Should you use 4-wheel Drive on ice for improved traction and safety? If you drive a vehicle that has a 4WD system and you live in a part of the world that experiences heavy blizzards and snowstorms then you definitely want to engage 4WD in those conditions. 4WD systems are designed to offer superior traction and control on low-traction surfaces and ice roads qualify as such. If you would like to learn more about the advantages of driving a 4WD on ice then continue reading.
4WD should be engaged as soon as you start losing traction on the road surface. 4WD systems send power to all 4 wheels aiding in maintaining traction while driving on slippery surfaces such as ice. 4 Wheel drive does not assist with braking or stopping on ice roads. Decrease your speed and increase your following distance. Winter tires with chains on a 4WD will offer improved traction on icy roads.
The 4-wheel drive does, however, offer improved traction on slippery ice roads when pulling off and when cornering. You will still need to apply the rules of snow and ice driving even with a 4-wheel drive and you are not immune to the effects of slippery ice roads simply because you drive a 4WD.
Next, let us look at how 4WD performs on ice and the advantages and disadvantages of winter tires as well as snow chains.
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Using 4-Wheel Drive on Ice
Driving on ice and rain with a 4-wheel drive can be challenging even for the most experienced driver. You need to adjust your driving style accordingly and always be aware that traction can be lost at any time. Losing traction with any vehicle whether it’s 2WD or 4WD usually happens when you least expect it. Using common sense is usually the best advice anyone can give you, meaning do not be reckless by speeding, cornering hard, braking harshly, and accelerating in corners when roads are slippery due to ice build-up.
The composition of Ice changes throughout the day as the sun comes out and melts the ice and snow. Later it snows again on top of melted icy roads creating a slippery sheet between your tires and the ice below. The soft fluffy snow is the most treacherous especially when it collects on an ice-clad highway.
4WD Safety On Ice Roads
So how does your 4-wheel drive contribute to your safety when roads become icy? Well, a 4-wheel drive provides traction on all 4 wheels. This means the rear wheels of your 4WD are constantly pushing while the front wheels are pulling. The traction of a 4WD is at its lowest point when you are cornering and braking so you want to decrease your speed when entering a corner by lifting off the gas slightly and easing into the corner.
Modern 4WDs have preset 4WD modes that adjust the vehicle’s brakes, acceleration, re-range, and more for these specific driving conditions.
Do not accelerate harshly midway through a corner, even with a 4WD or AWD vehicle. With a 4WD all your wheels are constantly biting for traction and the friction between the surface and your tires is what creates and maintains grip. Once the grip is lost, that is when you could lose control of the vehicle and spin out.
4WD vs 2WD
Advantages of a four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle over a 2-wheel drive (2WD) vehicle:
- Improved traction and stability.
- Ability to continue moving even if two wheels lose traction.
- Recommended to approach corners cautiously and gradually accelerate out of the bend.
Never remove the vehicle from gear and coast through a corner since if you lose traction on any of the wheels you have very little control as to what the vehicle could do. A 4WD can understeer massively if you accelerate into a bend on an icy road which could cause you to hit an outside barrier or leave your lane.
Rear-wheel drives vs 4WD on Ice
- Rear-wheel-drive vehicles can easily lose control on icy roads, especially if empty or un-laden.
- Rear wheels rely on front wheels for traction, causing understeer and potential crashes.
- Without traction aids, the vehicle can quickly spin out if traction is lost on rear wheels.
- Professional or experienced rear-wheel drivers can handle these situations better.
Counter-steering and lifting off the accelerator are essential techniques for regaining control in a slide. By turning in the direction of the slide and releasing the accelerator, drivers allow the rear wheels to regain traction and prevent a potential spin-out. However, it’s important to note that rear-wheel-drive vehicles, particularly when empty or un-laden, are more prone to losing control on icy roads.
This is because the rear wheels rely on the front wheels for traction, which can result in understeer and increase the risk of accidents. Without traction aids, such as stability control systems, the chances of a rear-wheel-drive vehicle spinning out when rear-wheel traction is lost are significantly higher. As a result, professional or experienced rear-wheel drivers are better equipped to handle these challenging situations and mitigate the risks involved.
