Newbie to 4WD Snow Driving Questions

[radicalwillie]

Wiper fluid, wiper fluid, WIPER FLUID!

All the skills, experience, technology and equipment, don't mean a thing if you can't see. For those of us who live in states where mag chloride is applied to the roads, that stuff will make it impossible to see.

 

[AdmiralAugbar]

I'm so punching you in the face for saying pow pow

Don't harsh his mellow just for wanting to shred the gnar on some fresh pow pow brahski.

 

[stephen3484]

Wiper fluid, wiper fluid, WIPER FLUID!

All the skills, experience, technology and equipment, don't mean a thing if you can't see. For those of us who live in states where mag chloride is applied to the roads, that stuff will make it impossible to see.

This! Even keep an extra bottle in your vehicle. I was driving my wife's Outback yesterday during this snow storm we got in Denver. Let's just say there was shockingly little time between the wiper fluid warning light coming on and then running dry. Furthermore more, in my case it wasn't to clean the dirty melt spray like you experience the next sunny/warm day after a snow, it was the de-icing element of the fluid that I needed as it was 5 degrees.

Don't harsh his mellow just for wanting to shred the gnar on some fresh pow pow brahski.

Just shred safely, be crunchy and don't be a bomber brah. When there's knarley chatter, ease up or you'll end up in a yard sale.

 

[TPz_Fuchs]

Wiper fluid, wiper fluid, WIPER FLUID!

All the skills, experience, technology and equipment, don't mean a thing if you can't see. For those of us who live in states where mag chloride is applied to the roads, that stuff will make it impossible to see.

AMEN. And make sure that it is rated for low temps. Never gave washer fluid a thought here in the armpit of hell (Southern Arizona), it rarely freezes and if it does snow, it is gone by the end of the day. That is until my washer fluid froze froze when I was in Colo two years ago. It is a pain in the a$$ to have to stop at every off-ramp from Vail to Denver to try and clean the windshield off. I now buy a gallon when in snow country, that stuff don't freeze!

 

[Icu812]

Just go slow and watch out for idiots. I'd bet that 99% of all winter crashes are from someone driving to fast. Thats really about the only thing that will get you in trouble. You'll figure the rest out on your own just like we all did. I would highly recommend a quality 20 or 30 foot tow strap to throw in back. Never know when you'll run across a damsel in distress!

 

[SierraMare]

As everyone said. My .02:
1. Drive DEFENSIVELY. Slow down and watch out for the people who are driving too fast for conditions (if possible, stay home if you don't have to go out - let natural selection take its course!).
2. Don't use cruise control if the roads are slippery or there is the possibility of icy spots (like bridges) on your highway drive.
3. If the roads are slippery put it into 4 HI - don't wait until you slide into the ditch before you use your 4WD.
4. Change your tires to something that is Mountain Snow Flake rated for improved traction in snow. I'd recommend the BFG KO2's for both the Snow Flake rating along with decent All Terrain capability, or the Cooper Discovery AT/W if you can find it in your area).

Here's an interesting read I found on a winter time test of five tires on trucks: Winter Tire Test: Some Treads Are Better Than Others - PickupTrucks.com News

 

[Cymon]

You did good. I am going to see my daughter and son in law this weekend in SC. It's supposed to snow a bit down there. Right now we have about 5" on the ground but it's no big deal... here. They are supposed to get 1"-3" and there will be cars all over the place... there. So my wife and I will leave at around 11 pm Friday night, drive four hours with nobody on the road (except the people who left their cars in the median lol) and when we get there, my 4Runner will stay in their driveway until the snow melts Saturday afternoon. That's the only safe way.

This is why I am driving back to Florida from Maryland tomorrow instead of my planned trip on Saturday. I want to be south of Savanah by midnight. I feel more than conforterable driving in snow...been doing it for 20+ years, but I've learned also not trust all of the other idiots...especially those south of the Mason Dixon Line! (Exception: those wonderful Appalachian people from the great state of WVA... [MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION]).

 

[1engineer]

As everyone said. My .02:
1. Drive DEFENSIVELY. Slow down and watch out for the people who are driving too fast for conditions (if possible, stay home if you don't have to go out - let natural selection take its course!).
2. Don't use cruise control if the roads are slippery or there is the possibility of icy spots (like bridges) on your highway drive.
3. If the roads are slippery put it into 4 HI - don't wait until you slide into the ditch before you use your 4WD.
4. Change your tires to something that is Mountain Snow Flake rated for improved traction in snow. I'd recommend the BFG KO2's for both the Snow Flake rating along with decent All Terrain capability, or the Cooper Discovery AT/W if you can find it in your area).

Here's an interesting read I found on a winter time test of five tires on trucks: Winter Tire Test: Some Treads Are Better Than Others - PickupTrucks.com News

One thing... just because it has the snowflake rating does not mean it is the best tire in the snow. Just like Jeep having a "trail rated" badge on their CUV does not make it the best thing on the trail. There are several tires out there that are excellent in the snow and did not go through the testing to get the snowflake. Any decent tire with a lot of sipes will be good in the snow. Tires with no sipes, not so good.

 

[1engineer]

This is why I am driving back to Florida from Maryland tomorrow instead of my planned trip on Saturday. I want to be south of Savanah by midnight. I feel more than conforterable driving in snow...been doing it for 20+ years, but I've learned also not trust all of the other idiots...especially those south of the Mason Dixon Line! (Exception: those wonderful Appalachian people from the great state of WVA... [MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION]).

West Virginia is much better than Plain Virginia...

