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Mike Romain 01-15-2007 12:50 PM

Re: Winter Fun
 
Driving a 4x4 is a learning experience. They handle like no other
vehicle when in 'part time' 4x4.

To stop when in part time 4x4, my owners manual says to 'stay off the
brakes' and to use the gears and steering for slowing down or avoiding
something. I have found that my Jeeps will stop amazingly fast like
that and practice it off road all the time. Just need the brakes for
the final stop. Folks are always told to stay off the brakes and use
the gears when in PT 4x4 off road. Same deal when in PT 4x4 on road in
a snowstorm!

The problem with using the brakes is the front and rear axles are locked
together. In a normal 2 wheel drive vehicle when you hit the brakes in
snow, the steering usually just locks up so you track straight ahead.
Jeeps and most SUV's have a combination or proportioning valve that is
supposed to prevent rear wheel lock up to avoid the vehicle swapping
ends for this.

However when you are in part time 4x4, when the front wheels lock up...
so do the rear wheels because of the nature of the locked center
differential.

This means a Jeep or any vehicle in part time 4x4 will slide sideways
faster than you can blink with all 4 wheels locked up. Instant off the
high side of the curve ditch fodder.

I highly recommend folks use their 'shift on the fly' at any legal speed
feature of the 4x4 so they get used to treating it 'just like any other
shift'. See snow coming, shift into 4x4, see clear coming shift back to
2 WD. This way in an emergency, shifting into or out of 4x4 comes naturally.

I find 2 WD better when doing left turn at snowy or slushy
intersections. I use 2WD then as I come out of the turn, I hit 4x4 to
pull me into the straight. I find this because when turning in PT 4x4
one wheel has to scuff the ground because the front wheels and rear
travel different distances around a corner. When this happens, the
front wheels tend to get up on top of the snow and the Jeep just wants
to go straight around the long corner unless you goose it to grab which
isn't always a good thing to do.

I highly recommend an empty parking lot or open trail come first snow to
find out just how your 4x4 does handle.

On our last New Years trip last year it was insane the number of SUV's
that passed me in a snowstorm on the highway only to be found in the
ditch off the top side of a corner aways along. I think we counted 8 in
about a hundred miles. I was doing a nice 55-60 mph in 4x4 part time or
keeping with the transport truck's speed.

Then if you see 'all' the transport trucks parked at the truck stops,
it's time to rethink the timing of the trip and maybe stop for a break
too.....

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Brett Ryan wrote:
> Question,
> How many people here have had the chance to observe people who own
> 4x4's, but do not know how to use them in winter driving conditions like
> ice and snow? Down here in Houston, and Texas in general these
> conditions create all kinds of fun situations for people who think they
> can drive, but really can't, get into.
> I really love it when someone who has a jeep ends up on an icy road,
> thinking that the engaged 4x4 will help them maintain control only to
> find out that it does not make a difference.
> Ok, my two cents worth now that the ice, sleet, and snow have
> arrived in Texas.
>
> Having Fun,
> Brett


Mike Romain 01-15-2007 12:50 PM

Re: Winter Fun
 
Driving a 4x4 is a learning experience. They handle like no other
vehicle when in 'part time' 4x4.

To stop when in part time 4x4, my owners manual says to 'stay off the
brakes' and to use the gears and steering for slowing down or avoiding
something. I have found that my Jeeps will stop amazingly fast like
that and practice it off road all the time. Just need the brakes for
the final stop. Folks are always told to stay off the brakes and use
the gears when in PT 4x4 off road. Same deal when in PT 4x4 on road in
a snowstorm!

The problem with using the brakes is the front and rear axles are locked
together. In a normal 2 wheel drive vehicle when you hit the brakes in
snow, the steering usually just locks up so you track straight ahead.
Jeeps and most SUV's have a combination or proportioning valve that is
supposed to prevent rear wheel lock up to avoid the vehicle swapping
ends for this.

However when you are in part time 4x4, when the front wheels lock up...
so do the rear wheels because of the nature of the locked center
differential.

This means a Jeep or any vehicle in part time 4x4 will slide sideways
faster than you can blink with all 4 wheels locked up. Instant off the
high side of the curve ditch fodder.

I highly recommend folks use their 'shift on the fly' at any legal speed
feature of the 4x4 so they get used to treating it 'just like any other
shift'. See snow coming, shift into 4x4, see clear coming shift back to
2 WD. This way in an emergency, shifting into or out of 4x4 comes naturally.

