4WD on Icy Condiitons (noob 4wd owner)

I've always owned 2 wheel drive cars and have used cables for snowy and icy roads. This Coma is my first 4WD. Just wondering if my 09 Off-Road 4x4 with all the electronic and stability options will do fine on ice. Or will it slip regardless? I'm thinking of buying chains just in case, but just want to know for sure before I drive out to Mammoth next month. Thanks for your replies in advance!

 

4WD doesn't make ice into magical dry clean road. Slipping on ice will happen no matter what if you don't drive carefully.
I don't know that you need chains either...

 

First of all, this is in the wrong forum.

Some times in CA the CHP requires you to carry chains, even if you have 4wd and snow tires. I have been to Tahoe & Big Bear during several big storms and I have never needed to use chains, 4wd High and Mud Terrain tires have done well for me. But, CHP at the checkpoint along Highway 50 in Meyers (coming into Tahoe) always make sure you have chains.

BTW, here is a live video feed from the checkpoint at 50 at Meyers.

 

Obviously there's knowledge for sale here.

 

4wd doesnt make too much of a difference on ice. it may help you get going quicker and easier, but it wont help you stop, and it can actually make steering even worse

 

DRIVE SLOW... and carry chains.. even though you got 4wd and well never used them. if you get in an accident, and or get pulled over in a "chain required" area and dont have them; you will get a ticket.

 

Please post pics lol

 

heck dont even buy new ones just use the ones from your 2wd car... lol... CA TRANS will close the roads before you need to put them on

 

Bingo! You still need to drive to the conditions. The traction control and stuff are also nice, but I've found that the back end will still go out a bit on ice if you aren't careful. I'm still used to my old truck that didn't have these systems and I can catch it and back off the gas before the traction control kicks in (it doesn't do it immediately . . . it's like it waits for it to get to the point where the truck KNOWS something is wrong), but at the end of the day, ice is still ice and it still makes traction much worse. Slow everything down and learn to drive very "gently" as in no quick turns, hard braking, etc.

 

Not only do you need to have chains in your truck to get past the check points, you may appreciate them if the ice does get too bad. They'll help you stop a little bit.

My wife and I got stuck in an ice storm coming down from Big Bear in my 4x4 Cherokee (pre-Taco). It was crazy slick and, after sliding into a snow bank like we were a giant hockey puck, we put the chains on. I don't know how we would have gotten home without them.

 

Bring chains since it's required for the checkpoint. To help in the traction, I believe sand bags in the bed over axle can help. It worked against fish tailing while I was driving on icy roads in North Texas. It gave me more traction in the snowy road of Flagstaff, AZ. If you get stucked in snow, you can pour them for better road traction (but I haven't done it though).

I'm in SoCal right now, yet I did not remove them. I think I like the handling with 120 lbs weight in the back.

 

Like many have already said.. 4WD is great for acceleration on ice, but once you hit the brakes your vehicle is the same as a 2WD.

Carry good diamond pattern alloy chains. Run good AT tires. Minimize braking.. better to slowly apply acceleration to regain control. Also, put some weight in your tail end. Three 50lb sand bags will do.

In my opinion using the chains (or studded tires) makes the difference. Put them on when you need to.. be proactive

Some general suggestions from the Weather Channel"

http://www.weather.com/activities/driving/drivingsafety/drivingsafetytips/snow.html

 

Thanks for all the informative replies! Sorry, I posted this in the wrong forum. I was looking for a shell for sale in So. Cal and forgot to change forums. Anyway, I just bought some cables from Hamer Toyota. It cost $100! But I got 2 free tickets to Mt. High. I remember someone posting on TW that chains are bad for stock height Comas since the chains would hit the UCA or something. Hamer Toyota recommended cables.

 

Yeah, cables are a better bet for moderate situations. You'd have to get the 'S' series low clearance application chains to avoid the chance of rubbing on your UCAs and causing severe damage.

Also, cables are easier to put on and generally handle better overall.

Best wishes.

 

Why is this in the wrong forum?

It says in the manual to not put chains on a 4x4.