Driving in 4WD High

Diamondpilot · Feb 26, 2009

I think the biggest problem is it gives a false sense of security and we drive faster in 4WD. And as we all know, speed leads to trouble.

Chris

WH401 · Feb 26, 2009

atgreene said:
Try it sometime. Let me know how it works out for you. When you let off and the front is holding back more than the rear, that rear end is coming around. Been there, done that, see it on a regular bassis. If you're driving along, why do you need it anyway? What is it helping?

I drive in snow and ice for a living, 4 wd gets a vehicle in more trouble that not. Unless you know what it will do and have tested it out in different settings, run it in 2 wd. It is not safer driving in 4 wd. I can show you hundreds of accidents caused by doing so where the driver didn't realize that the handling characteristics change dramatically in 4 wd.

But hey, if it makes you feel better, go ahead and run it. Just be prepared.

Actually, I recently did and have done it regularly for years and it has always given me much more control in 4wd than anyone could ever dream to attain in 2wd. I think your point is more that 4wd gives people a false sense of security rather than that 4wd may be dangerous or useless. As long as your competent in the operation of your vehicle, you'll have no problem.

BTW, How is the front holding back more than the rear if the front is turning faster than the rear?

atgreene · Feb 26, 2009

The front has more weight, thus more traction. When you let up on the accelerator it transfers even more weight to the front, thus the rear will slip while the front uses the weight to get more traction.

Same reason you cannot run studded tires on the front only on a front wheel drive vehicle.

As long as it works for you. Just see no need to run any vehicle in 4 wd onless you have a large amount of snow/slush in the road. I had to drive my new '09 3500 home the other day with 4-6" of snow in the road. Had to run it in 4 wd, but it was all over the place. Front kept finding wheel ruts and trying to dig in. As soon as I got to down hills I snapped it out of 4 wd.

I'm sure you get plenty of snow and ice so you've had a chance to see what your vehicle will do. As long as you're comfortable.