I find 2 WD better when doing left turn at snowy or slushy
intersections. I use 2WD then as I come out of the turn, I hit 4x4 to
pull me into the straight. I find this because when turning in PT 4x4
one wheel has to scuff the ground because the front wheels and rear
travel different distances around a corner. When this happens, the
front wheels tend to get up on top of the snow and the Jeep just wants
to go straight around the long corner unless you goose it to grab which
isn't always a good thing to do.

I highly recommend an empty parking lot or open trail come first snow to
find out just how your 4x4 does handle.

On our last New Years trip last year it was insane the number of SUV's
that passed me in a snowstorm on the highway only to be found in the
ditch off the top side of a corner aways along. I think we counted 8 in
about a hundred miles. I was doing a nice 55-60 mph in 4x4 part time or
keeping with the transport truck's speed.

Then if you see 'all' the transport trucks parked at the truck stops,
it's time to rethink the timing of the trip and maybe stop for a break
too.....

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Brett Ryan wrote:
> Question,
> How many people here have had the chance to observe people who own
> 4x4's, but do not know how to use them in winter driving conditions like
> ice and snow? Down here in Houston, and Texas in general these
> conditions create all kinds of fun situations for people who think they
> can drive, but really can't, get into.
> I really love it when someone who has a jeep ends up on an icy road,
> thinking that the engaged 4x4 will help them maintain control only to
> find out that it does not make a difference.
> Ok, my two cents worth now that the ice, sleet, and snow have
> arrived in Texas.
>
> Having Fun,
> Brett


Mike Romain 01-15-2007 12:50 PM

Re: Winter Fun
 
Driving a 4x4 is a learning experience. They handle like no other
vehicle when in 'part time' 4x4.

To stop when in part time 4x4, my owners manual says to 'stay off the
brakes' and to use the gears and steering for slowing down or avoiding
something. I have found that my Jeeps will stop amazingly fast like
that and practice it off road all the time. Just need the brakes for
the final stop. Folks are always told to stay off the brakes and use
the gears when in PT 4x4 off road. Same deal when in PT 4x4 on road in
a snowstorm!

The problem with using the brakes is the front and rear axles are locked
together. In a normal 2 wheel drive vehicle when you hit the brakes in
snow, the steering usually just locks up so you track straight ahead.
Jeeps and most SUV's have a combination or proportioning valve that is
supposed to prevent rear wheel lock up to avoid the vehicle swapping
ends for this.

However when you are in part time 4x4, when the front wheels lock up...
so do the rear wheels because of the nature of the locked center
differential.

This means a Jeep or any vehicle in part time 4x4 will slide sideways
faster than you can blink with all 4 wheels locked up. Instant off the
high side of the curve ditch fodder.

I highly recommend folks use their 'shift on the fly' at any legal speed
feature of the 4x4 so they get used to treating it 'just like any other
shift'. See snow coming, shift into 4x4, see clear coming shift back to
2 WD. This way in an emergency, shifting into or out of 4x4 comes naturally.

I find 2 WD better when doing left turn at snowy or slushy
intersections. I use 2WD then as I come out of the turn, I hit 4x4 to
pull me into the straight. I find this because when turning in PT 4x4
one wheel has to scuff the ground because the front wheels and rear
travel different distances around a corner. When this happens, the
front wheels tend to get up on top of the snow and the Jeep just wants
to go straight around the long corner unless you goose it to grab which
isn't always a good thing to do.

I highly recommend an empty parking lot or open trail come first snow to
find out just how your 4x4 does handle.

On our last New Years trip last year it was insane the number of SUV's
that passed me in a snowstorm on the highway only to be found in the
ditch off the top side of a corner aways along. I think we counted 8 in
about a hundred miles. I was doing a nice 55-60 mph in 4x4 part time or
keeping with the transport truck's speed.

Then if you see 'all' the transport trucks parked at the truck stops,
it's time to rethink the timing of the trip and maybe stop for a break
too.....

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Brett Ryan wrote:
> Question,
> How many people here have had the chance to observe people who own
> 4x4's, but do not know how to use them in winter driving conditions like
> ice and snow? Down here in Houston, and Texas in general these
> conditions create all kinds of fun situations for people who think they
> can drive, but really can't, get into.
> I really love it when someone who has a jeep ends up on an icy road,
> thinking that the engaged 4x4 will help them maintain control only to
> find out that it does not make a difference.
> Ok, my two cents worth now that the ice, sleet, and snow have
> arrived in Texas.
>
> Having Fun,
> Brett


Brett Ryan 01-15-2007 05:44 PM

Re: Winter Fun
 
We do get snow in Houston, about once every 15 to 20 years and for no
more than 18 to 24 hours if that. Still, it is funny when the idiots
get out. Time to get the cameras folks.

