Thread: Best Vehicle for Snow

The best in snow would be an AWD(all wheel drive) vehicle. Are you looking for a new vehicle, or used?

The older(97-01?) Explorer with a V8 is an AWD, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and most Subaru's.

What would make a car better then another for snow? Traction? Anything 4x4 off road then.

Probably used. I'm going to Carmax. I want something cool too!

Originally Posted by Vieope

What would make a car better then another for snow? Traction? Anything 4x4 off road then.

Like I said, AWD. Traction makes a huge difference too. You want a tire with a large 'footprint'(aka: contact patch). For instance, I have a mud terrain tire.. that has big lugs. It sucks in the snow, because not much of the tire touches the road. A good A/T tire would work best, like the Bridgestone dueler revo, or BFG A/T TKO.

Oh.. the Mercury Mountaineer is also AWD. Just remember.. Because you can go faster in snow than a car, doesnt mean you can stop faster.

I always found amusing to see them using chains in tires. Does that really do something?

Originally Posted by PreMier

Oh.. the Mercury Mountaineer is also AWD. Just remember.. Because you can go faster in snow than a car, doesnt mean you can stop faster.

http://www.carmax.com/dyn/factsheet/factsheet.aspx

I'm used to driving in snow living in northern sweden.

Originally Posted by Vieope

I always found amusing to see them using chains in tires. Does that really do something?

Its mostly used on 2WD vehicles. They are good to have in really deep snow/mud areas. Most peoples tires dont self clean well(most have A/T tires), so the treads get clogged up and it makes it a slick.

Originally Posted by rock4832

http://www.carmax.com/dyn/factsheet/factsheet.aspx

Says the vehicle is no longer in the inventory?

Originally Posted by PreMier

Says the vehicle is no longer in the inventory?

Let's try this one- http://www.carmax.com/dyn/factsheet/factsheet.aspx

Nevermind. Guess you can't link to the cars.

Yea, same thing. Guess you cant link it

I can´t understand exactly what is a non-AWD vehicle.
We still use only wheels around here.

First thing that popped into my head.

Originally Posted by Vieope

I can´t understand exactly what is a non-AWD vehicle.
We still use only wheels around here.

AWD is when ALL 4 wheels turn. Most of the power goes to the rear wheels, but some goes to the front(70%R-30%F). And when one tire starts to slip, the others get more power transfered to them.

You probably have two wheel drive vehicles, where wither the front or rear wheels turn only. AWD is different than 4wheel drive, because you cant turn AWD off.

Nice

Audi 4000s quattro. Hands DOWN.

I pulled an explorere out of a ditch with the one I had 4 years ago!



Yay for 5 cyclinders

BTW, you can individual decide to lock the the front, center and rear diffs from inside of the car

Originally Posted by maniclion

First thing that popped into my head.

Either one of these would work. lol

lol

Originally Posted by PreMier

Like I said, AWD. Traction makes a huge difference too. You want a tire with a large 'footprint'(aka: contact patch). For instance, I have a mud terrain tire.. that has big lugs. It sucks in the snow, because not much of the tire touches the road. A good A/T tire would work best, like the Bridgestone dueler revo, or BFG A/T TKO.

Although you are correct that traction makes a difference, you want less rubber touching the road per pound for more traction. The more PSI the better. So if you have a 200 lb vehicle with 32sqin per tire touching, it would have less traction than one with 20sqin touching. A true mud tire, with the air dropped a little is good. I however usually have Hockapelitta snowtires. There is a point of diminishing returns though.

My suggestion. Buy a Jeep Wrangler with a 6 cyl. They go anywhere, fit in tighter spaces, go in the snow with no problem and you can have fun trick them out. They are a little light, but with some sandbags in the back, they are great. Been in the cold and snow all my life, and this is the best rig I have ever had. I bought it to have fun and trick it out. I didn't know it was going to be my vehicle of choice with so many benefits.

Originally Posted by PreMier

AWD is when ALL 4 wheels turn. Most of the power goes to the rear wheels, but some goes to the front(70%R-30%F). And when one tire starts to slip, the others get more power transfered to them.

You probably have two wheel drive vehicles, where wither the front or rear wheels turn only. AWD is different than 4wheel drive, because you cant turn AWD off.

Incorrect, AWD means "all wheels drive" although with not the same amount of force. A 4WD only has two tires moving (unless you have a posi traction). Most vehicles only have one tire driving (yes this is true). In a 4WD, one front and one rear drive unless one slips, then it stops driving and another, usually the opposite and opposing tire starts spinning.

Originally Posted by rock4832

With my new job I need to be onsite w/in 30min when alarms go off (which happens pretty frequently). With winter here I need a better car for driving in the snow. What do ya'll recommend for good vehicles?

I've got a 2004 F-150 4x4 FX4 and it seems to do extremely well in the snow. They also have some incredible buys right now on these trucks.

Originally Posted by cappo5150

Either one of these would work. lol

How much are you asking...

Originally Posted by MTN WARRIOR

Incorrect, AWD means "all wheels drive" although with not the same amount of force. A 4WD only has two tires moving (unless you have a posi traction). Most vehicles only have one tire driving (yes this is true). In a 4WD, one front and one rear drive unless one slips, then it stops driving and another, usually the opposite and opposing tire starts spinning.

Thats what I said.. Most of the power is transfered to the rear wheels, and the rest to the front. 4WD is just that, 4 wheel drive. But due to open diffs, if a tire is lifted, or it slips, the other one will not turn.. making it like you stated 2wd.

Originally Posted by MTN WARRIOR

Although you are correct that traction makes a difference, you want less rubber touching the road per pound for more traction. The more PSI the better. So if you have a 200 lb vehicle with 32sqin per tire touching, it would have less traction than one with 20sqin touching. A true mud tire, with the air dropped a little is good. I however usually have Hockapelitta snowtires. There is a point of diminishing returns though.

WTF are you arguing? You dont want less rubber touching the road.. thats asanine. The bigger the contact patch, the more traction/stopping power the vehicle will have. Im running the procomp mud terrains(looks like bfg) and with the lugs only touching the road, they are shit! My tire is a 33/12.50

?

well i dreamed i was an eskimo
a frozen wind began to blow
under my boots and around my toes....