Help this Texan survive the Colorado winter.

Hey TW,
I've never driven on snow but I'm heading to Colorado for college soon. I will live on campus and won't drive too much but I like to be prepared. What do I need to know for snowy roads? Should I keep 4x4 on the whole time in snow? When do you actually need chains? I have BFG rugged terrains on.

 

RIP op.

 

You only run 4x4 when on snowy pavement and when you will not be taking sharp turns.

So you only should have it on when you need it.

You’ll likely want sand bags in the rear in the winter until you get more comfortable in the snow.
I lived in CO for 10 years and live in the midwest now. I have never put weight in my beds in the winter and I’ve been fine. You just need to be mindful your rearend will slip if you drive like a knucklehead.

Chains are illegal most places so don’t worry about those haha. You won’t need them in CO.

In most places in CO the snow melts off the roads really fast because of the sun. I have more problems with snow in the midwest than I ever did in CO.

Its not that bad out there.

 

if you are going over passes in winter some places require you have snow chains. They are good to have in a pinch but most likely in town you dont need them. Studded tires are helpful but you only have certain times of the year you can use them. then you have to have another set of rims or some place to store them. Just remember stopping distances are a lot longer in icy, snowy roads. Dont expect to stop on a dime and I always keep a distance from the vehicle infront of me. couple sandbags in the back is helpful and if you get stuck you can use the sand to get some traction to possibly get out...

 

Walk. Then stand back and watch. Then find an open flat parking lot to practice in.

Allow way more stopping room that you do on rainy days in Tx.

4wd will help you go, but it won't do diddly for stopping. It's why you see all those 'bumper car like crash videos' on the evening news when sleet comes to the south.

The soccer moms and dads make it up the hill with their spiffy AWD ride, but are clueless what to do going down the hill.

But just in case anyone makes fun of your winter driving skills, I'll leave you this to share with them.

 

Go slow. Allow extra distance between you and other cars. Drive like there's an egg between your foot and the gas pedal. Assume the other guy is trying to kill you by doing something stupid. Clear all the snow off your vehicle, especially the roof. Keep a light touch on the steering wheel. Don't make any sudden moves. Watch out for black ice. Find an empty parking lot to practice in. Use engine braking going down hills.

Oh yeah, and go slow.

 

1. Always have good tires. Winter all season are best. Aggressive all terrains and mud tires don't work well on street with ice or even rain. My wife's brand new duratracs suck ass in ice and rain.

2. Never run locker in ice on the street if you have one.

3. Best way to learn is to actually get loose, spinout and Learn to correct. So go to snowy parking lot and go at it. Get comfortable spinning out and correcting.

4. When you start to slide remember less brake helps. Your mind will want to keep hitting brakes but you will want less brakes and if in 4x4 you can use throttle sometimes to help you get out of a sliding condition. Subaru has a training course that teaches this technique.

 

That last part is critical, i met a pole one time when giving more gas wouldve just flown me right past it and spun out into some grass. 4x4 can be used in these trucks up to like 70 mph even tho it says 55 or something, youll get like 16 mpg but its worth the safety when you need it. Take your time on corner and stay far away from others.

 

CU or CSU?

 

if you are going over passes in winter some places require you have snow chains.

Not true in Colorado. We do have a passenger vehicle traction law that goes into effect at certain times in the winter (often during a storm in the mountains), but it requires ONE of the following:

• Snow tires with a minimum of 1/8” tread
• All-weather tires with mud and snow (M/S) mark with 1/8” of tread
• Four-wheel drive with 1/8” of tread
• Traction devices (chains, auto-sock, etc.) for two drive tires

So a Tacoma with decent tires is fine.

That said, as others have mentioned, 4wd doesn't help you stop, and an inability to stop is what tends to cause accidents. Good snow tires WILL help you stop, and they're worth the investment if you find yourself driving in snow a lot. Though A/T tires are better than standard street tires in the snow, the softer compound of dedicated snow tires will help a ton.

 

This is especially true in areas where it doesn't snow often. I'd be more afraid to drive in the snow in Dallas, TX than Colorado Spring, CO.

 

Yes, most people very little experience with snow, or having insurance.

 

A code 15 (technically called the traction law) requires 4WD/AWD *or* greater than 1/8" deep M+S. A code 16 chain law requires alternative devices, e.g. chains or auto socks, on all passenger vehicles. I have chains that I carry sometimes and I was able to drive around a closure on Vail Pass (we were going to the Shrine Mt. huts) once because I had them.

 

I just went thru this last year but I was in Durango from Tucson. In My tundra I ran 200 lbs of sand over the rear axle. I had a hour drive thru sometimes unplowed roads to get to work. It was fine in 2wd most the time. I did run 4wd on some of the passes. Using low gears to go downhill as that's the scariest part.

Take your time. Keep the speed down. Like way down. I had a few days I was going like 25-40 the whole way to work because the roads were bad.

Never had chains never needed them. They never seemed to close any roads in Southern Colorado unless there was a slide. Only chain laws I was aware of was for big trucks.

 

Right, but even with 4wd/AWD you still need 1/8" tread or better. Cite.

You're right about the Code 16, but I've hardly ever seen it in effect. Usually it's just 15 and then closed.

 

Spicy.

 

Step one...ditch the rugged fails.

 

chains pfft pfffftt. you wont need those. don't drive like a dick and you will be fine. easy on the brakes. easy on the throttle. you could drive in 4x4 all the time if the roads are questionable.

 

Easy, gentle inputs to the steering wheel, gas pedal and brake pedal.

Put some weight in the back

Chains are always a good idea to have on hand. You never know, someone else may need some help. (Like they're blocking the road in front of you and they need to move for you to continue) I also carry a snow shovel and some straps

If the pavement is wet don't use the 4x4. If there is a layer of snow (compact snow, not slush) between your tires and the road surface, then you're fine leaving it in 4x4

 

(1) Get tires with a reputation of being effective in snow. The pressure will lower "automatically" with cold.
(2) Own and carry a short handle square blade shovel. Also - a broom to clear the windows and hood of the heavy stuff.
(3) Always put weight in the truck bed to drive in snow - even if you are caught out and have to shovel it full of wet snow. I used to use (5) 40 lb. sacks of water softener salt piled against the tailgate. Wally World has the right stuff in nice heavy plastic bags - the rough grain stuff makes a good traction compound if stuck on ice - then buy another bag.

Weight is the only thing that effectively plants your tires - so the front drive of your 4wd is always more effective than the rear - if the bed is empty. It also applies steering force. Just avoid the dry pavement when locked up.