Having Fun,
Brett

Will Honea wrote:
> On Mon, 15 Jan 2007 01:01:26 -0600, Brett Ryan wrote:
>
>> Question,
>> How many people here have had the chance to observe people who own
>> 4x4's, but do not know how to use them in winter driving conditions like
>> ice and snow? Down here in Houston, and Texas in general these
>> conditions create all kinds of fun situations for people who think they
>> can drive, but really can't, get into.
>> I really love it when someone who has a jeep ends up on an icy road,
>> thinking that the engaged 4x4 will help them maintain control only to
>> find out that it does not make a difference.
>> Ok, my two cents worth now that the ice, sleet, and snow have arrived
>> in Texas.
>>
>> Having Fun,
>> Brett

>
> Son, you don't get snow in Houston, just varying degrees of ice. I'll
> take real snow over that any day - they play hockey on ice and I just
> naturally hate the feeling of being a 4-pt puck. I remember Dad talking
> about visiting my brother up in Grapevine during one of those ice storms -
> he swore he put 30 miles on the odometer getting from the driveway to the
> end of the block. Those things were one of the main reasons I gave up my
> motorcycle. We had one hit while I was out at the base in Del Rio one day
> and getting that bike home on a sheet of ice was a real experience. At
> least with snow you have something of a rut to provide a little lateral
> control.
>
> One of the funniest sights I ever saw was the night San Antonio got 8
> inches of snow - the loop looked like a linear demolition derby and those
> durned fools didn't have enough good sense to stay home by the fire.
>
> Ah, the good old days...
>


Brett Ryan 01-15-2007 05:44 PM

Re: Winter Fun
 
We do get snow in Houston, about once every 15 to 20 years and for no
more than 18 to 24 hours if that. Still, it is funny when the idiots
get out. Time to get the cameras folks.

Having Fun,
Brett

Will Honea wrote:
> On Mon, 15 Jan 2007 01:01:26 -0600, Brett Ryan wrote:
>
>> Question,
>> How many people here have had the chance to observe people who own
>> 4x4's, but do not know how to use them in winter driving conditions like
>> ice and snow? Down here in Houston, and Texas in general these
>> conditions create all kinds of fun situations for people who think they
>> can drive, but really can't, get into.
>> I really love it when someone who has a jeep ends up on an icy road,
>> thinking that the engaged 4x4 will help them maintain control only to
>> find out that it does not make a difference.
>> Ok, my two cents worth now that the ice, sleet, and snow have arrived
>> in Texas.
>>
>> Having Fun,
>> Brett

>
> Son, you don't get snow in Houston, just varying degrees of ice. I'll
> take real snow over that any day - they play hockey on ice and I just
> naturally hate the feeling of being a 4-pt puck. I remember Dad talking
> about visiting my brother up in Grapevine during one of those ice storms -
> he swore he put 30 miles on the odometer getting from the driveway to the
> end of the block. Those things were one of the main reasons I gave up my
> motorcycle. We had one hit while I was out at the base in Del Rio one day
> and getting that bike home on a sheet of ice was a real experience. At
> least with snow you have something of a rut to provide a little lateral
> control.
>
> One of the funniest sights I ever saw was the night San Antonio got 8
> inches of snow - the loop looked like a linear demolition derby and those
> durned fools didn't have enough good sense to stay home by the fire.
>
> Ah, the good old days...
>


Brett Ryan 01-15-2007 05:44 PM

Re: Winter Fun
 
We do get snow in Houston, about once every 15 to 20 years and for no
more than 18 to 24 hours if that. Still, it is funny when the idiots
get out. Time to get the cameras folks.

