Well it just started to snow here in Rhode Island. We're supposed to get 6-12 inches with in the next 3 days. I cant wait! This is my first winter driving in the snow. Last year I just drove once in it with my permit, with 4 wheel drive engaged so I kind of got a little feel of it. Is there anything I have to watch out for? The more I know before the snow piles up the safer I will be.:)

Find a parking lot a practice. Knowing how your truck reacts when you really need it....Priceless!

Listen to 5.0Dad....He's right. Last winter was my first driving on ice and snow, and I put what was then my mom's explorer in the ditch 4 or 5 times (I can't quite remember), nothing serious, just little slides right off the road at 5 mph. A year later, i've done the parking lot idea and I feel really comfortable with what my car can do and how I can control it.

Like 5.0Dad said, practice in a parking lot. Our back ends like to come around on us but you can learn to keep it under control with a bit of practice. Remember, in 2wd steer into the skid and in 4X4, steer where you want to go since your fronts should pull you in the direction they're pointed. Also as an added bonus, you'll have fun playing in an empty lot.


/\/\/\/\He types quick.

how to I induce a controlled skid. well not completly controled, it would defeat the purpose of pratice, but safely. Like just do donuts in the park lot? :D or just drive around normally?

We got mad snow here :D Gotta go do some doughnuts!! On the quad of course. I can't wreck my truck anymore!! :( I think experience driving in snow comes after time. So just relax, and don't get in a hurry when the roads might have the slightest chance of being slick!!

Originally posted by jar2187
how to I induce a controlled skid. well not completly controled, it would defeat the purpose of pratice, but safely. Like just do donuts in the park lot? :D or just drive around normally?

just make sure to give yourself plenty of room when you try something :)

I like playing in the snow. My wife's always rolling her eyes at me :D .
Anyway, as for "practice." It seems to me there are a few different "kinds" of skids.
1) When you're driving along and the light turns red. How well can you stop? What happens when I stop hard? How well do the antilock brakes work? Practice stopping, pumping the brakes, etc. FWIW, most of my "oh crap" experiences involve wondering whether or not I was going to stop this side of the other guys bumper.
2) Steering. how sharp can I turn before I lose control? What happens at that point (front just breaks loose and I go straight, or does the back end swing around.)? Steering and braking vs. steering and accelerating? Try various maneuvers and see what happens.
3) Accelerating (the fun part). This isn't just about doing doughnuts, though. What happens when the wheels spin on take-off? Around corners? How hard can I accelerate w/o spinning? 2WD vs. 4WD? What happens when its sloped sideways?
Snow condition makes a difference, too (powdered snow vs. packed snow vs. drifted snow vs. ice vs. slush. patchy vs. solid covered).
I think it's a good idea to get a feel for how your truck handles in the snow. Take it easy; you don't want to hurt yourself/others/truck. I've seen people flip their trucks doing doughnuts.
And, if it's seems unclear, definitely practice these in a parking lot or other safe area.

Ditto to all of the posts above. While driving soon after a snow fall you will encounter many different types of conditions from road to road.

Some are well plowed some aren't. Some are salted, some are like ice. As soon as snow hits, CAUTION is the word of the day.

The larger tires on our trucks are actually worse in mild snow conditions than smaller tires. Smaller tires can cut through the snow more easily. Our tires act like tabogons instead of like skis. You ever try to steer a tabogon? Well me neither, but you get the idea.:D

Remember, 4WD may get you moving but it doesn't help you stop.

Originally posted by MontanaGT
Remember, 4WD may get you moving but it doesn't help you stop.
That's probably the most important thing. A lot of people think because they have 4WD they and drive better than other cars in the snow and go faster. Truth is, you cant stop any better than the other cars. When you think you're going slow enough, go slower. It's just not worth sliding off the road and ruining your car.

It might not have been as bad if you were lifted! :p

I like that color too.

This is my first time driving in snow with 4x4 and I will definitely take all of you guys advice to heart. :)

First time driving my X in the snow: Tomorrow morning when I have to bring my youngest daughter to my church for dress rehearsal of the Christmas program they are performing Sunday. :D

Go slow, don't get overconfident and leave plenty of room for braking.

I'm in R.I.too! So if you see someone else doing donuts in the parking lot, that will be me!!! J/K!!! LOL!!! I have alwready been out in the storm 5-6 times checking on my sister who is sick and my X is super for pulling thru the snow even with new cheap Pep Boy Scrambler tires on! My problem is stopping! Even going slow! But i would rather take 20 minutes to get to a 5 minute drive than be off the road or hit someone!!! I plan to get a set of Cooper Discover M/S tires with rims but I will have to buy them 1 at a time so I will have them for next winter! I hope they make a difference stopping!!!
Take it slow!!!

NJ is looking white! I was driving around yesterday in the snow and my BFG AT's did a great job... first time in the snow with them. Here is a nice pic of what things look like out front right now:

Ed

Hey guys,
Well we have lots of snow already. Last night I went to a parking lot and messed around a little bit. Is 4 wheel drive supposed to be loud? I shut it off while in the parking lot and tired to back up. I got a little wheel spin and it made some strange noises. Almost like the front was binding. Backing up in 4 wheel drive does it too. I only spun out once, when I switched from 4 wheel drive to 2 wheel drive I was at to high of an rpm and fished tailed to the right sending me across the other lane spinning me around to face the opposite direction. Luckly there was only one other person on the road who was behind me , he stoped untill I regained traction. When I was in the parking lot messing around, A ranger came and started messing around too. About 5 minutes later another pick up came and I saw the ranger take off and the pick up got closer, It was a town truck! I was like shit so I just pulled on to the street and kept driving. Can you get a ticket for doing dounuts and what not in a parking lot?

Yes. Wreckless driving.

Yes you can get a reckless driving but if your cool to the Police and explain why your doing what your doing.

You should be ok.

Of course if your really going nuts with the donuts then they may not believe you.

" I MISS SNOW "

I just returned from bringing my nephew to work since my sister couldn't get the car out and knowing I had a 4x4 she called me to take him. It was bad out, ice under snow and very slippery but except for a few skids while turning corners(even at 10 MPH) I came through my first time driving in snow with my X with flying colors :D

Congratulations, also remember to bring along the proper winter gear.

There are alot of things here are afew
shovel
salt/kitty liter
gloves(waterproof/goretex)
blankets
tow strap
drinking water
cell phone w/car charger
keep about a half a tank of gas, on the side of the road in a snow bank is the last place you want to run out of gas.
I got about 5-6 dates out of pulling women out or digging them free.

Offer to but them a cup of coffee to get them warm.
Women & even Men are always thankful to there saviour. $$, Date,....cough...cough...

Just find an open parking lot, get her going around 10 kmph in 4wd, crank the wheel and pin her, she'll do a wild screaming burnout like you've never seen before!!! Just don't do it too often, unless you have lots of money to throw into the tank. That'll teach you how the truck will react in snow or ice!

Just don't hit a curb or something under the snow or you'll be on your side!

Ed