 

[MTN4RNR]

One thing... just because it has the snowflake rating does not mean it is the best tire in the snow. Just like Jeep having a "trail rated" badge on their CUV does not make it the best thing on the trail. There are several tires out there that are excellent in the snow and did not go through the testing to get the snowflake. Any decent tire with a lot of sipes will be good in the snow. Tires with no sipes, not so good.

Yep! Snowflake doesn't mean everything. All it really means is that the compounds used in the tread meet the Rubber Manufacturer Association requirements for being a "severe snow service" tire. Whatever that means.

All I know is that my Coopers (non-snowflake) eat pow pow for breakfast.

 

[Donovan1]

A 3.5 hour drive from Bend back to PDX would have taken me 10+ hours yesterday. It was cheaper just to get a hotel for the night than risk that nightmare.

We came over Donner summit (Tahoe) from Reno on the Thanksgiving weekend Sunday. My Wife wanted to stay at her friend's place because of the storm. It still took us about an extra 1.5 hours due to slower traffic and snow, but some friends that stayed behind and came over in the AM took 5+ hours longer with all the traffic. I've learned to travel at night especially midnight to 6AM kind of travel or just stay put as well to avoid delays/crashing/idiots/road rage/murder.... Compact snow that has been run over or thawed and frozen again is much more slippery that fresh snow too.

 

[Salvo Jimmy]

Stay home. Seriously. Why?

I've been driving in the snow for 30+ years and I live 10 minutes from a ski resort. When I go to an area like Charlotte that rarely gets snow, and it snows, I DO NOT get on the road with those amateur drivers!

Stop and think how people drive when it's sunny and dry. Now you want to get on the road with those same people when its slick?

For winter driving tips, there are several "how to" guides on google. Don't go out. Stay put. It will melt in a day. Watch the local news and see everyone else crashing. This is the only way to protect your vehicle. Leave it in the driveway.

If you want to learn how to drive in the snow, go somewhere where it snows regularly and people know how to drive in the snow.

Ditto. Particularly when all the people with 4WD around here think it works on ice.

 

[vjack]

I agree with everyone who is saying "Stay Home"... both because you are inexperienced at driving in snow and also because *everyone else is too*.

However I'm disagree with others about putting it in 4HI right away. For a small amount of snow like that, the objective is really to just keep the wheels from slipping, so as long as you can make progress in 2WD you should just leave it there. 4x4 does NOT improve your tire's grip. In fact it will make things worse by forcing at least one of your wheels to lose its grip when you turn (even slightly). If you notice the traction control lights going on that might be an indication that you need to be in 4HI.

Everyone on here bragging about driving through 6 inches of powder is not really offering you helpful information... deep snow is completely different.

Take it easy. Leave yourself plenty of room between cars. Try to slow down *before* a turn, not in it. (Cornering and braking both rely on your tire's traction, and doing them both at the same time increase your chances of sliding.)

 

[Donovan1]

I agree with everyone who is saying "Stay Home"... both because you are inexperienced at driving in snow and also because *everyone else is too*.

However I'm disagree with others about putting it in 4HI right away. For a small amount of snow like that, the objective is really to just keep the wheels from slipping, so as long as you can make progress in 2WD you should just leave it there. 4x4 does NOT improve your tire's grip. In fact it will make things worse by forcing at least one of your wheels to lose its grip when you turn (even slightly).

Everyone on here bragging about driving through 6 inches of powder is not really offering you helpful information... deep snow is completely different.

Take it easy. Leave yourself plenty of room between cars. Try to slow down *before* a turn, not in it. (Cornering and braking both rely on your tire's traction, and doing them both at the same time increase your chances of sliding.)

Agreed on the deep snow part. 6 inches of fresh sticky crunchy powder is WAY easier to drive on that 1 inch of compact snow/ice and the ice is usually what gets you. I still put my truck in 4X4 because it offers more traction and you're not pushing or plowing with the front tires. If you do start to slip up front it sucks real fast and you have more control if you have any kind of hill or anything and with starts. Stopping is the same regardless.

 

[jrandom]

I like watching (and screaming) at people the drive TOO slow and fall off the grade of the road. :madgrin:

If you don't need to drive don't.

If you have to drive use 4Hi, you need to excercise the system anyway.

Drive a sensible speed.

Avoid packs of cars on the highway, for some gad awful reason people have a tendency to travel in herds.

If some jackass is tailgating you, roll down your rear window and flash them your piece :hippie: (totally joking )

 

[Antman]

West Virginia is much better than Plain Virginia...

Prove it.:attention:

 

[Salvo Jimmy]

Prove it.:attention:

An NC is better than either

 

[Ryan1975]

I like watching (and screaming) at people the drive TOO slow and fall off the grade of the road. :madgrin:

If you don't need to drive don't.

If you have to drive use 4Hi, you need to excercise the system anyway.

Drive a sensible speed.

Avoid packs of cars on the highway, for some gad awful reason people have a tendency to travel in herds.

If some jackass is tailgating you, roll down your rear window and flash them your piece (totally joking :50cal

I drive so much that I have a name for that...the phalanx. I call maneuvering through the pack "breaking the phalanx" as inevitably as soon as you drive through it, the phalanx breaks up with one or two cars following you away from the pack.

 

[jrandom]

I drive so much that I have a name for that...the phalanx. I call maneuvering through the pack "breaking the phalanx" as inevitably as soon as you drive through it, the phalanx breaks up with one or two cars following you away from the pack.

You then become the new pack :biggrin1:

 

[ejason]

Take your 4runner out in a snow covered parking lot and road and practice to see how the vehicle will handle. Making tight quick turns, quick acceleration, and braking. That way your not surprised is certain situations.
4runner handles great on snow covered roads IMO.
Most of all use common sense when driving in weather!