Tips for Driving in the Snow

I would put on snow tires first snow in Colorado. The trick would be guessing the last snow storm.

 

Keep a sharp eye on cotrip.org for up to date road conditions and know about the Traction Laws of Colorado.

 

All depends on what area of Co you live in, what ski areas you want to slide down up to the last open day, and the condition and type of your summer tires

 

I understand what you're trying to say about All-Seasons, All-Terrains, etc.

But for clarity, Summer Performance Tires are a defined category of tire and they should never be driven in the snow. They shouldn't even be used below 40 of 50F depending on the compound.

 

What works well for me is a set of good winter tires and three 70 pound bags of sand over the axle.

 

Thanks everyone for the input. I live in high alpine (above 9000ft) so I probably won't see clear asphalt until May. I'll keep her in 4WD.

Probably a dumb question, but is it okay to switch from 4WD to 2WD at any speed? Thanks again everyone!

 

Check your sunvisor for clear instructions on this.

But yes, under 60mph coast in a straight line change modes.

 

Show that snow who's boss...

 

But 4wd->2wd at any speed is fine.

 

when in doubt, power out!

 

I have been driving FWD vehicles for decades. RWD is new, as shown by some of my awkward turning circles. Turn directions, as you noted, are different now.

Not so many 90 degree turns in 4WD but in PHX is is mostly dry and asphalt.

 

rwd, fwd, and 4x4 all require substantially different driving techniques. fwd is 'point-and-hope', with a healthy dose of momentum. one essentially 'drags' the cars mass around by the front axle, which doesn't work all that great to get the vehicle to rotate, or otherwise move in the snow in anything but 'normal' ways.

rwd begins to get more interesting, as momentum, and modulation of the axle differences--the front brakes and rear power, come into play. rotation of the vehicle becomes much more feasible, and easier to accomplish.

4x4 is more like 'bull in a china shop'. nearly all directional situations with 4x4 are best solved with banging harder on the throttle, which works counter to most people's driving experience. it's 'point and shoot' in a lot of ways, which gives an increasing feeling of invincibility, that's only countered by a swift meeting with a ditch.

 

Have lived in CO (front range and high country) and in AK. As everyone else has said snow tires make a world of difference, even compared to a good all season tire. Use the 4x4, it’s not going to have issues driving on snow/ice/or dirt in the summer. I typically flip in and out of it if I know it will bind like when I make the turn into my driveway/or tight parking spots, not sure if that helps with wear or not.

 

Most important, good all-weather tires. If you really live in the mountains in CO (not just Boulder or along I-25 on the front range), leaving those tires on year-round isn't a bad idea. In that part of the Rockies, there are days when the weather is very likely to be good, but there's no day of the year when it can't possibly snow (as they say, if you don't like the weather, wait 20 minutes and it'll change).

As others have said, on unplowed roads, you're not going to be in a situation where damaging the T-case is a risk. If you want to run in 4-Hi full time when there's snow on the ground, go ahead and do it. Just never forget that AWD/4WD isn't a superpower, you'll be less likely to get stuck without traction, but it's not going to make your vehicle steer or brake any differently (and unless you're on a rail crossing or in the middle of nowhere, the chances of being fatally stuck are very low compared to the risks involved with going off the side of a mountain road if you lose control). Drive slower than you would in clear weather, even if visibility is good, and leave extra following distance in traffic (most towns in the mountains, that's a relative term unless you're close to a ski resort).

If you want to handle better in 2WD in slick conditions, put 300-500 lb of any kind of weight in the bed of the truck during winter; sand and/or kitty litter are popular because they can also be used to create traction on ice. The more "reps" you get experiencing various conditions, the more comfortable you'll get in handling them (I don't know of anyone who was completely calm in their first encounter with black ice, or anyone of any experience level who enjoys that situation, but it's easier to control the panic when you know how to feel when some level of grip has returned). With enough experience, you might even get to a point where you don't feel any urge to reach for 4-Hi until it's really necessary. I had the advantage of learning to drive locally, but I handled 2 Western Montana winters in a RWD 74 Maverick as a teenager; anyone who knows how to handle conditions can get by in a decently prepared 2WD pickup.

If you're going to be doing any significant highway travel in those mountains, especially on the smaller routes (anything that isn't I-70), it's a good idea to carry chains, jumper cables (or a portable jump-starter unit), flares, at least one dry change of clothes, a couple of good blankets (mylar "space blankets" at least, if not at least one decent quality wool blanket), flashlight, hatchet, basic first aid kit, microfiber camping towel, and enough non-perishable food to survive for a day or two in the vehicle; emergency water isn't a bad idea (as long as the containers can withstand freezing), but you'll never get stuck in a blizzard where melting snow isn't an option to cover that requirement of survival. If you get most of the supplies at a surplus store, all that and a duffel/backpack to hold it all should easily cost about the same as a tank of gas at CO prices. I've lived in L.A. for 30 years now, and I still keep a version of something like that in each of my vehicles just out of habit.

 

If only Subaru and Toyota could somehow put their heads together…

Seems vaguely familiar.

 

Sandbags and blizzaks. Stopping and direction is the issue 95% of the time not acceleration. Drive slow, more space is always better.

Don't ever skimp on beds, boots, or tires. Did I mention buy real winter tires? 2WD with winter tires out perform 4WD with literally any all season every day.

 

Nice to see someone else is enjoying some cold weather!

 

Dang, we are in the 40 and 50s here. I'm dying to do some ice fishing, last year I was on the ice at this time

I actually enjoy driving in the snow, been doing it every winter for 28 years.