Having Fun,
Brett

Will Honea wrote:
> On Mon, 15 Jan 2007 01:01:26 -0600, Brett Ryan wrote:
>
>> Question,
>> How many people here have had the chance to observe people who own
>> 4x4's, but do not know how to use them in winter driving conditions like
>> ice and snow? Down here in Houston, and Texas in general these
>> conditions create all kinds of fun situations for people who think they
>> can drive, but really can't, get into.
>> I really love it when someone who has a jeep ends up on an icy road,
>> thinking that the engaged 4x4 will help them maintain control only to
>> find out that it does not make a difference.
>> Ok, my two cents worth now that the ice, sleet, and snow have arrived
>> in Texas.
>>
>> Having Fun,
>> Brett

>
> Son, you don't get snow in Houston, just varying degrees of ice. I'll
> take real snow over that any day - they play hockey on ice and I just
> naturally hate the feeling of being a 4-pt puck. I remember Dad talking
> about visiting my brother up in Grapevine during one of those ice storms -
> he swore he put 30 miles on the odometer getting from the driveway to the
> end of the block. Those things were one of the main reasons I gave up my
> motorcycle. We had one hit while I was out at the base in Del Rio one day
> and getting that bike home on a sheet of ice was a real experience. At
> least with snow you have something of a rut to provide a little lateral
> control.
>
> One of the funniest sights I ever saw was the night San Antonio got 8
> inches of snow - the loop looked like a linear demolition derby and those
> durned fools didn't have enough good sense to stay home by the fire.
>
> Ah, the good old days...
>


Brett Ryan 01-15-2007 05:44 PM

Re: Winter Fun
 
We do get snow in Houston, about once every 15 to 20 years and for no
more than 18 to 24 hours if that. Still, it is funny when the idiots
get out. Time to get the cameras folks.

Having Fun,
Brett

Will Honea wrote:
> On Mon, 15 Jan 2007 01:01:26 -0600, Brett Ryan wrote:
>
>> Question,
>> How many people here have had the chance to observe people who own
>> 4x4's, but do not know how to use them in winter driving conditions like
>> ice and snow? Down here in Houston, and Texas in general these
>> conditions create all kinds of fun situations for people who think they
>> can drive, but really can't, get into.
>> I really love it when someone who has a jeep ends up on an icy road,
>> thinking that the engaged 4x4 will help them maintain control only to
>> find out that it does not make a difference.
>> Ok, my two cents worth now that the ice, sleet, and snow have arrived
>> in Texas.
>>
>> Having Fun,
>> Brett

>
> Son, you don't get snow in Houston, just varying degrees of ice. I'll
> take real snow over that any day - they play hockey on ice and I just
> naturally hate the feeling of being a 4-pt puck. I remember Dad talking
> about visiting my brother up in Grapevine during one of those ice storms -
> he swore he put 30 miles on the odometer getting from the driveway to the
> end of the block. Those things were one of the main reasons I gave up my
> motorcycle. We had one hit while I was out at the base in Del Rio one day
> and getting that bike home on a sheet of ice was a real experience. At
> least with snow you have something of a rut to provide a little lateral
> control.
>
> One of the funniest sights I ever saw was the night San Antonio got 8
> inches of snow - the loop looked like a linear demolition derby and those
> durned fools didn't have enough good sense to stay home by the fire.
>
> Ah, the good old days...
>


Brett Ryan 01-15-2007 05:50 PM

Re: Winter Fun
 
Mike,
Thanks for the reply. Personally I'm amazed at the poor driving that
I've seen here in Texas, even in good weather. Amazing what you see.
As of my writing this there's been 100 major accidents reported around
the state today. Amazing. Amazing lack of common sense in people.

