What Should I do in the Snow? (OBX non-sas, non-advanced)

[IINCEPTIONII]

Hey all, trying to get peace of mind for when winter rolls around. My wife takes the kids to school, and the west Michigan winter can get pretty nasty. The drive is largely highway.

So since we have a non-sas, non- advanced OBX, is it as easy as selecting 4H and maybe using slippery mode? The open differential means transmission bind is a non-issue in 4wd, right? I don't want to tell my wife to use 4wd on the highway if it'll burn up the tranny...

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[Mlarv]

If it is snow packed or icy use 4wd. If it is dry roads don't. The open Diff is the rear, so yes you will still get binding if turning to sharp.

I always error on the side of don't use it until needed. With my wife it was easier to tell her to use it unless the roads were clear. Now she has a lot more miles in a 4wd so she know when and when not to use it.

 

[bodean]

Quality winter tires.

 

[Fly]

Get some extra rims set up with Blizzaks or Nokian hakkapelittas.

 

[lakesinai]

Get some extra rims set up with Blizzaks or Nokian hakkapelittas.

Thats actually the most important advice . . . Dedicated special-compound Ice&Snow tires really do work for about 3 seasons, at which time the soft rubber layer rubs off and the tire needs replacing for winter. I used both Blizzak and Goodyear X-Ice, both were great-- they really do stick to ICE, which is the real killer on asphalt. I had second set of wheels for most cars, they went on in November and off by April 1 (Thanksgiving to Easter). In this case, OBX 18" wheels are so cheap, they're a great choice for snow tires. Retired to Coastal SC, i dont have to worry about snow and Ice in the Adirondack Northcountry anymore!

 

[tripmcl]

Good tires - I'm pretty much in 4A for 6 months of the year.

 

[helifino16]

The best thing to do in snow is SLOW DOWN and stay in 2WD. Use 4WD only when you are stuck. Driving in 4WD invites issues, unless you are driving slowly in a very controlled manner. Thinking 4WD will 'protect' you is flawed. At high speeds if the tires start to slip, having them all trying to spin will only cause you to lose control.

Get yourself to a Bronco Off-Roadeo, they will help you understand the intricacies of driving an advanced 4WD vehicle.

 

[talbot]

as mentioned above, good snow or true all terrain tires is the first best thing you can do

oem all season tires are not your friend for harsher winter environments

 

[fourdayoff]

Do all the trim levels have 4"A"? That mode would take all the guess work out of it. Select it and forget it. Jim.

 

[Montana Bronco]

Do all the trim levels have 4"A"? That mode would take all the guess work out of it. Select it and forget it. Jim.

4A is worthless without good winter tires IMHO.

 

[Montana Bronco]

Get some extra rims set up with Blizzaks or Nokian hakkapelittas.

This is what I do.

 

[Fly]

Do all the trim levels have 4"A"? That mode would take all the guess work out of it. Select it and forget it. Jim.

4A is great for “going” but dedicated winter tires with a soft rubber compound are what maximize your ability to maintain traction in a turn and stop in the shortest distance when temps are below 40F

 

[IINCEPTIONII]

Do all the trim levels have 4"A"? That mode would take all the guess work out of it. Select it and forget it. Jim.

I don't have 4A in mine. Wish I did, since that would make life much easier, but sounds like my best bet is good snow tires and if it's slippery, going with 4H.

 

[fourdayoff]

Back to my original question, regardless of type of tires. Just like my all wheel drive car. Do all the trim levels have 4"A"? That mode would take all the guess work out of it. Select it and forget it. Jim.

 

[Aonarch]

You can add a Eaton TruTrac LSD in the rear.

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