PSA, If you cannot drive in the snow and don't have to go out.............

[luvmy3]

The tippability of most SUVs is generally overatated by most people. Further, you are not going to be driving such a vehicle on ice at the speeds necessary for it to tip. Finally, if you were driving such a vehicle at that speed on ice, it still wouldn't tip because it would be sliding rather than sharply turning as would be necessary to flip.

(In my previous Grand Cherokee, I cut very sharply (as sharp as I could) at interstate speed (twice) in dry conditions on a dry road without it flipping.)

Regardless of who wrote the article, it had clear logical and factual problems.[/QUOTE]

Based on your opinions of your own 4WD? Perhaps you are just one of those people who know how your car handles in the snow and know how to drive it Maybe you are just confusing that with the physical capabilities of the car itself.

http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/your-ride-4wd-vs-awd-cga.htm

Safety Misconceptions

While 4WD and AWD may maximize traction better than 2WD, that doesn't necessarily translate into making it a safer vehicle. Oftentimes, drivers believe that because they can accelerate in snow just as quickly as on dry roads, they can do the same in terms of cornering and braking. On the contrary, 4WD and AWD do little to aid in cornering and nothing for braking ability on wet, snowy roads. Once moving, the physics of 2WD, 4WD, and AWD systems are pretty much the same. Rather than rely on AWD or 4WD, it's a better idea to think of them as an insurance policy that's there when you need it.

For most consumers, a set of quality all-season tires is a less-expensive alternative to pricey and complex all-wheel-drive systems. Even the most advanced 4WD vehicle will be left spinning its wheels in the snow if the wheels are shod with performance or touring tires.




Take a look at what kind of driving you normally do. Once you determine what type of vehicle best suits your needs, you can assess what type of system you need to get the job done. In some cases it may simply be 2WD with snow tires. In others, you may want to consider a more robust 4WD system with a low-range option.

 

[luvmy3]

I wish that people wouldn't post blanket statements.

The truth is, a good 4WD system can allow you to slow the vehicle in a safer and more controlled manner, all things being equal. Further, a good 4WD system (which includes proper tires) can help you make safer turns on ice and snow.

The 'facts' that I offer is personal experience driving both 2WD and 4wd vehicles in various inclement weather.

(I will add that a good 4WD system doubles the traction of a 2WD system. Therefore, it must be safer, even if it is only marginally safer as the roads get more and more slippy.)

Sorry meant to quote this post as well. While this does state that you would have better traction in snow, it also disagrees with what you say here.

Safety Misconceptions

While 4WD and AWD may maximize traction better than 2WD, that doesn't necessarily translate into making it a safer vehicle. Oftentimes, drivers believe that because they can accelerate in snow just as quickly as on dry roads, they can do the same in terms of cornering and braking. On the contrary, 4WD and AWD do little to aid in cornering and nothing for braking ability on wet, snowy roads. Once moving, the physics of 2WD, 4WD, and AWD systems are pretty much the same. Rather than rely on AWD or 4WD, it's a better idea to think of them as an insurance policy that's there when you need it.

For most consumers, a set of quality all-season tires is a less-expensive alternative to pricey and complex all-wheel-drive systems. Even the most advanced 4WD vehicle will be left spinning its wheels in the snow if the wheels are shod with performance or touring tires.

Take a look at what kind of driving you normally do. Once you determine what type of vehicle best suits your needs, you can assess what type of system you need to get the job done. In some cases it may simply be 2WD with snow tires. In others, you may want to consider a more robust 4WD system with a low-range option.


http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/your-ride-4wd-vs-awd-cga.htm

 

[Kies99]

Of course you could be the woman here in Pittsburgh last week. One of our busiest roads is called the Parkway West. She was driving into town during rush hour and decided she'd had enough of the bad road conditions that she stopped in the middle of the road and got out a book to read.

No lie.

 

[kaytieeldr]

The conclusion - 4WD vehicles are only safer if the driver operates the vehicle as cautiously as they would another vehicle.

Alternate translation: 4WD vehicles are only safer if the driver has the sense to operate the vehicle with common sense

It's simply not the case. However, it should be noted that it takes a while for you to really learn how to use 4WD to your advantage. It isn't like you can step into a Subaru tomorrow and drive it so much better.

Note to self: recall e-mail to bicker asking to borrow the 4WD Subaru in next week's (potential) snowstorm

 

[kaytieeldr]

Further, you are not going to be driving such a vehicle on ice at the speeds necessary for it to tip

No. YOU'RE not going to be driving an SUV - or any vehicle - at speeds necessary for it to tip on ice. Can't speak for others - and MANY tipovers are in dry, sunny weather with the SUV drivers simply driving too fast, or turning too sharply, or weaving in and out of traffic at immortal rates of speed.

 

[sbell111]

LOL - you love your SUV, don't you...

My SUV (actually, one just like it) saved my life. I love it.

 

[sbell111]

Based on your opinions of your own 4WD? Perhaps you are just one of those people who know how your car handles in the snow and know how to drive it Maybe you are just confusing that with the physical capabilities of the car itself.

http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/your-ride-4wd-vs-awd-cga.htm

Safety Misconceptions

While 4WD and AWD may maximize traction better than 2WD, that doesn't necessarily translate into making it a safer vehicle. ...

