Performance Unlimited driving tip: beware of 4-wheel drive in the winter – what gets you going may not help you stop

In previous articles on this blog site, we’ve discussed the hazards of winter driving here in the Midwest (this certainly applies anywhere that roads are covered with ice or snow). In those articles, we’ve expounded on the importance of good tires, properly filled with air and balanced. We’ve also spoken of the vital importance of good brakes, a firm suspension and solid steering and chassis.

The latter also refers to proper alignment. Driving down an icy road is no time to discover your car seriously pulls to the right or, worse yet, to the left.

We’ve also discussed, though briefly, the nuances of driving on an icy road with a 4-wheel-drive vehicle. While 4-wheel drive odes a remarkable job of providing traction for winter driving, there are considerations that deserve a more in-depth discussion.

First and foremost, the additional traction offered by 4-wheel drive will help you get going but offers little or no benefits when it’s time to stop.

Ever notice how many 4-wheel-drive vehicles you seem to see spun out in a ditch or the meridian of the road? Denny Norton, the owner of Performance Unlimited has a theory about this.

“I think the traction offered by a 4-wheel-drive vehicle plays a game with a driver’s perception,” Norton said. “It feels as though their car, SUV or truck will plow through almost anything. There’s a sense that their vehicle has Super Glue on the tires. So, when something happens, they have a sense that extra traction will help them stop.”

Maybe someone with 4-wheel drive is following too closely when someone stops in front of them. Maybe they’re going too fast when a deer darts across the road. Or maybe they think they can make it when they almost miss their turn. Whatever the case, 4-wheel-drive operators get in trouble when they expect more from their tires than they can really offer.

“It’s essential when driving, under any conditions, that the driver has a firm understanding of their car’s limitations,” Norton said. “If you don’t, you’ll find that you’ve overdriven the vehicle’s capabilities and, by that time, it may be too late.”

Of course, there are other considerations when driving a 4-wheel-drive vehicle. One recommendation is to avoid using cruise control when operating in 4-wheel drive. Cruise control doesn’t feel the road the way a driver can. Where a driver may notice the tires coming loose from the pavement and slow down, the cruise control is intent on achieving a certain speed based on how fast the tires are spinning, with or without traction.

Another good idea is to avoid using your vehicle’s 4-wheel drive in the lower range when driving at higher speeds. This can damage the transfer case and leave you with a costly repair bill.

As with any car, if you have anti-lock brakes (most cars today do), apply steady pressure when braking. If you don’t have anti-lock brakes, you may need to pump the brakes to avoid losing control. If you don’t know if you have anti-lock brakes, otherwise known as ABS, it’s a good idea to find out before you need to use them on a slippery road in a panic situation.

For more information about 4-wheel drive and ABS systems, call Performance Unlimited at 815-728-0343 or visit www.4performanceunlimited.com.

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