Gearheads: 4/AWD or snow tires?

[Discuss Thrower]

What's the more cost effective solution to driving in the winter?

[TribalElder]

snow tires + awd

[Shiver Me Timbers]

Originally Posted by TribalElder

snow tires + awd

^ this

[Bwana]

Originally Posted by TribalElder

snow tires + awd

Yep

[Bugeater]

4WD is worth every penny it costs.

[frozenchief]

There's a difference between 4WD and AWD systems. AWD systems are run via computer and there's generally power going to all 4 wheels, but the amount of power can vary based upon road conditions. it also helps with cornering and other matters. So AWD is generally better than 4WD if your primary driving is on the street.

4WD, though, is great for snow and I would get 4WD on my vehicle as opposed to keeping a 2WD vehicle. I certainly would get a 4WD truck. I do not understand why someone would buy a 2WD truck.

Snow tires offer some benefits over rain tires but snow tires by themselves would not be my first choice. A few years ago, we were going to visit family in eastern Washington over holidays. A 4WD cost $2K for a week, which I really did not want to spend. So I got front wheel drive. We ran into some snow and had a really hard time going. I found a different rental company that had a 4WD for a lot less than I could otherwise find. Made all the difference in the world.

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by frozenchief

There's a difference between 4WD and AWD systems. AWD systems are run via computer and there's generally power going to all 4 wheels, but the amount of power can vary based upon road conditions. it also helps with cornering and other matters. So AWD is generally better than 4WD if your primary driving is on the street.

4WD, though, is great for snow and I would get 4WD on my vehicle as opposed to keeping a 2WD vehicle. I certainly would get a 4WD truck. I do not understand why someone would buy a 2WD truck.

Snow tires offer some benefits over rain tires but snow tires by themselves would not be my first choice. A few years ago, we were going to visit family in eastern Washington over holidays. A 4WD cost $2K for a week, which I really did not want to spend. So I got front wheel drive. We ran into some snow and had a really hard time going. I found a different rental company that had a 4WD for a lot less than I could otherwise find. Made all the difference in the world.

We only had 1 4X4 on the farm when I was growing up and the rest were 2X4.

2x4 isn't bad in most instances,snow/ice would be the time it is, but the ass end can't be empty and you have to have some pretty good tires. But overall we didn't have much trouble with 2X4 pickups. That and back when, the 4X4 ones turned all the time and really bled a lot of power, even when they weren't locked in.

That being said, they're all 4X4 now.

But yeah 2X4 on slick is a cluster**** from ****ing ****.

[limested]

Originally Posted by frozenchief

There's a difference between 4WD and AWD systems. AWD systems are run via computer and there's generally power going to all 4 wheels, but the amount of power can vary based upon road conditions. it also helps with cornering and other matters. So AWD is generally better than 4WD if your primary driving is on the street.

4WD, though, is great for snow and I would get 4WD on my vehicle as opposed to keeping a 2WD vehicle. I certainly would get a 4WD truck. I do not understand why someone would buy a 2WD truck.

Snow tires offer some benefits over rain tires but snow tires by themselves would not be my first choice. A few years ago, we were going to visit family in eastern Washington over holidays. A 4WD cost $2K for a week, which I really did not want to spend. So I got front wheel drive. We ran into some snow and had a really hard time going. I found a different rental company that had a 4WD for a lot less than I could otherwise find. Made all the difference in the world.

not quite accurate but close.

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by frozenchief

A few years ago, we were going to visit family in eastern Washington over holidays.

Hey, that's where I live.

I have experience with both setups here. My wife had a FWD Honda CR-V for years. We put snow tires all around and, for the most part, it was fine. She could get around okay most of the time. The problem was on hills. Going uphill would unload the front tires and she would lose traction. There is a long ass hill just off of our road and she would frequently get stuck trying to get out onto the hill through the berm the snow plows left.

On the other hand, I drive a similar size Forester that is full time, 50/50 AWD and the difference is night and day. I put snow tires on it too and it goes anywhere. I've been through some pretty deep snow and had zero issues.

