I need some "snow driving" advice!

[ALLEGRO]

Actually, all kidding aside, just start it, put it in gear and let the computers do the rest. Okay....got to say it:

So Easy, a Caveman Could Do It !

 

[TC4Rnr]

when I moved from southern cal to the midwest, the #1 lesson I was tought on winter driving is: don't be a hero. know your limits. compare a 2wd and a same vehicle with 4wd, the 4wd may accelerate faster than 4wd, but THEY ALL STOP THE SAME WAY.

also, don't park on a snowy up slope, you may not get to move forward again.

 

[SkylineGTRracer]

I went to angel fire two times. one I was riding in a mivivan (THE PAIN!! lol) the second I was driving a 2wd 05 Cummins 2500. I would suggest go slow but don't stop I was stuck at a stop sign and had to go backwards in order to move you have 4x4 so you should be fine. what tires are you running? the cummins had all season BFGs.

 

[Big_John]

when I moved from southern cal to the midwest, the #1 lesson I was tought on winter driving is: don't be a hero. know your limits. compare a 2wd and a same vehicle with 4wd, the 4wd may accelerate faster than 4wd, but THEY ALL STOP THE SAME WAY.

also, don't park on a snowy up slope, you may not get to move forward again.

exactly and if with the VSC it wont let it come around or anywhere near it...honestly.

 

[bste3]

Off highway, I like the VSC defeated. Also, we've only gotten a couple good days of snow to try it out, but the day we got 6 or so I took an unplowed ravine route home to test her out, using the cent diff locked, and I thought it was completely different and incredibly better handling.

Unlocked, I feel like the car wants to understeer and push through a turn. With it locked it does exactly what I am intending it to do. The unlocked drives like my previous AWD.

So if there is "enough" snow out there I prefer locked.

Side comment, why do people on here treat the locked center diff like it's taboo? That is an honest question, because locked is like virtually every other 4x4 truck out there...

P.S. Is there a max speed in 4wd unlocked/locked?

 

[PlanetAlaska-]

I live in Boston. I've put 85k miles on my '03 4WD Limited since new. I grew up in Chicago and went to college in upstate NY. I've done plenty of driving in the snow.

LEAVE THE CENTER DIFF UNLOCKED AND THE VSC ON. You want the spin control active. You want the center diff to allow the front and rear axles to spin at different speeds. Locking the center diff will make the truck tail happy in the snow or ice. Only lock the center diff if you are stuck.

Drive very carefully. Leave much more room in front. Be gentle with throttle, braking, and steering inputs. Slow down early when braking for a stop or for a turn.

Early on, find yourself a straight stretch with no one behind you. Hammer the brakes and see how long it takes to stop. That will give you an idea of just how little braking power you have.

The 4WD system is very sophisticated and will let you accelerate very quickly from a stop. But the 4WD system doesn't help you turn or stop. So it is very easy to get over-confident. Don't do that. Drive slow and ignore the idiot tailgating you.

No, don't air down. The reason you air down in sand is so that you don't dig in. In snow, you want the tires to dig in and, if possible, reach the pavement below.

Finally, the best thing to have in snow is real snow tires. Probably not viable where you live, but I have a set that I run in the winter.

I have lived in Alaska since 2000 and have driven a total of 172K miles in this state. I concur with everything M1911 said. I'd like to add two things:

1- With my 2008 V8 4x4 with VSC on: for example, if you are at a full stop at an icy intersection at a red light, and you then make a right turn, and your wheels begin to spin: the VSC will kick in immediately. In the 2008 version, I noticed that the VSC will kill so much power that you can't clear the intersection very fast. This can take you by surprise, especially when traffic is coming at you real fast. You're like "Oh no, GO! GO! GO!", but you don't have power and try to clear the intersection at 2 miles an hour. I do not have this problem with the 2004 V8 4x4. The 2004 will also cut power, but not as badly.

2- I believe you have ABS brakes. This allows you to brake AND turn if needed.

 

[gbc]

Im from montreal so one thing i know is ice/snow...if you dont have winter tires then i would not take the car out at ALL. I would rather have a car with winter tires then a truck with 4 seasons+vsc+4low+any acronym ou can think of. my 2 cents

 

[AK Kilted Guy]

While I don't disagree with anyone, I'm going to be simple about it.

Use 4wd.

Drive slowly

Remember 4 wheel drive, does not equate to 4 wheel stop.




Planet Alaska, where in Alaska are you?

 

[MikesToy]

Driving in the snow is fun especially when you're looking forward to it. I downshift from D to 4 to 3 when i see icy roads ahead of me. But you have to be aware of other vehicles, too. And if i will slide a little bit, i just take my foot off the gas pedal and control the steering wheel while i'm easing on the brakes.

 

[Jeffrey_VB]

Driving in the snow is fun especially when you're looking forward to it. I downshift from D to 4 to 3 when i see icy roads ahead of me. But you have to be aware of other vehicles, too. And if i will slide a little bit, i just take my foot off the gas pedal and control the steering wheel while i'm easing on the brakes.

That 'bout sums it up!!

 

[Uneek]

when I moved from southern cal to the midwest, the #1 lesson I was tought on winter driving is: don't be a hero. know your limits. compare a 2wd and a same vehicle with 4wd, the 4wd may accelerate faster than 4wd, but THEY ALL STOP THE SAME WAY.

also, don't park on a snowy up slope, you may not get to move forward again.

While I don't disagree with anyone, I'm going to be simple about it.

Use 4wd.

Drive slowly

Remember 4 wheel drive, does not equate to 4 wheel stop.




Planet Alaska, where in Alaska are you?

:iagree: 4WD just helps you get going, stopping is no different than a 2WD.

Driving is snow isn't a biggie with good tires with deep enough treads. Keep the speed down, smooth driving (no sudden acceleration, braking and turning) and you'll be fine. In CA, once chain requirements are in effect, it's 30mph for everyone.

Dirving on ice is a whole different animal. After it snows and temps are close to freezing pay attention to black ice. Black ice happens more often on bridges, because of the cold air allowed to circulate under the road deck. Most of the time you won't notice you hit black ice until it's too late.

 

[M1911]

Dirving on ice is a whole different animal. After it snows and temps are close to freezing pay attention to black ice. Black ice happens more often on bridges, because of the cold air allowed to circulate under the road deck. Most of the time you won't notice you hit black ice until it's too late.

The only thing that really works on ice is studs, chains, or better yet -- stay home until it melts.

 

[VNT]

Keep everything as is.

leave the ego at home...life isnt a race.

that's all...

 

[CAN-03runner]

I'm in Raleigh too (grew up in Boston though). The main tip for around here would be to watch out for all those people driving around on bald tires!

See you out and around this weekend.

I agree, Driving around up here in Montreal in the winter, I'm usually more concerned about other people slipping and sliding on bald or summer tires and nontrusting of their driving.

Just slow down and you will have time to think and react to situations, if any show up.

 

[ecrew16]

I've always wanted to put chains on all 4 wheels of my truck and see how much it could handle. I bet it would literally be a tank.