We are suffering from are first ice storm in years here in Texas. We are having a little ice on the roads. I was wondering if I should run on the highways with my truck in 4x4 HI or not. Will it hurt anything?
The few people I have asked personally have given me mixed answers. So I figured I would pose this question to a few more experienced real winter drivers.

 

If kept at or below 60, and you are traveling in a somewhat straight line, then you are OK. Just watch those sharp turns.

 

When it comes to ice.......not much different. Unless your tring to haul your **** out of a ditch.

 

I havent used mine in the ice yet, but we havent had any at all really here in Irving, TX....

Might still consider it if its really bad out though....

 

the only thing that gets traction on the ice is a TANK. 4x4 won't help much because instead of 2 tires spinnin you got 4.
Just stay off the brakes if you feel it startin to slip.

 

My experience is that if you go slow, the 4x4 can help you a little with the steering. At highway speeds, I don't know...........

Another thing I know from experience is that a 4x4 don't stop any better on ice the a 4x2.

 

When I was in CO for Christmas, I drove in 4x4 for most the trip b/c of the blizzard. Any speeds less than 60 mph are fine. You shouldn't be doing faster than 60 mph in conditions that require 4x4 anyways. (At least not on 'roads') Any sharp turns should be taken slowly so as to allow the front end to compensate. Normal turns are no big deal in 4x4 unless you have a locker in the front. The biggest thing is to know that 4 wheel drive does not make you invincible, and to drive cautiously as a good driver. Ice is slick no matter what you are driving, and the only thing you have going for you is rolling traction. Sudden changes to your rolling traction is what will cause you to slide on ice. (i.e. fast accelleration, stomping the brakes, quick jerking of the steering wheel)

P.S. My truck rocked in the blizzard. Rescue trip to DIA, in the heart of the first storm, to get my friend's girlfriend who was going to be stuck there for several days, and I had no issues other than avoiding all the cars stuck in the snow. The MTR's did great in the snow, including having fun in a few fields. 3 ft of snow couldn't slow my truck down.

 

I'm not in an ice storm, but I have traversed the Sierras at night when you cannot see the black ice. Just remember that abruptly backing out of the throttle or touching the brakes could send you into a slide.

I personally watch my exterior thermometer and when it gets below 32 degrees I slow down considerably. I watch for any wheel slippage and then put it in 4x4 when noticed. Even on Ice you can feather the throttle , point the front end where you want to go and give it a little juice. With the power on, feathering the throttle is your best bet on steering your way out of it.

Rick

 

Id use it.If nothign else it will keep you from breaking the rear away and it coming around,its much harder to break all 4 loose.I run my truck in 4x4 for 20-30 hrs on end at speeds from stop to 55-60mph in the snow storms with no trouble.

 

I'm sure plenty of guys run theirs in 4wd at 90+mph at the track.

Since our front ends are always turning anway, there's almost no difference between 2wd and 4wd (when traveling in a straight line that is). I wouldn't worry about going 70mph+ in 4wd, although as stated the conditions usually don't allow that kind of speed anyway.

The front end has so much more traction because of the weight difference and 4wd really makes a huge difference. The stock tires really sucked on snow/ice though...I just think they had too small of a footprint for the weight.

 

I went hunting tonight in Blanco (north of San Antonio), the ice/slush mix was very thick on the road. I ran mine in 4X4 at 55-60 entire way. I lived in MT and used mine all the time. Thats what it's there for

 

ice is ice is ice whether you have 4x4 or not......

it does not mater for the most part, good aggressive chains help... should road conditions be as they have been on the news please drive safe... the dodge and a loaded trailer is just as bad a semi rolling thru.

was with a buddy in the nav went to big bear and he had ford 7.3 3/4ton. 4x4 my ***!!!!!!! sat with everybody else in their 4x4 in the snow drift because 4x4s can make it, they have better traction!!!!!!! it was funny.....

 

From a NY snow plower, who has pulled many a soccer moms SUV from a ditch during/after a storm. 4 wheel drive does not make you invincible! You wont really hurt anything by running in 4 wheel (of course as long as the front end is aligned ect.) Minimal increase in wear and tear. With 4x4 wou want to keep the speeds lower, but In icey conditions you shouldnt be running 60 down the highway anyway. I'd say throw it in 4 wheel, but pretend like its a 2wd and be expecting to slide all over the place so give yourself plenty of room and "escape routes" in case something happens infront of you and you should be alright.

 

One of the most overlooked times that 4x4 is really needed is in the rain. The second the roads start to get slick (especially the first 5 minutes of a rain storm when the oil comes to the surface), you should put it in 4HI because these truck have so much torque, kicking the rear end out is so easy you would be shocked. You can safely run in 4HI at highway speeds because the turning is not severe. What you DO have to look out for is when you engage and disengage the 4WD. You don't want to do it over 55 according to the manual.

 

dont all the drive shafts turn even if it is out of 4x4