How To Drive On Icy Roads With A 4x4

Living in a country that experiences frequent snowstorms and owning a vehicle that runs on a four-wheel drive means your best bet to staying safe while driving is to engage all four wheels.

Vehicles with four-wheel drive systems are specially designed to provide sufficient traction on slippery ice roadways due to their size and quality tires that offer superior traction. Continue reading to learn how to safely drive on icy roads with a 4×4 vehicle.

Tips For Driving a 4×4 On Ice

While they make a better alternative on slippery and packed snow roads, it’s never a good idea to speed while driving a 4×4 as there is a likelihood of losing control of your vehicle in terrible road conditions.

Below are a few other things to keep in mind when winter driving in a 4×4.

1. Choose Matching Tires

Driving with tires that don’t have the same circumference can be very risky in all driving conditions, not just on slippery surfaces or icy conditions. This is because even a slight difference in size can lead to handling issues which can cause affect the vehicle’s front and rear axles.

The same rule applies to both AWD vehicles as well as 4×4 vehicles. It’s essential to check your vehicle’s instruction manual to know what tires would make suitable replacements for the 4×4 vehicle.

2. Switch To 2WD

While driving downhill or from a slope, you mustn’t let your vehicle’s engine regulate your speed because the momentum can cause the front wheels of your car to waver or slide. Instead, it’s best to shift into 2WD as it will ensure your front wheels don’t swerve or spin out of control while the rear wheels reduce your acceleration speed.

Be careful when driving in the snow if your vehicle has an automatic 4-wheel drive system like most trucks these days. In simple terms, the automatic 4WD system chooses whether to operate on 2WD or 4WD depending on road conditions. The programming of such vehicles prompts them to automatically switch between 4WD and AWD when necessary.

Typically, the system is activated when the vehicle slips while driving and while the switching process is often necessitated it’s not entirely foolproof and might require a human touch.

3. Turn Off Traction Control

The traction control feature in a 4×4 vehicle can cause the truck to stop abruptly when the tires begin to spin while ascending or descending from a slope.

This default setting is included in order to prevent drivers of 4WD vehicles from losing control of the steering when their tires begin to spin in slippery conditions, however, it’s best to turn off this feature when possible.

4. Drive At Lower Speeds To Get Maximum Traction On Snowy Roads

Never attempt to make a fast curve on an icy or snowy road as it can cause your vehicle’s front wheels to spin without traction. This can be dangerous on busy roadways because your truck will keep going straight instead of turning in the left or right direction. The most effective way to correct this problem is by taking your foot off the accelerator gently.

5. Practice Is Key

Take your 4×4 truck to an empty and snowy spot with enough space to practice turning and braking whenever you have the opportunity. Constant practice and even learning a different driving style can help improve your winter driving skills, making driving on any dry road condition seem like a walk in the park.

6. Pay Attention To Road Conditions

Road conditions are highly unpredictable during winter. This means that things can change very quickly even if it’s not snowing heavily. Minimal temperature fluctuations in a single day can significantly affect road surfaces, drastically reducing tire traction.

Keep a close watch on your truck’s thermometer when driving on paved roads, as temperatures below or above freezing point indicate that the road surface ahead might be very slippery.

Equip Your Four-Wheel Drive Vehicle With Winter Tires

It’s best to have a set of high-quality snow tires installed in your 4×4 truck to enhance your vehicle’s traction especially if you have to drive on ice due to weather conditions. Snow chains can be very advantageous when driving on wet and slippery surfaces. However, they’re optional if you have a 4WD vehicle due to their immense weight and maneuverability.

It might be a good idea to replace your vehicle’s tires to get additional traction or rethink driving on ice if it came equipped with basic summer tires.

The Benefits Of Using a 4×4 On Ice

Standard 4×4 vehicles perform outstandingly on any road conditions, here’s why they’re a good choice for driving in winter season.

1. Additional Weight Helps Maintain Tire Grip

The two core advantages of 4×4 drive vehicles are power and traction. You’ve probably seen those commercials of 4WD vehicles scaling over rocks and rugged terrain; well, that’s simply 4×4 in action.

Both the functionality and weight of a 4×4 help give the vehicle grip. Flatbed truck drivers may want to consider adding additional weight to their bed before driving snowy conditions.

2. Assistive Braking

Assistive braking of some 4×4s won’t make you stop extraordinarily faster than any other type of vehicle. However, it helps that there’s an even distribution of speed and power to all four wheels, which is why they’re such an excellent choice for novice and experienced drivers.

3. They’re Perfect For Off-Road Drives

The drivetrain of regular 4×4 off-road vehicles helps supply an even amount of power and acceleration to all the wheels simultaneously, allowing them to quickly accelerate and decelerate. On the other hand, front-wheel drive vehicles offer less traction and are likely to spin out of control when accelerating in snowy conditions.

Note that 4WD off-road vehicles are designed to let drivers switch between high range and low range settings. The low setting is particularly suitable for adverse road conditions, especially if you plan on driving off the beaten path.

The Setbacks Of Driving A 4×4 on Ice

While 4WD vehicles have a few noteworthy benefits, especially when driving in snow conditions. Here are some minor drawbacks associated with this vehicle type.

1. 4×4 vehicles Don’t Necessarily Have The Best Braking On Ice

While the extra weight of 4×4 vehicles enhances control and traction, drivers of heavier 4×4 vehicles need to know when to slow down at the right time when driving on ice to avoid a collision as the extra weight will encourage forward momentum.

2. 4×4 Trucks Don’t Have That Much Better Steering Control

4WD trucks have improved steering, which helps drivers maintain control when driving on ice and snow. However, making sharp turns or suddenly accelerating on slippery ice can cause drivers to lose control.

How To Get Free When Your 4×4 gets Stuck In Snow

Getting a vehicle free from snow requires similar techniques to getting vehicles unstuck from mud puddles and deep sand.

It is always a good idea to have a shovel in your car for times when your vehicle gets stuck in the snow. Start by digging out snow from around your front and rear wheels, then try driving your way out. If you can’t seem to drive your way out of the snow after shoveling, try shifting between low gear and reverse to build up some momentum, then try rocking your truck back and forth. If all else fails, place a rough solid surface at the tip of your tires like a ramp or purpose-built mat to help increase tire traction, then try working your way out of the snow.

Conclusion

The drivetrain of 4WD trucks ensures even power distribution to all four wheels, enhancing traction. Equipping winter tires means you have no problem getting around through winter conditions. Even with all of the benefits of a 4×4 you still need to use common sense and know your vehicle’s limits.