Driving in snow storm in 4WD on snow tires....

crushNchowda · December 16, 2013

Was a pretty awesome experience. I've run snow tires on vehicles before, and I've had 4WD vehicles before, I've driven plenty of AWD vehicles before, but never have I ever driven a 4WD vehicle w/ a set of dedicated snow tires until now w/ my '14 GMC Sierra All Terrain.

We had about 6"-8" of snow in MA this past weekend, and I got to drive home after a movie (Hobbit 2) @ 1245am right in the thick of the storm. The roads were not really plowed yet, covered in hard packed greasy snow. Driving on rte 1 past Gillette stadium I drove the same way I would if it were raining or clear out - 5 mph over the limit! Once I had gotten past the other cars & plows that is.

So, essentially I was driving 60 in a 55 in a snow storm on snow covered roads w/ zero issues and total confidence. Once I had gotten to some clear open spaces I tried some maneuvers out. Slamming on the brakes from 60 on a snow covered road was utterly uneventful, and ABS only kicked in the last 10 feet or so, the truck tracked completely straight during that stop and it was truly amazing.

Taking hard turns @ speed on some sloshy backroads the truck would initially plow a bit on the front end and I would have to give it some gas mid turn to get it going the way I wanted.

All this was in 4wd HI btw. I drove the truck in 4WD auto last night on ice/snow dusted roads only for peace of mind.

Any members in the snowbelt curious about getting snow tires if you can afford it I'd 100% recommend it. I'm running Michelin latitude snows.

fondupot · December 16, 2013

IMHO, 55-60 mph in 4HI is too fast. I don't care if you have snow tires, street tires, all season, mudders etc. Driving that fast in conditions that require 4HI are a recipe for disaster, you should consider yourself lucky that you didn't hurt yourself or anyone else, or get a ticket for driving too fast for the conditions.

I've seen this a lot where people think their truck becomes invincible with 4wheel drive and snow tires. Just because you have them, doesn't mean you should go tearing down the road in 4HI in a snow storm.

That being said, I had a chance to drive in snow last week on the stock Goodyear SRA's. IMHO, adding snow tires are a waste of money on a 4x4 truck. The stockers performed perfectly fine while using 4Auto, with 4hi for some parts.

kstruckcountry · December 16, 2013

Be careful. Snow tires are well worth it if it snows all winter where you are. M&S AT's work good here since we don't get much.

Hobbit. Kate from Lost. Giggity.

crushNchowda · December 16, 2013

LOL - man you're so wrong its not even funny. You obviously haven't driven a vehicle w/ snow tires before. I drive 30,000 miles a year in the Northeast. My last car w/ a 360rwhp G8 that I put 130,000 miles on and drove it through ski country every weekend and through blizzards in buffalo, needless to say I know how to drive in the snow.

You understand 4wd pretty much has nothing to do w/ driving in the snow and everything to do w/ off roading? It's definitely going to be a huge benefit getting going from a stop in snow/ice, but that's pretty much where the benefits end, turnings, stopping, cornering, ie DRIVING in the snow you have nothing special w/ 4WD and the all season goodyears are literally garbage in anything but dry weather.

See youtube video below if you don't believe me. All season tires are for people who live in NC, they're a joke. If your'e a driving enthusiast you should know the difference between rubber. All performance cars I've owned got dedicated performance and snows, the reason I got snows on this truck was because I cared about it compared to the crappy winter beater Ford Ranger I had. Also, the 2007 Silverado I had on Goodyear LSA's was total crap in the snow as well.

Video explains it all where I don't have to:\

crushNchowda · December 16, 2013

IMHO, 55-60 mph in 4HI is too fast. I don't care if you have snow tires, street tires, all season, mudders etc. Driving that fast in conditions that require 4HI are a recipe for disaster, you should consider yourself lucky that you didn't hurt yourself or anyone else, or get a ticket for driving too fast for the conditions.

I've seen this a lot where people think their truck becomes invincible with 4wheel drive and snow tires. Just because you have them, doesn't mean you should go tearing down the road in 4HI in a snow storm.

That being said, I had a chance to drive in snow last week on the stock Goodyear SRA's. IMHO, adding snow tires are a waste of money on a 4x4 truck. The stockers performed perfectly fine while using 4Auto, with 4hi for some parts.

Also - you don't get it man. The snow doesn't "require" 4WD hi, I could have driven home in 2WD EASILY w/ the snows on and stabillitrak. The 4WD just enabled me to drive a little faster due to the added grip from the front end when switching lanes and turning.

mzodarg · December 16, 2013

IMHO, 55-60 mph in 4HI is too fast. I don't care if you have snow tires, street tires, all season, mudders etc. Driving that fast in conditions that require 4HI are a recipe for disaster, you should consider yourself lucky that you didn't hurt yourself or anyone else, or get a ticket for driving too fast for the conditions.

I've seen this a lot where people think their truck becomes invincible with 4wheel drive and snow tires. Just because you have them, doesn't mean you should go tearing down the road in 4HI in a snow storm.

That being said, I had a chance to drive in snow last week on the stock Goodyear SRA's. IMHO, adding snow tires are a waste of money on a 4x4 truck. The stockers performed perfectly fine while using 4Auto, with 4hi for some parts.

I agree, the Bridgestone duelers on my truck performed flawlessly! I drove cautiously due to the other drivers, but I was able to go as fast as I wanted, with no issue's.

Mike

diannabill · December 16, 2013

I agree that snow tires make lots of difference. But the issue of complacency enters the picture when driving on snow and ice. Just because you feel you have complete control over your vehicle does not mean you're prepared to deal with the other hazards associated with the weather: stranded motorists, people walking because they've abandoned their vehicle, accidents, animals, etc. And since greatly reduced visibility usually goes along with bad weather, you place yourself and those around you in danger. We get lots of ice here, and sometimes people who feel they had complete control find themselves part of a bigger problem.