Front-Wheel Drive vs 4WD on Ice
- Front-wheel-drive vehicles have better traction on low-traction icy roads.
- The weight of the engine directly above the front wheels helps maintain traction.
- Losing traction can be corrected by keeping the wheels in the right direction without counter-steering.
A front-wheel-drive on the other hand always pulls the vehicle forward. This is slightly safer on a low-traction icy road since the vehicle can maintain traction easier than a rear-wheel-drive vehicle. If the wheel does lose traction, it can simply be pulled back in line as long as the driver remains calm and remembers not to lift off the accelerator.
The vehicle will simply pull itself straight if you keep the wheels in the right direction, which is the direction you want to be going. No counter-steering is necessary as in the case of a rear-wheel-drive car.
4WD on Ice vs. Snow
Driving on a snow-filled road versus an icy road is very different. Thick snow causes a lot of resistance to forwarding movement whereas icy roads become slick and slippery, making forward movement challenging, especially when the ice and snow start melting.
When driving on snow you want to engage 4H immediately and when the going gets really rough, engage 4-Lo for slow, controlled driving at speeds below 10mph. This is more applicable when driving off-road, perhaps on a dirt road, grass, or a combination of the two.
Snow driving requires you to maintain a steady momentum and to pay close attention to when the wheels lose traction and start digging in. This is when you need to tap off the accelerator immediately since you run the risk of digging yourself into a deep hole flat onto the belly of the vehicle.
Snow driving can be different in the morning versus the evening since the texture and thickness of snow can change within a short space of time. When the snow melts and it snows on top of melted snow, is when things get interesting. You need to be able to read the snow conditions well, and based on that, it will determine how you approach the snow. There will be scenarios where you will need to use momentum to get through the thick snow and other times you can get away with less aggressive driving.
When driving up slippery inclines you need to use a fair amount of momentum, as much as necessary, and choose the driving line correctly. You might not make the incline of a slippery path with your first attempt, which means you will have to retry and choose a better line. You might even need to engage 4-Lo and use your differential lockers to get up a slippery hill. To become proficient in snow driving, you need to know your 4WD well. Know when the 4WD power starts tapering off and when to shift up or down.
Stud Tires vs 4-Wheel Drive
When the heavy snow season arrives, even the most experienced drivers can find it challenging. Having the correct tires fitted is more important than a 4-wheel drive. If you have a 4-wheel drive and you have winter tires, that’s a bonus and probably the best scenario.
Well, that will depend largely on the kind of weather and road conditions you are faced with. If you are in a country that gets icy road conditions regularly throughout the winter season, then a studded tire will be your best option. These offer the best traction on ice-clad roads since the metal studs dig into the ice to provide traction.
4-Hi or 4Lo in Ice and Snow
When driving on ice with a 4-wheel drive you want to immediately engage 4H. If you have a 4WD with the 4A (4Wheel drive Auto) function, rather select 4H instead of 4A. The reason for this is when the vehicle is in 4A mode, it first needs to lose traction before it engages the front wheels to convert the drivetrain to 4H. Even though this happens within seconds it could mean valuable time when driving under treacherous conditions. 4H means all the wheels are constantly being powered and traction is at its best.
On the contrary, if the road surface is a mixture of high traction and slippery areas, then 4A will come into its own. Here you engage the 4A and let the computer and sensors determine when to engage 4H automatically. This will prevent drivetrain binding while offering you the added benefit of decent fuel consumption in the high traction areas.
4Lo should only be engaged when not driving on any roadways and when traction is at its lowest where you need to exercise the most caution.
Final Thoughts
4WD offers improved traction and pull-offs, however, it offers little if anything for braking. Engage your 4-wheel drive as soon as driving conditions become slippery or immediately when you leave the tarmac. 4-wheel drive with winter tires will be very advantageous, offering maximum grip when roads become slippery and covered in ice or snow.
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