[GlenC]

I know this may be a dumb question to some of you here. But being from Southern Calif and just moving to Oklahoma last year and have never driven in the snow or ice. At what point do you put the truck in 4x4? I know its not good to drive in 4x4 on pavement so I don't want to ingage it prematurly.

Thanks in advance

Glen

 

[RolledToy]

run it in 4hi on surfaces where there is little gription, when you pull the lever is a personal choice

 

[Mr Joe]

Newbie material... Does not belong in the "Dodge" forum :roll:

:baby:

 

[killed300ex]

i almost never run in 4x4. Only if i am going around town or pushing the snow. The key is having a good set of tires. Iv found that narrow work the best while some will disagree it is just my opinion. If you want to run in 4x4 i wouldnt do it unitll there is a good layer of snow or slush on the road. I think you will find that after a couple of storms you will figure out when you need it and when you dont.

 

[GlenC]

On 2005-12-07 17:44, killed300ex wrote:
i almost never run in 4x4. Only if i am going around town or pushing the snow. The key is having a good set of tires. Iv found that narrow work the best while some will disagree it is just my opinion. If you want to run in 4x4 i wouldnt do it unitll there is a good layer of snow or slush on the road. I think you will find that after a couple of storms you will figure out when you need it and when you dont.

Thanks. I am not "wanting" to drive in 4x4. I just wanted to make sure I didn't do it when I shouldn't. My 4x4 experience has come only in sand not snow or ice....lol

 

[Omahastylin16]

usually unless theres a lot of snow or you get stuck you wont need 4x4 at all, just takes some getting used to, travel at a slower speed, dont hit the gas or brake while on ice or while taking a turn, and if the rear end starts kicking out do your best to countersteer and ease into the brake dont slam on them, just makes you slide worse

 

[Cannonball]

when the rear starts coming around i don't hit brakes at all, just let off the gas and it usually come back (still have to countersteer). there is few times when you "need" 4wd. but it's there so what the hey. if there is n 1" on the roads and it is in 4 you don't have to worry about spinning at the lights, you just go. just don't be one of those crazys that think just because they have a 4x4 the can drive 60mph in the snow cause when you have to stop you could get into trouble. but at least you got the 4wd to get it out of the ditch :bigthumb:

 

[GlenC]

On 2005-12-07 20:56, Cannonball wrote:
just don't be one of those crazys that think just because they have a 4x4 the can drive 60mph in the snow cause when you have to stop you could get into trouble. but at least you got the 4wd to get it out of the ditch :bigthumb:

LOL..I work for the local PD (dispatcher) and have already seen that from last year and tonight. You would think people who have lived and drove in this stuff all thier lives they would know to slow down.

 

[Dozer]

Dont tailgate and give 3 to 4 times the braking distance and if its stright up ice 5 to 6 times the braking distance. You can get going just fine it the stoping and turning that can get you in trouble, and watch out for the guy going to fast and losing it and spinning 360 coming straight at you :x: And dont follow the snow plow to close when he is sanding the road it will sandblast your truck.

 

[chizzle1]

when i drive the Cherokee 4x4, i use 4hi to start off then push the stick back to 2wd when rolling.
I also use 4hi to slow down by downshift from 'd' to '1-2' instead of hitting the brakes.
4hi will also keep you from locking up the front tires when braking.
just my experience from being in KS for 7 months.
like said above, you'll figure it out after a couple times driving in it, just don't make any sudden moves.

 

[purdueagford]

put enough weight in the back and you wont usually need 4wd.

 

[Mikeg1005]

Just use it when you feel you need to... Its not like you are going to destroy your car unless you drive non stop with it on. If you feel unconfrotable use it... whats more important the sheet metal or driving safely???

MIke.

 

[justinzich]

This doesn't exactly answer your question just some tips. Practice, find a parking lot and learn how to correct a skid! A lot of the other tips were good, but I would be very careful about down shifting on ice. I once ended up sideways on an off ramp test driving a brand new Chevy Duramax when the salesman thought it would be a good idea to turn the grade braking on.

Like the other guys said, getting going is easy it is stopping and turning where you get into trouble. As far as stopping I think four wheel helps a little at very slow speeds. Here is why. In two wheel drive the rear wheels will actually continue to push a little as you are stopping. Shifting to neutral or having it in four wheel seems to make this less of a problem. Hope that makes sense.

I usually use two wheel unless the ground is completely covered, but I will shift in to neutral when stopping if it is icy. Hope that helps

 

[cj ford]

we have bad winters here with lots of snow and i NEVER NEVER EVER put it in 4x4..............






drive it in 2wd like a man :rotfl: :rotfl: :flipoff:

 

[justinzich]

That is right, real men don't use brakes either.

 

[trail_lover]

Driving on ice and packed snow is just like driving with self control lol

Easy on the gas easy on the brake .You want to avoid any quick adjustments in steering or throttle .

If you lose traction get off the trottle let the tires gain traction then apply trottle till you lose it again . you will get the hang of it

four wheel drive can give you a false sence of what you are driving on till it`s to late . I never drive in 4x4 unless i have too . stuck on a hill , cant get thru the intersection in time .....

I think every Canadian has done this .... go play in a parking lot after hours lol

remember if you have ABS when you slide do not pump the brakes , just hold the brakes with pressure it will stop . once you get good at it very rarely will the abs ever go on . :bigthumb:

 

[Hometheaterman]

On 2005-12-18 22:45, justinzich wrote:
Practice, find a parking lot and learn how to correct a skid!

I reccomending doing this in another car. I took my truck to a parking lot not to learn how to correct a skid as I know how to do that but to play around in the snow and do a few doughnuts. I maybe stayed out there maybe 5 min if that and it blew out the power steering pump.

 

[74 chev]

i usually drive around in 4 hi when there is a good layer on the roads its not that i really need it but its there and it helps alot why not use it?

 

[hieneken49]

drive in 2wd, more of a challenge :

 

[Double00]

Snow? Whats snow?