires the Audi did even better - much less wheel slip, if any. Snow tires make a huge difference as the tire compound is optimized for temps below 40 F. I drove in the CA mountains, when I chased Ski bunnies on the ski slopes, with snow tires and AWD with no chains with no problems. Just had to pay attention to the road feel as I drove. A year ago, was in 8 inches of unplowed snow, same old Audi, new snow tires, no differentials locked, and it chugged up a slight grade for 1/2 mile to the main road in 1st and 2nd gear with no problem. I'll always prefer snow tires in snow. As my father used to tell me - the right tool for the job, and snow tires are the right tool for driving in snow/ice. -.-. --.- -.-. --.- -.-. --.- -.-. --.- It only stands to reason that where there's sacrifice, there's someone collecting the sacrificial offerings. Where there's service, there is someone being served. The man who speaks to you of sacrifice is speaking of slaves and masters, and intends to be the master. Ayn Rand "He gains votes ever and anew by taking money from everybody and giving it to a few, while explaining that every penny was extracted from the few to be giving to the many." Ogden Nash from his poem - The Politician | |||
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The typical 2 wheel vs 4 wheel drive arguement.  4 wheel drive *is* better for traction and quicker stopping on snow/ice covered roads. When the roads are bad or closed, you better have a 4x4, if you plan to get anywhere. Yes, I said closed... emergency services don't stop due to weather/road conditions. | |||
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4wd, depending on the system, can result in worse stopping performance. Having two or more wheels coupled together can interfere with braking. For best results with stopping, the engine should be decoupled from the wheels, and as many wheels as possible should be decoupled from each other. ------------- $ | |||
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The first 4WD I had was an International Harvester for fencing work. Mud, snow and highway driving besides all the dirt roads. Todays luxury 4WDs are somewhat lacking and really do need chain assist to do more than the parking lot escape! -------------------------------- On the inside looking out, but not to the west, it's the PRK and its minions! | |||
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What I take from this is only use 4x4 when you absolutely need it but your not allowed to use it because it creates a false sense of traction. Your vehicle might instantly fly off road if 4x4 is used. | |||
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Having them coupled together is the whole idea, helps from locking the front end up and sliding. Removing the forward momentum by putting the trans in neutral will help, but not uncoupling the wheels themselves. | |||
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| Good enough is neither good, nor enough |
I have a 4 wheel drive truck, but when it snows I like to play a little, so that could be the case too. I will never be too old for a quick donut in the cul de sac or kicking the rear end out on a turn.... There are 3 kinds of people, those that understand numbers and those that don't. | |||
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Gee I guess I must be doing it wrong. If the roads are snow covered or very slick I put it in 4WD, and in 50+ years of driving I have NEVER slid off the road, spun out, or hit anything! No, I'm not the guy that drives 10MPH when you can safely drive 30 or 40MPH. So maybe, just maybe the fact that at 68 years old I can still slide a dirt car sideways into a turn at 120MPH and exit the turn sideways at 90 or 95MPH makes me a crazy dangerous driver. | |||
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Y’all are talking about 4x4 and I wish it was an option for me. My company vehicle is a 2wd pickup. We got 8” of snow today and I had a 120 mile drive to work tonight. Simple solution 400 lbs of sand bags in the back of the truck and drive responsibly. Don’t speed don’t drive like an ass and 4 hours later I’m at my destination. Know your vehicle and know how it drives in all conditions and drive responsibly | |||
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This too, my first truck was a 73 F350 2WD. In the winter I would put about 1000 pounds in the bed, and with good snow tires it did pretty good in the snow. My first 4WD was a 88 F350 with a 460 and a 5sp. I would still have that truck if not for the salt and rust. | |||
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Yes me too! | |||
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Having logged nearly a million accident free miles (knock on wood) in cars and light trucks across 48 states and Canada in nearly every imaginable weather condition from blizzards to hurricanes and doing daily commutes on PA & VT roads where salt use was not allowed, I have to 100% agree with Gibb & the sandman . Sorry Pedro, but your attack against obviously much more experienced drivers is unfounded. And to Sig77, yes sir! I still love to play in the snow. Donut here. Let the backend hang out there. All good fun. | |||
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