stopping on ice

If you downshift (easier with a manual), then you WILL notice the benefit of 4wd in slick conditions.

Although most people say "4wd won't help you stop"... thats bullshit. It WILL help you stop, if you know how to use your transmission.

That said, it won't help you if you're the type of person that slams on the brakes with as much pressure as possible. Downshifting in 4wd will help with zero to little use of the brakes, and it will help a lot.

 

Don't get me wrong here. I'm not saying I'm feeling safe in 4wd. I've got 38,000 miles on these stock Dunlops and I feel anything but safe. What I'm trying to say is it feels like it stops quicker in 4wd than it does in 2wd. I bought the truck three years ago when I turned 60. First 4wd I've ever owned so maybe this is just lack of experiance on my part. The only time I've ever used 4wd is when we get snow and ice around our little town here in Nebraska. I've never used 4wd out on the open road. Anyway, I could very well be wrong here and probably am. Sure not the first time.

 

Physics is hard?????




This.

 

Move the shifter over and down , not too hard on an auto

 

Yes.

You should try using the 4wd in the other seasons too. Take it off road and get used to how it drives in different conditions. Just because you have it, doesn't mean you have to go hard core rock climbing. Just a dirt/gravel road will do. Also, it's recommended that you engage it at least once a month for a few km(miles) to keep all of the parts of the front driveshaft/etc lubricated.

 

I agree with this, in snow, more controled.

 

There is no advantage of 4WD in an emergency braking situation. Period. ABS, brakes, and tires are your friends.

Don't know how many yuppies, soccer moms and weekend warriors I see in the ditch, a guard rail, or someone elses trunk because they think 4WD makes their SUV a tank in snow and ice.

 

I'd rather the ABS didn't try to help me out on snow or ice , but agree with the rest of your post .

 

I agree with you about ABS. Just something about a computer overruling the driver that doesn't sit well with me either.

 

I find that unlike on pavement where it does seem to help , on snow it tends to lock the wheels which increases braking distances rather than shortening them . I would rather be able to feel when the rears are locking so you can get off the brake and keep the ass from passing the front .

 

You calling me an asshole Twilight ?

 

Well , perhaps your dry snow behaves differently than our wet snow , I find I slide a lot if the ABS kicks in .

 

Exactly my point .

 

Like I said in my original post. If people don't drive the 4x4 as if it was a tank and just drove according to the road conditions none of the ABS arguments would be needed.

 

Everyone argues, but is usually making the same point, with a slight twist of their own.

 

Agreed


As anyone who has ever driven on ice knows, that sh$t ain't no fun, and if you let things get out of hand... Well your screwed, its doesn't make any difference how many wheel drive you have.

I do have to say, a couple weeks ago I was driving from Missoula to Billings. I90 for the most part was one huge ice skating rink. It was really pissin me off in my 2wd taco and I was being passed by 4wd tacos... I'm gonna join the ranks of TRD 4x4 one day!

Worst feeling ever, 40MPH on ice, and surrounded by cars. Take your foot off the gas a little, the rear end starts to slide out. Get on the gas a little, the rear end starts to slide out. That's a feeling of no control!

Ice sucks... Snow is just plain fun.

 

This can happen in 4 wheel just as easy but the entire truck will start to slide. One of the biggest reasons for people in the ditch round here. If it's so slippery that taking you foot off the gas starts a slide you're driving way too fast for the road conditions period. A bit of weight may have saved you but be aware the same exact thing can happen in 4 wheel drive even worse. When the entire truck starts sliding you are just along for the ride. You have no brakes or steering.

 

Oh I know, and agree.
I drove last year from Minneapolis to Des Moines on solid black ice in a 4x4. I was driving in 2wd for the very reason you stated.
That was really fun, I did end up in the median on that trip, but that was because I was pulling a trailer and started getting a strong east wind. One strong gust pushed the rear right out from under me. Good ol' POS durango, I just threw it in 4 high and kept on the gas and popped back up on the highway... And then stopped at the next stop to change my pants


The only reason I made it in the taco a few weeks ago was I had a 300lb toolbox in the bed. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have made it without it.
Trust me, I would have been driving slower, but traffic wouldn't allow, unless I wanted to get rear ended. Still took 11 hrs, and that was going with traffic.
Except those damn 4x4 Tacomas running 55-60 in the left lane that still had a little snow on it. I bet it didn't take them 11hrs

 

Want to stop on ice? Get some of these:

Yokohama Geolander IT




Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V1

 

Well what about engine braking? 4 wheels doing engine braking is better than rears only.