Having Fun,
Brett

Mike Romain wrote:
> Driving a 4x4 is a learning experience. They handle like no other
> vehicle when in 'part time' 4x4.
>
> To stop when in part time 4x4, my owners manual says to 'stay off the
> brakes' and to use the gears and steering for slowing down or avoiding
> something. I have found that my Jeeps will stop amazingly fast like
> that and practice it off road all the time. Just need the brakes for
> the final stop. Folks are always told to stay off the brakes and use
> the gears when in PT 4x4 off road. Same deal when in PT 4x4 on road in
> a snowstorm!
>
> The problem with using the brakes is the front and rear axles are locked
> together. In a normal 2 wheel drive vehicle when you hit the brakes in
> snow, the steering usually just locks up so you track straight ahead.
> Jeeps and most SUV's have a combination or proportioning valve that is
> supposed to prevent rear wheel lock up to avoid the vehicle swapping
> ends for this.
>
> However when you are in part time 4x4, when the front wheels lock up...
> so do the rear wheels because of the nature of the locked center
> differential.
>
> This means a Jeep or any vehicle in part time 4x4 will slide sideways
> faster than you can blink with all 4 wheels locked up. Instant off the
> high side of the curve ditch fodder.
>
> I highly recommend folks use their 'shift on the fly' at any legal speed
> feature of the 4x4 so they get used to treating it 'just like any other
> shift'. See snow coming, shift into 4x4, see clear coming shift back to
> 2 WD. This way in an emergency, shifting into or out of 4x4 comes
> naturally.
>
> I find 2 WD better when doing left turn at snowy or slushy
> intersections. I use 2WD then as I come out of the turn, I hit 4x4 to
> pull me into the straight. I find this because when turning in PT 4x4
> one wheel has to scuff the ground because the front wheels and rear
> travel different distances around a corner. When this happens, the
> front wheels tend to get up on top of the snow and the Jeep just wants
> to go straight around the long corner unless you goose it to grab which
> isn't always a good thing to do.
>
> I highly recommend an empty parking lot or open trail come first snow to
> find out just how your 4x4 does handle.
>
> On our last New Years trip last year it was insane the number of SUV's
> that passed me in a snowstorm on the highway only to be found in the
> ditch off the top side of a corner aways along. I think we counted 8 in
> about a hundred miles. I was doing a nice 55-60 mph in 4x4 part time or
> keeping with the transport truck's speed.
>
> Then if you see 'all' the transport trucks parked at the truck stops,
> it's time to rethink the timing of the trip and maybe stop for a break
> too.....
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
> Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
> (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>
> Brett Ryan wrote:
>> Question,
>> How many people here have had the chance to observe people who own
>> 4x4's, but do not know how to use them in winter driving conditions
>> like ice and snow? Down here in Houston, and Texas in general these
>> conditions create all kinds of fun situations for people who think
>> they can drive, but really can't, get into.
>> I really love it when someone who has a jeep ends up on an icy
>> road, thinking that the engaged 4x4 will help them maintain control
>> only to find out that it does not make a difference.
>> Ok, my two cents worth now that the ice, sleet, and snow have
>> arrived in Texas.
>>
>> Having Fun,
>> Brett


Brett Ryan 01-15-2007 05:50 PM

Re: Winter Fun
 
Mike,
Thanks for the reply. Personally I'm amazed at the poor driving that
I've seen here in Texas, even in good weather. Amazing what you see.
As of my writing this there's been 100 major accidents reported around
the state today. Amazing. Amazing lack of common sense in people.

Having Fun,
Brett

Mike Romain wrote:
> Driving a 4x4 is a learning experience. They handle like no other
> vehicle when in 'part time' 4x4.
>
> To stop when in part time 4x4, my owners manual says to 'stay off the
> brakes' and to use the gears and steering for slowing down or avoiding
> something. I have found that my Jeeps will stop amazingly fast like
> that and practice it off road all the time. Just need the brakes for
> the final stop. Folks are always told to stay off the brakes and use
> the gears when in PT 4x4 off road. Same deal when in PT 4x4 on road in
> a snowstorm!
>
> The problem with using the brakes is the front and rear axles are locked
> together. In a normal 2 wheel drive vehicle when you hit the brakes in
> snow, the steering usually just locks up so you track straight ahead.
> Jeeps and most SUV's have a combination or proportioning valve that is
> supposed to prevent rear wheel lock up to avoid the vehicle swapping
> ends for this.
>
> However when you are in part time 4x4, when the front wheels lock up...
> so do the rear wheels because of the nature of the locked center
> differential.
>
> This means a Jeep or any vehicle in part time 4x4 will slide sideways
> faster than you can blink with all 4 wheels locked up. Instant off the
> high side of the curve ditch fodder.
>
> I highly recommend folks use their 'shift on the fly' at any legal speed
> feature of the 4x4 so they get used to treating it 'just like any other
> shift'. See snow coming, shift into 4x4, see clear coming shift back to
> 2 WD. This way in an emergency, shifting into or out of 4x4 comes
> naturally.
>
> I find 2 WD better when doing left turn at snowy or slushy
> intersections. I use 2WD then as I come out of the turn, I hit 4x4 to
> pull me into the straight. I find this because when turning in PT 4x4
> one wheel has to scuff the ground because the front wheels and rear
> travel different distances around a corner. When this happens, the
> front wheels tend to get up on top of the snow and the Jeep just wants
> to go straight around the long corner unless you goose it to grab which
> isn't always a good thing to do.
>
> I highly recommend an empty parking lot or open trail come first snow to
> find out just how your 4x4 does handle.
>
> On our last New Years trip last year it was insane the number of SUV's
> that passed me in a snowstorm on the highway only to be found in the
> ditch off the top side of a corner aways along. I think we counted 8 in
> about a hundred miles. I was doing a nice 55-60 mph in 4x4 part time or
> keeping with the transport truck's speed.
>
> Then if you see 'all' the transport trucks parked at the truck stops,
> it's time to rethink the timing of the trip and maybe stop for a break
> too.....
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
> Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
> (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>
> Brett Ryan wrote:
>> Question,
>> How many people here have had the chance to observe people who own
>> 4x4's, but do not know how to use them in winter driving conditions
>> like ice and snow? Down here in Houston, and Texas in general these
>> conditions create all kinds of fun situations for people who think
>> they can drive, but really can't, get into.
>> I really love it when someone who has a jeep ends up on an icy
>> road, thinking that the engaged 4x4 will help them maintain control
>> only to find out that it does not make a difference.
>> Ok, my two cents worth now that the ice, sleet, and snow have
>> arrived in Texas.
>>
>> Having Fun,
>> Brett