We lost the CR-V to a deer this last summer and she now has a AWD Honda HR-V with snow tires. We haven't had a lot of snow yet but the one morning that we had 3 or 4 inches of snow overnight, she was pretty impressed with how it got out onto the highway..

Originally Posted by frozenchief

I do not understand why someone would buy a 2WD truck.

I bought a 2016 Frontier that is 2wd. It was $6000 cheaper than the equivalent 4wd and gets better mileage. I got it to move my boys back and forth to college and for projects around the house. It's been a great vehicle so far. I solved the snow issue by not driving it in the winter. However, I think with some weight in the back and snow tires, it would actually do pretty well. It has a limited slip rear end and gets around in the snow okay when I've had to move it during the winter.

[frozenchief]

Originally Posted by Frosty

Hey, that's where I live.

I have experience with both setups here. My wife had a FWD Honda CR-V for years. We put snow tires all around and, for the most part, it was fine. She could get around okay most of the time. The problem was on hills. Going uphill would unload the front tires and she would lose traction. There is a long ass hill just off of our road and she would frequently get stuck trying to get out onto the hill through the berm the snow plows left.

On the other hand, I drive a similar size Forester that is full time, 50/50 AWD and the difference is night and day. I put snow tires on it too and it goes anywhere. I've been through some pretty deep snow and had zero issues.

We lost the CR-V to a deer this last summer and she now has a AWD Honda HR-V with snow tires. We haven't had a lot of snow yet but the one morning that we had 3 or 4 inches of snow overnight, she was pretty impressed with how it got out onto the highway..



I bought a 2016 Frontier that is 2wd. It was $6000 cheaper than the equivalent 4wd and gets better mileage. I got it to move my boys back and forth to college and for projects around the house. It's been a great vehicle so far. I solved the snow issue by not driving it in the winter. However, I think with some weight in the back and snow tires, it would actually do pretty well. It has a limited slip rear end and gets around in the snow okay when I've had to move it during the winter.

Maybe the trick to owning a 2WD truck is to not live in a place where it's winter 7-8 months out of the year. I just know far too many people whose 2WD truck slides or gets stuck that I won't buy one.

I would say that after pickups/SUVs, the most common vehicle up here is some type of Forrester. I've heard nothing but good things about them. They have great AWD systems and go anywhere on the road in lots of snow.

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by frozenchief

Maybe the trick to owning a 2WD truck is to not live in a place where it's winter 7-8 months out of the year.

I think too many of my dad's ideas rubbed off on me. He always insisted on 2wd pickups due to the better mileage even though he lived a big chunk of his life in eastern WA and Montana. He even had one when they lived in Fairbanks.

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by Frosty

I think too many of my dad's ideas rubbed off on me. He always insisted on 2wd pickups due to the better mileage even though he lived a big chunk of his life in eastern WA and Montana. He even had one when they lived in Fairbanks.

It made a legitimate difference in the 70s and 80s. After the 90s they keep getting better in terms of reliability and efficiency.

[Naptown Chief]

Originally Posted by frozenchief

I would say that after pickups/SUVs, the most common vehicle up here is some type of Forrester. I've heard nothing but good things about them. They have great AWD systems and go anywhere on the road in lots of snow.

I have an 04 Forester XT that I was STI swapping (from my 02 WRX that I swapped and was totaled) before a work injury. Man I loved that thing stock but will only be that much better when I'm capable of finishing it up. Blast to drive and have had zero issues driving in ANY weather, including a 24" blizzard we had January 2016*

[notorious]

4WD

Disable traction control if you know how to drive. That bullshit has nearly gotten me stuck dozens of times.

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by notorious

4WD

Disable traction control if you know how to drive. That bullshit has nearly gotten me stuck dozens of times.

LOL Yeah, that's a joke. Dad had a pickup that you could shut it off, and it would flash up that it's off, and then it would continue to not send power anywhere.