When and when not to engage 4x4

There are a lot of asshat's around here also. Especially around here in PA - people don't know how to drive in it!!

When there's snow on the roads, I use 4WD ALL THE TIME. I paid good money to get 4WD and I plan to use it as often as I can.

The idea of using 4WD isn't based on whether you think you need it (or not). It's about SAFETY. Snow driving & conditions will bite you in the ass when you least expect it....and I'd rather be prepared before that happens.

Not using 4WD when the roads are covered in snow - is putting everyone else on the road at risk. One little slip-up and you put yourself, your truck, and everyone else at risk for injuries, damage, and even death.

And yea...I've owned a corvette for 7 years. They can be dangerous on dry roads and will get out of control in a heartbeat. That doesn't give you the right to drive around like an asshat. Once again...One little slip-up and you put EVERYONE at risk.

People seem to assume that 4WD is only used to prevent you from getting stuck. It's MUCH MUCH more than that. It's a shame that some folks don't understand that.

 

I carpool to work with two other guys. We were wiped out at 55 MPH by a 4WD truck being driven in 2WD on snowy/icy road conditions 13 Dec 2013. I was a passenger and the seatbelts, airbags, and car did it's job to protect us as all three of us walked away, albeit sore and stiff with the driver having some extended back pain. The car basically did a spin in the ditch standing on it's nose and fortunately landed upright facing the opposite direction of original travel. Car was totaled.

I firmly believe this accident would not have occurred if the truck that hit us had been in 4WD. We watched the rear end slip right, then left as she overcorrected and went sideways from the left lane coming across our front end (we were in the right lane) carrying both vehicles into the ditch.

So yeah, I'm siding with Jandy here.

 

You are trying to make a rational argument, you better stop that sh!t before you get in trouble.

I really don't get it, why is there so much controversy over using 4x4? Don't buy it if you won't use it, especially when you need it.

The argument of not using it because it makes you feel overconfident is just stupid.

The argument that it will destroy your drive train has a little base in truth but seriously, unless you are doing a chicane course or canyon driving you won't be going around corners constantly. It's already been said just don't power through a corner and you'll be fine.

Overall I'd bet money there are more downsides to NOT using 4 wheel drive than using it.

 

This is how I justify it to myself sometimes...hahahaha

 

I have to disagree. Slip in the rear wheels is one of safest ways while driving to get sense for traction on a road surface in varying conditions. If I am in 4WD, I may end up going significantly faster than a should for conditions, not because I am over confident, but because I don't even realize how slick it has gotten.

I have had this happen many times in my Subaru's over the years. I have been driving and stop and get out of the car only to realize the surface is so slick I can barely walk on it.

Sounds like we have to agree to disagree on this one. I drive tens of thousands of miles every year in some of the worst snow and ice the country has, and have found 4WD to be something that I don't need that frequently, especially with a solid set of winter tires. I really do think it give people a false sense of security, and ultimately in slick conditions, you should be driving based on your stopping power (which 4WD has no impact on), and not your ability to accelerate.

 

ummm ... Pick one ^^^^ or \/\/\/\/

 

Ha, both are a possibility, I may drive too fast because I don't realize how slick it is, and I might drive too fast because I am feeling foggy and over confident. That being said, both are far less likely in 2wd.

 

Fair enough...and I do get what you're saying. FWIW ... If the roads are plowed clear, I don't always use 4WD. But if they look slick, or if the question comes to mind, I engage it, better safe than sorry.

 

From an old Subaru commercial: "Four wheel drive, ain't no jive"!

 

I bought it to use it.
I use it in the snow, ice, and rain.
And I'm running studded Winterforces for the winter.
We have a lot of twisty, turny roads which can be wet on the sunny side and a sheet of ice in the shade.

I don't use it on dry roads, in parking lots, etc.

One thing I generally do on the fly is to bump it into neutral to switch in and out of 4wd to 'unload' it before it engages/disengages.
Don't know if it makes any difference.
But it seems to lock in/out quicker and smoother.

 

I know they are much better than they used to be.
And definitely better than "No-Weather Radials".

But I've been running studs in the winter for going on 30 years.
I'm old school.
At 3am in a driving sleet storm, it is good to know I can slowly putter my way nearly anywhere, especially homeward.

And before someone says you shouldn't be out in that kind of weather, I'm an RN.
Some people really do have to show up in any weather.

 

Screw that.... I mean... I'm not skeered. I'll be one of the only people show up to work on bad days. I enjoy the drive....I drive like grandma. If / when I get stuck is when I won't make it to work.

Hell...around here... They close schools before the snow flies.

Ridiculous!