I will always discourage people from exceeding the speed limit in bad weather. And remember--the speed limit is a limit--not a target!

crushNchowda · December 16, 2013

OK folks I'm not trying to focus on what speed I was driving more on the perforance of the truck on the snows. This was 1AM during a snow storm on mostly abandoned roads and in a huge parking lot as well (I should have explained more) - ie: the Patriot Gillette Stadium parking lot.

I would actually go on to point out those of your responding how well your truck does on the stock all seasons to a) watch the video I provided, and that b) Me driving the speed limit in a snow storm on snows would be the equivalent of you going 1/2 the speed on your all seasons - FOR REAL.

Jon A · December 16, 2013

It all depends on the situation. If you go put-putting down the freeway at 50
MPH in a modest snowstorm when the prevailing speed of the traffic is ~70 MPH
as it often is in the Northwestern/Midwestern freeways in such conditions, that puts
people in danger as much as anything else.

fondupot · December 16, 2013

LOL - man you're so wrong its not even funny. You obviously haven't driven a vehicle w/ snow tires before. I drive 30,000 miles a year in the Northeast. My last car w/ a 360rwhp G8 that I put 130,000 miles on and drove it through ski country every weekend and through blizzards in buffalo, needless to say I know how to drive in the snow.

You understand 4wd pretty much has nothing to do w/ driving in the snow and everything to do w/ off roading? It's definitely going to be a huge benefit getting going from a stop in snow/ice, but that's pretty much where the benefits end, turnings, stopping, cornering, ie DRIVING in the snow you have nothing special w/ 4WD and the all season goodyears are literally garbage in anything but dry weather.

See youtube video below if you don't believe me. All season tires are for people who live in NC, they're a joke. If your'e a driving enthusiast you should know the difference between rubber. All performance cars I've owned got dedicated performance and snows, the reason I got snows on this truck was because I cared about it compared to the crappy winter beater Ford Ranger I had. Also, the 2007 Silverado I had on Goodyear LSA's was total crap in the snow as well.

Video explains it all where I don't have to:\

Man. I live in Chicago. We get our fair share of winter weather, snow, ice you name it. I'm not wrong, I was simply voicing my opinion. Whether you agree is up to you. While I know snow tires increase traction, I do not feel the need for them on my truck. They are probably better for a two wheel drive vehicle.

So if 4 wheel drive is meant solely for offroading, why are you using it on a snow packed road/parking lot to test out your tires? That statement goes against your original post. 4 wheel drive has plenty of use on snow and slick roads. People have been using it for years!

I'm not trying to argue that snow tires are useless. They have their merits when used correctly. But I'm trying to educate you here man. No amount of 4 wheel drive and or snow tires are going to save you when you hit that patch of ice slide out of control. Don't let 4 wheel drive and snow tires go to your head.

Don't get pissy that people don't agree with your reckless driving techniques.

Joe_K · December 16, 2013

Wow, so snow tires are better in snow than all seasons? I agree with fondupot, I live in the northeast as well, and spent 4 years in Erie. My job requires me to go to work when the weather gets bad (Electric Utility Worker). I've never had an issue with all seasons on a 4wd truck. Yeah, they're not as good as snow tires but take it easy and you'll arrive in one piece. I did drive rwd vehicles as daily drivers for a bit, and snow tires were definitely necessary.

diannabill · December 16, 2013

Wow, so snow tires are better in snow than all seasons? I agree with fondupot, I live in the northeast as well, and spent 4 years in Erie. My job requires me to go to work when the weather gets bad (Electric Utility Worker). I've never had an issue with all seasons on a 4wd truck. Yeah, they're not as good as snow tires but take it easy and you'll arrive in one piece. I did drive rwd vehicles as daily drivers for a bit, and snow tires were definitely necessary.

He'd like to go 60 mph and make hard turns. So he needs those snow tires. (I'm assuming arriving in one piece might also be important to him.)

New2GMC · December 17, 2013

4 wheel drive ... helps you go... don't forget... it does nothing to help you stop

BringTheRain403 · December 17, 2013

I was never a believer in snow tires until I got them on my 2006 Cobalt SS because it literally went no where in the snow. It made a believe out of me. I feel as thought the stock Bridgestones (I have the factory 22's) on my truck perform very very well. That said I feel as though this truck would be a friggin tank with snows on it.

Cap'n Pete · December 17, 2013

A) I love the holier-than-thou reaction any time somebody talks about going "over the speed limit" and in "bad conditions" and say "you're lucky you didn't hurt someone" etc., etc. I'm going to give benefit-of-the-doubt to the OP that he used sound judgement (and an empty road/lot) to test out the limits of the truck.

B) It's kind of ironic to judge the OP's driving decision, and then follow that up with "snow tires aren't really necessary". Um??

C) TIRES are extremely important. Obviously. I've driven a season or two with dedicated snow tires, several winters with good all seasons, and a couple of scary drives (un-planned) with less-than-adequate worn/summer tires. The difference between "good" tires and "bad" tires is night-and-day. The difference between "good" (all season) and "snow" tires is less dramatic. I do not believe snow tires are necessary, but they are beneficial.

D) To say snow tires are good on a 2WD vehicle but not a 4WD vehicle means you've completely missed the boat on the purpose/benefit of snow tires.

Just a few rambling thoughts from a Canadian lad who has driven everything from a 4WD Silverado to a RWD Camaro (on summer tires - and lived to tell about it) in the snow .