When the first sentence of an article contains a clear error, there's really no point in reading further.

More traction = safer vehicle, especially when the very thing we are talking about is whether the vehicle attains greater traction than another type of vehicle.

 

[bicker]

Note to self: recall e-mail to bicker asking to borrow the 4WD Subaru in next week's (potential) snowstorm

If I still had my Subaru, you might have had a chance. Now that I have a BMW, it's not gonna happen.

 

[Disnydad]

.......................

Rules for driving in snow:
Slow down, ESPECIALLY for turns and curves.
...........................?

Oh Lord yes! I drive a Hummer H3 and had the 4WD locked in the other day and tried to drive up to an ATM but it kept going straight till it hit the curb. I was only going maybe 2 MPH.

 

[luvmy3]

When the first sentence of an article contains a clear error, there's really no point in reading further.

More traction = safer vehicle, especially when the very thing we are talking about is whether the vehicle attains greater traction than another type of vehicle.

4WD cars are not safer in all situations, but apparently you think you know something that the laws of phsyics don't so there's no point in discussing anything further with you.

 

[onelilspark]

The point that's being made here is that you can not stop easier with 4WD, nor can you steer any better. Many people think they can, but are unable to offer any real facts.

It's good that you did the sensible thing. I wish more people were aware of the limitations of their vehicles.

All I know is that when my Jeep Liberty doesn't have the 4WD turned on, I can't make it up the hill to my place, my back end spins out when I turn and I skid when I try to brake. With the 4WD turned on, I can make it up the hill (and down!), turn safely, and I stop properly. Now of course I drive slower when there are poor road conditions. If I were to drive with the 4WD on snowy roads the way I drive without 4WD and dry roads...yes, then the 4WD is useless because I'm an idiot who doesn't know how to drive in snow.

 

[kaytieeldr]

When the first sentence of an article contains a clear error, there's really no point in reading further.

Did you read the article? It's NOT the first sentence. It's not even in the first section.

There's the introduction, then a section titled "Part-time 4WD", then one named "Full-time 4WD", then "All-Wheel Drive" - each describing that particular feature. The article ENDW with the "Safety Misconceptions" section - and yes, the words you highlighted are the first few words in that final section of the report.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

All I know is that when my Jeep Liberty doesn't have the 4WD turned on, I can't make it up the hill to my place, my back end spins out when I turn and I skid when I try to brake. With the 4WD turned on, I can make it up the hill (and down!), turn safely, and I stop properly. Now of course I drive slower when there are poor road conditions. If I were to drive with the 4WD on snowy roads the way I drive without 4WD and dry roads...yes, then the 4WD is useless because I'm an idiot who doesn't know how to drive in snow.

That is probably because your vehicle is, by default, a rear wheel drive vehicle with no weight on the rear wheels. You get better traction when the front wheels are engaged because of the weight of the engine and transmission is in the front. That is also why front wheel drive vehicles handle better in the snow than rear wheel drive vehicles.

 

[GeorgeG]

I see we're into the "my car is better than your car" routine.

I've been driving for almost 48 years, and most of those winters was in snow and ice. I've driven rear wheel dive, front wheel drive, four wheel drive, cars, vans, pick-up trucks, motorcycles, fire trucks and other trucks in all kinds of weather. Hands down, I'll take a four wheel drive or front wheel drive over the rest for driving in snow (nothing is "good" on ice).

For my epic trip through 500 miles of snowstorm back in December I was driving our new Toyota Sienna mini-van (front wheel drive). It was like a rock! The first thing I did was shift it down from D to D4 to let the engine help with braking. I also maintained a speed where I felt I still had reasonable control over the situation. There were welll over 300 vehicles off into the snow banks and guard rails, including several big snow plows. Many of the smaller vehicles off were four-wheel drive of two-wheel drive SUVs that moments earlier had been passing the slower traffic (we witnessed many of these actually spin across three lanes right in front of us). I can't fault the vehicles because they would have done just fine if they had been driven with some simple common sense.

It was great to get back to Florida and that's where I plan on doing my driving for the rest of my life. If it does snow here, I'll stay put until it goes away. If it snows again, I'll move to a warmer climate!

 

[kaytieeldr]

If I still had my Subaru, you might have had a chance. Now that I have a BMW, it's not gonna happen.

Aw, thanks! I'd be too afraid to even breathe in the vicinity of a BMW - I can tell you know (that the SUV isn't available) that I'm a klutz

 

[kaytieeldr]

I see we're into the "my car is better than your car" routine.

Not from me! My car is worser than your car

 

[LoraJ]

My little Prius made it to work just fine last week n the big storm and did not slide once. And it made it up a hill too. I always roll my eyes when I see folks in SUV's going 50mph in a 40mph zone in snow. They are not invincible. Last year on my way to work in snowy conditions, there were too SUV's zipping down the road and we would catch up to them at the next light. That is untl one slammed into the back of the other. Nice going.

Just drive carefully and slowly no matter what you drive.