Another 4x4 question

[Jeostang]

Another 4x4 question

When is the best time to use it during snow and ice? My neighbor says he uses it to get out of the neighborhood and turns it off. He will then engage it if he needs to start from a dead start the turn it back off again once he gets going.

When we get heavy snow I keep it one most of the time unless I’m on dry streets.

[rarjar]

IMO, so long as the road surface is slippery (heavy rain, snow or ice) I am comfortable leaving it in 4 wheel drive high without being concerned with excessive tire wear or damage to drive train. On the other hand, if road starts drying up and traction improves, I make sure I put it back in 2 wheel drive. I'm sure others will have different opinions, but I have owned a 4 wheel drive vehicle of some sort for the past 30 years and have never had problems with my 4 wheel drive by following this guideline.

[bowmanbd]

I follow this rule of thumb - don't turn it on unless you need it. When driving on snow that is not packed or iced, you're probably right in assuming you don't always need it. Ice is different. I like to keep it in 4-high on ice. My experience is that having the front wheels pulling helps to keep the vehicle moving in a straight line and helps avoid rear end slide-out. That being said, as long as your front wheels can slip when turning, you should be fine to leave it in 4WD. When traction improves to the point that your front wheels can't slip in a turn, it's time to turn the 4WD off.

[falchulk]

If there is snow or ice covering the ground I leave it on. Dry or even wet pavement it gets turned off.

[logicjunky]

Originally Posted by rarjar

IMO, so long as the road surface is slippery (heavy rain, snow or ice) I am comfortable leaving it in 4 wheel drive high without being concerned with excessive tire wear or damage to drive train. On the other hand, if road starts drying up and traction improves, I make sure I put it back in 2 wheel drive. I'm sure others will have different opinions, but I have owned a 4 wheel drive vehicle of some sort for the past 30 years and have never had problems with my 4 wheel drive by following this guideline.

Go w/ what rarjar says. That is generally how I drive it, I use my 4X4 less (only when absolutely stuck or sliding non stop) but those are good guidelines. And remember...

Smokey the Bear says:
"Only you can prevent wiping out on the highway. Just because you have 4X4 doesn't mean drive 80mph through the ice and snow."

[Brando7]

Originally Posted by bowmanbd

When driving on snow that is not packed or iced, you're probably right in assuming you don't always need it.

The only problem there is that by the time you realize that you should have 4WD on, it might be too late. Generally, I put it on if there's enough snow so that I can't see the road. I never use it on just wet roads.

[falchulk]

Originally Posted by Brando7

The only problem there is that by the time you realize that you should have 4WD on, it might be too late. Generally, I put it on if there's enough snow so that I can't see the road. I never use it on just wet roads.

Exactly! Thats why a "Auto" setting is great. It seems Nissan thought the Armada could use it but left the titan out on that goodie.

[bowmanbd]

It's never TOO LATE to lock it in 4WD. It can be too late, however, to realize you should have slowed down sooner or better yet just stayed at home! 4WD only gets you going . . . brakes stop you. Like the airline pilots say, "Take-offs are optional - landings are madatory".

[bowmanbd]

Oops, I meant maNdatory.

[falchulk]

Originally Posted by bowmanbd

It's never TOO LATE to lock it in 4WD. It can be too late, however, to realize you should have slowed down sooner or better yet just stayed at home! 4WD only gets you going . . . brakes stop you. Like the airline pilots say, "Take-offs are optional - landings are madatory".

Not true. Goose the throttle in 2wd and see if you dont get sideways real quick. 4wd makes the whole truck more stable in snow and ice.

If 4wd was only for starts, what led to full time 4wd or awd? Granted with traction turns are a beach but in snow and ice you dont have enough to cause an issue.

[tnbowhunter]

All good reply's.
Back when I was younger, braver, and driving an old CJ5 Jeep I wouldn't even think about putting it in 4 wheel drive untill I was already stuck.
But now that I'm a lot older and a little bit smarter I put it in 4 hi as soon as I anticipate trouble. I do avoid at all cost driving on a surface that won't let the front wheels slip though.

[bowmanbd]

falchuck - Your point is irrefutable. My only goal was to point out that one shouldn't expect 4WD to perform miracles. Common sense and forethought ought to come as standard equipment with 4WD. Sometimes we think we can "go anywhere" in 4WD, while overlooking the importance of stopping and maintaining control. Goose it in 4-high on ice and you'll swap ends just as quick.

[Squid]

I can't help but wonder how many people with a 4X4 have really taken it out on ice and snow and played with it?(like in an empty parking lot)
Because a lot of the things I've just got done reading are more cliches rather than valid handling characteristics of the 4x4 Titan.Get it up to 40mph on Ice or snow and slam on the brakes and then come back and tell us what you found.Then from a standing stop stomp on the gas and tell us what you think.Now do it all over again in 2wd.

I know from experience(320 miles in two nights in the Ice, sleet and snow) that you'll be very very surprised with your findings.

(This aint your Grandpas 4X4)

And to answer the original question.Pages 5-20 to 5-25 in the owners manual pretty much covers it.

[honeykeeper]

When it comes down to really deep snow...and ice conditions..and 2 wheel doesn't get it..and the 4 wheel low or high doesn't do-it.....I put the Super-Z-Cables on.....and that always gets me home.....not that I should be out on those days anyways!lol

[falchulk]

Originally Posted by Squid

I can't help but wonder how many people with a 4X4 have really taken it out on ice and snow and played with it?(like in an empty parking lot)
Because a lot of the things I've just got done reading are more cliches rather than valid handling characteristics of the 4x4 Titan.Get it up to 40mph on Ice or snow and slam on the brakes and then come back and tell us what you found.Then from a standing stop stomp on the gas and tell us what you think.Now do it all over again in 2wd.

I know from experience(320 miles in two nights in the Ice, sleet and snow) that you'll be very very surprised with your findings.

(This aint your Grandpas 4X4)

And to answer the original question.Pages 5-20 to 5-25 in the owners manual pretty much covers it.

No one questions stoping and starting. How many people have you seen spin or slide off a highway? That has nothing to do with starting or stoping. The more wheels with traction powering you along, the less chance you have of ending up in a ditch. Of course this assumes you drive with common sense.