Brett Ryan 01-15-2007 05:50 PM

Re: Winter Fun
 
Mike,
Thanks for the reply. Personally I'm amazed at the poor driving that
I've seen here in Texas, even in good weather. Amazing what you see.
As of my writing this there's been 100 major accidents reported around
the state today. Amazing. Amazing lack of common sense in people.

Having Fun,
Brett

Mike Romain wrote:
> Driving a 4x4 is a learning experience. They handle like no other
> vehicle when in 'part time' 4x4.
>
> To stop when in part time 4x4, my owners manual says to 'stay off the
> brakes' and to use the gears and steering for slowing down or avoiding
> something. I have found that my Jeeps will stop amazingly fast like
> that and practice it off road all the time. Just need the brakes for
> the final stop. Folks are always told to stay off the brakes and use
> the gears when in PT 4x4 off road. Same deal when in PT 4x4 on road in
> a snowstorm!
>
> The problem with using the brakes is the front and rear axles are locked
> together. In a normal 2 wheel drive vehicle when you hit the brakes in
> snow, the steering usually just locks up so you track straight ahead.
> Jeeps and most SUV's have a combination or proportioning valve that is
> supposed to prevent rear wheel lock up to avoid the vehicle swapping
> ends for this.
>
> However when you are in part time 4x4, when the front wheels lock up...
> so do the rear wheels because of the nature of the locked center
> differential.
>
> This means a Jeep or any vehicle in part time 4x4 will slide sideways
> faster than you can blink with all 4 wheels locked up. Instant off the
> high side of the curve ditch fodder.
>
> I highly recommend folks use their 'shift on the fly' at any legal speed
> feature of the 4x4 so they get used to treating it 'just like any other
> shift'. See snow coming, shift into 4x4, see clear coming shift back to
> 2 WD. This way in an emergency, shifting into or out of 4x4 comes
> naturally.
>
> I find 2 WD better when doing left turn at snowy or slushy
> intersections. I use 2WD then as I come out of the turn, I hit 4x4 to
> pull me into the straight. I find this because when turning in PT 4x4
> one wheel has to scuff the ground because the front wheels and rear
> travel different distances around a corner. When this happens, the
> front wheels tend to get up on top of the snow and the Jeep just wants
> to go straight around the long corner unless you goose it to grab which
> isn't always a good thing to do.
>
> I highly recommend an empty parking lot or open trail come first snow to
> find out just how your 4x4 does handle.
>
> On our last New Years trip last year it was insane the number of SUV's
> that passed me in a snowstorm on the highway only to be found in the
> ditch off the top side of a corner aways along. I think we counted 8 in
> about a hundred miles. I was doing a nice 55-60 mph in 4x4 part time or
> keeping with the transport truck's speed.
>
> Then if you see 'all' the transport trucks parked at the truck stops,
> it's time to rethink the timing of the trip and maybe stop for a break
> too.....
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
> Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
> (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>
> Brett Ryan wrote:
>> Question,
>> How many people here have had the chance to observe people who own
>> 4x4's, but do not know how to use them in winter driving conditions
>> like ice and snow? Down here in Houston, and Texas in general these
>> conditions create all kinds of fun situations for people who think
>> they can drive, but really can't, get into.
>> I really love it when someone who has a jeep ends up on an icy
>> road, thinking that the engaged 4x4 will help them maintain control
>> only to find out that it does not make a difference.
>> Ok, my two cents worth now that the ice, sleet, and snow have
>> arrived in Texas.
>>
>> Having Fun,
>> Brett



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