Idiots and winter driving

[buickanddeere]

I agree that drivers operating the fourways while in motion should be flogged and fined.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

I've had my '93 Suburban in 4wd almost all day today. Most of the side roads are snow covered and dangerous. I take it out of 4wd when I can see the actual asphalt, so as not to cause wear on the drive train.

I don't understand your comments about a rear wheel drive trailbazer being in 2wd???

If your front wheels on your lifted truck keep locking up when braking on snow, you probably have something wrong with your back brakes. I have had that happen in several Chevy 4x4's when in 2wd. What was happening is that the rear wheels were still pushing the truck when the front tires lost traction while braking. If I'd toss it in neutral while braking, the problem would cease. It also ceased when in 4wd. So I had the brakes checked and the rears were always the culprit.

It was a RWD 4x4 trailblazer in 2wd if that makes more sense, it was the shorter wheelbase version also, and that was on pretty much ice with a light in the ***, short wheel base SUV.

As for the 85 F150 I had (was just a mud toy) and my current 2wd 81 f150 has done but not as bad, the rears don't work too well. I put a whole new break system (rotors, pads, shoes, cylinders for the drums, new steel and rubber lines front to back) in the 85 and still had a issue of locking the front up first in wet or snowing conditions if the breaks were hit hard, the current 81 did it to me once.

I don't drive my 81 in the snow/salt anyway, it stays in the barn all winter where it's not rusting away lol.

As far as 4x4 on the road, I agree about disengaging it once you hit asphalt but I like to "feel" the road in 2wd I guess, I can better judge my "safe" speed that way, now granted on snow covered hills 4x4 would be a must.

It's just personal preference, also in snow I'm like a kid controlled drifting turns when I can safely get away with it.

I will say one thing, I had a 07 Z81 Sierra and that thing did not like to drift, the traction kicked in even on ice and was like "**** no you don't" and would straiten out lol, a 01 325ci I had would half *** straiten up, mainly it just cut the power to the wheels, the truck locked one side up and really took over, did a good job.

I have had a lot of cars and trucks lol

 

[Wagtail]

I agree that drivers operating the fourways while in motion should be flogged and fined.

What? That's one of the occasions when you use your hazard lights. You are driving at a reduced speed and need to call attention to yourself to the people coming up from behind.

Heck, if I'm transporting a round or bales of hay in my ute (on a public highway) I'm typically travelling at 70-80kph in a 100kph zone. I've got my 4-ways on. When it's safe to do so (for all concerned) I'll pull over to let anyone behind me pass.

Drivers who are not operating the fourways while in motion are the ones who should be flogged and fined.

 

[QRTRHRS]

What? That's one of the occasions when you use your hazard lights. You are driving at a reduced speed and need to call attention to yourself to the people coming up from behind.

Heck, if I'm transporting a round or bales of hay in my ute (on a public highway) I'm typically travelling at 70-80kph in a 100kph zone. I've got my 4-ways on. When it's safe to do so (for all concerned) I'll pull over to let anyone behind me pass.

Drivers who are not operating the fourways while in motion are the ones who should be flogged and fined.

Different situation. True that on most interstates in the US, trucks running 40mph or below should be running 4 ways. Or, running your pickup in front of a combine or a dual wheeled tractor and tender wagon.

I am talking about smaller vehicles not running solo on snow covered roads where the 4 ways wreak havoc on your eyes. The road is slippery, most vehicles are running slower. The 4 ways should be used to let others know that a situation is coming on. Ie; slow down and/or prepare to stop or you have had to pull over onto the shoulder.

I "paid my dues" running in the snow belt and I have spent three years plus doing interstate snow removal. At that time, the max time the state allowed us to be out was 15 hours. Trust me, 15 hours of that overhead yellow flasher will do a number on your eyes. Same with just driving long hours in the snow.

 

[MossRoad]

What? That's one of the occasions when you use your hazard lights. You are driving at a reduced speed and need to call attention to yourself to the people coming up from behind.

Heck, if I'm transporting a round or bales of hay in my ute (on a public highway) I'm typically travelling at 70-80kph in a 100kph zone. I've got my 4-ways on. When it's safe to do so (for all concerned) I'll pull over to let anyone behind me pass.

Drivers who are not operating the fourways while in motion are the ones who should be flogged and fined.

How many times have you driven on the interstate in a 112kph zone in heavy traffic going 50kph with your four-ways on because its snowing, but isn't sticking to the road and you're scared? :laughing:

 

[Wagtail]

Different situation. True that on most interstates in the US, trucks running 40mph or below should be running 4 ways. Or, running your pickup in front of a combine or a dual wheeled tractor and tender wagon.

I am talking about smaller vehicles not running solo on snow covered roads where the 4 ways wreak havoc on your eyes. The road is slippery, most vehicles are running slower. The 4 ways should be used to let others know that a situation is coming on. Ie; slow down and/or prepare to stop or you have had to pull over onto the shoulder.

I "paid my dues" running in the snow belt and I have spent three years plus doing interstate snow removal. At that time, the max time the state allowed us to be out was 15 hours. Trust me, 15 hours of that overhead yellow flasher will do a number on your eyes. Same with just driving long hours in the snow.

OK, that's better. I only constantly run my hazard lights if I'm being a, well, constant hazard for the time I'm in that situation.

And, as you've said, as a warning to others behind that there's a 'situation' ahead. Once I've slowed down and those behind me have done so, I'll turn them off. The conditions warrant their use... if I'm "tail end Charlie" in bad visibility (heavy rain, fog, smoke) my speed is down & the hazards are on until whoever comes up behind me has slowed down. Then I'll turn them off.

 

[2ndhalf]

Far be it for me to take any pleasure from your frozen precipitation circumstances.

No sir. That would be wrong and I would be a bad person to do so, especially as it is Summer down here.



<snert>

Many of us like snow.. we just get tired of it in about a month

 

[Wagtail]

How many times have you driven on the interstate in a 112kph zone in heavy traffic going 50kph with your four-ways on because its snowing, but isn't sticking to the road and you're scared? :laughing:

You'd be surprised, Mate. But since you asked the question... Australia runs a provisional drivers licence programme. 'L' (learner) drivers are restricted to a top speed of 80kph. Tasmania has 1 (somewhat) 4-lane highway that's posted at 110kph. [Mostly it's 2-lane with passing zones, but it's improving over time] 'L' platers are allowed on this highway and believe me it causes no end of frustration. The next stage is 'P1' (provisional) and they're restricted 90kph followed by 'P2' at 100kph max.

You add in heavy rain or heavy fog or dense bush-fire smoke and you're darn right that an inexperienced driver will be scared.

Yes, once they're 'in the pack' they can turn them off but they're usually concentrating so much on the situation that it's the last thing on their mind. I'd rather the annoyance of the lights than them not being used.

 

[Wagtail]

Many of us like snow.. we just get tired of it in about a month

Yeah, I was being facetious.

[I have driven in N.A., in snow, on many occasions... my family lives in Southern Ontario]

 

[2ndhalf]

Yeah, I was being facetious.

[I have driven in N.A., in snow, on many occasions... my family lives in Southern Ontario]

Ha Ha I know.... :laughing: So was I oooo ho Ontario.. you made the right move!