Lots of AWD systems are crap. If you're running one with a Torsen centre diff or a newer HALDEX centre diff, you have a huge advantage over a 4x4 system at higher speeds in slippery conditions. You can transfer power front to back.
Hells yeah. AWD systems are NOT created equally. This is a great little video that shows the difference with respect to the AWD systems in a Toyota RAV4 and a CRV (and a volvo too I think) with the Subaru system.
Bottom line - the Toyota and the Honda systems can't send enough power to the rears. I would put the Quattro system up there with of course, Subaru.
Last edited by I-Hate-Hulse; 10-14-2009 at 09:58 PM.
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I just picked up an 08 Trailblazer w/ 4x4 and Stabilitrak. When winter makes its way around here, I'm best off using the 4x4 Hi and Stabilitrak at the same time, yeah? I've got all seasons, you rich folk that can afford different sets of tires for multiple seasons own me.
^^ I'm with you. As one of the poverty stricken lowlifes who rely on all seasons year-round, I live and die by my 4WD Tahoe when the going gets rough. 4 Hi has gotten me out of some very unpleasant situations.
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I just was wondering how things went yesterday. It took me about 45 minutes to go from Tuxedo to the Max Bell Centre yesterday. Normally about 10 minutes. I had decent maneuverability, with speeds at around 20 kph. Did the 4x4 guys have better results? How was traction on the highways?
Late last night (7:00pm through 1:30am) I bombed around the city at speeds 10-15% below posted limits (crch, sarcee, shag) but at the speed limit on the community roads. Did a few brake tests here and there, seemed fine, the issue last night was more snow and getting stuck than ice and losing traction. However, when I was going home from work and the roads were heavy with traffic not driving behind someone and keeping a slow constant speed was the best way to go because it was slippery.
I love my 4 wheel drive Jeep Grande Cherokee with All Season tires.
I loved my 4 wheel drive Jeep Cherokee with All Season tires I had before that.
I loved my Suzuki Sumarai 4 wheel drive I had before that. Especially in this snow, I miss that thing, it was so much fun.
Yup, I love my 4x4. I love the confidence it gives me, and I love the traction. I'm not one of these idiots that speeds and thinks their invincible with 4x4, however, I am way more confident with it than without.
I dont know if I would have made it to the airport and back last night without it.
Yup, I love my 4x4. I love the confidence it gives me, and I love the traction. I'm not one of these idiots that speeds and thinks their invincible with 4x4, however, I am way more confident with it than without.
I dont know if I would have made it to the airport and back last night without it.
Agreed, get me on an icy crowchild in traffic and I'll be going pretty cautiously and carefully. However, going along crowchild/sarcee last night, no traffic, deep snow, my neighborhood, deep snow, I was having a great time plowing through stuff It's fun!
Winter tires have made a huge difference with my front wheel drive car. My car is lowered and has an aero kit, I am plowing the streets all over the city. I should send an invoice to the city!
It is time I buy a Subaru.
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Winter tires have made a huge difference with my front wheel drive car. My car is lowered and has an aero kit, I am plowing the streets all over the city. I should send an invoice to the city!
It is time I buy a Subaru.
That's good of you, I think I saw you out yesterday.
Well, I drive a Toyota Sequioa with 4x4 and brand new Nokian WGR2's and I had to dig myself out after getting stuck this morning. Came across a side road that was very exposed, and a fairly steep uphill grade. Made it 2/3 of the way up the hill, and then wasn't going any further. When I got out of the truck to start digging I noticed that the snow on the road was higher than the bottom of my door. The road started out with only a foot of snow but got worse as it went along until there was no way I was getting through. Bummer.
I love my 4x4 suburban with all seasons on it... Had to push someone with winter tires on their car out of a 4 way stop that was filled with drifted snow last night. I had no problems getting through it.
Winter tires help with traction, but cars sit way too low even with winter tires to get through this kind of stuff. I had to shake my head at the number of idiots in their front wheel drive cars (winters or not) trying to get around in this stuff last night.
I drive a rear wheel drive 1997 BMW 328is. This is the best winter car I have ever had in my life. The car is almost perfectly balanced 50%-50% between the front and the back that it just destroys the snow with winter tires. I've been passing stuck 4x4s on hills the last few days. I will sing this cars praises until I die.
I drive a rear wheel drive 1997 BMW 328is. This is the best winter car I have ever had in my life. The car is almost perfectly balanced 50%-50% between the front and the back that it just destroys the snow with winter tires. I've been passing stuck 4x4s on hills the last few days. I will sing this cars praises until I die.
The problem with 4x4s is that people buy them thinking that they'll transform them into capable drivers. Not the case. A struggler is a struggler no matter what he's (well, more likely to be she) driving.
After this debacle, I'm looking forward to purchasing a nice big 4x4 truck in the next few years. I'm a pretty damn good winter driver, but with my little Mazda 3, there was simply no point in even attempting to go driving anywhere yesterday or today. Everything was all blown in around our place still and it just wasn't a good time.
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