Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

-gabagool- t1_j228hnv wrote

Reply to comment by acister in Please drive SLOW in the snow by WhaleDinosaurDog

4wd/AWD helps you move forward in adverse conditions. In an emergency stop situation it makes no difference. Having a better grip on the road surface is great, but an all-wheel vehicle should be operated no differently than a 2wd vehicle if conditions are poor.

12

acister t1_j22c9da wrote

https://www.autoweek.com/car-life/a1690156/will-you-stop-faster-2wd-or-4wd-engaged-turns-out-it-depends/ pertaining to stopping, it has to do with the wheels being locked in a 4wd drivetrain vs free

Regarding adverse condition in roads, more traction means better handling. I've driven quite a bit being a professional driver and you can feel the difference when 4wd is engaged, it's objectively true. I can downshift and stop faster with all the wheels locked to the drivetrain. I'm not effing saying to drive too fast or dangerous. Handling is definitely affected by traction and where the vehicle is getting power from.

8

-gabagool- t1_j22eklt wrote

Your argument doesn't dispute the fact that in an emergency stop, which is the ultimate nightmare scenario in slick road conditions, power distribution to all wheels just doesn't make enough difference to justify driving any differently than if you were in a FWD vehicle. The video you linked is two vehicles in a fairly low-speed controlled situation.

−4

acister t1_j22i0il wrote

I never said one should drive differently but OP said

>I got 4 wheel drive snow is not a problem…..Oh S#it my steering and brakes don’t work any better than those on a 2 wheel drive!

Handling and stopping are generally better in 4wd in adverse conditions objectively. Did not scour the internet for hours looking for a video but just a quick search for a vibe. IDK I just have driven A LOT and it is different to drive 4wd but one shouldn't be reckless because of that, 4wd at least out on the road in the snow is great for safety (and serves purposes other than just being able to move foward), guess I'm more trying to argue that.

3