Icy roads: AWD vs 4WD? Does it matter?

[Supermoney]

Like the title says, is there any advantage to using 4WD over AWD on icy roads?

I can see 4WD having its advantages in deep snow, but what about just a few inches / icy conditions?

Has anyone noticed a big difference?

 

[trailbikerider]

We've gotten over a foot of snow in the past few days, so it's given me a chance to test out the AWD/4WD system on my '02. Most of the roads I drove on today hadn't been plowed and had anywhere from 1-4" of snow on them, and leaving the truck in just AWD it seemed to handle everything perfectly. Haven't had the opportunity to try the 4WD and see how different it is yet, but I might do that tomorrow.

 

[Black798]

Over the past few weeks Ive been driving on a decent amount of ice lately and in snow that was close to 2 feet of snow and Ive been perfectly happy with the 4wd in my 98, only complaint is the crappy abs but I disabled that. It always feels planted and solid, never sliding around unless I want it to and its damn near unstoppable in the deep stuff. I think the advantage of the awd is it reduces the chances of slipping on turns.

 

[FJ40zen]

AWD is better in some ways in that you have a little more control with steering, however it will still do a power slide. I use it for just packed snow and ice on the road. Off on the trail on snow runs, I run AWD in light snow until it needs more traction and pull the lever down in 4WD (1999 Limited) until deeper snow is encountered and more power and control may be needed, then I go into low where you can handle obstacles better. (especially with the locker)

 

[4-Ripcord]

On an icy road with lots of turns, yes it will make a difference. Using 4wd in this situation may cause losses of traction due to its inability to differentiate F/R axle speeds like AWD can.

On a highway or straight road, won't make much difference.

If you are trying to plow your way through a foot of snow or more though, 4wd is better than AWD.

 

[zoombyu86]

Agree with everyone else said. No tires is really any good on ice. ICE IS ICE unless you have studded tires. Ive been driving all weekend in thick to light snow and have some pretty good A/T that are beasts on the street with these conditions. Even "launching" from a stop with snow covered roads just using AWD, it wont spin unless I floor it.

 

[SpidermanGeek]

My '97 is 4WD only (no multi-mode/AWD), and I find it a little traitorous in crappy road conditions. Which is a good thing, because I'm always vigilant rather than be overconfident in the fact that I have 4-wheel traction.

What doesn't help my case is my KM retreads. The rubber is real hard and getting quite up there in age, so on slippery roads they aren't that effective. I definitely just run through deep stuff no problems, but if the streets are plowed, I will be power sliding all over the place if I'm not careful. It's in these instances that I know AWD would be slightly better suited... or in the very least, having a TRAC/VSC nanny could dumb down my efforts.

Regardless.. it's still a hell of a lot of fun and I don't mind relying a bit more on my own driving skills.

In 2WD, I'd be going nowhere.

 

[papapoopski]

On an icy road with lots of turns, yes it will make a difference. Using 4wd in this situation may cause losses of traction due to its inability to differentiate F/R axle speeds like AWD can.

On a highway or straight road, won't make much difference.

If you are trying to plow your way through a foot of snow or more though, 4wd is better than AWD.

This.

IME, AWD is a better option on icy roads. You want each tire rolling along at its own pace for the best traction. In 4wd the front and rear tires can fight each other which can decrease traction at one of the tires.

 

[Supermoney]

On an icy road with lots of turns, yes it will make a difference. Using 4wd in this situation may cause losses of traction due to its inability to differentiate F/R axle speeds like AWD can.

On a highway or straight road, won't make much difference.

If you are trying to plow your way through a foot of snow or more though, 4wd is better than AWD.

Okay thanks Ripcord, then that confirms my theory as well, I was typically always using AWD on low packed / icy roads but gave 4WD a try and the turns didn't feel right, was sliding / understeering too much.

 

[TXLX1]

Don't have AWD in my 4runner, but the AWD system in my LX470 is awesome. If it's wet, icy, or snow out it's the best vehicle for that for me.